Item: Flaxman Law Group
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Author: Clara Barman

Pedestrian Collisions A Focus Again Amid Back to School Season

Published on: August 25, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Now that kids are heading back to school, it’s time to think up strategies for keeping them safe from pedestrian accidents in Homestead or your community. While walking to school is a great way to encourage exercise and time outside, kids who want to walk to school oftem have to contend with morning and evening traffic. To prevent them from being injured, you will want to:

1) Encourage your child to walk home (and to school) with a friend.

If your child is too old to be walked to school by a parent, encourage them to walk to school with older kids or with friends. Children are easier to spot when they are in a group, so motorists may be more aware of groups of children rather than a lone child walking along. An older friend can also help teach a younger child about pedestrian safety.

2) Walk and plan the route together.

If your child is old enough to walk to school alone or with friends, walk the route with them in the morning and afternoon so that they can see how to get to school safely. Along the way, you may want to review basic pedestrian safety rules. A few “trial runs” also lets you see how well your child handles walking through intersections. If your child is not careful when with you, you may want to find another option for getting them to school safely.

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Create a Plan Now to Prevent Back-to-School Injuries

Published on: August 13, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

The stores are full of back-to-school gear right now, but getting ready for school is about a lot more than choosing the right backpack or this season’s jeans. Back to school means a new routine and new challenges. It can also mean a risk of injuries and traffic accidents in Homestead and your community. As kids head back to classes, it can mean more pedestrians in the mornings and a busy school run – both things can increase your risks of a collision. Here’s how to reduce your risk:

1) Create a walk-safe system for your kids.

Child injury in Homestead and other communities can easily happen if your children walk to school. Before sending your child out, walk the school route with your child a few times, taking note of any hazards along the way. If your child is young, consider having them walk to school with friends, since groups of children may be easier for motorists to spot.

2) Review pedestrian safety.

This is a good time to review pedestrian safety, especially since children walking to school are at risk of pedestrian accidents in Homestead and other communities. To go beyond the usual “look both ways” tips, check out the University of Florida Resource Center, a site with interactive learning activities related to pedestrian safety. Another good resource is Safe Kids Worldwide, a website with videos and other teaching tools.

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Why More Needs to Be Done to Prevent Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents in Hollywood and Across Florida

Published on: June 24, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Many studies and polls have identified South Florida as one of the worst regions in the country for bicycle and pedestrian fatalities. According to investigative reports by the Sun Sentinel and other media companies, the area is known as being largely a driving area, with a motorist and two pedestrians struck, on average, daily in the area. A recent poll ranked South Florida as the fourth most dangerous area for pedestrians. The top three regions for pedestrian fatalities were also all in Florida.

The Broward County Metropolitan Planning Office and others are trying to reduce the number of bicycle and pedestrian accidents in Hollywood and other areas. However, the process is slow. The planning office in Broward County has only one staff member dedicated to integrating pedestrian and bicycle safety ideas into major land-use projects in the area. And in order to integrate these ideas, it is important to ensure that the state Department of Transportation, county government, and municipalities all agree on the initiatives – which can be a challenge in and of itself.

Even though the most dangerous intersections are known and authorities as well as city planners know what must be done to prevent the number of pedestrian and bicycle accidents in Hollywood and other South Florida areas, the executive director of the Metropolitan Planning Office in the area has stated that it may take between five to seven years to implement those ideas with the resources currently available.

Safety experts and the Metropolitan Planning Office understand that to prevent serious motor vehicle collisions in Hollywood and other cities, there are several things that need to be done in order to protect pedestrians and bicyclists:

1) Wider bike lanes and more bicycle lanes. Many bicycle accidents could be prevented if bicycles and cars did not have to share the road as often. Bicycle lanes move bikers safely out of the way of cars and make it easier for motorists to spot bicyclists. More bicycle lanes could help prevent accidents and wider bike lanes could give bicyclists more room to prevent cars from brushing bicycles.

2) Better street markings. Good street design and markings could prevent some motor vehicle collisions in Hollywood and Florida. Clear signs to delineate lanes, bike lanes, and crosswalks could help drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and other users of roads.

3) Better signs. Good signage is important in helping everyone get to their destinations safely. Good warning signs for known dangers, signs indicating bike lanes and other road attributes helps drivers and bicyclists make better decisions on the roads.

4) Education campaigns. Everyone needs to be reminded of safety tips once in a while. Education campaigns that help bring awareness to pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities and accidents could help curb right of way accidents in Hollywood as well as other types of pedestrian and bike collisions in Florida.

5) Lighted crosswalks. Crosswalks with good lighting ensure that drivers can see pedestrians and other users of the road at intersections.

6) Wider sidewalks and more sidewalks. Narrow sidewalks could push pedestrians out on the road and unfortunately some areas have no sidewalks on the road, forcing pedestrians to share the road to motorists.

7) New medians. Medians keep road traffic separate from pedestrians and help keep traffic traveling in different directions separate, helping prevent head-on crashes.

8) Better law enforcement. Unfortunately, even with good road design and more awareness of the problem some motorists will inevitably violate the rules of the road and put pedestrians and bicyclists at risk. Better law enforcement can pursue these dangerous drivers and potentially get them off the streets.

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A New Focus on Train and Pedestrian Safety After Tragedy in Pompano Beach

Published on: April 29, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

A devastating pedestrian accident in Pompano Beach occurred late last month, when a man walking along the South Dixie Highway was struck by a freight train. The tragedy has created a new focus on train safety and pedestrian safety, with many wondering what can be done to prevent similar tragedies in the future. There is much debate about the matter, but some experts recommend that these types of accidents can be prevented by:

1) Installing cameras and other devices along railroad tracks. One of the problems with train tracks is that they can attract children as well as pedestrians. Often, a train cannot see that there is an obstacle or a person on the tracks until it is too late. There are already red light cameras at some intersections, and some safety experts recommend surveillance cameras along train tracks in order to allow operators enough time to stop if there’s a child or person on the tracks. Of course, the main obstacle with this plan is cost, as it would be very cost prohibitive to install devices along all of the train tracks across Florida.

2) Starting educational campaigns. Educational campaigns can help alert drivers, pedestrians, and others of the dangers of trains. It may be especially important to teach children about the dangers of bicycle accidents along Pompano Beach tracks and the dangers of walking or playing near train tracks.

3) Install alarms and lights at intersections. A system that lets pedestrians and cars know when a train is coming can help people make the right decisions when it comes to stopping for trains. A clear audible signal as well as flashing lights lets pedestrians and cars know that they need to wait in order to allow a train to pass safely.

4) Creating pedestrian and traffic barriers. A train traveling at full speed can take a mile to stop in an emergency. Unfortunately, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists and drivers sometimes assume that they have enough time to drive across an intersection with a train track if the train is far enough away. Trains travel at very high speed, however, and it can be easy to misjudge distance. Placing barriers across train tracks may prevent pedestrians or cars from crossing easily.

5) Cracking down on negligent train operators and companies. Although there is so far no evidence that negligence played a role in the train accident in Pompano Beach, the fact is that in some cases train accidents are caused by distracted operators, negligent train companies, or mechanical failure in Pompano Beach and other communities. Pursuing negligent workers and companies can help ensure that the industry as a whole takes steps to prevent accidents.

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Curbing Intersection Accidents in Hollywood and Other Florida Communities

Published on: February 11, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Car accidents in Hollywood and other cities across the state can and do occur anywhere. They occur on exit ramps, on abandoned rural highways, on busy streets, on driveways, and in parking lots. However, there is no denying that certain parts of the community are more dangerous than others. Many studies have shown that intersection accidents in Hollywood and other cities can be especially deadly and especially common.

There are many things that make intersections especially dangerous for accidents:

•Some intersections rely on drivers understanding right-of-way rules
•People get impatient at intersections, which can cause speeding and accidents
•Drivers rely on traffic lights at intersections, and these traffic lights may fail, leading to accidents
•There are multiple cars driving at different speeds at intersections
•There is a lot going on at intersections – there may be pedestrians trying to cross the street, there may be cars turning, and there may be cars going straight ahead
For all of these reasons, intersections tend to be especially dangerous. They also tend to result in serious accidents for a number of reasons. In many cases, for example, intersection accidents involve speeding, which can result in more severe injuries. This is because drivers may tap on the gas in order to get through an intersection more quickly. If they misjudge the distance or speed or make another mistake, this can easily lead to an accident such as a broadside accident in Hollywood or another serious accident that occurs at high speed. Intersection accidents can also be especially dangerous because they often involve pedestrians who are crossing a traffic signal. These accidents can be especially devastating for the pedestrian, since a pedestrian has no chance against a larger vehicle such as a passenger car or truck.

There are many things that you can do to prevent intersection accidents in Florida, including:

•Approach intersections carefully
•Understand right-of-way rules and obey them
•If traffic signals appear to be working incorrectly, treat the intersection as a four-way stop
•Make eye contact with other motorists sharing the intersection, particularly if you’re a pedestrian and trying to cross the street
•Always obey traffic signals at intersections
•Drive undistracted and fully focused on driving
If you have been injured in an intersection accident, there may be multiple liable parties involved. If poor road design or poor road work has resulted in the accident, you may have a legal claim against the municipality or the person responsible for maintaining the intersection. There may be an at-fault driver who is responsible for the incident as well. In addition, a personal injury attorney in Hollywood will want to explore the mechanics of your vehicle to see whether car failure or mechanical failure resulted in the accident. Pursuing all liable parties can help you get fair compensation if you have been severely injured in an accident.

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What Can Hollywood and Florida Do to Prevent Pedestrian Accidents?

Published on: December 6, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

A study conducted by the Florida Department of Transportation by the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida concluded that in 2011 Florida had twice the national rate when it came to pedestrian accident fatalities and triple the rate of fatal bicycle crashes. Obviously, more needs to be done to ensure that roads can be shared safely. Many have advocated for better safety in Hollywood, arguing that efforts need to be made to stop Hollywood pedestrian accidents.

Safety experts have suggested many improvements, including suggestions such as:

1) Create wider walkways. Some communities across the country are creating asphalt eight-foot-wide multi-use paths, which provide more space for pedestrians and create a larger space between pedestrians and cars.

2) Set up pedestrian barriers. Medians or refuge islands can help keep pedestrians safe during street crossings.

3) Improve lighting. Good lighting along roadways could potentially help motorists see pedestrians more clearly, helping to prevent traffic accidents in Hollywood.

4) Increase the number of sidewalks. Adding sidewalks, according to some estimates, costs $20 000 or more per block. However, in areas where there are no sidewalks in Hollywood, traffic accidents are more likely because cars and pedestrians must share the road. The Federal Highway Administration reports that about 8% of the estimated 4500 pedestrian fatalities that occur across the country each year are caused while pedestrians are walking on roadways. According to the same source, creating walkways separate from the roads could decrease up to 88% of these types of collisions caused by sharing the road.

5) Slow traffic. Techniques such as curb extensions and striping can reduce traffic speeds, as can better enforcement of speed limits. Speeding not only increases the risk of car accidents in Hollywood and other communities, but it also increases the risk of fatal injuries in the event of a collision.

6) Make an effort towards visibility. Good road design and maintenance includes removing any barriers that could prevent a motorist from seeing a pedestrian. This may mean cutting back hedges and trees or removing larger obstacles.

7) Space crosswalks closer together. Spacing crosswalks far apart – half a mile or more – increases the likelihood that pedestrians will jaywalk rather than walking to the closest crosswalk to cross safely.

8) Improve crosswalk lights. Increasing the green or “WALK” time of pedestrian lights can ensure that pedestrians have enough time to cross to the other side of the road – even if they are young or elderly and need more time to cross. There are also microwave or infrared detectors that can sense slower-moving pedestrians and extend lights as needed so that pedestrians are not caught in the middle of the street when the light changes. Some communities have also found success by creating “pedestrian zone” crossing on body streets. In these situations, road traffic in all directions comes to a complete stop regularly so that pedestrians can cross in whatever way they wish. Currently, safety experts say that lights are designed only with motorists in mind.

What do you think would improve pedestrian safety?

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Preventing Car Accidents This Halloween

Published on: October 29, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

Halloween brings with it not only candies and parties, but also an increased risk of traffic accidents. Trick-or-treaters running along streets and between cars can inadvertently cause a pedestrian accident. Each year, child injuries in Homestead and other cities occur due to traffic accidents and other accidents on Halloween. If you are a driver, there are many things you can do to prevent these tragic collisions:

1) If you have a teen driver, review the rules of Halloween safety. If your teen is driving on their first Halloween, review safety instructions first. Make sure your teen stays extra alert on this night and looks out for young trick-or-treaters who may be too excited by the holiday to look both ways before crossing the street. Make sure your teen also does not drive distracted and calls you instead of driving after drinking. Drunk driving accidents in Homestead can be especially tragic on Halloween, since they are likely to involve young children who are out trick-or-treating.

2) Consider staying home if you can avoid driving. If you don’t have to be out driving, this is one night of the year where it is safer to stay in. Stay in and hand out candy or watch a scary movie and avoid the added traffic of heading out. If you have younger children, consider staying in your neighborhood rather than driving out further afield.

3) In residential areas, especially, slow down and expect the unexpected. Trick-or-treaters are supposed to be highly visible, are supposed to stay on the sidewalks, and are supposed to obey traffic rules (such as crossing at crosswalks only). Parents are also supposed to supervise trick-or-treaters to ensure that they do not run out into traffic. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. Sometimes, trick-or-treating children will run out between cars or will wander off alone and will cross at a red light. Some will be wearing dark costumes that are hard to spot. Motorists need to be prepared for just about anything, so that they can stop in time to avoid a car accident in Homestead or their community.

4) Do not drive tired or distracted. Distracted driving in Homestead and other cities is always a problem – as is fatigued driving. These things can be especially deadly on Halloween, when there are so many young pedestrians around.

5) Keep visibility good. If you are wearing a Halloween costume, make sure that it does not impede your ability to see clearly as you drive. If you decorate your car for Halloween, make sure that there is nothing in or on your vehicle that will create added blind spots.

6) Avoid drinking at Halloween parties if you will be driving home. Drunk driving accidents in Homestead and other communities are a worry on any holiday – including Halloween. If you are planning on going to a party where alcohol will be served, bring money for a cab or have an alternative way of getting home.

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Is Your Child’s Halloween Costume Putting Them at Risk for a Pedestrian Accident?

Published on: October 24, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

At this time of year, many parents are putting the final touches on their child’s Halloween costumes. If you have children who are heading out trick-or-treating this year, you will want to take extra steps to ensure that they are not only wearing fun costumes, but also costumes that help them avoid a pedestrian accident in Homestead or your community. While drivers tend to be alert on Halloween to avoid car collisions, in Homestead and other communities large groups of pedestrians and children running about can pose an added risk. Safety experts note that costumes can be especially unsafe in terms of traffic accidents if:

1) The costume is dark. Scary Halloween costumes often involve lots of dark fabric. While that can certainly be in keeping with the spirit of Halloween, it can also make trick-or-treaters less visible to drivers. If your child wants a costume that does not have a lot of bright colors, insist on reflective stickers or tape to make the child visible or insist that the child carries a flashlight.

2) The costume has dangling parts that pose a tripping hazard. Any long hems need to be rolled up and any costume with oversized shoes that pose a tripping hazard should not be permitted. Trip and fall and slip and fall hazards in Homestead are a serious concern on Halloween and can lead to serious fractures, head injuries, and other serious injuries.

3) The costume inhibits mobility. Any costume that makes it hard for your child to walk or run easily is a hazard as it can make it harder for your child to keep their balance and can make it easier for your child to fall over and sustain an injury. Any costume that causes mobility problems can also make it hard for your child to cross the street safety to avoid a collision.

4) The costume has a mask or hat that affects visibility. Your child should be able to see easily so that he or she can look both ways before crossing a street. Instead of masks, look for quality makeup that can be used as part of the costume, instead. However, do check the ingredients of any makeup you buy. The inexpensive makeup that is sold around this time of year sometimes is irritating for the skin.

Once you have a safe costume for your child, keep in mind that even with a safe costume, careful supervision is important. Make sure that an adult accompanies your children while trick-or-treating and take a group of children together. A larger group is often easier to spot.

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Now that Summer is Ending, You Need a Back-to-School Traffic Plan to Prevent Car Collisions in Homestead or Your Community

Published on: August 10, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

If you have children and will be heading back to school, you need to have a morning routine that helps prevent traffic accidents in Homestead or your community. The daily school run can be one of the more dangerous times for a car accident. Whether your children walk to school or whether you drop them off, you need to take precautions to reduce the risk of a pedestrian accident in Homestead or your community.

If you are making the school run, there are a few tips that can make mornings and afternoons safer:

•Review your route before you go. Find out from the school whether they have a drop-off zone and drop your child off and pick them up in a spot where they will not have to weave around car traffic to get to school.

•Adjust your morning routine so that you have plenty of time in the morning. Rushing can easily lead to a car accident in Homestead or your community because you are more likely to be distracted and less focused during a chaotic day.

•Consider carpooling. It will reduce the amount of traffic in front of your child’s school, which is safer for the students. It is also an eco-friendly option that may help prevent accidents since you will periodically be getting a break from having to rush to and from school.

If you have a teen who will be taking a car to school for the first time, this is a good time to review safety rules as well. You may want to:

•Set rules for school runs. Ensure that your teen has a safe parking spot and limit the number of passengers your teen has on the route to and from schools. Rush hour is hectic enough, especially for a new driver, and studies have shown that teens with multiple passengers in the car are more likely to be in a car accident when compared with non-distracted young drivers.
•Make sure your teen has a safe, well-maintained car. This ensures that mechanical problems are less likely to lead to a car collision.

•Give your teen some extra lessons. A great back-to-school gift for a young driver is some additional training. Hire a professional driving instructor for one-on-one in-car training with your teen so that your teen can get professional feedback and help building their skills.

Even if you do not have children, keep in mind that in the autumn months there will be more traffic and more pedestrians on the sidewalks as children return to school. You may want to:

•Review where schools are in your community, so that you know where pedestrian traffic is more likely. If possible, consider avoiding these areas or at least use extra caution. Children being dropped and heading to school may not be paying attention to traffic and may inadvertently step in front of cars.

•Use extra caution when driving during morning and afternoon rush hour. Even if your route does not take you near a school, there may be an increase in car and pedestrian traffic as well as bus traffic as children head to school.

•Be prepared for many different types of traffic. Some children walk to school, some are dropped off, some take bicycles. Keep in mind that when school is in session you will need to be ready for an increase in many types of morning and afternoon traffic. Use your mirrors and scan the roadways and sidewalks around you to prevent bicycle accidents in Homestead – as well as other types of traffic accidents.

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The Same Things That Cause Car Collisions in Hollywood and Other Communities Can Also Cause Pedestrian Accidents

Published on: July 27, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

Many motorists are aware that driving whole fatigued, distracted, or inebriated can easily lead to a car crash in Hollywood or another community. However, many people seem to take these types of risks when walking or bicycling, which according to some experts has led to an increase in some types of bicycle and pedestrian accidents. Whether you are in a car, riding a bicycle, or walking, you need to be aware of:

1) Drinking. If you have had too much to drink and want to avoid a drunk driving accident in Hollywood or your community, you may think that walking home is a safer option. However, walking home after drinking can easily lead to serious injuries, falls, and even traffic accidents. You may not have the coordination to get home safely and may not have the wherewithal to check for traffic before crossing the street. If you have consumed a lot of alcohol, you may lose consciousness before you reach home or you may wander into traffic without realizing it. If you have been drinking, avoid bicycling or walking home. Instead, take a cab or go home with a trusted friend.

2) Fatigue. Fatigue is linked to about 13% of truck accidents across the country. However, fatigue can also affect your ability to walk home or bicycle safely. When you are tired, you may not have the response times and motor skills to walk or bike safely. You may miss important safety cues or may more easily trip and fall.

3) Distraction. According to researchers led by Jack Nasar at Ohio State University, cell-phone related pedestrian injuries have more than doubled in the US since 2005. Since 2010 alone, about 1500 people have been admitted to US emergency rooms because they have been struck by a car while walking and using a mobile device. In addition to mobile devices, pedestrians and bikers can easily be distracted by daydreaming, music, or other distractions. Any of these can lead to a pedestrian or bicycle accident in Hollywood or your community. Some studies have suggested that listening to music can be especially risky when bicycling or walking, since it keeps you distracted and can also keep you from noticing important audio cues around you – such as the sounds of cars.

Whenever you walk or bicycle, it is best to think like a motorist. Place your focus on getting to your destinations safely, especially if you are walking at night or along a busy road. If you would like a more relaxed biking or walking environment, consider a local gym or a park path which will protect you from cars.

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