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If you have been in a car collision in Hialeah or any other community, there may be some obvious injuries. For example, you may sustain broken bones, burns, abrasions, and other injuries. In addition to these injuries, however, many victims of traffic accidents in Hialeah and other communities sustain injuries that are harder to detect. These injuries include:

1) Head injuries.
2) Soft tissue injuries.
3) Emotional injuries.

Head Injuries

Head injury patients in Hialeah and other communities do not always get the help they need because in some cases patients do not present any symptoms right away. Any time you are in a serious accident where your head may have struck a hard object, it is important to get an immediate medical evaluation. Concussions may not seem serious right away but may quickly become serious or even life-threatening with time, and delaying treatment can affect your ability to recover fully. In some cases, symptoms of a head injury may develop gradually and may be subtle. Symptoms can include:

• headaches
• loss of balance
• vision problems
• ringing in the ears
• problems with reasoning or concentrating
• anxiety
• irritability
• depression
• lethargy
• sleep disorders
• convulsions or seizures
• vomiting
• disorientation or confusion
• memory loss

If you have been in a traffic accident and notice any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical help at once.

Soft tissue injuries

One of the more common soft tissue injuries sustained in truck accidents in Hialeah and other communities is whiplash, or a soft tissue injury affecting the neck area. However, soft tissue injuries can affect neural pathway in all areas of the body. Like head injuries, soft tissue injuries may have subtle symptoms and may not produce any symptoms right away, making them hard to detect. Soft tissue injuries can also have a range of symptoms, including:

• reduced range of motion or mobility
• stiffness in shoulders or arms
• headaches
• slower reflexes
• dizziness
• muscle spasms
• weakness or numbness

If you have been in a car or pedestrian accident in Hialeah or any community and notice any of these symptoms, seek medical help. Chiropractic treatment or physical therapy can help address some of the symptoms of soft tissue injuries, but an accurate diagnosis is needed first.

Mental Trauma

Being in a traffic accident is a devastating experience and in some cases patients develop trauma after the accident. They may suffer from depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, personality changes, and other issues as a result of their accident and injuries. It is important to seek help if you have been in a car accident and find yourself upset or having difficulty returning to your normal life weeks or months after the event.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Researchers agree that the vast majority of traffic accidents in Hialeah and across Florida occur due to driver error. Many of these driver errors are quite minor and are things that drivers do an almost daily basis:

1) Being distracted. Experts agree that distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents in Hialeah and other Florida communities. Many motorists associate distracted driving just with cell phone use. While it’s true that there are many cell phone related car accidents in Hialeah and other communities, cell phones and mobile devices are not the only causes of distraction. Authorities note that something as simple as fast food or drinking a coffee can be extremely dangerous and distracting behind the wheel. Each year, drivers cause accidents because they spill a meal or hot coffee on themselves, causing them to lose control their car. Anything that removes your hands from the wheel, your eyes from the road, or your mind from your driving task is a distraction. Distractions can include changing the music in your car, hunting for something on the floor of your vehicle, talking animatedly to other passengers, daydreaming, and just about anything else that removes you from fully focusing on driving.

2) Not evaluating your mental state before you step in the car. If you’re tired, angry, upset, unfocused, or worried, you may not be in the mental or emotional state you need to be in order to drive safely. Very few drivers consider their emotions before stepping in the vehicle, but many experts do agree that driving under the influence of strong emotions can easily lead to a traffic accident in Hialeah or your community.

3) Being tired. Many Florida residents lead very busy lives and it is common for people to walk around their everyday lives feeling tired at least some of the time. Recent studies have shown that a number of drivers admit to driving behind the wheel while exhausted and a number admit to drowsing off at least once in the past month. While many people simply medicate fatigue with coffee and other forms of caffeine, driving tired can easily cause you to fall asleep at the wheel and cause a serious car or truck accident in Hialeah or your community.

4) Ignoring your car. When cars are not properly maintained they can easily cause an accident if they don’t respond the way that you expect them to.

5) Being slightly buzzed. Drunk driving accidents in Hialeah and other Florida communities continue to be a serious concern, despite efforts by advocacy groups such as MADD. One problem, according to authorities, is that many people assume that they can drive after drinking as long as they have only consumed a small amount. Recently, Florida authorities have launched an awareness campaign to emphasize that even if you are “buzzed” you are still too drunk to drive. Even a few drinks can seriously affect your motor skills and your response times, increasing the risk of an accident.

6) Driving while slightly ill. Many motorists feel that if they are slightly ill with a cold or flu they cannot put their lives on hold. Unfortunately, if you drive while slightly ill you could end up causing a serious accident. Many serious illnesses that affect driving ability have very mild symptoms at first. Continuing to drive with untreated symptoms can increase your risk of an accident. In addition, taking over-the-counter medication for a cold, flu, sinus problems, or other minor ailments can actually cause you to become drowsy and lose control of your vehicle. If you are ill, take an alternative form of transportation or wait until you get better before you start to drive again. If you need to take medication for allergies or another illness, make sure that you read the labels. Your medication should not make you drowsy and should not affect your driving ability.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

In Hialeah and across Florida, patients who have been in a serious car accident turn to hospitals, clinics, and healthcare professionals to get help. Healthcare practitioners are supposed to be partners in health care and are supposed to be able to provide a high standard of care that helps patients stay healthier. After a Hialeah traffic accident, the last thing you want to worry about is a medical mistake or complication that can make your injuries even more severe. Unfortunately, for many Hialeah car accident patients, medical mistakes cause expensive and painful complications. To help prevent this, there are several things you can do:

1) Take a friend or family member with you to the hospital or emergency room if you can. If possible, consider having a friend or family member meet you at the emergency room to act as an advocate. This person can fill out the medical paperwork, can discuss your condition with physicians, and can generally stand by to ensure that doctors are informed about any pre-existing conditions or situations. In many cases, after a Hialeah pedestrian accident or traffic accident, you may be confused or even unconscious part of the time. Having someone there ensures that the right decisions are made about your care and ensures that doctors understand your medical conditions so that they can make the best decisions about your treatment.

2) Follow-up about your condition with your regular doctor. If you are rushed to an emergency room after a Hialeah car accident, make a follow-up appointment with your regular physician to discuss your situation. Your physician will want to be apprised of what has happened in your own words and your injury may need follow-up care. You will want to discuss this follow-up care with your physician, as he or she likely knows your medical history better than emergency room doctors. Meeting with your doctor also allows you to address any concerns or questions you may have about your emergency room visit and your condition.

3) Be an informed patient. Learn as much as you can about your medical condition and about your health, using valuable resources such as books and medical magazines at your local library. The Internet can also be a powerful resource but keep in mind that the quality of information online varies widely. Ask your doctor for recommended books, online resources, and other informational resources that can help you stay healthy.

4) Keep a record of your medical treatment. This will not only help you to understand what has happened, but if a medical mistake or medical negligence does occur, a record can help your Hialeah personal injury attorney apprise you of your rights and help them take action in your case.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Halloween night presents a number of challenges for drivers, the biggest challenge being the groups of trick-or-treaters out on the streets. Hialeah pedestrian accidents are in fact a much greater threat to trick-or-treaters than injuries caused by candy. To avoid a Hialeah traffic accident this year, consider the following tips:

1) Consider a curfew and other rules for teen drivers. Teen drivers are most at risk because they are less experienced. Set some rules or consider having new drivers avoid driving entirely on Halloween night to prevent Hialeah pedestrian accidents.

2) Consider a party instead of trick-or-treating. Hosting a party rather than having children trick-or-treat can be a safe alternative that still stays fun. If you are hosting a Halloween party that is not just for kids, either make it alcohol-free or have a safe transportation option for your guests to avoid the risk of Hialeah drunk driving accidents.

3) Have everyone outfitted with visible costumes. If you have children who are trick-or-treating, ensure that the costumes are safe. The costumes should not have long hems that can pose a trip hazard or masks and hoods that block visibility. Costumes should be highly visible and should have reflective strips to make them more visible to motorists.

4) If your children go trick-or-treating, insist that they go with an adult and in a group. An adult can supervise to ensure that children do not run out into the road while a group of children can ensure that they are more visible.

5) If you are taking children trick or treating, walk along one side of the street before crossing at a crosswalk and working down the opposite side of the road. Children often want to run back and forth across the road, but this can increase the odds of a Hialeah car accident.

6) If you will be driving on Halloween night and Halloween afternoon, exercise extra caution. Children may start trick-or-treating early and not all will follow safety rules or cross at crosswalks.

7) Consider a night in. If there is nowhere you have to drive on Halloween night, consider renting movies or staying in on that night. The fewer cars are on the roads, the safer the streets will be with the extra influx of pedestrians.

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

There are many causes of Hialeah car accidents, one of them being pedal mistakes. When a driver mistakes the gas pedal for the brakes (or vice versa) a serious accident can occur. These types of Hialeah traffic accidents most often occur in driveways, parking spaces, and garages, although they can occur anywhere. These types of accidents can be serious, since suddenly stepping on the gas while in a parking area or other low-speed area can cause the car to crash into another vehicle, person, or building. Serious injuries, including fatalities, Hialeah head injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, and other serious injuries are reported each year due to pedal mix ups.

According to the Highway Safety Research Center, women are more likely to be involved in this type of accident, even though male drivers cause more car accidents overall. Drivers who are over 76 or under 20 are most likely to mix up pedals and cause an accident. According to the study, almost two-thirds of drivers involved in pedal mix-up accidents were women. Most of the accidents involved older drivers over the age of 76 and most occurred in parking areas. Researchers hypothesized that the reason for the crashes may be that some areas of the brain that deal with executive functioning deteriorate in some drivers, making gas pedal mix up accidents more of a risk.

According to experts, there are several things that drivers can do to reduce the risk of this type of Hialeah truck accident or car accident:

1) Do not drive distracted. Distracted driving can easily lead to a pedal mix up and Hialeah car collision because a distracted driver may simply not be considering which pedal they are pressing. Talking on a mobile device (even a hands-free device), having an animated discussion with a passenger, texting, eating, drinking, changing the music, and any activity that takes your mind off driving is a distraction and can be potentially deadly.

2) Take one pedal mix up as a serious warning sign. If you are in a minor fender-bender due to a pedal mix-up, take that as a serious warning sign. The pedals should be so automatic for you that you should not mix them up. If this is not the case for you, take a refresher course or additional driver training to ensure that the accident does not repeat itself.

3) Visually check pedals when backing up out of a parking space, driveway, or other area. Checking forces you to consider the right pedal and reduces the risk of a mix-up.

4) Stay mentally fit to drive. Check medications to ensure that they will not make you sleepy or unfocused. If you notice any signs of loss of concentration or memory, speak with your doctor to ensure that there are no medical conditions which may be

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Florida has the unfortunate distinction of being a hotbed for car insurance fraud. While authorities have been taking steps to crack down on fraudsters, many innocent victims are still duped by insurance fraud. Even if you have no intention of committing fraud after a Hialeah truck accident or car accident, being duped could mean that you are accused of taking part in fraud. You may also see your insurance rates rise if you are in an accident caused by a fraudster.

If you have been in a Hialeah car accident, there are many steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim of fraud:

1) Visit legal and medical professionals you trust. Most attorneys and medical professionals are honest and professional, but some in both industries have been involved in fraud. Ask for recommendations or do some quick research if you do not know any professionals in Hialeah. Honest professionals will welcome questions and will have abundant proof that they are honest professionals.

2) Be wary of any offers that seem too good to be true. If someone offers an advance payment or a settlement in person or through the mail that seems very high, be wary. An honest Hialeah personal injury attorney will evaluate your case, will be able to explain how much your case may be worth and why, and will be able to advise you of the strength of your case. No attorney, however, can guarantee a settlement or compensation.

3) Get documentation. If you can, take photos of the car accident site, the damage, and the other car. Keep careful records of witness contact information, contact information for other drivers involved, the time and date of the accident, and any other information. Note how many passengers were in the other car and get contact information for each person. Keep detailed notes about medical treatments received and get copies of any medical records and police records you can.

4) Check your documentation. Compare any statements received against the records you keep. This will help you see whether medical claims are padded with treatments you did not get or if more people are claiming injuries than were actually in the car. Both are common red flag signs of fraud after a Hialeah truck accident or car accident, but many people miss these signs because they do not check the records.

5) Report to the police even if the accident was not major. Any accident involving minor damage and injuries should be reported, since you will get an accident report, which will be important when you file an insurance claim. It is another step in the documentation process. You should also contact the police if you feel that you have been the victim of insurance fraud.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

As with every three-day weekend, the Labor Day weekend is a cause of concern for law enforcement agencies across the state when it comes to drunk driving. Unfortunately, even with all the law enforcement checkpoints in place and all the public awareness about the dangers of drunk driving, every Labor Day weekend there are Florida and Hialeah car accidents and traffic stops caused by DUI.

This year, the Florida Highway Patrol is taking part in a national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” initiative that will continue through September 3. In addition, police will be more vigilant during the holiday weekend in order to try to prevent Florida and Hialeah drunk driving accidents. To avoid a tragedy this holiday weekend, follow these tips:

1) Do not assume a small amount of alcohol is OK. In Florida, the legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.08%. For a woman who weighs 120 pounds, it may take only two to three drinks to exceed this limit. For a 190-pound adult man, it may take three to four drinks to exceed the limit. Depending on the physical condition of the person and the strength of the drinks served, however, it can take less. As well, some experts question the 0.08 percent limit, noting that for some people by the time they approach this limit their reasoning, peripheral vision, depth perception, and reflexes may be affected. In fact, most European countries have set their blood alcohol limits much lower and some nations have eliminated any drinking for drivers. Experts believe that even if you are below the official blood alcohol limit, you may still be affected enough by the alcohol to cause a Hialeah car accident. The best option is to avoid driving if you have been drinking at all. Keep in mind that secondary factors such as the heat or fatigue after a late-night Labor Day party can amplify the effects of just one drink.

2) Do not belittle other risk factors. Some drivers assume that as long as they are not drinking and driving, they are being responsible. However, if you are driving distracted or tired, you may be just as much risk on the road. For example, if you stay out late after a Labor Day party and then drive you may be just as liable to fall asleep at the wheel and cause a Hialeah pedestrian accident as someone who has been drinking.

3) Have multiple options for getting home. You are more likely to choose a safe route home if you choose several options. Designate a driver, but also have money and taxi company phone numbers to get home safely, for example. The more options you have, the more likely you are to make the right choice.

4) Remove temptation in the first place. If you are attending a Labor Day event where you know you may drink, consider taking a taxi or a bus to the event in the first place, so that driving home in your car is not even an option. Or, consider an alcohol-free event.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Pedestrian accidents are among the most serious Hialeah traffic accidents in that pedestrians involved in these accidents almost always face serious injuries or even fatal injuries. The size and force of a car, coupled with the fact that pedestrians have little to no protection from the impact of a car crash, combine to create serious accidents. While the driver in this type of accident will often walk away unharmed, the pedestrian is typically rushed to a hospital with Hialeah head injuries, spinal cord injuries, or other life-threatening injuries. According to experts, there are many things that can be done to prevent these types of accidents:

1) Place barriers at intersections. Some experts feel that physical barriers at high-risk intersections would help prevent pedestrians from walking into traffic and helps provide a level of protection for pedestrians waiting to cross a street.

2) Provide more spaces for pedestrians. One issue that often leads to Hialeah pedestrian accidents is the fact that in many cases pedestrians and drivers need to share a space. For example, some residential areas have wide lawns but no sidewalks, forcing pedestrians into the road. Even in places where there are sidewalks, there may not be adequate crosswalks and intersection spaces for pedestrians. Some experts also feel that providing more green spaces and walking trails for pedestrians ensures that there are recreational walking areas that are well away from cars.

3) Educate pedestrians. Pedestrians need to be aware of the dangers of traffic. They need to understand, for example, that texting or listening to music while walking can be distracting, and just as drivers need to focus on the road, so do pedestrians to help prevent accidents.

4) Educate drivers. Drivers need to be reminded often that there is a risk in not anticipating hazards. When drivers drive by a park or school, for example, they should be prepared for the possibility of pedestrians stepping out into traffic. Just as pedestrians play a role in preventing accidents, so do drivers.

5) Address the issue of distracted driving. Currently, Florida does not have any texting bans and of course many types of distractions possible while driving – such as eating or changing music – are not banned anywhere. Nevertheless, distracted driving has been proven to be a contributing factor to many Hialeah car accidents and pedestrian accidents. When drivers are not focused on the road, they can easily fail to notice a pedestrian cross the street.

6) Re-evaluate public transit routes for pedestrian safety. One of the biggest dangers for pedestrian accidents involves the moment when public transit users step off a bus. In many cases, passengers attempt to cross the street and find their way blocked by a bus or traffic. Different street designs at major bus stops would ensure that pedestrians can disembark from a bus safely – right to a safe pedestrian area.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

At this time of year, there are more teens on the road as summer starts and classes end. Unfortunately, statistics suggest that teen drivers are also more at risk at this time of year when driving — especially if they are driving distracted. According to a yearly survey by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 58% of high school seniors and 43% of high school juniors admitted to emailing or texting within the past month.

While Florida does not have any laws banning the use of mobile devices on the roads, there is a great deal of awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. Anecdotally, many drivers are aware that distracted driving causes Hialeah car accidents and serious injury. Statistics and studies have also proven that distracted driving can lead to serious car collisions.

According to the CDC, distracted driving causes about 16% of teen car accident fatalities.
Summer may compound the problem. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), summer is deadliest time of year for younger drivers under the age of 20. In addition, car accidents are the leading cause of teen fatalities, according to the organization. Each year, more than 5000 teens are killed in car collisions across the country. In the summer months, the number of teen fatalities in car accidents jumps to 422 deaths monthly, up from 363 deaths, on average, during the rest of the year.

During the summer, there are dual concerns for parents hoping to protect their teens from a Hialeah traffic accident. One factor is that the summer months are already a riskier time for teen drivers because teen drivers are spending more time on the road. Another factor is that teens are more likely than some other age groups to use mobile devices or drive distracted, pushing their risk of being in a Hialeah truck accident or car accident even higher.

The stakes may be even higher, as well. A serious at-fault accident during the teenage years could affect a teen driver’s driving privileges, driving records, and insurance rates for years. A serious car crash can also lead to criminal charges and even a criminal record against a teen – a record that could affect their life for years to come. The trauma of causing a serious accident and injuries or fatalities can also stay with a teen for years to come. Of course, if a teen driver drives distracted and is injured, the Hialeah head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other serious injuries can affect income potential and life quality permanently.

In addition, teen drivers are still forming driving habits, so it is important to instill the habit of distraction-free driving in younger drivers. Parents of teen drivers can start by having honest discussions with their teens about the dangers of distracted driving. There are many good resources available online and from local police departments about the dangers of distracted driving. Parents can use these resources when helping their teens understand the dangers. A few discussions can help drivers understand the dangers and can help prevent Hialeah motorcycle accidents and car accidents.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog