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Fatigued driving leads to many car accidents in Virginia Gardens and across South Florida. Each year, drowsy drivers fall asleep at the wheel or make driver errors because their response times and motor skills are affected by their fatigue. If you want to prevent these types of car and truck accidents in Virginia Gardens or your community, make sure that you:

1) Be aware of when you might be most at risk of drowsy driving. According to experts, mornings and evenings are high-risk times for drowsy driving, as are weekends and the start of the week. The period immediately after Daylight Saving time is also higher risk. Use extra caution when you are most likely to be fatigued.

2) Create a lifestyle that makes it easy for you to get good quality sleep. In many cases, our lifestyle creates situations where it is harder to get to sleep. For example, research has shown that if you use screens – including TV screens, e- readers, or computer screens – in your bedroom before sleep you may have a harder time getting adequate rest. Light pollution and even small lights in the bedroom can also impede your ability to sleep, as can noises. In addition, a stressful work environment can make it harder for you to fall asleep at night and stay asleep. Cultivate a healthy lifestyle that includes adequate rest, exercise, and quality nutrition. Outsource some of your work or work to make your time commitments reasonable. You may experience better health and you may also be less at risk of traffic accidents.

3) Take note of any feelings of fatigue. Before you drive, notice whether you feel tired. In fact, get into the habit of evaluating your mental state throughout the day. If you notice unexplained feelings of fatigue frequently, this could be the sign of a sleep disorder or another serious issue. See your doctor promptly in order to get help.

4) Do not overschedule yourself. Having too much to do means that you are more likely to drive distracted, more likely to speed, and more likely to get inadequate rest. All of these things can lead to a traffic accident in Virginia Gardens or your community. Overscheduling yourself can also lead to excessive stress and can reduce the quality of your life (and your sleep). Learn new ways to manage your time so that you can get everything done without overburdening your schedule.

5) Look into carpool and other driving options. If you drive everywhere or have to drive many miles per day, it’s easy to get exhausted and overwhelmed. Consider commuting using public transportation. This can give you a chance to do something else – such as listen to quiet music or read – while someone else takes care of the driving. Or, consider carpooling. This can also give you a break from constantly having to drive everywhere and can even help you save money.

6) Don’t just over-caffeinate. If drivers are tired, they often simply zip through a drive-through in order to pick up coffee or a soda. Be careful of over-caffeinating rather than treating symptoms. If you are tired all the time, it is important to talk to your doctor rather than just continue drinking caffeine. Drinking caffeine can still lead to a car accident because once the caffeine rush wears off you can fall asleep at the wheel. In addition, drinking too much caffeine can make you jittery and can also lead to a car accident. Caffeine may also not improve your motor skills or response times if you are fatigued.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Studies have concluded that if you are in a motorcycle accident you are thirty times more likely to suffer fatal injuries when compared with someone in a car collision. The reason is because you have fewer layers of protection. In a motorcycle crash, you are likely to be flung from your vehicle and come into contact with other cars, your bike, or the pavement with very few layers of protection. As a result, each year many people are rushed to emergency rooms with injuries (such as head injuries) in Miami Gardens and other communities.

The Government Accountability Office reports around 82,000 people are injured in motorcycle accidents and more than 4500 suffer fatal injuries annually. The average cost of a fatal accident costs .2 million while injuries in motorcycle accidents cost 00 to .4 million. The total cost of motorcycle accidents across the country is billion or more per year. This cost does not take into consideration the devastation and personal grief and suffering these types of traffic accidents in Miami Gardens and other American cities cause. According to the Government Accountability Office and other experts, there are a number of ways to decrease your risk:

1) Wear a helmet. The Government Accountability Office has stated that the best way to reduce the costs and risks of motorcycle accidents is to make helmet use mandatory. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, helmets saved 1550 lives in 2010 alone and the CDC reports that the helmets saved billion dollars in collision costs. Experts say that helmets reduce the death rate in motorcycle accidents by 39%. Although not all states require helmet use for all riders and while Florida does not have universal helmet laws, wearing a helmet each time you hop on your bike can greatly increase your chances of surviving a motorcycle accident in Miami Gardens or your community.

2) Learn to ride a motorcycle responsibly. If you want to learn how to avoid a motorcycle-car accident, Miami Gardens and most South Florida communities have qualified instructors and classes that can help you learn the basics of safe riding. In some cases, taking classes can even help you save money on your insurance costs.

3) Take safety seriously. Be cautious when riding your motorcycle. Stay completely focused on the road – distracted driving causes many motorcycle and car accidents in Miami Gardens and across South Florida each year. Ride only when sober, well-rested, and prepared to ride safely. Always follow all traffic rules. While motorcycles are more flexible and allow you to take certain risks on the road, taking those risks can cost you your life.

4) Stay visible. Wear reflective clothing and use lights, especially when riding at night. Opt for lighter clothes that are easy to see. Many motorcycle accidents happen because motorists simply do not notice a motorcycle in time.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Two studies published recently in the Archives of Ophthalmology suggest that physicians and eye doctors may do more to prevent car crashes. As the population ages, experts predict that by 2020, 40 million drivers will be over the age of the age of 65. According to researchers, many of those drivers will eventually develop chronic conditions such as dementia, arthritis, eye problems, and other health concerns that could affect driving ability.

According to the study’s authors, eye doctors may underreport vision problems among elderly patients. The study asked eye doctors to respond to a series of questions. 87% of participating doctors stated that they would often ask about driving ability if the question was raised or if a patient fared poorly on an eye exam. Two thirds of polled doctors stated that they asked all elderly patients about driving. Over half of eye doctors stated that they were reluctant to report patients to agencies regulating driving. They were often worried about liability issues and about compromising the doctor-patient relationship. Only 36% of eye doctors reported unsafe drivers to physicians and only 28% reported unsafe drivers to rehabilitation.

According to the study’s authors, eye doctors need to take a greater role in reporting and helping unsafe drivers. The authors suggested that eye specialists always ask elderly patients about driving ability and refer patients to primary care physicians or driver rehabilitation when needed. Not only can this potentially prevent car accidents, but it can also help drivers stay behind the wheel longer. Driver rehabilitation, for example, can help qualified drivers adjust to mobility issues and vision problems.

Many Miami Gardens car accidents are caused by drivers with medical issues. Each year, people are killed because motorists cause Miami Gardens traffic accidents due to vision problems, strokes, heart attacks, and other medical situations. Having doctors reporting at-risk drivers can help prevent these accidents and can help drivers get help through driver rehabilitation to help prevent Miami Gardens truck accidents and car accidents. Some drivers may be resistant to this idea since it could get drivers banned for health conditions that have not yet caused an accident. With many drivers seeing cars as a form of freedom and independence, the decision to hang up the car keys for medical reasons is a difficult one. Support systems and more transportation options for non-drivers would potentially help with this problem.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Across the country, each year over 140 000 children are admitted to emergency rooms due to injuries caused by car accidents. Car accidents remain the leading cause of death for children older than three years of age. Despite these statistics, many pediatricians and childcare experts note that the majority of parents are not correctly securing their children into car safety restraints.

According to experts, a big part of the problem is that the safety guidelines when it comes to children and cars is confusing – and changes often. The safety seats of just a few years ago have been replaced with new guidelines and new devices. Worse, the laws concerning child safety restraints vary by state. Pediatricians and experts recommend that parents follow the guidelines available through the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP guidelines are clear and tend to be conservative, which adds some extra precaution. AAP guidelines suggest:

1) Children under two years of age should be placed in a rear-racing car seat. This protects a young child most in the event of a Miami Gardens car accident.

2) Children over the age of two should be placed in a front-facing car seat until they reach the weight limit for the seat.

3) Children should use booster seats until they can sit at 57 inches tall (usually this is by about age 11). This is because the rear seat belts are more likely to cut into a child’s neck, face, and chest area in the event of a Miami Gardens truck accident or car accident, possibly causing serious injury. Seat belts are designed for adults, and a booster seat ensures that a child has the height needed to stay safe in an accident.

4) Children should not sit in the front seat until they reach the age of 13 years of age. The rear seat is the safest place for a child in the event of a Miami Gardens traffic accident. In the event of an accident, the child is more likely to hit the soft front seat rather than crash into a dashboard. Since children may not be as tall, air bags in the front seat can also pose a hazard, potentially causing Miami Gardens head injuries in the event of a car collision. Keeping a child in the back seat helps prevent this. In the event of a head-on crash, children will also be more protected in the back.

According to a survey completed by Dr. Michelle Macy of the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan, only about 3% of children between the ages of 1-3 were correctly seated in rear-facing car seats. In the survey of 22 000 children between 2007 and 2009, Dr. Macy also found that only 10% of children between the ages of 8 and 10 were using booster seats.

According to Macy, in addition to following AAP guidelines, it is important to select a car seat with the highest weight capacities possible. This makes the car seat safer for the child and allows a parent to use the car seat for longer, which is financially better for the family as well.

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

Many drivers do not realize that pets can be a hazard on the roadways, but pets of all sizes and types cause Miami Gardens car accidents and Florida traffic accidents each year. There are many ways that animals can cause Miami Gardens traffic accidents:

1) Pets that run into the road can cause Miami Gardens truck accidents and car accidents. When dogs are not properly restrained during an outing, they can easily run into the road and cause an accident as drivers swerve to avoid the animal. Dogs that are not on a leash can also lead to Miami Gardens dog bite claims in court. When walking a pet, it is important to always keep it on a leash. This protects the dog and motorists.

2) Pets that are loose in a car can get in the way of driving and can cause an accident. One of the biggest causes of pet-related car accidents has to do with uncaged animals in a car. Unfortunately, when animals are in a moving car they sometimes want to explore. They can leap up on the steering wheel, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle, or can climb onto the dashboard and reduce visibility. Small animals can get caught under the gas pedals. For all these reasons, it is important to transport pets in appropriate kennels or cages at all times. In a car accident, the pet and the owner may be seriously injured or killed, so keeping a pet enclosed in a cage in the car ensures everyone’s safety.

3) Pets can be a distraction in the car. Even when pets are contained in a kennel or cage, they can be a distraction for the driver. In some cases, pets can whine or cause a disturbance because they are upset by being in a moving car. If your pet is a distraction for you in the car, you can speak to your vet about possible solutions. You can also travel with a friend when transporting your pet. Your friend can keep an eye on your pet, allowing you to place all your focus on the road.

Pet-related Miami Gardens car accidents can cause fatalities, serious property damage, and serious injuries, including head injuries and spinal cord injuries. When a pet owner does not take the steps necessary to drive safely with their pet in the car, it puts the lives of everyone at risk. An innocent pedestrian or motorist can be injured or killed due to one pet owner’s negligence.

If you have been injured by a motorist who drove recklessly because they had their pet in the car with them, you may have a legal claim. It is a good idea to discuss your case with a qualified Miami Gardens personal injury attorney. An experienced attorney can investigate the accident, can help you determine the costs of your injuries, and can work on your behalf to ensure that you get fair compensation for your injuries.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

While the number of drunk driving car accidents has slowly been declining in recent years across the country, the number of car accidents in the community involving drugged driving has been increasing. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), a third of all drivers killed in US car accidents in 2009 tested positive for drugs.

Like many communities, Miami Gardens has many plans in place to fight Miami Gardens drunk driving accidents. There are breathalyzer tests, roadside checks, and special programs to make drivers aware of the dangers of drunk driving. However, some experts say that not enough is done to make people aware of Miami Gardens car accidents and truck accidents involving drugs.

Part of the problem is that many people are not even aware of the types of drugs that can cause a serious Miami Gardens car collision. Experts list many potentially driver impairing (PDI) drugs which can cause car accidents. Among them are illegal drugs such as methamphetamines and marijuana. However, PDI drugs also include prescription medications and even innocuous over-the-counter drugs, including many popular flu and cold remedies. If drivers are not aware of the dangers of these drugs and do not take care to read labels, they can easily cause an accident.

Another problem is that some of the drugs which can cause Miami Gardens truck accidents and car accidents are illegal. Drugs such as methamphetamines and heroin, for example, can make drivers very unsafe and can also impair judgement to the point where a driver does not realize that they are too impaired to drive. Some experts have suggested that those who flout the law by taking illegal drugs may also ignore safe driving laws and anti-drunk-driving laws as well.

A third problem is that it can be very hard to discern and legislate drugged driving accidents. Breathalyzers and other tools that law enforcement officers use to catch drunk drivers may not work on drivers who are under the influence of drugs. Many drugs also do not leave any odor, the way that alcohol can. In many cases, law enforcement can only determine whether someone has been driving after doing drugs is to get the driver to take a drug test. In many cases, these types of tests are only administered after a fatal accident – after it is too late to stop an impaired driver.

If you have been in a Miami Gardens traffic accident that you think was caused by a driver who was under the influence of drugs, it is important to speak to an experienced Miami Gardens personal injury attorney. If the accident was caused by drugs, an attorney can investigate a driver’s medical records and background to determine whether drugs were a factor. If someone’s negligent use of drugs has caused an accident that has caused you injuries, that driver may be held liable for your injuries.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog