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A new study led by Dr. Donald Redelmeier of the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre has found that if drivers with chronic health condition were reported to the government by their doctors, car accidents and traffic accidents could be reduced by up to 45%. However, researchers also concluded that this type of system would potentially harm the doctor-patient relationship and make patients less likely to return to doctors for fear of being reported for conditions such as epilepsy, alcoholism, unregulated high blood pressure, and other conditions.

Researchers studied what happened if doctors were to report chronic health problems to the government and the government sent potentially unsafe drivers a warning letter, potentially suspending a driver’s license if the patient could not manage their condition. According to researchers, drivers were more likely to take a government warning letter seriously and make needed changes, compared with simply getting a warning from their doctor.

In the US, Maine, California, Nevada, Delaware, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico and Pennsylvania all have laws requiring drivers to be reported if they have a medical condition which could affect their driving. Florida does not currently have these laws – but would these types of legislation changes help prevent Miami Beach traffic accidents? The studies seem to suggest so.

Having doctors report patients with possible driving issues and medical issues that could affect driving ability could get drivers off the road – before they cause a Miami Beach car accident. It is no secret that medical issues cause Miami Beach truck accidents and car accidents. Each year, people are injured and killed because a driver has dementia, a heart attack or stroke behind the wheel, vision problems, or other medical problems. Drivers with sleep apnea can fall asleep behind the wheel while those with other serious illnesses could have a medical emergency behind the wheel, losing control of their car.

The idea of reporting medical issues that could affect driving ability is not new – truck drivers have faced these types of regulations for years. Commercial truck drivers need to report to medical examinations regularly and are not allowed to drive if they have a condition that makes them dangerous on the roads. Should regular motorists have to meet the same strict standards?

Removing at-risk drivers could help prevent some Miami Beach car accidents, but as researchers have concluded, a system that reports medical issues to government agencies could also hurt doctor-patient relationships. If patients know that they face losing their license, they may be more likely to doctor shop or more likely to avoid visiting the doctor if they believe they could lose driving privileges.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

According to a new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, teenage drivers between the ages of 16 and 17 increase risky driver behaviors as the number of young passengers in the car increases. The study also concluded that teen drivers who have at least one teenage passenger are more likely to drink and drive, speed, or drive late at night. Male teen drivers have a higher risk of risky behaviors when driving with passengers when compared with female drivers.

About half of fatal car accidents involving young drivers with at least three teen passengers involved speeding. In fatal car accidents involving teen drivers in the car alone, about 30% of accidents involved speeding. In cases where a teen driver had two passengers, speed played a role in 44% of accidents. Across all age groups, speed played a role in 33% of accidents.
According to the study, teen drivers who had three teen passengers saw late night driving rise 11 percentage points while drunk driving increased five percentage points when compared with teen drivers driving alone.

To reach their conclusions, the AAA examined available fatal car accident data dating from 2005 to 2010. Researchers found that 9500 collisions in that period involved 16 and 17-year-old drivers. In about 4000 of the accidents, the car had at least one teen passenger.

In May of this year, the AAA released research suggesting that teen drivers with a passenger under the age of 21 have a 44% increased risk of being in a fatal collision. The same study found that the risk doubled with two teen passengers and quadrupled if the car had at least three teen passengers. However, when there was an adult passenger in the car, the risk of a collision actually decreased.

Most parents realize that car accidents are a leading cause of death for minors in the US. In order to prevent Hialeah car accidents, parents may wish to speak to their teen drivers about passengers and the risks that passengers pose. To prevent Hialeah traffic accidents, parents may also wish to limit the number of passengers in a new driver’s car – at least until a teen driver gains more driving experience and skill. Since adults in the car can actually improve teen driving habits, parents may want to spend some time in the car as a passenger to help teens build driving confidence and the skills needed to prevent Hialeah truck accidents and car accidents.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Recently, the US Postal Service issues a news release, asking Florida drivers to pay more attention to their driving in order to avoid running into post offices. While distracted driving is a serious concern across the country, the US Postal Service warning may indicate that Miami car accidents and Florida car accidents caused by distracted driving may be an especial concern. Specifically speaking to Florida motorists, the US Postal Service offered a few tips to drivers to prevent collisions with buildings:

1) The US Postal Service asked drivers to check whether their foot was on the brake pedal or gas pedal. This tip may be because pedal mix-ups are a common cause of Miami traffic accidents and Florida car accidents. A Punta Gorda post office was hit this year because an elderly driver accidentally hit the gas pedal instead of hitting the brake. In that accident, the post office building was so damaged that the structural support of the building was affected.

2) The US Postal Service asked Florida motorists to check whether their car was in drive, reverse, or park before backing up and before getting out of the car. This warning may come after a number of motorists backed up into post office buildings while trying to move forward or crashed into the buildings while thinking they were in reverse.

3) The US Postal Service asked Florida drivers to void distracted driving. Distracted driving is a hot topic in Florida and there is little doubt among many safety experts that single-vehicle accidents where a car crashes into a building are often caused by driver inattention.

4) The US Postal Service asked Florida motorists to enter and leave parking spaces carefully. In many cases, drivers may wish to make a quick stop at a post office to run an errand, and in their hurry may make mistakes that lead to a Miami pedestrian accident or traffic accident.

According to the US Postal Service, 14 post offices have been hit by cars in Florida since the start of 2012. In many cases, the accidents seem to be caused by a lack of attention. In one Leesburg accident, for instance, a woman crashed into a post office because she was startled by something. A post office in Vero Beach was hit twice, once by a driver who crashed into the lobby and once by an elderly driver who was attempting to park when she accidentally drove over the curb and collided with the building. According to the US Postal Service, the two most common causes of these types of collisions are pedal mix-ups and acceleration when the driver mistakenly thinks the car is in reverse.

According to the Charlotte County Postmaster, the post office in Punta Gorda is hit yearly, and the problem is serious enough that the county is considering placing concrete poles in front of the building to protect the post office. It is unknown whether other post offices have this type of plan in place to prevent this unusual type of Florida and Miami truck accident.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Every motorist today is aware of the risks of Miami drunk driving and motorists are increasingly being told about the dangers of distracted driving as well. However, the message of distracted driving seems to be more difficult to communicate and many Miami car accidents each year are still caused by distracted drivers.

Car manufacturers are sometimes held blamed for distracted driving since many car makers are creating car models with built-in computers, GPS systems, and systems designed to support mobile devices – all of which can be distractions for a driver. Ford wants to change that image by researching the so-called “driver workload” in order to eventually formulate sensors in the seatbelt and steering wheel that could eventually help detect a driver’s respiration and heart rates in order to gauge a driver’s emotions and distraction level.

The premise is similar to the steering wheel sensors and built-in breathalyzers that have been used to curb Miami drunk driving accidents. According to Ford, the new devices measuring heart rate and respiration would be effective in curbing driving distraction because they would measure driver response to distraction rather than try to regulate specific distractions – such as texting while driving. Ford researchers say that avoiding technology in the car is all but impossible today and while many drivers know they should turn off mobile devices before driving, many choose not to do so. By providing an alert system for drivers, Ford hopes to develop a system that lets drivers know when they are in danger.

According to the car maker, the sensors would be able to process data about a driver’s state in real time and the information would not be shared or recorded. Instead, if the sensors deemed that driver’s respiration and heart rates suggested a high level of stress, the car would mute music and disable mobile devices, allowing the driver to relax and place their full focus on driving. The system would be used in conjunction with the Ford Sync system, which some experts have already suggested may be a distraction to drivers.

Would these sensors help prevent Miami pedestrian accidents and car accidents? Ford researchers seem to think so and some experts feel that the sensors would help by targeting a driver’s physical responses rather than specific activities – such as texting. By focusing on the heart rate and respiratory rate, the system would be able to alert drivers if they were getting too upset or stressed to drive safely and would potentially help drivers become more aware of their emotions when driving, which could help prevent accidents caused by road rage, as well. The sensors might also provide an early alert system in the event of a heart attack, stroke, or other medical emergency which can make a driver a hazard on the roads. Critics of the system, however, point out that the system has no way of telling whether a driver’s eyes are not on the road – a major danger associated with distracted driving.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Many employers make company cars available for their workers, but does this mean that employers are responsible for how those employees drive? In a number of recent court decisions across the country, judges have held employers partly liable in cases where employees have caused distracted driving accidents while driving company cars on company time. In one Florida case, a woman was killed when a driver rear-ended the car because he was distracted. The employer of the man was ordered to pay .6 million in the case because the man was driving on company time. In an Arkansas judgment, an employer was forced to pay .1 million after one of its lumber salesmen caused a car accident that caused permanent injury.

The reality is that many employers now require employees to be available around the clock – and that means being available while the employee is driving. In some cases, employees are provided with company cars and company phones and may feel that they need to answer any work-related texts or phone calls as they comes in.

Experts recommend that employers should have written policies in place about cellphone use. These policies should clearly outline the dangers of using cell phones while driving and should provide clear directives to employees about what they should do if they are driving while expecting a work-related call or text.

These policies can, and in fact, should extend beyond the state regulations regarding mobile phone use. For example, in Florida, texting while driving is not prohibited but employers may still be held liable if an employee causes a Fort Lauderdale truck accident while texting. In situations where an employee on the clock causes a Fort Lauderdale car accident or traffic accident while distracted, the employee may still be held liable for reckless driving and the employer may be held liable for contributing to that negligence, even if texting while driving is technically legal in Florida.

Employers may be held liable if a distracted employee causes a Fort Lauderdale traffic accident while using a personal car for work use, while using a company car, or while using any company-provided device while driving. For this reason, it is important for employers to institute strict rules and to offer training to all employees about safe use of mobile devices. Even employees who do not drive in a company car regularly or do not drive for the company may get into an accident in which the business is partly liable.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

A report published yesterday in the American Journal of Public Health reports that suicides across the country surpass even the number of car accident fatalities. According to the report, authored by epidemiology professor Ian Rockett of West Virginia University, in the past ten years falls and overdoses have increased in frequency while the number of car accidents overall has dropped.

According to Rockett’s research, suicides are undercounted, and there could be as many as 20% more suicides than officially listed. While car accident rates have gotten a great deal of attention, Rockett would like to see more attention paid to suicide prevention.

Rockett reached his conclusion by investigating injury death data available from the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. Looking at injury deaths from 2000 and 2009, Rockett determined that the top causes of unintentional fatalities during this time period were traffic accidents, poisoning, and falls. The top two causes of intentional deaths during the same time period were suicide and homicide. Between 2000 and 2009, according to the research, car accident fatalities declined 25%, while fatalities caused by poisoning increased 128% and fatalities from falls increased 71%. In the same time period, deaths caused by suicides increased 15%. The causes of death during this time period were easier to assess for men than for women.

According to researchers, stigma may be one reason why it is difficult to get more accurate data about suicides – and also why there are fewer programs available to help those who need it. Researchers feel that more cooperation needs to happen between public health sectors, doctors, the public, and legislators to help prevent suicide. More research also needs to be done to determine what more can be done to prevent suicides.

The good news is that now that it is clear there is a problem, more may be done to help prevent the frequency with which suicides occur. After all, steps have been taken to prevent Miami car accidents and accident rates have declined, according to statistics. Since the 1980s, more campaigns and publicity surrounding the dangers of Miami drunk driving have resulted in tougher legislation and special programs designed to reduce the instances of drunk driving. As a result, today drivers are acutely aware that drunk driving causes Miami traffic accidents and the most drivers take steps to drive responsibly. Hopefully, a similar attitude and approach can help society help more suicidal patients.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

According to police, a 12 foot alligator caused two accidents recently in Tampa, along the I-275 near Gandy Boulevard. No one was injured in the crash, although the animal may have sustained serious injury. The incidents highlight the fact that drivers often share the roadway not only with other motorists but also with animals as well.

Each year, a number of Homestead car accidents are caused by wildlife. Homestead is close to both Everglades National Park and the Big Cypress National Preserve, both home to many types of animals and birds. In addition, Homestead is home to many green spaces and is close to the ocean, so many animals are in the area as well.

While motorists are often on the lookout for pedestrians and other motorists, they may not think to look for wildlife. However, any animal can run out into the center of the road, causing an unexpected obstacle and a serious accident. According to experts, there are several things that drivers can do to prevent these types of Homestead truck accidents and car accidents:

1) Do not drive distracted. Virtually every type of traffic accident – including Homestead bicycle accidents – are more likely if you are driving distracted and taking your eyes off the road to look at a mobile device or other distraction. It can take just seconds for an animal or bird to dart from the side of the road to just in front of your car. Being alert and fully focused on the road is your only chance of avoiding this type of Homestead car collision.

2) Stay aware of the dangers. Many animals mate in the fall and have offspring in the spring. Animals may be more territorial and aggressive at these times of the year and may be more likely to move over larger territories. In addition, mist animals are most active in the early morning and at twilight, when the air is cooler. Knowing when to be extra cautious can ensure that you are more prepared to avoid a collision.

3) Do not assume that you are safer because you are not in a car. Homestead motorcycle accidents and even bicycle accidents involving wildlife are common and pedestrians also need to take precautions to protect themselves with an encounter with a wild animal.

4) Be aware of who is behind you. Use your mirrors to stay aware of who is behind you. If an animal does run out in front of your car, this can help you decide whether to step on the brakes or make another decision.

5) Stay calm if wildlife does run in front of your car. If you can, brake firmly and sharply. Avoid over steering or slamming on the brakes if possible, since this can cause you to lose control of the car.

6) Avoid speeding. Speeding makes it harder for you to stop suddenly. If you do try to slam on the brakes while you are driving very fast, you are more likely to spin out of control or to rollover.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Drivers have repeatedly been told about the dangers of using cell phones and mobile devices while driving. Numerous studies have shown that distracted driving causes many Fort Lauderdale traffic accidents and public awareness campaigns have been launched in order to ensure that drivers know about the dangers. Unfortunately, many drivers in Fort Lauderdale and throughout Florida still continue to drive distracted.

When distracted driving leads to a Fort Lauderdale car accident, victims who have suffered injuries do have the right to pursue a legal case in order to recover damages for medical costs, property damage, lost income, and other expenses. In these claims, Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys often seek out all liable parties in the accident in order to ensure that the victim gets the fairest compensation possible – compensation that pays for as much of the medical care and lost income as possible.

Recently, according to news reports, some attorneys have been focusing on driver employers in these types of car accidents, since in many cases people who are involved in a car accident while speaking on the phone are speaking on a work-provided device or are doing business on the phone. In these cases, employers may be held liable.

There is already a precedent for considerable settlements in these types of cases. Coca Cola recent was ordered to pay million to a woman injured by a Coca Cola sales person who caused a car accident while talking on a cell phone. In another case, a Florida family was awarded million after a woman was killed in a car accident caused by a cell phone user. International Paper reached a settlement of .2 million with a woman who was injured after a company employee caused a car accident while speaking on a cell phone.

In many Fort Lauderdale truck accidents and car accidents caused by cell phone use, the driver may be driving a company car, may be driving on company business, may be using a company-provide cell phone, or may be using a private cell phone for company business. In any of these situations, the company may be held liable if the employee causes a car accident while speaking on the cell phone and that accident causes a death or serious injury.

While Florida is one of only a handful of states to not yet ban texting and driving, there is no doubt that drivers are aware of the dangers of distracted driving. Often-cited statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration point out that using a cell phone while driving makes drivers four times more likely to be involved in a car crash, compared with undistracted drivers.

According to some Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys, some companies are not helping the issue, encouraging employees to use cell phones on the road. Sales people, especially, may be encouraged to be always available by phone in order to take care of company business. Some companies also provide employees with cell phones and company cars but fail to emphasize the importance of turning the devices off when driving. Some companies are taking the correct steps. Government employees, for example, are not allowed to use cell phones while driving government cars and other companies have also enforced no-cell phone rules for employees driving on company business.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Distracted driving has been in the news for years but many drivers still choose to text and drive and many Miami Gardens car accidents continue to be caused by distracted drivers. Even though Florida still does not have a texting ban for drivers, many people are aware that distracted driving (including texting while driving) can lead to Miami Gardens traffic accidents. Why, then, do many drivers continue to drive distracted? Reporters, investigative journalists, and police authorities point to many reasons:

1) Drivers may lack the discipline to not get distracted. Many drivers think that they will “just quickly” check a text message or voice mail. Very few are willing to turn off all devices and put their focus entirely on the road. Unfortunately, even a few seconds of focus away from the road can cause a serious Miami Gardens truck accident or car accident.

2) There are more distractions today than ever before. Lately, even car manufacturers have been targeted for putting more distracting technology and devices in cars. Today, many people have mobile devices, tablets, cell phones, and other devices they carry with them – including devices they bring with them into the car. In addition, newer vehicles have many potentially distracting features, such as LCD touch displays, GPS, complex audio systems, infotainment systems, internet access, and other features. There are more devices and more forms of technology demanding driver attention.

3) Drivers overestimate their driving ability. Some drivers continue to drive distracted because they feel that they can use their mobile devices and still drive safely, even though research has shown that this is not the case.

4) There is not enough awareness about distracted driving. While much has been written lately about the dangers of mobile devices and driving, less is written about distracted driving in general. As a result, there is less awareness about the dangers of driving while eating, changing music, and other distractions.

5) There is a dangerous focus on multi-tasking. With most people busier today than ever before, many of us feel the pressure to do many things at once – including getting tasks done as we drive. Unfortunately, this attitude can be dangerous for drivers.

If you have been in a Miami Gardens motorcycle accident or other traffic accident caused by a distracted driver, it is important to consult with a qualified Miami Gardens personal injury attorney. Unfortunately, proving distracted driving is very challenging and a good attorney will usually work with a private investigator and with other professionals to determine whether distracted driving was a factor in your accident. If distracted driving was a factor, Florida law allows you to recover damages from the negligent driver for lost income, medical expenses, and other costs related to your accident.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

It’s well-known that Miami drivers love their mobile devices. Florida is one of only a few states with no bans on texting or talking while driving and each year many Miami pedestrian accidents and car accident – as well as many traffic accidents across the state – are caused by distracted drivers using cell phones.

Even though the dangers of distracted driving are well documented, many drivers still choose to drive while texting or using their mobile devices. This is the case even in states with strict texting bans in place. A new study out of Canada could shed some light on why drivers take the risk. Recently, the province of British Columbia in Canada held a crackdown on drivers who use mobile devices and cell phones while driving. Authorities issued more than 3500 tickets as part of the crackdown. As part of the initiative, authorities also kept track of some of the excuses used by drivers who were caught driving while texting or talking on their cell phones:

1) “I do not agree with this law.” This is an interesting reason, because, of course, residents are obligated to follow all traffic laws – even ones they do not agree with.

2) “I had to use the phone – it was my employer/family/spouse.” This is another interesting reason for driving distracted. The reality is that no phone call is so urgent that it is worth risking a car accident over. If there is a truly important phone call to be made, motorists should pull over to the side of the road to make the call.

3) “I was not using the phone – just holding it.”

4) “I did not see you, office – I was on the phone.”

5) “Something happened to my Bluetooth and I cannot use it.” While hands-free devices at least allow motorists to focus on the road and not take their eyes off the road, some studies have suggested that hands-free devices still distract drivers and are still therefore a hazard on the roads. In addition, a technical problem with a hands-free device does not make it acceptable to use mobile devices while driving.

6) “I was stopped at a red light and was not driving and texting.” In areas where cell phones or texting are banned behind the wheel, the understanding is that drivers will not use their mobile devices at any time while operating a motor vehicle – and that includes stops at red lights. In fact, drivers need to be alert at stop signs and red lights in order to monitor the flow of traffic, so mobile devices in these situations are quite dangerous.

7) “I was just checking my battery/the time/to see if my cell phone was working.” Again, a cell phone ban implies that mobile devices will not be used in any manner while driving. Checking the time on a phone is just as distracting – and just as likely to lead to a Miami car accident – as texting. Experts and authorities agree that it is safest to turn a mobile device off and put it safely away before getting in the car, to avoid the temptation to check messages or the device itself.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog