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Teen drivers may be more at risk when it comes to car collisions in Pembroke Pines and other communities, according to researchers. The culprit, according to many experts, is that young drivers have less driving experience than older drivers and may not yet have honed the skills necessary to avoid traffic collisions in Pembroke Pines or their communities. This may be one reason why teen drivers have higher accident rates.

There are many ways that experts claim parents can help their teen drivers stay safer while they develop their driving skills:

• Get extra lessons for teens with driving instructors
• Limit teen driver’s driving privileges and only gradually add privileges as the teen develops their driving skills
• Set firm rules about no cell phone use, no passengers, and no additional distractions that can lead to road accidents

The University of North Carolina has an additional idea. The university has developed an app, Time to Drive, for teen users. The iPhone app allows teens and parents to set goals in order to gain specific driving experience and driving skills. Teens and parents can track progress as young drivers gain experience with bad weather, interstate driving, nigh driving, and other skills. The app is not intended to be used when driving; drivers open it after driving to log experience and the app works in the background as someone drives. According to senior research associate Arthur Goodwin, Time to Drive encourages teens to get driving experience in a range of situations.

There are other apps and devices on the market aimed at teen drivers, too. A free distracted-driving app for teen drivers is available from Esurance and Cellcontrol. The app prevents drivers from getting or sending texts while the car is in motion. OrigoSafe is a device that prevents a driver from starting their car until their phones are docked. The system is an ignition interlock system and does not require a monthly cost.

DriveCam is similar to a nanny cam and allows parents to keep an eye – literally – on their teen drivers. The camera sends out alerts if a teen drives beyond a certain area or swerves or speeds. The cam service is offered by Sprint. Sprint also offers a pay-per-month Sprint Drive First service. This service disables a driver’s ability to text when their car is moving more than 10 mph.

Do these devices and apps help to prevent car and pedestrian accidents in Pembroke Pines and other communities? In some cases, it may be useful for drivers to get a reminder to turn their cell phones off when driving. In the end, however, it may be more useful for teens to learn to turn their own cell phones off behind the wheel. For parents, these apps and devices, however, can help provide some peace of mind and can be another tool in helping to prevent distracted driving.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Most car and truck accidents in Key Biscayne and other South Florida communities occur between two vehicles. Even single-vehicle traffic accidents in Key Biscayne and other communities are more common than stationary car accidents. However, just because a vehicle is not moving, it does not mean that injuries cannot occur. Each year, thousands of people suffer serious injuries in non-moving vehicles due to:

1) Rear-ending. Even if you are parked, you can easily be rear-ended by a vehicle that is traveling. Rear-end accidents involving stationary cars are especially common on residential streets and in parking lots. A distracted driver may not notice a parked car in time and may crash into it. In some cases, drivers mix up the gas pedal and brake pedal, so they careen into the car in front of them rather than stopping their car. These types of car accidents can easily lead to head injuries in Key Biscayne as well as spinal cord injuries, soft tissue injuries, and other serious injuries. In many cases, in this type of accident the victim is simply not expecting to be in an accident and may not even be wearing their seatbelts at the time of impact. This can make injuries worse.

2) Leaving a child in the car. Unfortunately, each year small children, toddlers, and infants are seriously injured or killed because they are left alone in a car while their parents or caregivers run errands or simply forget to remove the child from the car. Leaving a child inside of a car is a serious issue, since even on a relatively mild day temperatures within a car can quickly escalate to dangerous levels and can suffocate a child and can even cause serious burn injuries. In Key Biscayne and across South Florida, very high temperatures can increase the odds that a child simply will not survive being left alone in the car. Rolling down the windows a little bit will not help protect the child. It is important that parents have systems or develop a habit for checking the rear seat of their car before leaving their car. While it seems unfathomable to some parents that they would forget their child, stressful jobs, distraction, and a hectic lifestyle can easily contribute to this problem.

3) Injuries related to car systems malfunctioning. In some cases, car systems can overheat or malfunction in some other way. This can mean that even if someone is sitting in a parked car and listening to the radio or waiting in their car, they could be injured. If a product defect in your car has caused a serious injury, you can contact a personal injury attorney in Key Biscayne or your community in order to inquire about launching a products liability claim in Key Biscayne or your South Florida city.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Could impatience increase your risk of a car accident in Aventura or other Florida cities? Some experts think so. Impatience itself can be a distraction, making you so upset with getting to your destination on time that you fail to notice the actions of other motorists around you. According to some experts, impatience behind the wheel can also lead to:

1) Running red lights. If you’re rushing to your destination and don’t have patience to deal with other motorists, you could end up running red lights or ignoring other traffic signals. Obviously, this can easily lead to a truck accident in Aventura or your community.

2) Speeding. If you are short on patience and short on time, speeding to your destination can seem like a good idea. Unfortunately, speeding is also a leading cause of traffic accidents in Aventura and other communities. When you speed, you have less control of your car, and you can easily lose control of your vehicle. Speed-related accidents are also more likely to cause serious or fatal injuries due to the force of the vehicles at impact.

3) Weaving in and out of traffic. Drivers who are impatient will sometimes weave in and out of traffic that is traveling at or near the speed limit. This increases the risk of an accident.

4) Going around traffic that has stopped for pedestrians. A very common tactic used by impatient drivers is to go around a car that has stopped for some reason – such as to allow a pedestrian to cross the road. Unfortunately, if you cannot see what the car in front of you has stopped for, you can easily cause a pedestrian accident in Aventura or your community if you try to drive around the car.

5) Tailgating. Experts and police agree that tailgating is extremely dangerous. Not leaving enough space for the car in front of you means that if the car in front of you has to brake suddenly you will likely be involved in a rear end accident. When driving behind commercial trucks, especially, it is important to leave extra room, since trucks take longer to break and may make unexpected stops. When driving in bad weather, extra space is also needed in case your car skids when braking.

6) Texting or talking on a mobile device while driving. Some drivers are impatient to get to their destination and because they are so busy they will text or talk on their mobile devices, trying to get errands done while they drive. Numerous research studies have shown that distracted driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Much has been written in recent years about distracted driving. Florida is currently considering legislation that would make it illegal to text and drive, even though similar legislation has not managed to pass legislature in past years. Numerous research studies have shown that distracted driving is extremely dangerous. In fact, some studies have shown that distracted drivers have the same slow response times as drivers who drive drunk.

Researchers agree that distracted driving can increase the risk of an accident considerably. Despite this, Florida remains one of the few states that do not ban texting and driving or outright. People who are injured in cell phone related car accidents in Biscayne Park and other communities, however, can pursue a personal injury claim in order to get compensation for their injuries. In addition, police do have the right to arrest someone who causes an accident while texting and driving if their driving is considered reckless.

Distraction and Car Accidents in Biscayne Park

One reason that legislation banning texting and driving has a hard time in Florida legislature is because Florida experts do not entirely agree on the safest legislation to pass. Some claim that simply banning handheld mobile devices would improve safety on Florida’s roads. Manufacturers of hands-free devices often promote this idea, claiming that their devices allow drivers to keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel while driving.

However, some lawmakers and experts disagree. They claim that any form of mobile device or discussion can distracted driver. They note that people using a hands-free device while driving are still focused on the conversation rather than on the road in front of them. This means that they can still cause pedestrian accidents in Biscayne Park and other types of traffic accidents because their full focus is not on driving.

What Legislation Could Prevent Traffic Accidents in Biscayne Park?

Of course, legislating hands-free devices will be much more difficult as it can be more challenging for authorities to catch someone who is talking on a hands-free device while driving. In addition, many drivers feel that being able to have access to a mobile device is essential for their safety and their convenience. Many motorists are simply unwilling to give up the convenience of mobile devices. The question for lawmakers then becomes: how can we pass legislation that keeps Florida residents safe while also helping to prevent car accidents and truck accidents in Biscayne Park?

So far, lawmakers are still undecided. In the meanwhile, if you are injured in a traffic accident in Biscayne Park that was caused by distracted driver, you can pursue compensation to help recover money for property damage, medical costs, lost wages, and other expenses related to your injuries. Contacting a personal injury attorney in Biscayne Park or your community can ensure that drivers who drive distracted are held liable for their actions.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

The Governors Highway Safety Association has released a study showing that in the first half of 2012 there was a jump in the national number of fatal traffic accidents involving teen drivers when compared with the number of crashes during the same period in 2011. Experts have many ideas about how to reduce the instances of teen-driver-related car accidents in Coral Gables and other communities:

1) Increase the amount of driving instruction for teens. Graduated licensing programs have already helped reduce the number of teen drivers involved in serious traffic accidents in Coral Gables and other communities. Experts agree that one of the key reasons behind driving accidents involving teen drivers has to do with driver inexperience. Teens may simply not have the behind-the-wheel experience needed in order to avoid some collisions. Getting additional on-road training and extra instruction can help ensure that teen drivers have the skills needed to drive safely. Parents can help by purchasing additional driving instruction and one-on-one driving instruction for their teens.

2) Crack down on distracted driving. According to the National Safety Council, more than 24 percent of traffic accidents involve cell phone use. About 450,000 teens are injured each year and 3,000 are killed due to car accidents, and many experts believe that distracted driving is a key contributor to many accidents involving teen drivers. Studies show that in addition to cell phone use, other passengers are a key cause of distraction for teen drivers. In fact, teen drivers who have teen passengers are more likely to be involved in an accident when compared with teen drivers driving alone or with an adult in the car.

3) Alert teens about the dangers of fatigued driving. Teens may not be aware that driving fatigued is a dangerous situation, so it is important for parents and other adults to explain to teen drivers the dangers of driving distracted and potentially falling asleep behind the wheel.

4) Have parents set rules about driving. Teens should learn that driving is a privilege, not a right. To that end, parents can help by setting firm rules – such as no texting and driving or no passengers in the car – to ensure that their teens do not take unnecessary risks as they slowly build their driving skills.

5) Insist on remedial lessons for teens who get into fender-benders. Fender benders and near accidents are often warning signs that a teen’s driving skills need additional work. Parents can help by getting their teenage driver more one-on-one instruction time and in-car instruction time from a professional driving instructor. This can help teens correct any bad habits and help them get the skills they need in order to avoid collisions.

6) Show teens the effects of dangerous driving. Local authorities have education programs designed especially for teen drivers. It is important for parents to make sure that their teens see the devastating impact that reckless driving, distracted driving, fatigued driving, and careless driving can cause.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

According to Floridainsurance.com, car collisions cost each American an average of 00 a year. There are about 43,000 fatalities related to car accidents each year. In Florida, the costs of an accident can vary from under 0 (for a minor fender bender) to millions of dollars for a serious car and truck accident in Coral Gables or another community. Of course, if you have been in a truck or car accident in Coral Gables or any other community in Florida, you know that the costs of the accident are far greater than just the monetary costs. The emotional upheaval and pain and suffering can endure for years.

Many people pay the costs for a serious traffic accident in Coral Gables:

1) The victim injured in the traffic accident. Victims who are injured in a truck or car accident in Florida often pay the highest price. They may need to get their cars replaced or repaired and they may miss income and work. In many instances, car accidents lead to serious injuries, and treating soft tissue injuries, back injuries, fractures, burns, or head injuries in Coral Gables and other communities is very expensive.

2) The family of the victim. The family of the victim often pays a high price in a serious traffic collision, as well. In a fatal accident, the family may be left with final bills, final medical expenses, funeral bills, and other costs. If the loved one was an income earner, the loss may also devastate a family’s finances for years to come.

3) Employers. Employers lose millions of dollars each year due to employees being injured in car accidents and therefore being unable to work. If the accident was a workplace accident, an employer’s insurance costs may rise.

4) Insurance companies. Insurance companies may need to pay out damages in a car accident case. The costs are covered by the insurance premiums that insurance clients pay, but in many cases insurance carriers are interested in resolving cases inexpensively and quickly. This is one reason why many car collision victims turn to personal injury attorneys in Coral Gables and across South Florida – to get fair compensation for their injuries.

5) Society as a whole. Society as a whole pays for car collisions in Coral Gables and beyond with loss of productivity, more hospital crowding, and damaged roads. Almost everyone is affected by car accidents in some fashion and everyone suffers due to the suffering, medical costs, and damage that a serious accident can cause.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the number of fatal hit and run traffic collisions in the state appears to be increase. Between 2011 and 2012, the number of hit and runs across the state increased 4000. In 2012, there were 70 000 such accidents, leading to 168 fatalities.

The Highway Patrol is launching a “Hit and Run: Bad 2 Worse” campaign in Florida to make drivers aware of the risks of hit and run accidents. Authorities want to get the message across: when you leave the scene of a car accident in Miami or any other community you face serious consequences. Currently, drivers who leave the scene of an accident without stopping to help others face up to 000 in fines and up to 30 years in jail if the accident is a fatal one.

According to authorities, there are four main reasons why at-fault drivers leave the scene of a traffic accident in Miami and other communities:

1) The at-fault driver is wanted by police or has a record. In many hit and run accidents in Miami and South Florida, the at-fault driver leaves because he or she has a criminal record, is driving a stolen car, or is otherwise wanted by police. In these cases, the driver hopes that if the authorities cannot find them, they will not be charged for the accident and for any other crimes.

2) The driver has no insurance. There are many uninsured and under-insured drivers in Florida and when one of these drivers causes an accident, they flee the scene of the collision because they fear the costs of having to pay for the accident. In some cases, the drivers may not even be licensed to drive.

3) The driver panics. Being in an accident is frightening and some drivers may simply panic, unsure what to do after a car accident in Miami or South Florida. While it is understandable that a car collision can lead to panic, Florida law is very clear: failing to stop and offer assistance as well as exchange information after a car accident is a crime.

4) The driver is driving under the influence. Drunk driving accidents in Miami and South Florida occur often. In many cases, a driver who is driving under the influence does not want a DUI charge and will leave the scene of an accident. Even if the authorities find the person eventually, it will be harder to prove that the driver was intoxicated at the time of the accident.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

We rely on trucks to carry a range of cargo – from fuels to consumer goods to life-saving fire-extinguishing chemicals and water. In some cases, however, cargo that has been incorrectly secured can lead to serious truck accidents in Davie and other Florida communities. Cargo that rolls off trucks can also cause secondary car accidents in Davie and other cities. To prevent these types of traffic accidents in Davie and across the nation, there are federal rules, FMCSRs, which regulate cargo, among other things, for truck drivers and commercial motor carriers. Under these rules, truck drivers and motor carriers must:

1) Ensure that the cargo is correctly secured and distributed. How the cargo will be distributed and secured will depend on the type of cargo. Securing the cargo ensures that the cargo does not slip and cause a secondary car accident. Distributing the cargo evenly ensures that the cargo is not lopsided, which can increase the risk of a truck rollover.

2) Ensure that all the elements of the truck that are related to the cargo are secured. On an 18 wheeler truck, this will include tarpaulins, tailboard, tailgate, spare tire, and any other equipment used in securing the cargo and operating the truck. In some cases, elements of the truck may become loose or fall off the truck, which can lead to an accident. For example, if the tarp covering the cargo is not correctly secured, it can fly off and cause a secondary car accident.

3) Ensure that the cargo does not obscure visibility or prevent the safe operation of the truck. Under FMCSR rules, nothing must obscure the driver’s front view or side view, although an exception is made for drivers of self-steer dollies. In addition, cargo and other objects must not prevent the truck driver from accessing emergency equipment or from freely moving his or her legs. Cargo and other objects must also not prevent any passenger from safely leaving the cab.

There are also many additional rules for hazardous cargo. For example, many types of hazardous cargo must be clearly labeled. In addition, additional precautions may need to be taken in cases were cargo is highly flammable, unstable, or otherwise dangerous.

Unfortunately, although there many federal rules regarding cargo, not all truck drivers and motor carriers are careful about following the rules. If you are injured in a truck accident in Davie or in any Florida community and you think that the accident was caused by a cargo problem, you may have a legal claim. If the federal rules regarding cargo are not carefully followed, then you may be able to seek a legal claim to get compensation for medical costs, lost income, and other costs related to your injuries.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Following concerns that sleeping pills may stay in the bloodstream longer than thought, the FDA has announced that it will require manufacturers of the popular sleeping pill zolpidem – more commonly known by brand names such as Edluar and Ambien – to slash dosage recommendations. The move comes amid new information that the pills may be causing morning drowsiness that can lead to car crashes and other problems. New research suggests that women in particular can process the drug slowly, which can mean that the effects can linger even in the mornings. Other drugs will not be affected.

Under FDA rules, recommended dosages for zolpidem will drop from 10 milligrams to 5 milligrams and will drop to 6.25 milligrams (from a current 12.5 milligrams) for the extended-release products. Last year, a study published in the British Medical Journal determined that up to 500 000 fatalities in the US in 2010 may have been linked to sleeping pill use. The same study concluded that users of sleeping pills increase their risk of early death by fivefold. The FDA has asked for more research from manufacturers of sleeping pills, asking them to complete driver simulations and other research.

Currently, there are no specific studies examining the sleeping aid-related risks of car and truck accidents in Miami and other Florida communities. However, the study published in the British Medical suggests that a number of traffic and car accidents in Miami and other communities may be caused by sleeping pill use and abuse. To reduce the risk of this type of accident, make sure that you:

1) Keep track of any symptoms related to sleep disorders. If you notice snoring, fatigued, disturbed sleep patterns, or other symptoms, speak with your doctor to find a solution. Untreated sleep disorders can cause you to fall asleep at the wheel and can increase your risk of a traffic accident.

2) Consider alternatives to sleeping pills. Work with your doctor to come up with a treatment plan. In some cases, lifestyle changes or even changing your sleeping conditions can help you get a better night of rest.

3) If you do take any sleeping pills, speak with your doctor and pharmacist. Make sure the medications do not interact with other medication you may be taking and heed any warnings on the labels. Take the smallest dose of sleeping pills you need and be especially careful when taking a new type of sleeping pill or changing your dosage – as your body adjusts, you may be more sleepy in the mornings or may be more groggy than usual.

4) Get into the habit of checking your fitness to drive before you get into the car. Whether your drowsiness is caused by sleeping pills, sleep disorders, or another reason, if you feel very fatigued when driving you may cause a traffic accident in Miami or your community. Avoid driving when you feel too tired.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

A new study out of Canada has found that opioids – even in low doses – can increase the risk of traffic accidents. According to the study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, motorists who took doses as low as 20 milligrams of opioids a day had a 21% increased risk of car-accident-related injury. Motorists with higher doses of the drugs had an even greater chance of being involved in a car accident. For example, patients prescribed 100 to 199 mg a day had a 42% greater chance of being in a car accident.

Opioids are a class of drugs commonly used to treat pain. Codeine, morphine, hydromorphone, oxycodone, and the fentanyl patch are all examples of opioids. One concern for the study’s authors is that opioids are being prescribed increasingly often to help patients manage chronic and acute pain. Unfortunately, these medications have side effects that can affect alertness, which can lead to traffic accidents. What does this mean in terms of car accidents in Coral Gables and other Florida cities? It means that if you are taking any prescription medication, you should take some precautionary measures to help prevent a traffic accident in Coral Gables or your Florida community:

1) Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about medication you are prescribed. The medication may have side effects that can affect your ability to drive. Discuss side effects and when it is safe for you to return to driving.

2) Visit the same pharmacy for all your medication needs and get to know your pharmacist. Look for a pharmacy that keeps track of your medication and can alert you when your medications may interact and produce more side effects. Also, speak with your pharmacist. Often, a pharmacist can give you important information about medicine safety and possible side effects to look out for.

3) Limit driving or hang up the keys until your body has adjusted to a new medication and your doses are stable. When you first start a new medication, you may notice more side effects and your doctor may be adjusting the dose to ensure that you are getting the right medication. According to Dr. David Juurlink, this can be one of the riskier times for being involved in an accident, because your body is still getting used to the substance. You can help avoid a car accident or pedestrian accident in Coral Gables or your community by only returning to driving when it is safe to do so.

4) Let your pharmacist and doctor know about any over-the-counter or natural medication you are taking. Some all-natural vitamins and supplements and over-the-counter medications can also have serious side effects that can increase your risk of a car accident or truck accident in Coral Gables or your community. Natural and over-the-counter medications can also interact with your prescription medication, so discuss everything you are taking with your doctor and pharmacist.

5) Keep an eye on your symptoms – they can lead to injury, too. In some cases, the symptoms of the condition you are treating with medication can put you at risk of an accident. For example, if you are in chronic pain, your mobility may be limited and this can affect your driving. In some cases, symptoms can develop if you are allergic to your medication, and these reactions can affect your ability to drive. Discuss symptoms with your doctor and pharmacist when evaluating your ability to drive safely.

6) Make sure you are getting adequate rest. Some researchers have speculated that patients who are in chronic pain may be at increased risk of car accidents because they are not sleeping well due to their condition. There have been many studies showing that fatigued driving can lead to car accidents and truck accidents in Coral Gables and communities across the country.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog