Road rage and similar behaviors are responsible for many of the car accidents that happen in the United States. Refusing to slow down and share the road with drivers obeying the traffic laws is one reason many people cause auto accidents. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Road Rage?

Road rage occurs when a driver becomes angry with other drivers. Sometimes the anger may be justified, such as being cut off in traffic. More often, it is the result of someone being in a hurry and not wanting to obey the laws themselves. Road rage behaviors include tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and excessive speeding. Road rage accounts for about 10,000 accidents in the last 12 years.

Continue reading “Slow Down and Share the Road: One Common Cause of Accidents” →

Everyone knows that your driving is impaired when someone drinks alcohol and drives. Drunk driving accounts for 28 percent of all traffic related deaths in the United States. But new evidence shows that driving fatigued can be every bit as dangerous as driving drunk, and some officials believe that it should be treated in much the same way, as a negligent driver.

In fact, 20 percent of traffic related deaths in America occur due to driver fatigue. That’s only eight percent fewer than drunk drivers. A new study done by AAA could be evidence that missing too much sleep can be as bad or worse than driving under the influence.

Continue reading “Why Driver Fatigue is as Dangerous as Drunk Driving” →

Auto accidents that involve big rig trucks are among the most devastating of accidents, both in terms of property damage and in terms of injuries. While it is important to be fully aware of the blind spots on a big rig truck with a trailer and to be careful when driving around big rigs, it is still possible to be in an accident. One of the common causes of truck accidents is mechanical failure. Here’s what you need to know.

Big Truck Mechanical Failures

Trucks, especially trucks with trailers, have a difficult time stopping quickly or maneuvering around difficult roadways and intersections. When the truck itself is not mechanically sound, this makes these hazards much more likely and dangerous. Trucks should be well maintained, with maintenance records kept by the owner or operator of the truck.

Continue reading “Who Is Responsible for Mechanical Truck Failures that Lead to an Accident” →

If you ride a motorcycle, you are probably aware of the basic laws of the road. After all, all motorcycle riders have to take a basic test to get their license, but you may not be aware of all of the laws. Or if you are a motorist, you may not be aware of the laws pertaining to motorcycle riders. Here are some basic Florida motorcycle laws that everyone should know.

Operating Florida Motorcycle Laws

In order to legally operate a motorcycle in Florida, you must have a motorcycle license or endorsement on your driver’s license. When riding your motorcycle, you have to wear a helmet and protective eye gear, and all of your passengers must, too. 

Continue reading “What You Should Know About Florida Motorcycle Laws” →

It has been two years since Hurricane Irma hit the coast of Florida, and some people are still recovering from devastating loss. Yet some homeowners may not have been impacted as much as others. Often roof damage from a heavy storm or hurricane is not immediately apparent. Have you filed your Hurricane Irma claim? If not, or if you have discovered additional damages, it is not too late to file or reopen a claim.

Statute of Limitations

There is a limitation on how long you have to file a claim after a hurricane. According to Section 95.11(2)(e), Florida Statutes, you have up to five years from the date of the loss to file an action for breach of property insurance contract.  Many people think that a lawsuit has to be filed right away. However, you actually have until September 10, 2022, before you run out of time under the Statute of Limitations. 

Continue reading “Hurricane Irma Claims—It’s Not Too Late” →

When you are involved in any type of personal injury case, there are certain types of compensation for which you may be eligible. While only an experienced attorney can determine what types of compensation are likely, it is a good idea to be familiar with the different types of compensation going into the process. There are three primary types of compensation, or damages, which can be awarded in personal injury cases.

Compensatory

Compensatory damages is the type of compensation that is the most concrete. This type of compensation includes things like lost wages, medical bills, property damage, and ongoing medical care. These damages are ones that you can easily prove you deserve based on the merits of the case and the financial losses you sustained regarding the injury.

Continue reading “Three Types of Compensation in Personal Injury Cases” →

When you have an accident that leads to an injury, chances are you will be dealing with an insurance company. You may be working with your own insurance company. Or, if the accident was the fault of another party, you may be dealing with their insurance company. In either case, you should never accept an initial bodily injury settlement that they offer without first talking to an attorney.

The Insurance Investigation

Insurance companies use a lot of different factors to determine how much compensation for which you are eligible. This may include the extent of your injuries, your related medical bills, property damage if applicable, the cause of the accident, and more. Insurance adjusters investigate claims that are made on policies to ensure that they are handled appropriately. After the initial investigation, a settlement is offered. This settlement is usually the bare minimum that will cover your losses as determined by the insurance company. In some cases, the settlement may not even cover all of your financial costs related to the accident. We often say, “insurance companies are in the business of collecting premiums, not paying claims”.  

Continue reading “Why You Should Not Accept the Initial Insurance Settlement” →

Personal injury cases often times come down to a question as to who is at fault, which usually means proving that the individual or company was negligent causing the injury. Regardless of the type of personal injury case or the accident involved, you have to prove that the other party was negligent in order for them to be required to pay you compensation for your injuries. 

Definition of Negligence

Negligence in personal injury cases is defined as the failure to use reasonable care in a given situation, but it really goes beyond this. You have to be able to prove that the responsible party actually caused the accident by not doing something, or doing something, that directly caused the accident.

Continue reading “What Constitutes Negligence in Personal Injury Cases” →

The Family Medical Leave Act is complex, and sometimes even employers don’t understand the law. If eligible, FMLA allows you to take unpaid leave from work for up to 12 weeks for your own serious medical condition or to care for a family member with a serious medical condition. You can also use FMLA in a couple of other situations. It is important to understand your rights to leave when it comes to the Family Medical Leave Act. Here’s what you need to know.

Not Everyone Qualifies

Not everyone qualifies for leave under the FMLA. Employers who have less than 50 employees do not have to provide leave under FMLA. As an employee at a qualifying employer, you must have been employed for at least one year and worked at least 1250 hours the previous year. Before you file a lawsuit for your employer failing to provide you with leave under FMLA, make sure you qualify.

Continue reading “What You Need to Know about FMLA” →

After having an auto accident, you have a lot on your mind. You have to get your vehicle repaired or replaced, take care of duties you missed while you were injured, and play catch up at work. You also have to be concerned with dealing with insurance companies, doctors, and follow-up medical care. Having an attorney after an auto accident gives you some much needed support during this time. Here are three reasons you should hire an attorney after an auto accident.

Prove Your Claim

In order to get full compensation for your auto accident, you will need to be able to prove that you were not at fault, who was at fault, and how the accident happened. Much of this information comes from the scene of the accident. But if you didn’t get photos of the scene or contact information for all witnesses, some investigation may be necessary. At times, a reconstruction expert is needed to determine how the accident happened and who was at fault. An attorney can assist with gathering this and other evidence to prove your claim.

Continue reading “Three Reasons You Need an Attorney After an Auto Accident” →