Florida Personal Injury Claims

Distracted driving has been an ongoing concern in Florida. Since the state had relatively lenient laws regarding texting and driving, significant pressure was placed on lawmakers to change the way law enforcement went about its duties in stopping drivers who were texting behind the wheel. A new law was signed by the governor to allow drivers to pull vehicles over if the driver was texting. It goes into effect July 1. However, there are various concerns among drivers as to its effectiveness as the law has certain limitations. With that, a distracted driver will continue to present the risk of a car accident with injuries and fatalities.

Law enforcement can issue a warning after July 1. On Jan. 1, 2020, they can stop drivers and give a citation because it will become a primary offense. Until the new law goes into effect, it remains a secondary offense meaning the driver needed to have committed a separate violation before making a stop and addressing texting and driving. Drivers will get a $30 fine and need to pay court costs and fees. If there is another violation within five years, it will be a moving violation and cost $60, court costs and fees.

Floridians are used to frequent bouts of rain. They will also be likely to understand the dangers of driving when it is raining. Heavy rain can make roadways slick and people might not take the caution they should. This can result in auto accidents with injuries and fatalities. Some might be under the impression that light rain carries less risk than heavy rain. However, as new research from the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society shows, even light rain substantially raises the risk for an accident. Considering this is vital to remain safe on the road. The statistics and evidence can also be an important part of a legal filing for compensation after an accident.

The study conducted a review of more than 125,000 accidents in the continental United States from 2006 to 2011. The number of vehicles there were on the road in that time and the weather - based on local weather stations - were also taken into consideration. With the information gleaned, they could determine how hard the rain was falling at the time of the crashes. According to the research, accident risk increases by 34 percent when it is raining, snowing or there is ice on the road.

Falls can affect people young or old. The two most common groups for staircase falls are adults over age 85 and children under three years old. Staircase falls injure over 1 million people per day in the U.S., posing a significant concern for all age groups.

Stair-related falls are dangerous because it can be difficult to stop or protect yourself during a fall. This is partially because most injuries involve descent though ascent falls are also dangerous. The aftermath can include brain trauma or broken bones. These injuries can be harmful to young children and seniors.

Pedestrians are in danger of catastrophic injuries and fatalities in an auto accident in Florida and across the United States. The urgency of the problem has increased in recent years. It is now to the point that researchers are seeking out reasons as to why that is the case and are searching for solutions. For people who have been injured or lost a loved one in a pedestrian-auto accident, the reasons for the accident are important when they are considering seeking compensation in a legal filing. A legal professional is key to gathering evidence and pursuing a claim.

Research from the Governors Highway Safety Association says that there were 6,227 pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. in 2018. That is the most in three decades. Large cities have a greater propensity for these crashes to happen. Although road design and a lack of safe areas for pedestrians to walk are considered reasons for the rise, the study shows that distractions of both drivers and pedestrians is a bigger problem. Another concern is the prevalence of large vehicles.