South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

Teens' Risks for Car Accidents Skyrocket with Passengers Present, Says AAA

Tue, 15 May 2012 08:45:31 -0500

You might want to keep an eye on how many passengers ride with your teen in their vehicle. According to a recent study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, your teen's risks for a car accident in Boca Raton and elsewhere increase significantly with every young passenger that's in the vehicle.

The recent study, "Teen Driver Risk in Relation to Age and Number of Passengers," concluded that teen's risks increase with younger passengers present and decrease with older passengers present.

Our Boca Raton car accident attorneys understand that Florida's graduated driver's licensing (GDL) program doesn't include any passenger restrictions for learning drivers. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), teenage drivers are allowed to pile in as many passengers as the vehicle will fit. This is why we're urging parents to step in and to enact their own passenger rules within their household. Parents can help to significantly reduce the risks of auto accidents for their teens by keeping a close eye on their teen's driving habits. Parental involvement is one of the most powerful tools in shaping these teens' driving habits. Step up and help to create safe, lifelong driving skills.

The recent AAA study looked at the driving habits of 16- and 17-year-old drivers and concluded that when young passengers are present, their risks for an accident skyrocket.

Let's break it down:

-Teen drivers' risks for accidents shoot up more than 40 percent when there's one passenger in the vehicle that is under the age of 21-years-old.

-Teen drivers' risks for accidents double when there are two passengers in the vehicle that are under the age of 21-years-old.

-Teen drivers' risks for accidents quadruple when there are more than two passengers in the vehicle that are under the age of 21-years-old.

It wasn't all bad news though. When these young drivers were behind the wheel with a passenger that was over the age of 34-years-old their risks for accidents drop by more than 60 percent.

"These findings send a clear message to families that parents can make their teens safer," says Peter Kissinger, President and CEO of AAA.

As we stroll through the month of May, teens will be let out of school and they'll be hitting our roadways. During this time, parents are urged to keep an eye on their teen and their driving habits to help keep them safe on our roadways. Make sure you know where your teen is going, when they'll be home and who they'll be riding with. Your supervision can help to keep our young ones safe!

Heat-Related Illnesses in Boca Raton and Elsewhere Likely with Summer Months

Sat, 12 May 2012 08:18:36 -0500

It's really starting to warm up out there and as the summer heat rolls in, officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are rolling out their national campaign to help raise awareness about heat-related work injuries in Boca Raton and elsewhere.

Workers in the state of Florida are at high risks for these kinds of accidents year round, but these risks really skyrocket through the summer months. This year's safety campaign is working to spread the word about the risks associated with the Florida heat and to raise awareness about precautionary steps that can be taken to help to reduce the risks for these injuries. Prevention is simple. It just takes a little knowledge.

"If employers take reasonable precautions, and look out for their workers, we can beat the heat," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

Our Boca Raton injury attorneys understand that were have been about 30 workers killed every year across the U.S. since 2003 because of heat-related work injuries. Thousands more are injured annually. It's those who complete labor-intensive outdoor work that are at the highest risks for these kinds of accidents. These positions include farmers, construction workers, roadside workers, roofers, landscapers and more. Employees and employers are urged to review procedures regarding heat injuries to help to keep everyone safe on the job during the warmest of Florida months. If not treated quickly, heat-related illnesses can quickly turn fatal. These injuries oftentimes start off as heat rash or heat cramps, but can turn into deadly injuries, like heat stroke or heat exhaustion, in a matter of seconds.

Luckily, there a few precautionary steps that employers and employees should follow to help keep everyone safe out there. If you remember three important words, water, rest and shade, we can all do our part to help prevent these kinds of injuries. Review the following safety tips and share them with your coworkers, your friends and your family to help to further ensure everyone's safety in the Florida heat.

Tips to Avoid Heat-Related Injuries:

-Remember these three words: Water. Rest. Shade.

-Drink water often. Hydration is key in helping to reduce the risks for heat-related accidents.

-Take frequent, short breaks.

-Limit your time spent in the sun and in the heat.

-Start tougher and more extensive work in the morning when temps are generally cooler.

-Allow new employees to gradually work their way into working in the heat. Don't throw them out there the first day.

-Train everyone on the work site to recognize the symptoms of heat-related illnesses.

-Train workers on what to do if an employee is showing signs of a heat-related illness.

-Plan for an emergency and know what to do -- acting quickly can save lives!

Car Accidents in Boca Raton and Elsewhere: Use Your Blinkers!

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:44:28 -0500

There's a real simple way to help to reduce your risks of a car accident in Boca Raton. Just use your blinker! Unfortunately, a recent study from the Society of Automotive Engineers reports that drivers are failing to use their blinker about 2 billion times a day. That's close to 800 billion times a year. This neglect is causing about 2 million accidents each and every year.

Drivers aren't using their blinkers about 50 percent of the time when changing lanes and about 25 percent when making turns, according to MSNBC. Why, you ask? Some experts believe that it's just driver laziness. Others think that it's because law enforcement officers aren't enforcing this road law enough, instead focusing more on distracted driving, impaired driving and other irresponsible driving habits. Whatever the reason may be, it's clear that we need to put an end to it and start using blinkers. That's it. Using blinkers can help to significantly reduce the risks of car accidents across the nation.

Our Boca Raton injury attorneys understand that drivers are expected to practice safe and defensive driving habits on our roadways to help to stop car accidents. Just as you're supposed to abide by speed limits, stop at red lights and obey other road laws, you're supposed to use a blinker when making a move in traffic. It's a road law, too! Experts are now taking a look at this dangerous habit and are really breaking down the risks associated with it. It's not looking good either. Far too many lives are being lost in accidents on our roadways every year from this little move, or lack thereof.

"This is a first of its kind report on a subject that amazingly, has never been studied," said Richard Ponziani, P.E., author of the report.

Turn signals have been proven to be one of the simplest ways to prevent an accident. Officials are trying to get drivers back into the safe habit of using them. In addition to urging police officers to focus on this habit, experts have created the "Smart Turn Signal." It's an in-car mechanism that can sense when a driver is and is not using their blinker. It works a lot like a seat belt reminder system does. It sends off a friendly reminder when a driver leaves their blinker on after a turn. What's special about this system is that is can also sense when a driver isn't using their blinker. Other blinker systems don't work that way. When it senses a driver isn't using their turn signal, the system sends off friendly audible reminders in the vehicle to get the driver back on track.

Experts say that this new "Smart Turn Signal" has the ability to significantly cut down on the number of multi-vehicle accidents that our nation sees every year. It may be one of the most effective ways to reduce the risks of these accidents.

Child Injuries in Boca Raton and Elsewhere Focus of Local Advocates

Wed, 02 May 2012 11:42:19 -0500

As we recently reported on our South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working to help raise awareness about the risks of hyperthermia and heatstroke-related child injuries in Boca Raton and elsewhere.

These kinds of accidents, when children are left alone in vehicles, are the number one cause of non-crash, vehicle related deaths for children under the age of 14. The NHTSA's campaign, "Where's baby? Look before you lock," is working to help raise awareness in parents and to help keep kids out of hot vehicles.

According to the Sun Sentinel, Florida is second to only Texas in the number of kids who have died from heat stroke after being left in a vehicle. Over the last 14 years, there have been nearly 550 children who have died in these kinds of accidents. Nearly 60 of these fatalities occurred in the state of Florida.

Our Boca Raton child injury lawyers understand that this campaign is hitting hard in the South Florida area. Safe Kids Worldwide, a General Motors-funded nonprofit effort, is touring the south Florida area and elsewhere to help to raise awareness in parents. Heat can rise to a deadly level in just 10 minutes, sometimes even sooner here in the state of Florida. Norman Collins Sr., a man who lost his grandson last year, is urging parents in the area to never leaver a kid in a car, not even for a few minutes.

"Leaving a window open just a crack makes no difference in the inside temperature of a vehicle," Kate Carr, Safe Kids president.

Children's bodies can heat up five times quicker than an adult's body. When a person's body temperature hit 107 degrees, results can be fatal.

In nearly 20 percent of the near 550 kids who have been killed in these accidents in the last 15 years, about 20 percent of the kids died after parents intentionally left them in the vehicle. More than half of the accidents were unintentional.

In Broward County, there have been at least 5 known fatal accidents since 1998 resulting from children being left in a car. In Palm Beach County, there have been at least 8 known fatal accidents since 2001.

Palm Beach County was in the spotlight for these kinds of accidents back in 2010 when a 2-year-old died after she was left outside in a van of the Delray Beach day care center. After that accident and her death, the county enacted a law requiring safety alert systems in daycare vehicles that carry more than 5 kids.

Experts suggest that parents keep a reminder, such as a stuffed animal, on the dash or keep necessities in the back seat to remember to look for a child. Remember, if you see a kid alone in a vehicle, call 9-1-1!

Mock Accidents in Boca Raton Helping to Reduce Risks for Teens

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:15:01 -0500

This is the time of the year when our teen drivers are up against the highest risks for car accidents in Boca Raton and elsewhere throughout South Florida.

To help to minimize these risks and to provoke safer driving habits within these drivers, the Boca Raton-based Dori Slosberg Foundation is organizing accident reenactments throughout the South Florida area, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Each year, many local high schools partake in these mock accidents to drive home the dangers of both distracted driving and drinking and driving to our young drivers.

"You never know how effective it's going to be," said the spokesman for the Palm beach County Fire-Rescue, Capt. Don De Lucia. "You figure if you save one (student), you accomplished something."

Our Boca Raton car accident lawyers understand that these mock accidents get pretty elaborate, making them as real as possible to really convey the message of the dangers on our roadways. During many of these mock accidents there are fire-rescue trucks, emergency responders and even helicopters deployed to make it as real as possible. Organizers say that the realism of it all helps to make the message stick with these young, inexperienced drivers.

According to the latest research, showing accident victims and car wrecks keeps the message fresh in teen's minds. Just a few days later, their invincibility returns and the message is lost. For this reason, it's important to keep roadway dangers as a common topic of conversation with your teen. Talking with them about the dangers of poor driving habits can help them to create and exercise safe and responsible habits and ultimately help to avoid a potentially fatal accident.

These accident reenactments are put on several times a year at schools throughout the county. The Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue organizes these events. Many times, schools will go out of their way to put on shows for their upperclassmen students around big events.

Organizers of the event say that the realism of the reenactments really hit home with the young audience. Division Chief Al Diliello of the Pembroke Pines Fire-Rescue says that teens are on the edge of their seats during these shows, including a fatal accident resulting from an impaired driver and another fatalities resulting from distracted driving. These stories hit home because they're situations that many of these teens find themselves in behind the wheel. In one of the reenactments, the jaws of life are even brought in to save students from a car wreck. The realism helps to reiterate the importance of the safe driving habits we all talk about.

Studies indicate that teen car accident-related fatalities spike during the summer months. In 2010, there were nearly 27,000 of these young people involved in car accidents across the state of Florida. Car accidents continue to be the number one cause of death for teens across the country.

Accidents in Boca Raton and Elsewhere Targeted in National Campaign

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 10:38:29 -0500

The entire month of May has been designated as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and safety advocates across the nation are using this time to help raise awareness about our two-wheeled friends, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Motorcyclists face some of the steepest risks for fatal accidents in Boca Raton and elsewhere. These travelers are oftentimes overlooked by passenger-vehicle drivers and are put in some risky situations. Florida provides perfect riding weather year round and brings motorcyclists from around the nation. With these conditions, Florida has continuously been ranked as the most dangerous state in the country for these kinds of accidents. Drivers beware.

Our Boca Raton motorcycle accident attorneys understand that Florida is the most dangerous state in the country for these types of accidents, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). We're asking all passenger vehicle drivers to keep an eye out for these vulnerable motorists. Be sure to look twice before making a maneuver in traffic. That extra second can help to prevent a death. Do you part to make our roadways safer and vow to be a more cautious and alert driver.

"It is important for both motorists and motorcyclists to be aware of one another," said David Teater with the National Safety Council.

Safety Tips from the National Safety Council:

For Motorcyclists:

-Avoid riding in poor weather conditions. Shoddy weather reduces your visibility and a driver's ability to see you.

-Remember to always stay out of drivers' blind spots. Make yourself seen.

-Always use your turn signals and make your maneuvers in traffic as predictable as possible.

For Motorists:

-Never follow a motorcyclist too closely. Allow them with plenty of room on our roadways.

-Be careful when making maneuvers in traffic, especially at intersections and when making turns. The number one kind of motorcycle accidents happen with a motorist fails to see a motorcyclist when turning.

-Never try to share a lane with a motorcycle. They follow the same rules of the road as we do as should be treated the same.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics:

-Nearly 50 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents involve a collision with another vehicle.

-Most motorcycle accidents happen when another vehicle turns left into a motorcycle.

-Nearly 40 percent of motorcycle drivers who are killed in an accident were speeding at the time of the accident, compared to roughly 25 percent of car drivers in fatal auto accidents.

Help to make our roadways safer for everyone and join us in promoting Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. By working together we can help to save lives on our roadways. Take that extra look for motorcyclists to help keep our roadways accident free!

Boca Car Accidents a Graduation Risk

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:16:47 -0500

As our Boca Raton injury attorneys recently reported, teen drivers are looking at some serious risks for car accidents during prom season. We recently discussed the risks associated with drinking and driving, but that's not the only problem they'll be facing. During prom season, graduation and summer break, teen drivers across the country will be faced with serious risks for accidents, accidents resulting from speedy driving, distracted driving and other dangerous driving habits.

We're not the only ones getting in on the action and asking teen drivers to be extra careful on our roadways during this time of the year. Safe driving advocates with the Ford Driving Skills for Live (DSFL) program are designing a number of programs and events to help raise awareness about the life-endangering risks that teens face during this time of the year on our roadways.

Car accidents in Boca Raton and elsewhere are the number one cause of death for drivers aged 15- to 20-years-old, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to officials with the Governors Highway Safety Administration (GHSA), the number of fatal car accidents among this age group saw a spike during the last 6 months of 2011, foreshadowing a dangerous year to come.

"This a time of year when many teens request, and parents provide, expanded driving privileges," said Jim Graham with the DSFL program.

Mile for mile, these young drivers are about three times as likely to get into a deadly car accident as any other group of drivers. Each year, about 3,000 of these youngsters die in car accidents across the nation. What's even worse is that these young drivers have the highest proportion of distracted drivers involved in deadly accidents.

Through the DSFL programs, some of the most talented professional drivers in the country will be on hand to offer free, hands-on driving modules for teens across the country. The program will be targeting speed/space management, hazard recognition, driver distraction and vehicle handling.

Parents are urged to remind their teen drivers that driving is not a right and it's a privilege. According to Barbara Harsha, the executive director of GHSA, parents and teens need to talk before the big night to discuss rules and the consequences for breaking these rules. You're urged to establish rules limiting the number of passengers that can be in a vehicle, how late in the evening they can drive and make a commitment to curb the texts and phone calls behind the wheel. Drivers in the state of Florida may not be prohibited from talking and texting behind the wheel by law, but parents can step in to make sure teens are on the right track to roadway safety.

Car Accidents in Boca Raton Targeted by Red Light Cameras

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:22:32 -0500

If you've been on the roads here in Boca Raton you better be ready to stop at red lights. According to News Channel 5, the warning period for red-light runners is over!

There are six intersections in the city of Boca that have these red light cameras and are not only ticketing drivers who speed through the red lights, but they're working to help make intersections safer by reducing the risks of car accidents in Boca Raton at these locations.

Our Boca Raton injury lawyers understand that intersections are a dangerous place for all travelers, motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians alike. Most travelers don't realize this, but intersection-related accidents in the state of Florida are some of the most common accidents we see. Accidents that occur at and near intersections account for about a third of all crashes. Intersection-related accidents account for about 40 percent of all of the traffic fatalities nationwide.

Some argue that these cameras are making our intersections safer and are helping to reduce the risks of accidents, but data concludes that these intersection cameras actually increase the risks of rear-end accidents. That's right. Studied intersections that had cameras in comparison to intersections without cameras saw more rear-end accidents. Many believe that this is because motorists are quick to slam on the brake when the see the light turn to red to avoid getting a potentially costly ticket. Unfortunately, when motorists attempt to avoid tickets in this way they're increasing their risks for an accident in these areas.

Officers warn that if you're caught by one of these cameras, a local officer will look over the footage and the picture to confirm that you violated the law. If it's concluded that you did in fact run a red light, then you'll be receiving a ticket in the mail. If you receive one of these tickets, you can either appeal it or pay the $158 fine.

Officials say that the only goal of these cameras is to help to prevent car accidents in these areas. Drivers are not happy with the cameras though, saying they're causing even more intersection accidents and doing nothing more than generating undeserved revenue for the city.

"I think it would be more helpful to have police officers there doing stops and checks," said Shari Kaplan, a local Boca Raton resident. "That would probably be a wiser use of our tax dollars."

Back in 2010, state legislators approved the use of these cameras to stop red-light runners. Since then, there have been a number of efforts to toss out this law. All have failed.

These cameras and the citations they issue are expected to bring in nearly $500,000 to the city every year.

Risks of Alcohol-Related Car Accidents in Boca Raton among Teens Skyrocket through Prom

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:27:51 -0500

Prom season is coming up and teens are gearing up for the big event. The Sun Sentinel is urging prom goers to plan ahead to make sure their prom season is safe and injury free. Planning ahead can help to keep your teen out of a potentially fatal car accident in Boca Raton.

One of the most common problems associated with prom season are the risks associated with drinking and driving. According to the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation and the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, both parents and teens can be held criminally liable if they're busted with booze. What's more frightening than that are the risks and the recent year's statistics for fatal alcohol-related car accidents during this time of the year.

Our Boca Raton car accident lawyers understand that children can wind up with 60 days in jail and a $500 fine if they're busted in possession of alcohol. Parents and other adults face the same consequences for providing alcohol to minors. During this prom season, law enforcement officials throughout the area will be targeting vendors and those who provide alcohol to minors as well as underage buyers. According to the spokeswoman of the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, enforcement efforts will be going strong from April to May. During this time last year, enforcement officers were able to bust nearly 150 minors in possession of alcohol and another 125 people for selling alcoholic beverages to these young prom goers.

Parents and guardians are urged to get the 4-1-1 and know who their teens are going to prom with, including where they'll be before and after and what time they're supposed to be home. Talk with other parents about these plans to make sure that everyone is on the same page.

Before they head out to the big dance, be sure to discuss the dangers of drinking and driving with them. Law in the state of Florida has a zero tolerance policy for drivers who are under the age of 21. This means that any of these young drivers who are stopped by a law enforcement officer and return a blood alcohol level of .02 or higher will automatically have their license suspended for a minimum of 6 months. With a limit of .02, teens can't even have one drink and drive. Officers will be on the hunt.

Make sure you discuss a curfew with your teen. Know who will be riding with them or who will be driving them. Don't allow their curfew to be too late as the later it gets the higher their risks are for an accident. The more passengers in a vehicle the higher the risks for an accident, too!

In 2008, there were nearly 800 fatal car accidents in the state of Florida where at least one of the drivers involved was legally drunk. In these fatal accidents, the lives of nearly 900 people were lost. In addition, there were another 200 people who were killed in the state in car accidents where a driver was not legally drunk but was in fact under the influence of alcohol.

Heatstroke and Hyperthermia Injuries among Children A Serious Problem with Florida's Heat

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:44:08 -0500

We've seen some hot weather here in South Florida. It's nothing new and our Florida blood may be used to it, but with temperatures in the 80s and 90s children have a lot to worry about. One of the top concerns for safety officials are the risks associated with hyperthermia and heatstroke injuries in Boca Raton and elsewhere.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were nearly 50 kids under the age of 14-years-old who died in these kinds of accidents in 2011, after being left alone in a hot car. As a matter of fact, these accidents are the number one cause of non-crash, vehicle related fatalities for this young age group. What's most arming is that they rely on parents and care providers to save them from these tragedies and sometimes they're just left behind. The NHTSA is launching a new campaign, "Where's baby? Look before you lock," to help to reduce these risks for kids nationwide.

Our Boca Raton car accident attorneys understand most residents don't consider these incidents when they think of car accidents, but the truth of the matter is that kids face some serious risks for irreversible injuries when parents, guardians and daycare providers don't take a second to check the car before getting out and leaving. Some of the injuries associated with heatstroke and hyperthermia are the loss of hearing, the loss of eye sight, irreversible brain damage and even death.

"This campaign is a call-to-action for parents and families, but also for everyone in every community that cares about the safety of children," said U.S. DOT Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

During the next few weeks, the Administration will be putting out a number of online and radio ads to help spread the importance of this message, "Where's baby? Look before you lock." There will also be a number of events and programs designed specifically to help to keep children from unintentionally being left in a parked vehicle.

Parents and other child-watching adults accidentally leave children in vehicles all the time. In both 2010 and 2011, there were nearly 50 kids who died in these kinds of accidents. The NHTSA is offering adults some simple and useful safety tips to help prevent these kinds of tragic accidents.

Safety Measures to Avoid Heatstroke and Hyperthermia-Related Accidents in Automobiles:

-Never leave a child in the car for any amount of time, not even if the air is on and the windows are left open. Florida heat sneaks up quickly, especially in a stationary car.

-Make it a habit to check all seats for a child before getting out of your vehicle.

-Ask childcare providers, babysitters and others who look after your child to contact you immediately if your child doesn't show up when they're supposed it.

-Do things to help yourself remember to look through the vehicle before exiting. Leave something important in the back seat, like your purse or briefcase, to force yourself to turn around and look in the back seat before exiting and leaving.

-Teach kids to never play in or around motor vehicles.

Child Injury in Boca Raton and Elsewhere More Likely with Improperly Used Car Seats

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 07:59:04 -0500

A batch of new public service announcements (PSA) were recently released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ad Council to help to raise awareness about the importance of selecting the right car seat for your kid and making sure it's properly installed.

These seats apply to child passengers under the age of 12. They're so important that they've helped to save nearly 10,000 young lives between 1975 and 2008.

According to the Broward County Sheriff's Office, parents who are busted driving with their child not properly restrained could potentially face a $60 fine and 3 points on their driving record. What's worse than a ticket, a fine or some points on your license are the injury risks that are associated with failing to properly buckle in children -- the risks for potentially fatal accidents in Boca Raton.

Our Boca Raton child injury attorneys understand that car accidents are the number one cause of death for this young age group, an age group that can't even drive. The responsibility of buckling up our young ones lies in the hands of parents and guardians. To help make this a top priority of adults, the new PSAs will be working to help ensure child car safety nationwide. The key message of these PSAs is helping to "make sure their child is in the right car seat."

"Safety is our top priority for everyone on our roadways, and we're calling on parents to do everything they can to protect our most vulnerable passengers," said Ray LaHood with the NHTSA.

A Spanish-language version of the PSAs will be released later in May.

To accompany the newly released PSAs, officials with the NHTSA also released the "Parents Central" website, a one-stop-shop website with tools and resources to help keep kids safe around vehicles. Parents are urged to visit this website at any time to get up to date suggestions, resources, recommendations and laws pertaining to child car seats and keeping kids safe in the car.

From just 2006 to 2010, more than 4,000 kids under the age of 12 were killed in automobile accidents nationwide. In addition to these fatalities, another 700,000 kids were injured. These fatalities and injuries are most commonly the result of improperly selected, placed and used car seats. Help to keep your kids safe in the car and make sure they're properly buckled in the right car seat during every trip.

Parents and guardians are urged to select a car seat based on the child's age, weight and height. Adults are also urged to keep children in a car seat for as long as possible, as long as your child fits the seat's height and weight requirements.

For even more information on how to properly buckle your kid into the car, visit the NHTSA's Child Safety Website.

Car Accidents in Boca Raton and Elsewhere Minimized with a Conscious Effort

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:50:34 -0500

In a previous South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog entry, we discussed the New Year and resolutions to make our roadways safer for all. It's time to check back in on those New Year resolutions and see how everyone's doing.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is stepping in to take a peek, too. Sometimes drivers underestimate the dangers, risks and consequences that lurk along our roadways. When we get complacent with our driving habits, car accidents in Boca Raton and elsewhere result. It's time to get back on the horse.

According to recent studies, most drivers understand which driving habits are dangerous. They recognize that drinking and driving, drowsy driving, speeding, distracted driving and speeding are all unacceptable habits behind the wheel. Unfortunately, most drivers don't make the changes to better themselves and make our roadways safer. According to AAA, that's the "do as I say, not as I do" attitude, meaning they expect other drivers to shape up their habits but fail to see the need for change in themselves.

Our Boca Raton car accident lawyers understand that driving within our state can be frustrating at times, especially during this time of the year. We've got Spring Breakers, snowbirds and vacationers all filling up our roadways. The congestion causes some dangerous driving situations. For that reason, AAA is asking driving to examine their own driving habits and to make the effort to change for a safer year on our roadways.

In 2010, there were nearly 34,000 people who were killed in car accidents across the country. About 2,600 of those roadway fatalities occurred in Florida. Many of these accidents could have been prevented had drivers been more cautious and aware of their own driving habits.

Florida's 2010 Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were:

-Nearly 240,000 traffic crashes.

-Nearly 340,000 drivers involved in accidents.

-Nearly 650 accidents happened each day.

-Roughly 2,600 roadway fatalities.

-Close to 200,000 injuries.

-More than 1,000 accidents involved alcohol.

-More than 110 were drug-related.

"Even one death on our roads in unacceptable," said CEO and President of AAA, Peter Kissinger.

We may be into April already, but we're asking drivers throughout the state to pull out those New Year's resolutions. It's never too late to start practicing safe and alert driving habits. Just remember to breath, listen to the law and drive with your full attention. Safe driving habits can save your life!

Forum on Distraction may Prevent Car Accidents Boca Raton

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 08:00:12 -0500

Distracted driving has been a hot topic of debate lately, especially as we recognize National Distracted Driving Awareness Month 2012. Now, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is joining in.

GHSA was proud to participate on the board of panelists at the Association's Attentive Driving - Countermeasures for Distraction forum. This was a one-day forum used to attack distracted driving head on and to assess the best way to help stop the dangerous habit among drivers nationwide.

Christopher J. Murphy, the Association Past Chairman and Director of the California Office of Highway Safety, spoke during the second panel. He talked about how states should enforce their anti-distraction laws.

The state of Florida is one of the only states left in the country that has yet to enact any sort of anti-distraction law. Drivers of all ages within the state are permitted to do pretty much whatever they want behind the wheel. That's one of the top reasons why distracted driving-related car accidents in Boca Raton and elsewhere throughout the state are so common. While we have no laws, other states are having difficulties enforcing theirs.

Boca Raton injury lawyers understand laws and enforcement efforts work together in the battle against distraction-related accidents. As a matter of fact, California was a hot topic during the recent NTSB forum. The west coast state was commended for its extensive anti-distraction laws, it's extensive enforcement efforts and the results the two produced.

"Examining the effects of existing state laws will help us determine how to best curb distracted driving in the future," said Barbara Harsha, GHSA Executive Director.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB is also focusing in on this dangerous roadway habit. The Board was also a part of the recent one-day forum. Their focus was to examine possible countermeasures that could potentially mitigate distracted driving.

There is a webcast of the forum that's available for you to see in the site's archives.

Findings of the Forum:

-Distractions hinder driving performance.

-Drivers are distracted behind the wheel as much as half of the time.

-Distractions are believed to be a part of nearly a quarter of all accidents.

-Texting increases accident risks more than cell phone use.

As a Result of the Forum, states are urged to:

-Use low-cost engineering solutions such as centerline and edgeline and rumble stripes to alert motorists who may drift off the roadways because of distractions.

-Record distracted driving in accident reports.

-Evaluate other distracted driving programs and laws.

States Should Also Consider:

-Enacting a texting ban for all drivers.

-Enacting a cell phone ban for newly-licensed drivers.

-Strictly enforce current anti-distraction laws.

Boca Raton Injury Lawyers: National Distracted Driving Awareness Month 2012

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 07:04:51 -0500

As we recently reported on our South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, teenage girls are twice as likely to play with electronic devices at the wheel when compared to male drivers their same age, greatly increasing their risks for a car accident in Boca Raton and elsewhere.

But distracted driving is a problem among drivers of all ages? Our roadways are plagued with drivers who are paying little to no attention to the task at hand -- driving. An alarming number of drivers would rather be making phone calls, sending text messages and engaging in other distractions, rather than keeping their mind on the road. For that reason, we're taking the entire month of April to participate in National Distracted Driving Awareness Month 2012!

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the leader of the awareness month, the goal of the anti-distraction campaign is to help get drivers' minds off of the electronic devices and back onto the roadway. To help achieve this goal, the NSC is asking drivers across the county to take this year's pledge -- the pledge to curb distractions behind the wheel.

Our Boca Raton accident attorneys understand that distracted driving took the lives of roughly 3,000 people on roadways across the country in 2010. There's a time and place for everything, and behind the wheel is no time to engage in activities with electronic devices. The NSC estimates that about a fourth of all car accidents involves a cell phone-using driver. Luckily, these accidents aren't our destiny. They're actually rather simple to avoid. All you've have to do is put away the phone, text messaging device and electronic device.

"It's time to start changing the social acceptance of cell phone use while driving," said Janet Froetscher, CEO and president of the NSC.

The NSC will be using the entire month to help to raise awareness about the dangers and the risks that are associated with distracted driving.

Distracted Driving Facts:

-Causes nearly 500,000 injuries annually.

-About 20 percent of fatal accidents are the result of distracted driving.

-About one out of every four fatal accidents involves a distracted driver.

-In June of 2011, there were nearly 200 billion text messages sent/received in the U.S. That's roughly 50 percent more than we saw in June of 2009.

-Although teen drivers are most likely to drive while engaging in distractions, drivers of all ages are guilty of the dangerous driving habit.

-Nearly 20 percent of teens who were involved in a fatal accident in 2009 were reported to have been distracted during the collision.

-Roughly 40 percent of American teenagers say they've been in a car with a cell phone-using driver.

-Drivers who use a hand-held device behind the wheel are nearly 5 times more likely to get into an accident.

-Drivers who text at the wheel are nearly 25 percent more likely to get into an accident.

-Using a cell phone behind the wheel gives a driver the same reaction abilities as a driver who is legally drunk.

FHP Fight Car and Trucking Accidents in Boca Raton and Elsewhere By Targeting Aggression

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 12:53:24 -0500

It's like a battlefield out there, with drivers screaming and fighting just to get down the roadway. To help to reduce the risks of aggression-related car and trucking accidents in Boca Raton and elsewhere in the state, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is pushing its Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks campaign. From March 30th through April 4th, troopers with the FHP will be on the hunt for car and truck drivers who express aggressive driving habits on Florida roadways.

Troopers will be on the lookout for drivers who are speeding, changing lanes excessively and following other vehicles too closely. If you're busted displaying any of these aggressive driving habits, you can wind up with a costly ticket from a state trooper. When you think about it, it's better than the alternative -- a fatal traffic accident.

Our Boca Raton trucking accident lawyers understand that no aggressive driver is safe during this campaign.

The Florida Highway Patrol has teamed up with the Florida Trucking Association to make sure that all drivers are on the same page. Both the Association and state troopers will be conducting a number of events and activities at schools and community centers statewide to help to educate drivers about the risks associated with aggressive driving habits.

"Safety on Florida's roadways is a cooperative effort by cars and trucks alike. As an industry, safety is at the top of our minds -- it matters above all else," said Mary Lou Rajchel, President and CEO of the Florida Trucking Association.

Rajchel says that she and the Administration are thankful to have the opportunity to combine the "No Zone," "big trucks equal big blind spots," and the "see what our drivers see" messages. Safe-driving habits around trucks have always been a top priority of safe driving advocates around the state. That's because accidents that involve large, commercial vehicles are likely to produce fatal results. That's why it's so important to practice safe, cautious and defensive driving habits when traveling near one another.

The campaign will be also be spreading its anti-aggression message through billboards and radio messages throughout the state, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). The safe-driving message not only warns drivers of the heightened risks for a ticket with aggressive driving, but the also the heightened risks for a fatal accident.

Right now, there are 11 states that enforce aggressive driving-related laws, according to the Governors Highway Safety Administration (GHSA)/ In the state of Florida, officers can pull over a driver and classify actions as aggressive driving if a driver commits at least two of the following:

-Failing to obey traffic control devices.

-Improperly passing vehicles.

-Failing to yield to the right-of-way.

-Improperly or unsafely changing lanes.

-Speeding.