Florida Injury And Accident Lawyer Blog

A New Twist on Texting and Driving

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:18:51 -0500

Not a day goes by that I do not see a person texting and driving. Florida has not yet outlawed this negligent behavior, but it seems that a law is on the horizon.

Changes Coming to the Florida PIP Laws in 2013

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:48:51 -0500

It’s the end of the year, and we all know what that means: crazy drivers! Holiday shoppers scrambling for last-minute gifts are more concerned about getting to the mall before it closes than obeying traffic laws and being mindful of their surroundings. Studies reflect that car accidents increase by sixty percent on Black Friday. Frankly, I’m surprised that figure isn’t higher.

Should I pay my personal injury attorney an initial deposit?

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 09:35:20 -0500

For personal injury cases, we work strictly on contingency, with no upfront fees to the client.

After an accident, Should I call My Doctor First?

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 09:02:04 -0500

If you are injured, you must see your doctor first.

Call Police Even if At-Fault Driver Gives Insurance Info?

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 16:39:05 -0500

Remember, the police are trained to investigate accident scenes. If you have any doubts, always call the police. If someone is injured, you absolutely need a police report.

Even Small Cases Can Make a Big Difference

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 10:33:28 -0500

When you go to most law firm websites, you will notice they only advertise for high dollar, large settlements. At Dellutri Law Group, we have obtained large settlements too, but we take pride in all of our achievements. Earlier this year a young lady who had been in a car accident called our office. She had been turned down by two other law firms, as her case was not considered large enough. She works at a local coffee shop in Ft. Myers, and is a single mom of a little boy.

PIP Reform Passed By Governor Rick Scott - Let The Raids Begin

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 07:43:47 -0500

There was a rumor that a PIP reform bill was going to Governor Rick Scott. It seems that PIP is once again being called into question. Well, PIP fraud is actually being called into question, and now it is a billion dollar tax on Floridians.

When a person is injured in an automobile accident, they should immediately seek medical attention. Their automobile insurance is primary. This means that before breaking out the health insurance card, the injured party should provide the medical provider with their PIP coverage.

Bank Of America Acted Negligently And Jury Awards $3.3 Million

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:55:10 -0500

A jury awarded Rodolfo Vallardes $3.3 million in damages for Bank Of America's negligence. Mr. Vallardes walked into a Bank of America in Aventura Florida to cash a $100 check. At the time, he was wearing a Miami Heat hat. He didn't produce a weapon. He didn't demand any money. He simply handed over his check and his I.D., and the teller tripped the silent alarm.

The defense argued that all bank tellers were on high alert because of several bank robberies in the area by a hispanic male wearing a Miami Heat hat.

Your Car Is A Total Loss! Who Pays And Do You Recoup Any Expenses?

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:15:47 -0500

A car accident only takes a second to occur, yet it takes days, weeks, months and sometimes years to pick up the pieces. A majority of the calls placed to the Personal Injury Department at The Dellutri Law Group have two main issues: First-they are badly injured and are requesting we advise them as to who pays for their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc. The second and highly common issue: Property Damage....Is is repairable or a total loss?
f the cost of repairing your vehicle exceeds a certain percentage of your car's value before the accident, insurance companies will declare it a "total loss." Some car insurance companies will total a vehicle if damages are at or above 51 percent its pre-accident value. Other insurers will total at 80 percent. State insurance departments often set guidelines for the percentage at which cars can be totaled.

2011 Motorcycle Helmet Use Laws

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:29:30 -0500

Just this month, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety issued a report regarding the motorcycle helmet use laws for each of the states. The Institute's research found that "laws requiring all motorcyclists to wear a helmet are in place in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Laws requiring only some motorcyclists to wear a helmet are in place in 27 states.
There is no motorcycle helmet use law in 3 states (Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire)."

Local Father of 3 rear ended at 55mph on U.S. 41

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:42:27 -0500

As a native of Fort Myers and as a personal injury attorney in Southwest Florida, I am often contacted by family and friends who I personally know or have been acquainted with for many years. Unfortunately, when I recieve that call wherein I learn that an accident took place, my heart drops as I am too familiar with the tragic consequences of automobile accidents. These accidents can happen anywhere, at anytime, to anyone.

In February 2011, I was contacted by "Tom Smith", a local resident and acquaintance to assist in the handling of his personal injury matter. Tom has lived in southwest Florida for many years and attended our local public schools.He is happily married and the proud father of 3 children. Tom relayed to me that he was minding his own business on a sunny February day. His truck had come to a complete stop on U.S. 41 when, without warning, he was rear ended by the at fault driver at 55mph. The at fault driver was so inattentive, he never even had a chance to brake or use his horn to warn Tom. Both vehicles were totaled as a result.

Tom was transported by ambulance to Lee Memorial Hospital for serious injuries. He was ultimately released from the hospital, but sought the opinion of a neurosurgeon for an evaluation of his debilitating neck pain. The local neurosurgeon recommended an MRI of the neck which confirmed a herniated disk with cord compression at C6-7. Shortly after the MRI results, Tom underwent an Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion at C6-7 in March 2011.

Once the surgery was complete and Tom was recovering at home, The Dellutri Law Group completed its investigation and aggressively pursued a settlement against the insurance company of the at-fault driver. The result was a multi-figure confidential settlement for Tom and his family. Although dollars will never heal Tom's neck, our system of justice, while not perfect, is the best system in the world. Tom was fully compensated for his losses.

As I write this blog, I am happy to say that The Dellutri Law Group was able to investigate, litigate and resolve Tom's case within 5 months after the accident occurred.

This blog was written by Amanda Downing, Esq. Amanda is a wife, mother and daughter and a constant crusader against all that is wrong in the world. She oversees the firm's personal injury department and will fight to seek Justice for her clients.

Preventing Summertime Injuries

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 07:28:54 -0500

Now that the days of summer are upon us, many people will be spending more time outdoors, especially children. As a Personal Injury Attorney and a Dad, I get the phone calls when children are injured, and these are the toughest cases to deal with. Therefore, I want to just remind everyone that many children are injured while biking, playing, driving in cars and while engaging in water sports.

Parents, please take each and every precaution that you can to prevent an unnecessary injury. I know we can't protect them from everything, but we can teach them the skills they need to watch out for themselves and others going forward.

Dellutri Law Group Has Started A New Blog Trying To Prevent Personal Injuries

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:09:02 -0500

The Dellutri Law Group is proud to announce that it has started a new blog designed to protect the Consumers of Southwest Florida.

Click Here to check it out.

www.floridaanswerstopersonalinjuryquestions.com

Please check it out, sign up for the free newsletter and by all means let us know how we are doing.

Pedestrian Struck at School Crossing as a Result of the at Fault Driver using his Cell Phone

Fri, 20 May 2011 15:06:41 -0500

As a personal injury attorney in Southwest Florida, I meet many interesting people. Unfortunately, many of them are extremely injured when we meet, and my heart always goes out to people injured as the result of someone's negligence. These disasters can happen anytime and anywhere to anyone.

Many times, I get to meet them in the office, but I will gladly go to the Hospital when necessary. In November 2010, I was requested to meet "Jane" and her husband "John" at Lee Memorial Hospital. When I walked into Jane's ICU room at Lee Memorial, John was standing beside Jane's bed, keeping her company.

When I asked Jane what happened, I quickly learned that John was his wife's voice as her entire mouth was completely wired shut as she had just underwent jaw and chin reconstruction for a mandibular fracture.

I was advised that Jane would have to eat through a straw until her wires were removed, which wasn't until the end of December. When the wires were removed, I remember Jane was happy that she would be able to enjoy a holiday meal with her family.

Also, in addition to her facial injuries, a CT scan of Jane's head revealed a right cerebral contusion and a subdural hematoma. Jane also fractured her left leg. Fortunately, these injuries did not require surgery and healed slowly over time.

I Hit A Hole In The Road That Caused Damages To My Car - Who Is Responsible?

Tue, 10 May 2011 09:29:45 -0500

Unfortunately, a pot hole in the road will cause damage to your car. Check out this video if this ever happens to you.