Item: Flaxman Law Group
Rating: 5
Author: Clara Barman

Car Accidents Jump Nationwide

Published on: March 5, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the number of car accident fatalities increased 5% between 2011 and 2012. The direct costs of car accidents climbed to a total of 276 billion dollars in 2012. These costs included medical costs, productivity loss, property damage, administrative costs, and costs to employers. According to the NSC, there are a number of reasons for the increase in fatalities:

1) More people are driving. The total number of miles driven across the country increased in 2012 as the economy continued to slowly recover. More cars on the road can mean a higher risk of accidents.

2) Distracted driving. The CDC has reported that the number of distracted drivers involved in fatal car collisions rose seven percent in 2005 and increased to more than ten percent in 2009. Cell phone related accidents in Miami and across Florida are quite common. In addition to cell phones, drivers face multiple distractions. Cars today are equipped with interactive displays, advanced music systems, and more, providing drivers with more distractions than ever before.

3) Drivers who fail to use seatbelts.. If you are involved in a car accident in Miami or anywhere in South Florida, a seat belt can help save your life. It can also help prevent head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other injuries that are caused when a passenger is thrown about the vehicle during a collision.

4) Drunk driving. Drunk driving accidents in Miami and across South Florida continue to be a concern, despite multiple educational programs and campaigns. Currently, the NHSTA is continuing a program which emphasizes that even drivers who are only slightly affected by alcohol are at increased risk of car accidents. Unfortunately, some motorists assume that if they are only slightly “buzzed” and not completely intoxicated they are safe to drive. Experts and the NHSTA are trying to show drivers that even being slightly affected by alcohol – even having a few drinks – can lead to serious car accident.

5) Inexperienced and young drivers. Teen drivers cause many car accidents in Miami and across South Florida, not because they are bad drivers but because in many cases they are still developing their skills. Experts agree that getting additional driver training for young drivers can help them reduce the risk of an accident.

6) Drowsy driving. Driving fatigue is considered by many experts to be as unsafe as driving inebriated. Drowsy driving causes many car and truck accidents in Miami and across South Florida each year.

7) Unsafe trucks. Commercial trucks are subject to many federal regulations to ensure that they are safe and that they do not pose unnecessary risks on the roads. Unfortunately, in some cases motor carriers and truck drivers ignore these federal rules and when this happens, traffic accidents in Miami and South Florida occur.

8) Motorcyclists not wearing helmets. Motorcyclists who are not wearing helmets at the time of their accident are more likely to suffer head injuries and other serious injuries. If you want to increase your risk of surviving a motorcycle accident in Miami or your community, wear a helmet each time you ride. Keep in mind that many preventable head injuries in Miami and across South Florida are caused each year simply by not wearing helmets.

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Could Intentional Injuries Outnumber Injuries Caused by Miami Car Accidents?

Published on: September 21, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

A report published yesterday in the American Journal of Public Health reports that suicides across the country surpass even the number of car accident fatalities. According to the report, authored by epidemiology professor Ian Rockett of West Virginia University, in the past ten years falls and overdoses have increased in frequency while the number of car accidents overall has dropped.

According to Rockett’s research, suicides are undercounted, and there could be as many as 20% more suicides than officially listed. While car accident rates have gotten a great deal of attention, Rockett would like to see more attention paid to suicide prevention.

Rockett reached his conclusion by investigating injury death data available from the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. Looking at injury deaths from 2000 and 2009, Rockett determined that the top causes of unintentional fatalities during this time period were traffic accidents, poisoning, and falls. The top two causes of intentional deaths during the same time period were suicide and homicide. Between 2000 and 2009, according to the research, car accident fatalities declined 25%, while fatalities caused by poisoning increased 128% and fatalities from falls increased 71%. In the same time period, deaths caused by suicides increased 15%. The causes of death during this time period were easier to assess for men than for women.

According to researchers, stigma may be one reason why it is difficult to get more accurate data about suicides – and also why there are fewer programs available to help those who need it. Researchers feel that more cooperation needs to happen between public health sectors, doctors, the public, and legislators to help prevent suicide. More research also needs to be done to determine what more can be done to prevent suicides.

The good news is that now that it is clear there is a problem, more may be done to help prevent the frequency with which suicides occur. After all, steps have been taken to prevent Miami car accidents and accident rates have declined, according to statistics. Since the 1980s, more campaigns and publicity surrounding the dangers of Miami drunk driving have resulted in tougher legislation and special programs designed to reduce the instances of drunk driving. As a result, today drivers are acutely aware that drunk driving causes Miami traffic accidents and the most drivers take steps to drive responsibly. Hopefully, a similar attitude and approach can help society help more suicidal patients.

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Florida is 18th in the US for Fatal Personal Injuries

Published on: June 8, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

According to Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Florida ranks 18th in the country for fatal injuries. According to the two organizations, over 12 000 Florida residents each year die due to preventable personal injuries. For those under age 45 in the state, accidents and violent injuries are the leading fatalities.

The organizations’ findings also suggest that more money could be put towards preventing Miami personal injury. While accidental injury prevention gets very little funding, personal injuries cost the US over $400 billion in medical expenses and in reduced productivity. Accidental deaths cost Florida alone $118 million annually in medical costs.

In Florida alone, 67 out of 100 000 state residents die annually from preventable personal injuries, including Florida and Miami drunk driving accidents, Florida Miami slip and fall accidents, traffic accidents, and other preventable injuries. This is higher than the national average of 58 accidental deaths out of 100 000 US residents. Men also are overrepresented in accidental fatalities. Men account for two out of three accidental deaths.

Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation made ten suggestions for how states could help prevent accidental fatalities. These suggestions include adding a motorcycle helmet law, which could help prevent fatal brain injuries in Miami motorcycle accidents. Another suggestion was for Florida to mandate built-in breathalyzers in the cars of convicted drunk drivers. The two organizations also suggested that Florida could do more to prevent teen dating violence and could pass booster seat laws to prevent childhood injuries in Miami car accidents. Florida already does have bicycle helmet laws, prescription drug monitoring, and seat belt laws, which puts the state ahead of some others when it comes to preventative safety measures.

According to the study and other experts, some of the top preventable injuries in the region include Miami motorcycle accidents, Miami car accidents caused by distracted driving, and Miami injuries and falls caused by alcohol. In many cases, the fatal and serious injuries that emergency doctors see in Miami are quite preventable. While Miami hospitals do a good job of treating Miami brain injury patients and other trauma patients, doctors agree that prevention is key to preventing fatalities and serious accidents.

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New Statistics About Teen Drivers Could Give More Insights into Miami Car Accidents

Published on: June 1, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

New information from the AAA shows that teen drivers are more likely to be in deadly car collisions when they drive with passengers who are under 21 years of age. According to the statistics, having one young passenger and no adult in a passenger vehicle with a teen driver increases a teen driver’s risk of a fatal car accident by 44% when compared with driving without passengers. As each additional young passenger is added, the risk of being involved in a fatal car accident increases. The same research, however, finds that when a passenger in the car is an adult over the age of 35, a teen driver’s risk of being in a fatal car collision is actually decreased by 62%
According to the AAA and other experts, these statistics show what has already been known anecdotally; younger passengers distract teen drivers and may encourage risky behaviors while having an adult in the car can encourage teen drivers to drive more cautiously. According to experts, even when younger passengers are quiet, they can be a distraction for a young driver. Distracted drivers may experience what is known as “inattention blindness.” This occurs when a driver is looking at the roadway but is distracted enough to not process everything in front of them. When this occurs, the driver cannot react in time to obstacles, in many cases, and this can result in Miami pedestrian accidents and traffic accidents.

The implications of the research is clear: if parents want to ensure that they teens are not involved in Miami traffic accidents, it is important to place limits on passengers. Parents may also want to restrict other distraction in the car and even ask teens to drive with an adult passenger during the first few months after being licensed.

Another study, out of Melbourne’s Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, shows that road accidents are the leading cause of teen deaths around the world. International research showed that injuries were the result of 40% of fatalities to young people between the ages of 10 and 24. The single leading cause of death in this age group, according to researchers, was car accidents. Researchers in the study also found an alarming trend: while fatality rates for young children under the age of five have declined over 80% internationally in the past five decades, teen fatalities have not significantly declined in the same time period. Worse, the US has the highest teen fatality rates of 27 developed countries, in part due to the rate of car accidents and violence across the country.

Some countries, including Australia, have reduced teen mortality rates by reducing road speeds, improving licensing programs, and improving road and vehicle quality. It may be time to get more serious about preventing Miami car accidents so that the rate of teen fatalities can be reduced.

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Do Children From Different Circumstances Have Different Injury Rates After a Miami Car Accident?

Published on: May 17, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

A new study from the Montreal Public Health Department, published in the American Journal on Public Health, suggests that those who live in neighborhoods with low incomes are more likely to be injured in car accidents when compared with car accident victims from more affluent communities. According to the researchers, children are especially susceptible to the economic gap, with children from less well-off neighborhoods being 7.3 times more likely to be hurt as pedestrians in a car accident when compared with children from wealthier communities.
Researchers completed the study by examining neighborhoods in Montreal, Canada by average household income and by comparing traffic accident injuries in each neighborhood between 1999 and 2004. There may be many reasons why lower-income neighborhoods have the troublingly higher rate of car accident injuries, and many of the findings may also be applicable to Miami car accidents:

1) Lower-income neighborhoods may have more traffic. According to the study authors, some lower-income neighborhoods have twice as much traffic and busier streets. While affluent neighborhoods often have residential areas that are well out of the way of noisy traffic, lower-income neighborhoods may have more mixed-use areas and may have more traffic. In Miami, that can mean more Miami traffic accidents.

2) Lower-income neighborhoods have a higher population density. Lower-income areas tend, generally, to have more residents and more businesses, while higher-income areas usually have larger homes, more spaces between buildings, and thus a lower population density. That can mean more people and more cars in low-income areas competing for space, which in turn can mean more congestion and more traffic accidents.

3) Lower-income neighborhoods have residents with less access to cars, meaning that more people walk. According to the study, lower-income pedestrians were 6.6 times more likely to be injured by a vehicle. The study also suggests that Miami bicycle accidents may be a problem in lower-income areas, as cyclists in less affluent neighborhoods were 3.9 times more likely to be injured by a vehicle when compared with cyclists in wealthier areas.

4) Lower-income neighborhoods may be less well funded in terms of signage and infrastructure. Higher-income neighborhoods often have groups dedicated to ensuring that the community stays attractive, with well-paved roads and with correct signage. There may be less pressure on cities to beautify lower-income areas, and higher traffic in these areas can mean that streets are in less pristine condition, paving the way for accidents.

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Turn Signals and Coral Gables Car Accidents

Published on: May 15, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

There is a lot of press coverage about Coral Gables car accidents and Florida car collisions caused by distracted driving, but a new study from the Society of Automotive Engineers suggests that incorrect use of turn signals causes many more traffic accidents each year – up to 2 million accidents nationally each year.

According to the study, drivers either fail to turn their signals off or completely neglect using the signals when changing lanes 48% of the time. Researchers also found that drivers do not use signals correctly 25% of the time when making a turn. This means that drivers on US roads fail to use turn signals correctly 750 billion times each year – or about 2 billion times each year. This results it about 2 million accidents, while distracted driving is linked to 950 000 collisions each year.

While drivers are required to use turn signals, the lack of compliance shown in the study is a serious concern. Significantly, this is the first time that the problem has been studied by researchers and experts at the Society of Automotive Engineers hope that the study’s findings will result in more awareness of the problem. Using turn signals correctly is vital in preventing Coral Gables truck accidents and traffic accidents across the country.

While no studies have been done to determine how much police focus on enforcement of lack of turn signals, researchers believe that there is less focus on incorrect use of turn signals, when compared with red light running and other traffic violations. Researchers at the Society of Automotive Engineers do believe that in addition to more enforcement, technology may be able to help with the problem. Devices that can turn off signals automatically after a driver changes lane, for example, might be able to help. Devices that remind drivers to turn on their signals when they fail to do so could also possibly help drivers become more aware of the problem and more likely to eventually start using turn signals consistently. The Smart Turn Signal system is already available and is getting some approval from experts. However, making the device standard in vehicles may still be far off into the future.

In the meantime, there are several things that drivers can do to help avoid Coral Gables traffic accidents. Being aware of turn signal use and using turn signals correctly is a good place to start. Helping to raise awareness about the importance of turn signals is another important step. Using turn signals is vital in ensuring that other drivers know your intentions.

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Seatbelts Can Cause Injuries in North Miami Beach Car Accidents

Published on: March 29, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Subaru is recalling 275,000 Foresters, due to a problem with the SUVs locking retractors for the seatbelt systems. According to Subaru, the recall affects Foresters with model years between 2009 and 2012. The problem seems to be that the automatic locking retractor installed in the rear seats of some models may not allow for child safety seats and may not adhere to locking requirements. So far, Subaru has not noted whether any injuries have been caused by the problem.

It is expected that the recall should be launched by the middle of April. Subaru will be replacing the seat belt assembly for the rear center seat belt on all affected models with a new automatic locking retractor gear and with new seat belts that have shorter lengths. Customers and dealers will be notified of the recall and will be given instructions at that point for replacing the system. Due to the number of vehicles involved, the recall will occur in stages. Some owners may need to wait until 2013 to have the problem fixed.

The recall highlights the importance of seat belt safety in preventing North Miami Beach car accidents. Seatbelts are one of the most important safety features in any car – even given the new safety features available on newer models of cars – because seatbelts and safety belts help keep passengers and drivers safely in the car during a North Miami Beach traffic accident. Without a seatbelt, passengers and drivers are likely to be thrown about the vehicle or even ejected from the vehicle, which often leads to serious North Miami Beach brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and fatal or permanent injuries. Most experts agree that wearing a safety belt is one of the easiest, simplest, and most effective ways to prevent serious injuries in a car accident.

However, despite the importance of seatbelts, they are not without their drawbacks. Safety defects – such as potentially the one affecting Subaru – can mean that safety belts do not work as expected in an accident. In this situation, it is possible for passengers and drivers to sustain serious or permanent injuries. When this happens, however, Florida law does protect victims. Victims who have been injured due to a safety belt defect can often seek legal action against car manufacturers who knew about the defect but failed to act in time.

Seatbelts may have other issues, even if they are not defective. For example, seatbelts are only meant to work for adults. Children can be seriously injured by a seatbelt, as it can cut into the neck, shoulder, and abdomen area of a child. For this reason, it is important to always let children sit in the backseat and to always use age-appropriate child safety restraints instead of seatbelts when children are passengers in a car. Adults who are below average height may also wish to consider how seatbelts fit them. In some cases, adults below average height can also have problems during a car accident if the seatbelt cuts into their chest, back, or facial area, causing injuries. It is important for adults to carefully adjust their seat and seat belt so that it fits correctly.

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Florida Car Accidents: A Look at the Statistics

Published on: October 6, 2011 | By Flaxman Law Group

The statistics surrounding the risk of car accidents in Miami and other major Florida cities can be frightening. For example, did you know…
1) There were more than 43 000 Miami Dade County car accidents in 2008 alone, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. That means 118 accidents daily in just that one county. The accidents also had a high cost that year, causing 271 fatalities. In 85 of the fatal car accidents in Miami Dade County, alcohol was a cause of the accident, again underscoring the risks of Miami drunk driving.

2) Miami Dade County experienced an especially high rate of serious car accidents in the early part of the 2000s, with 51, 132 road accidents in 2002 and 54, 519 Miami Dade traffic accidents in 2001. After 2001, the number of accidents began to decline, but tens of thousands of accidents still occur across the county every year.

3) While Miami Dade County has many large cities, including Hialeah, Key Biscayne, Coral Gables, Homestead, Miami Beach, North Miami, South Miami, and others, Miami is the city that sees the largest number of car accidents. Miami car accidents account for up to a quarter of all accidents in the County some years.

4) A significant number of Miami car accidents are Miami drunk driving accidents. Statistics show that in 2005, 4.63% of traffic accidents were related to alcohol. In comparison, 2.12% of traffic accidents across Miami Dade County were linked to alcohol consumption that same year.

5) Miami Dade County has significant rates of most types of traffic accidents. While the statistics about Miami traffic accidents are sobering, the County sees quite a number of different types of accidents. In 2005, there were eight fatal Miami Dade bicycle accidents, 81 fatal pedestrian accidents, and 45 fatal Miami Dade motorcycle accidents as well. In addition to these fatalities, many more residents were injured in these types of accidents but survived their injuries. Across Florida that year, more than 1000 people were injured in pedestrian accidents and more than 400 people were injured in bicycle accidents. Unfortunately, Florida has earned a reputation as a state with a high number of bicycle accidents.

Knowing about the statistics can be useful for Florida drivers and pedestrians. If you live, work, or travel to Miami or the surrounding areas, knowing your risks is important. While you cannot prevent every accident, there are many things you can do to stay safe. Getting adequate driving training, staying distraction-free, and following the rules of the road are all important first steps. Authorities agree that many car accidents across the country are preventable. Driving safely and responsibly can keep you and your loved ones safe.

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Pets Can Cause Florida Car Accidents

Published on: June 7, 2011 | By Flaxman Law Group

Florida residents love their pets, but when those pets are loose in a car, they can easily contribute to deadly traffic accidents. According to the organization “Paws to Click,” one accident occurs every 18 minutes in this country because there is a pet loose in the vehicle, distracting the driver. About 30 000 accidents in the US each year are caused by dogs alone. According to the same source, one in five drivers admit to driving with a dog on their lap. While Florida does not have any regulations requiring pet owners to restrain their pets in a vehicle, it is the safest and most humane option.

While dogs are lovable creatures, when they are left loose in a car, they can cause a great deal of distraction to the driver. The dog may begin chewing the upholstery or may try to dig under the seats. Some dogs get motion sickness and vomit in the car. Many dogs like to hang out the window, which puts them at risk of falling out of the window or getting debris in their mouth or eyes. Many dogs also enjoy jumping all over the car, getting underfoot, or placing their paws on the steering wheel. All of these distractions can become deadly for the driver – and for the drivers of other vehicles nearby.

Another tragic consequence of allowing pets loose in a car is that they become victims in the event of a car accident. If you are in a car accident in Florida and are holding your dog in your lap, your dog will likely be killed due to the impact of the airbag inflating in front of you. As well, if a pet is unrestrained and you are in a collision, that pet becomes a projectile which can harm you in an accident. If your pet is airborne during an accident, they will likely impact and this will prove fatal. Placing your pet in a carrier or appropriate restrains can help prevent an accident, and can also save your pet’s life.

There are many ways to safely restrain your pet in your car. There are booster seats, car seats, and seat belts made for dogs. These items are inexpensive, widely available, and allow your dog to look out the window while staying safer. It is important to place your dog in restraints in the back seat of the car, where airbags will not harm your pet in the event of an accident. All other animals should be placed in carriers or crates in the back seat of the car. Crates and carriers are also available for dogs.

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Car Stunts Can Mean More Florida Car Accidents, Especially Among Younger Drivers

Published on: March 17, 2011 | By Flaxman Law Group

While getting that driver’s license for the first time is a thrill and a sign of freedom for most teen drivers, there is mounting evidence that some drivers are abusing their driving privileges and using their cars to perform stunts that can easily lead to Florida pedestrian accidents and car accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 70% of participants in car stunts are young male drivers and the number of accidents resulting from vehicle stunts seems to be growing. The most popular stunts include:

1) Car surfing. In this stunt, a passenger rides on top of the car, on the running boards, or on the bumper while the car is in motion. In some cases, someone hangs outside of the vehicle while the car is driving. Some drivers speed up or go at increasingly higher speeds while car surfing. According to the CDC, car surfing alone has resulted in almost 100 fatalities. Those who “surf” on cars can easily lose their grip and fall onto the road or crash into overhanging branches or other objects.

2) Ghost riding. In this stunt, a passenger dances or stands on the outside of the car while a driver drives the vehicle, often at increasing speeds. This stunt is dangerous because the person on the exterior can easily lose their balance and fall off. It’s a simple way to become a Florida spinal cord injury patient and a simple way to sustain fatal injuries.

3) Skitching. This stunt mimics windsurfing: while the vehicle is in motion a passenger uses a rope or some other means to be dragged along behind the car on roller skates, roller blades, skateboard, or scooter. This can easily lead to collisions and pedestrian accidents if the person behind the car swings out of control. As well, the person behind the car can easily lose their grip or fall under a vehicle.

While these stunts are no doubt meant to be innocent fun, they are anything but. They can cause serious injuries and death. They can also lead to serious charges against any driver who partakes in such activities. Unfortunately, these stunts are often popularized on YouTube and other social media websites, making them seem fun for young drivers.

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