South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

Drivers in our state could be the new subjects of a crash study aimed at creating countermeasures to prevent car accidents in Boca Raton and elsewhere before they even happen.

The Naturalistic Driving Study is looking for 3,100, many of them in the Tampa Bay area, to participate in the two-year study. The study aims to examine driver's behaviors behind the wheel in an attempt to create effective countermeasures to prevent car accidents.

Driver actions are the primary cause of most car accidents nationwide.

Our West Palm Beach car accident attorneys recognize that this study, the largest field study of its kind, will be truly beneficial in reducing the number of fatal accidents on our roadways. Drivers will be examined mainly in crash and near-crash scenarios. Researchers will start off by specifically looking into accidents that occur at intersections and accidents where the driver runs off the road.

"Collision prevention is the central goal of the study" said Ken Campbell, chief program officer overseeing safety for the Strategic Highway Research Program, which is part of the non-profit Transportation Research Board. "And the driver is the key to prevent collision."

During this study, researchers will install monitoring equipment into the participant's vehicle. This equipment will consist of four video cameras positioned to record forward and rear views and the driver's face and hands. The vehicle will also have GPS, wireless radar and sensors installed throughout the duration of the study. Information collected will include lane width, curve radius, traffic, speed, lighting and weather conditions, according to Forbes.

All of this information will be kept in a storage box that is about the size of a text book inside the vehicle. Researchers will fetch this information every four to six months.

This study, sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration, is so different because its main focus is to determine theories of crash avoidance where previous studies have only focused on countermeasures used to protect drivers and passengers after collisions, like seat belts, airbags and crash-worthy vehicles.

"You can't just look at collisions or near collisions to know what risk factors are. It's that comparison with what the driver is doing when there is not a safety-related event that tells you what the risk factors are," said Campbell.

This data will be analyzed by researchers and then used to aid the development of safety improvements in road design, cars, and driver training programs.

The study is looking for participants in New York, Washington, Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Indiana. Participants can sign up for one or two years. Each year they're signed up they'll receive $500.

"We are particularly interested in people under 25 and over 65" Dr. Campbell said. Both groups represent a small percentage of all drivers and have high collision rates.

To participate, you are required to have a valid driver's license, proof of insurance and an approved vehicle.

"This study is long overdue and has the potential for providing the most comprehensive look at why highway crashes occur," said Peter Kissinger, president and chief executive of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a nonprofit research and educational organization that provided technical advice for the study. "It is unprecedented in its scope and approach. It will be a wonderful supplement to other ongoing and planned traffic safety research efforts. My only disappointment is that the transportation research community didn't initiate the study several years ago."

Continue reading "Crash Study Looking to Prevent Car Accidents in Florida is Now Seeking Participants " »

There were more than 33,000 traffic accident fatalities in 2009 alone, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). Nearly 3,000 of these traffic deaths were on Florida roadways during that year, according to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles.

Our West Palm Beach car accident attorneys understand the misfortune that can come along with a car accident.

Motorists can be seriously injured, lose time from work, have to cover medical expenses and can be responsible for damage costs. It is critical for you to seek reliable representation to protect yours rights after being involved in a car accident in Florida.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly $41 billion is spent each year in medical expenses and work-loss costs in connection to car accidents in Boca Raton and elsewhere throughout the United States.

To make matters even worse, a number of states are passing laws to increase the speed limits on their highways. Some states are even making the jump to 85 mph, according to Automotive Industry Today.

We haven't given up hope just yet. There are still safety measures and precautionary measures that can be taken to increase roadway safety.

In an effort to reduce these incidents and to cut down on these traffic-accident related costs, the NHTSA recommends that states consider the following:

-Make seat belt use a statewide law. Luckily Florida is one step ahead of the game. We've already got mandatory seat belt laws for all vehicle occupants. Thirty other states currently enforce a similar law. Seat belt use continues to be higher in states that have implemented primary seat belt laws.

-Enact booster or car seat laws for all children. Currently, every single state has child restraint or safety belt laws for children. The problem is, each state's law differs with age, safety requirements and penalties for failing to properly buckle a child into a seat belt.

-Implement graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws. This is another area in which Florida is ahead of the game. An effective GDL program sets boundaries for young drivers in various stages until they can obtain full-driving privileges. Typically, GDL programs contain three stages: learner, intermediate and nonrestrictive. The CDC reports that GDL programs have the ability to reduce teen deaths by up to 40 percent.

In 2009, fatal traffic accidents totaled a cost of more than $3 billion. Medical costs attributed to $40 million of the costs while work loss costs totaled $3.12 billion. With stricter enforcement of safe driving laws, Florida may be able to bring down some of these costs and save some lives on our roadways in future years.

Continue reading "More than $40 Billion Shelled Out for Car Accidents in West Palm Beach and Elsewhere " »

"Don't feel you have to buy the first car you see," says Jack Nerad, executive editorial director for Kelley Blue Book.

Your newly licensed teen driver may not agree. Selecting and purchasing a vehicle for your 16-year-old driver should be no quick and easy task. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered and a lot of things that need to be taken into consideration when car shopping with your teen. You want to be sure to consider affordability and safety when choosing a vehicle. You want one that will keep them safe in the event of a car accident in Boca Raton.

Our Palm Beach car accident attorneys understand you may have a number of questions, including -- Should I buy a new or a used car? What type of car should I look for? What cars are more likely to protect my young driver? Don't worry because we are here to get your started. Remember, this is a major milestone in you and your child's life. Enjoy it.

"Having a car is not a birthright," says Gail Cunningham, spokesperson for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, who raised four children. "Today's teens seem to think that they should have a car waiting for them in the driveway when they return home from the Motor Vehicle Department with their driver's license. If that's right for your family, fine. But don't be held hostage to peer pressure, and by that I mean from other families who are buying their teen a car."

Deciding whether you're going to go new or used is a good place to start in this process. A first-time driver doesn't need a new car. They're actually better off in a certified pre-owned vehicle. This way you can still have the advantages of a new-car like warranty. Late-model vehicles still come equipped with airbags, anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control. Pre-owned cars are less likely to come with power and performance features that will overwhelm your young driver, according to Daily Finance.

"A first time driver doesn't need a new car, but of course they want one," says Lori Mackey, president of Prosperity4Kids. "The depreciation, probability of fender benders and the price tag [means new] is not the most logical way to go."

Okay, so you've decided whether you're going to purchase a new or a used vehicle. Now comes what may be the most difficult question of them all: What kind of cars should I look at?

"I see these young, inexperienced drivers in Mustangs, BMWs, and large SUVs. These automobiles are big, powerful and difficult to control for even experienced drivers. In the hands of a new driver, they can be deadly weapons," says LeeAnn Shattuck, co-owner and chief car chick with Women's Automotive Solutions.

This is where you need to start checking out websites like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to get information regarding safety and crash-test ratings. You should also check out the J.D. Power and Associates for information regarding quality and reliability ratings.

How often will your teen be driving the vehicle? Will they be driving back and forth from college? Will the car mostly be used locally?

You should also think about the size of a vehicle you'd like them to drive. You don't want to get them something too big that they can't afford at the pump and you don't want to get them something too small because the smaller the car the more problematic it can be. The smaller the vehicle, the less protection it provides to occupants in the event of an accident.

"Your teen is safest in a mid-sized sedan with a four cylinder engine, airbags and a good crash test rating," says Shattuck.

More teens die from traffic accidents than cancer, gun violence or drugs. From 2000 to 2009, more than 58,000 teens ages 15- to 20-years-old died in traffic crashes. It is important to not only equip your teen with safe driving knowledge, but to help them get into a safe vehicle as well. Parents may be the most influential person in a teen's driving career.

Continue reading "Reduce You Teen's Risk of Injury in a Boca Raton Car Accident by Choosing the Right Vehicle" »

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) just announced its most important safety initiatives for the year. Their targeting "most wanted" drivers through this awareness campaign and initiatives. They've got an agenda and it includes teen drivers, drunk drivers and motorcyclists. The NTSB is publicizing their safety recommendations as a result of its investigations of car accidents in Boca Raton and elsewhere. The Board pushes these recommendations because when they're implemented motorist safety continues to be at risk.

Our West Palm Beach car accident attorneys understand that these targeted motorists could be some of the most at-risk drivers on our roadways. It is important to take information provided by the NTSB and apply it to your everyday driving habits. At times, drivers can become lackadaisical behind the wheel and forget that their actions could potentially end someone's life if not their own. The NTSB aims to bring back awareness in drivers to make everyone's day a little safer.

The first group of motorists that were targeted on the most wanted list were young, inexperienced teen drivers. They were targeted because car accidents continue to be the number one cause of death for teens in the United States. Car accidents kill eight teens every day. More teens die from motor-vehicle accidents than cancer, gun violence or drugs. From 2000 to 2009, more than 58,000 teens, age 15- to 20-years-old, died in traffic accidents.

The NTSB suggests that every state enact a graduated driver licensing (GDL) system. This is a system that allows young, novice drivers to gain road exposure through a number of driving-privilege levels. Teens should start off driving in low-risk situations and, as driving restrictions are lifted, they should be gradually exposed to a fuller driving experience.

What states should do to better educate teen drivers:

-Start teens off with a learner's permit, allowing teens to drive with the supervision of a licensed driver.

-Limit nighttime driving hours.

-Set a limit for the number of passengers that may be in the vehicle with a teen driver.

-Prohibit the use of cell phones and texting devices by drivers in this age group.

A recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety concluded that states with a strong teen driver safety program typically witness a 40 percent lower rate of injury crash involvement among 16-year-old drivers

The NTSB is also targeting drunk drivers. It is estimated that someone dies in an accident that involves an alcohol-impaired driver every 48 minutes. Nearly 11,000 people died in the United States in 2009 because of these accidents. Roughly a third of all traffic accidents that happen every year involve a drunk driver. This is a statistic that hasn't changed in the last ten years. As a matter of fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that a driver makes nearly 90 impaired driving trips before they're arrested for drinking and driving. Florida witnessed more than 900 traffic accident fatalities because of intoxicated drivers in 2009 alone.

The NTSB recommends that states continue to perform sobriety checkpoints and administrative license revocation to target impaired drivers. They also suggest that states start to limit plea bargaining and diversion programs. States should also trying using alternatives including dedicated jail and treatment facilities, home detention with electronic monitoring and intensive supervision probation to help stop offenders from recommitting the dangerous driving habit.

Lastly, they're focusing on motorcyclists. It is estimated that more than 10 motorcyclists are killed every single day in the United States. From 1997 to 2009, the number of yearly motorcycle deaths doubled from 2,116 to 4,462. Motorcycles only represent about 3 percent of the vehicles on our roadways, but they account for nearly 15 percent of all highway deaths. The NTSB is pushing for stricter helmet use and laws.

The NTSB will continue to make recommendations to help ensure motorist safety, but these recommendations are only effective if the public is receptive to these recommendations and makes genuine attempts to take the proper safety precautions on our roadways.

Continue reading "NTSB Releases Most Wanted Motorist List to Reduce Risks of Car Accidents in Boca Raton and Elsewhere" »

Nursing homes in Florida could soon be staffed with even fewer nurses after Florida Legislature voted to lower minimum staffing requirements by nearly 10 percent. This cut was made as a way to help them absorb another round of Medicaid budget cuts. This cut could affect the more than 70,000 nursing home residents in Florida, according to The Palm Beach Post.

Please remember this the next time you hear of the need for tort reform -- which involves reducing the amount someone injured or killed by negligence can collect in a lawsuit. The system initially agreed to an increase in staffing years ago as part of an agreement limiting some rights of patients and families to sue. The reduction, of course, did not come with any agreement to restore those rights.

If you are in a nursing home in Fort Lauderdale, or you have a loved one in a nursing home elsewhere in Florida, this means that now you'll be averaging only 3.6 hours of contact with a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse or certified nursing assistant a day.

Our Palm Beach nursing home neglect attorneys understand that when we search for a nursing home, we want to choose a home that provides the best care at the most reasonable cost. With these recent reductions in nurse-patient contact, finding a nursing home with adequate care might be hard to find.

It is estimated that roughly 3,500 nurses across the state could lose their jobs as nursing homes shed staff. As it stands now, about three out of every four seniors that are in long-term nursing home care have dementia or Alzheimer's disease and require help with every day basic needs. Reducing nursing staff is only going to drastically affect these patients.

Many advocates predict that malnutrition, dehydration, falls, bedsores and life-threatening blood infections in nursing homes are going to experience a significant increase as nurses become harder and harder to find.

"You don't take the nursing out of nursing homes," said Jack McRay, advocacy manager for AARP Florida. "We think it was very shortsighted on the part of the legislature."

This policy change was initially proposed in an eleventh-hour budget conforming bill, apparently to mute public input. Officials tried to sneak this one through without causing too much backlash. They'll be taking $187 million from Medicaid's nursing homes to try to balance its budget.

"It was published the night before the legislature was adjourned, so it was an up-or-down vote and there was no hearing on this standard," McRay said.

Palm Beach County is the home to more than 50 nursing homes. These homes will lose a combined $13 million because of these cuts, reports the Florida Health Care Association.

"We agree that better staffing leads to better care," said Medicaid's nursing home reimbursement director Tony Marshall. . "You can't staff if you don't have the adequate funding."

According to a number of recent studies, patients typically do better in homes that have a greater mix of registered nurses. The Institute of Medicine and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services concluded that the ideal level of care in a nursing home is only 45 minutes of registered nurse staffing per resident per day.

AARP is fighting back against these cuts. They are encouraging nursing home caregivers to sign its petition demanding that the nursing homes commit to maintaining their current nurse staffing. So far about 3,000 caregivers have contributed their signatures.

"It's unfortunate that this is the route that had to be chosen" to reduce Florida's budget deficit, Marshall said. "We will be back to the legislature to try to close that gap next year."

Having trouble finding the right nursing home? MSNBC offers these tips to help you along:

-Know your rights. If you're told that your loved one must be discharged from a hospital within 24 hours, it is important to remember that you have appeal rights under Medicare. This could allow you to extend your loved one's stay by two more days. These additional two days will allow you with more time to research nursing homes.

-Hit the computer. Through Consumer Reports, you are now able to investigate nursing homes across the country. This website makes a note to list the nursing homes you should avoid, too!

-Make unannounced visits to potential homes more than once. As you start to narrow your search down to two or three homes, make sure to visit them at different times of day. When are residents sleeping? Are they eating dinner in their rooms rather than in the dining room? Keep an eye out for resident stimulation.

-Sit down with the administrator of your potential homes. Ask about their views on long-term care. Ask if the nursing home has experienced high-level turnover in recent years. Ultimately, find out if the care at this facility is stable.

-Ask about Medicaid. If your loved one lives in a nursing home for a long time, their financial resources most likely will be exhausted. Then they will be eligible for Medicaid. Make sure you get the nursing home's payment policy in writing. Specify what happens when private funds or Medicare reimbursements run out.

Continue reading "Florida Nursing Home Staffing Funds Get Slashed; Neglect and Abuse a Risk in Fort Lauderdale " »

Parents now have access to state-specific information to help them prepare their teens for the dangers and the responsibilities of being a licensed driver. Parents can log on to AAA Keys2Drive: The AAA Guide to Teen Driver Safety to learn the most effective way to educate their young Florida driver and reduce their risks of a car accident in Boca Raton and elsewhere in Florida.

Our Boca Raton car accident attorneys understand that car accidents take the lives of more teens than cancer, homicide and suicide combined. It's not just the drivers who are at risk. Anyone that is involved in an accident with a teen driver is likely to be injured. A number of teens are even killed as passengers of other teen drivers. According to recent studies, when your teen rides with an older sibling, another teenage neighbor or a friend, they're at an increased risk for being involved in an accident. Even the smartest and brightest teens face an increased risk of being involved in a deadly traffic accident compared to a driver that has more experience.

Based on miles driven, teens are involved in three times as many fatal traffic accidents as all other drivers. It is important that you talk to your teen and emphasize that driving is risky and should be taken seriously. Teens are most likely to listen to their parents when it comes to instructions on how to drive.

Car accidents took the lives of 5,665 people between the ages of 16- and 20-years old in 2009. The AAA website encourages parents to ride along with their teen as often as possible. You should ride with them in the passenger seat while they drive. Act as their coach and provide them with some constructive criticism. Supervised driving is actually some of the safest driving your teen will do and it will also help ease your teen into driving. Start off their supervised training in low-risk conditions and gradually introduce new roads and traffic conditions. It is important for you to help your teen gain driving experience in all conditions. Through supervised driving you will be able to gauge your teen's progress in driving and help to determine when they're ready to drive solo.

In Florida, teens are allowed to get a learner's permit at the age of 15. With this license, they're allowed to drive with a licensed driver age 21 or older supervising and sitting in the front seat. During this time, teens may only practice during daylight hours. After three months of daylight driving, they can then practice no later than 10 p.m. They are required to practice driving for a minimum of 50 hours, including 10 hours at night, with a parent or a legal guardian.

Next, they're allowed to get an intermediate license. When your teen turns 16 and has completed all the requirements of the learner's permit, they can then apply for the next step. To obtain an intermediate license, they must pass a behind-the-wheel driving test, complete a vision test and provide proof of practice driving time. Parents must accompany their teens to the DMV to sign the application form.

Lastly, and after completing all requirements of the intermediate license, your teen can apply for a full unrestricted license. The state doesn't place any night or passenger limits on drivers with unrestricted licenses.

AAA offers these tips to parents to help them raise a safe driver:

-Talk with your teen about the importance of resisting peer pressure. Remind them that their only focus should be the roadway when behind the wheel.

-Talk to them about the consequences of distracted driving. Many teens admit to cell phone use and texting while behind the wheel despite clear dangers. This is especially common in Florida since we currently have no law to ban the activity. Make a family rule to halt all driving distractions.

-Discuss the importance of abiding by the speed limit. Speed is one of the top contributors in crashes for teens and adults.

-Limit the number of passengers that they can travel with. Passengers serve as another form of distraction.

-Although your teen is not old enough to legally consume alcohol, it doesn't mean that they won't. Enforce strict zero tolerance rules with your teen and be a good role model.

-Try creating a parent-teen driving agreement to lay out some ground rules that everyone agrees on.

In 2009, nearly 400 teens were killed in motor-vehicle accidents in Florida alone according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Through more comprehensive driver education, we can make a conscious effort to decrease these fatalities and help to save the lives of our young ones on the roadway.

Continue reading "AAA Offers Florida Parents Information to help Keep Teen Drivers Safe" »

The National Safety Council uses summer to raise awareness about the top causes of preventable injuries and deaths.

This includes slip and fall accidents in Boca Raton and elsewhere as these accidents claim the lives of many residents each year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year one in every three adults that are age 65 and older will fall. Fall accidents are extremely dangerous as they can lead to severe injuries, including broken bones, joints and traumatic brain injury.

Palm Beach personal injury attorneys understand how common these accidents are. In 2009 alone, more than 2 million people experienced nonfatal injuries from falls and were treated in emergency rooms around the country. More than 581,000 of these fall victims were hospitalized. These fall accidents totaled a direct medical cost of more than $19 billion. Nearly $180 million resulted from fatal falls while the remaining $19 billion were for non-fatal fall injuries.

The NSC offers these tips to residents to help prevent serious fall accidents:

-Exercise. Make sure the exercises you're doing strengthen your leg muscles and increase your balance.

-Have your doctor review the medications you're taking. Make sure that the combination of medications you're taking aren't causing dizziness or drowsiness.

-Visit the optometrist. Make sure your prescription glasses or contacts are up to date to maximize your visibility.

-Avoid distractions, such as texting or reading while walking. These activities can lead to a slip, trip or fall.

-Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Slip and fall accidents can happen in any location, even in familiar areas.

-Increase lighting in your household.

-Make sure that all surfaces are secure, dry and clean.

Falls are the number one cause of injury death for those over are age 65 of older. They are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. They are also the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries, or TBI. In 2000 alone, TBI accounted for nearly 50 percent of all fatal falls among older adults. Older adults are also likely to experience a bone fracture from a nonfatal fall. The most common are fractures of the spine, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm and hand.

People who don't suffer an injury from a fall are even at an increased risk for eventually suffering a fall injury. After falling, the person will most likely develop a fear of falling that may cause them to limit their activities in the future. By limiting their activities, they are likely to experience a reduction in mobility and a loss of physical fitness, which will in turn actually increase their actual risk of falling.

Continue reading "NSC Raises Awareness about Slip and Fall Accidents in Boca Raton and Elsewhere" »

Nine people have died while parasailing in the United States since 2002. Most of these fatalities and tourist injuries in Palm Beach and elsewhere happen because of towline separation. This usually occurs because of high winds or general equipment failure, according to the Sun Sentinel.

A parasailing accident took the life of a tourist last week in Sarasota County. These accidents -- particularly injury accidents -- are not uncommon as parasailing is a popular Florida activity that takes place with virtually no government safety regulations. The Longboat Key accident happened when a tourist from South Carolina went parasailing and plunged to the water after the tow boat's propeller failed and the parachute lost buoyancy. Officials are still investigating the accident.

Naples injury attorneys understand that visitors come to Florida to relax and have some fun in the sun. What most tourists don't expect is to be involved in an accident on the beach, on our roadways and virtually any other place they visit throughout the duration of their vacation.

A number of these parasailing companies have nothing in place to ensure their safe operation. A number of bills that aimed to impose equipment and safety standards for parasails failed time and time again in this year's state legislative session.

It is estimated that there are roughly 100 commercial parasail operators in the state of Florida. Most of these business are located in tourist-oriented cities such as Panama City, Key West, Fort Lauderdale and Daytona Beach. A specific number of these companies is not available because no government agency tracks the industry.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classifies parasails as "kites." The FAA does nothing more than make sure they're kept out of flight paths. The Coast Guard will only license a captain and inspect a boat if they're a certain size, but they do not inspect or set standards for parachutes, harnesses, training or procedures.

Parasailing.com offers these tips for those who would like to enjoy the windy ride:

-Ask questions about the company. Ask how long the company has been in business and how many incidents have been reported.

-Make sure that the parasailing company you do business with is licensed by both the state and city or county and exists in a well-established location.

-Ensure that the boat's captain is a U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captain.

-Check the weather report before you make plans to hit the sky.

-Before your flight, make sure that the parasailing crew gives you a safety briefing that covers evacuation procedures, the usage of hand signals and a thorough description of the parasailing experience.

Continue reading "Summer a Risky Time for Florida Parasailing Accidents" »

A decision has been made. Boca Raton will be getting five new intersection red-light cameras by August, according to The Palm Beach Post News. This decision has been delayed for months now while the city awaited legal challenges and possible action from the Legislature.

"The state did not ban them and a lot of the legal challenges are winding down, so we're going forward," said Assistant City Manager Mike Woika said.

Boca Raton car accident attorneys understand that stopping red-light runners may be the best plan of attack for decreasing the risks of intersection accidents. Hollywood, Sunrise and Boynton Beach are all communities that have chosen to add cameras at their most dangerous intersections. Boca Raton will soon be added to that list, but not everyone's for it. Some believe that these cameras are just an easy way to the state to generate revenue.

The new cameras, to be installed by August, will be at the following intersections:

-Glades Road and NW 15th Avenue, pointing east and west.

-Glades Road and St. Andrews Boulevard, pointing south, east and west.

-Yamato Road and St. Andrews Boulevard, pointing north.

-Yamato Road and Jog Road, pointing west.

-Clint Moore Road and Military Trail, pointing east.

The city will be installing signs at the intersections with cameras. Drivers that are photographed running red lights will receive warnings for the first 30 days the cameras are operating. After the warning period, drivers who are busted at these intersections will be fined $158. These violations will not include points on the driver's license.

Out of each fine, the city will receive $75, the state will get $67.20 and the county will get $15.80.

Red-light cameras have been in debate across the United States for quite some time now. They've previously been installed in more than 500 cities and towns in 25 states. They're about to come down in Los Angeles, if the Police Commission gets its way. Anti-camera parties have been rallying against the eye in the sky since the program first launched.

Many people oppose the cameras because they argue that they're only used as a tool to increase revenue for the areas that they're operating in. They also argue that these cameras are only citing drivers for mostly minor infractions instead of preventing accidents, according to MSNBC.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has previous stated that revenue is an invalid justification for the use of these cameras.

Figures don't lie though. It is reported that the 400 cameras in Chicago, for example, have generated more than $64 million for the city in 2009. Some cities don't receive as much money as they'd like though because these types of tickets often go unpaid.

Ignoring the money talk, more than a dozen studies have concluded that these intersection cameras reduce the number of accidents and injuries.

A recent study, from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, concludes that there has been a significant decrease in the number of deaths from red light accidents in cities where red-light cameras have been installed. It just so happens that deaths from all accidents in all areas have dropped significantly as well during the same time period.

Until more research can be conducted and the system more thoroughly combed through, the debate will continue. Are red-light cameras saving lives at intersections or earning cities a quick buck?

Continue reading "Red-Light Cameras to be installed in Boca Raton to Prevent Intersection Car Accidents" »

Florida is one of the few states left that allows drivers to talk on a cell phone while driving, but those days may be limited. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y. recently introduced legislation that could potentially, if passed, federalize driving and cell phone usage. As it stands now, each individual state currently manages their cell phone and driving laws. Under the proposed legislation, the U.S. Department of Transportation would be required to set a nationwide standard that would prohibit all drivers from using a cell phone while they're behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, according to Auto Trends Magazine.

Distracted driving car accidents in West Palm Beach and elsewhere in Florida are bound to continue with no state or federal law in effect to ban the use of cell phones by drivers. Drivers who use a cell phone are four times as likely to get into an accident that's serious enough to cause injuries.

Our Palm Beach car accident attorneys understand that roughly 20 percent of all traffic accidents in 2009 that resulted in injury involved reports of distracted driving. If motorists aren't going to curb the habit themselves, it may be necessary to enact a nationwide ban on the dangerous driving habit.

"Driving while making a phone call, texting or using apps can be as dangerous as driving drunk, and much more common," Rep. McCarthy said. "With some basic commonsense rules that are already in place in some parts of the country, we can reduce injuries and save lives in America."

McCarthy's proposed legislation does have exclusions. Drivers will still be able to use a cell phone in the event of an emergency. They will still be able to use their phones if they're voice-operated or if it is part of a vehicle-integrated device. Drivers would also still be allowed to use voice-operated GPS systems.

This proposed nationwide law aims to reduce the number of distracted driving accidents on our roadways. Researchers have concluded that there are still some cognitive distractions present with certain hands-free devices, but it is much less of a problem than using a hand-held device.

If the law were to pass, it would require the DOT to conduct a study on distracted driving. They would have to focus primarily on the issue of cognitive distraction and the impact of distraction on young, newly-licensed drivers. After the study, the DOT would have to report the findings to Congress and provide a list of recommendations for revising the minimum distracted driving prohibitions and penalties that all states are to comply with. Each state would then be given two years to comply with the new law. If a state does not comply, they would lose 25 percent of their federal highway funding.

According to Distraction.gov, nearly 5,500 people died on our roadways because of traffic accidents in 2009. Another 448,000 people were injured in these incidents. Distracted driving was reported to be a contributor to 20 percent of these accidents. More specifically, a cell phone was the reported distraction in 18 percent of all distracted driving-related accidents.

Continue reading "Fewer Palm Beach Car Accidents Likely Result of Nationwide Cell Phone Ban" »

You may think that sparklers, bottle rockets and small firecrackers are harmless, but according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), they sent about 1,900 consumers to emergency rooms last year during the 30 days surrounding the Fourth of July. That doesn't even count big time fireworks. It was reported that there were about 6,300 fireworks-related injuries in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere in the United States in 2010. The most reported injuries were burns and lacerations to the hands, face and head.

"From purchase to ignition, know how you and your family can stay safe and which fireworks are allowed in your state if fireworks are part of your July 4th celebration," said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "Never assume that a fireworks device is safe based on its size and never allow young children to play with or light fireworks. By knowing the dangers of all types of fireworks, consumers can prevent tragedies."

Our Boca Raton personal injury attorneys would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July. We ask that every practice extreme caution around fireworks displays during the upcoming holiday weekend. You can help to reduce the risks of injury or death if you take a moment and review the safety tips we've provided for you.

"People will get burned and it's because fireworks are not 100 percent reliable," said Captain Don DeLucia, spokesman for Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. "Some go off horizontally instead of vertically."

Broward Sheriff's Office recommends that you play it safe and go watch a public fireworks display instead of trying to setting off your own. You are asked to refrain from lighting your own fireworks in Florida because many fireworks illegal and dangerous. Currently, the federal government is trying to stop the manufacturing and the sale of illegal fireworks.

In the meantime, here are some firework safety tips:

-Do not allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.

-Never put any part of your body directly over a firework while lighting the fuse. Make sure once the firework is lit that you back up to a safe distance.

-Never try to relight a dud. Let it sit for 20 minutes and then soak it in water.

-Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

-Keep water nearby. You should either keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy.

-Light fireworks one at a time. Never combine them.

-Use safety glasses as an added precaution.

-Don't drink and light off fireworks.

-Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

"Anything in the air, anything that explodes is illegal," Scott said. "With the drought, we are going to be stepping up enforcement," said Chase Scott West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio's spokesman.

Yes, fireworks are for sale throughout Florida, but that doesn't mean they're legal. You're not even allowed to use them on your own property unless you have a city permit to shoot off fireworks for the public. You're allowed to use the explosives to scare off birds from a farm or from a fish hatchery and if you're working on a railroad and need to light or clear a path for your train, according the St. Petersburg Times.

"I think what the public needs to understand is that, yes, these things are being sold, but they should be very conscious of the affidavit that they are signing" before they buy, said Deputy County Administrator Verdenia Baker.

Continue reading "Are You Prepared for Fireworks This Fourth of July?" »

Be careful on our Florida roadways this Fourth of July holiday weekend, if not to avoid a costly traffic ticket than to avoid a serious or fatal car accident in Boca Raton and elsewhere in Florida. The Fourth of July typically sees more car accident fatalities than any other holiday weekend of the year. An increased number of Florida Highway Patrol troopers will be out on our roadways starting Friday afternoon through midnight on July 4 to help decrease the number of fatal accidents.

"The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to making Florida's highways safer, and we plan to do that by bolstering our forces to reduce the number and severity of crashes," said FHP Director, Col. David Brierton. "Our troopers will take appropriate enforcement action on those drivers who put themselves and others in danger. We want everyone to have a safe traveling experience in our state as they enjoy the holiday weekend. I encourage motorists to do their part by complying with all traffic laws and making sure everyone in their vehicle is buckled up."

Our Boca Raton car accident attorneys remind you that the Fourth of July holiday weekend has repeatedly been ranked as the deadliest holiday of the year on our roadways. When people think of a deadly holiday, they usually will associate it with New Year's Day. That's wrong! That association is probably why more people stay off the roads during that time than during the Fourth of July. As a matter of fact, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimated that nearly 40 million people will travel this holiday weekend.

To help combat the high number of fatal accidents, all uniformed FHP personnel will be out patrolling interstates and other major state roads throughout the state. There will even be FHP Auxiliary and Reserve troopers volunteering their time to assist the Patrol's forces. The state's strategy aims to increase the presence of Patrol units to help to discourage motorists from breaking the rules of the road.

The Fourth of July has almost always been at the top of the list for the deadliest holiday on our roadways. Researches have been gathering and analyzing traffic statistics for the last 25 years, according to Fox Business. Not only does this holiday see more fatal accidents, but it has also been concluded that more than 50 percent of these deadly traffic accidents are related to alcohol.

In 2009, nearly 500 people died in car accidents that occurred during the three-day Fourth of July weekend. This holiday weekend has been proven time and time again to be more deadly than Labor Day, New Year's, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

"Drunk driving is a major public safety threat that still claims thousands of lives every year," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, in a recent media release. "Many states continue to step up their efforts to get drunk drivers off our roads, but the numbers tell us we have to do more."

Continue reading "FHP On Duty - Looking to Prevent Car Accidents in West Palm, Boca Raton this Holiday Weekend" »

Our Boca Raton Injury Lawyers wish you a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July weekend. Please celebrate responsibly, leave the fireworks to the professionals and don't drink and drive.

As the South Florida drought continues, it's possible that fireworks throughout Palm Beach County could be cancelled for Fourth of July weekend, the Palm Beach Post reports, but that doesn't mean people should rush out to light their own fireworks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 2008, 7,000 people were injured and seven people died because of fireworks injuries. Children made up nearly half of those injured. Boca Raton child injuries can be scary and dangerous, so please use caution.

The annual fireworks show at the Sunset cove Amphitheater is being threatened by dry conditions throughout the county. According to the Post, the drought index is 550 and the county and other South Florida counties are already under a burn ban. Gov. Rick Scott has put a temporary ban on campfires and put the state under a state of emergency. Fire officials are working to figure out if it's possible to continue with the show despite the conditions.

While fireworks displays can be fun to watch, they should be left to the professionals. And even still, falling debris in fireworks shows can be a hazard. Accidents are perhaps more likely in your backyard. Sparklers burn at more than 1,000 degrees and can catch a person's clothes on fire. Eyes, hands and fingers are the most commonly injured due to fireworks.

Along with staying safe with fireworks, one should be careful on the roads. AAA estimates that nearly 39 million people will be on the roads this Fourth of July weekend, USA Today reports. That leaves open the possibility of car accidents in Boca Raton and throughout South Florida. And these accidents are most likely to be caused by distracted driving, drunk driving and speeding. Driving at night or in bad weather conditions also increase the risk, so be a defensive driver and look out for others who aren't.

Other Fourth of July Safety Topics:

Boca Raton Boating Safety: Florida is the boating capital of the United States with more registered boats than anywhere else. So, please be safe on the water, don't drink and boat and watch out for aggressive boaters.

South Florida swimming pool safety: In 2008, 479 people drowned in Florida and many of them were children. These are preventable deaths as simple supervision can save a life. Looking away or being distracted at a pool for just a few moments can cause tragedy.

Bicycle safety: As the weather gets warmer outside, many Floridians will take to the roads on their bicycles during the holiday weekend. Florida is the deadliest state in the nation for bicycle accidents. These accidents are typically the work of careless drivers, so pay special attention when riding to try to avoid these life-altering incidents.

Continue reading "Boca Raton Injury Lawyers Wish You a Safe and Fun Fourth of July" »