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During this time of year, many Homestead residents are getting invitations to work holiday parties as well as holiday get-togethers from friends and family. While it’s exciting to get invitations and to schedule them into your planner, this is also a good opportunity to make sure that you plan ahead for safety.

Holiday parties are a cause of concern for local law enforcement, since alcohol served at holiday parties can lead some motorists to make poor decisions, leading to Homestead drunk driving accidents. Homestead car accidents involving alcohol do typically increase during the holiday season in many years, according to authorities. Sometimes, drivers simply make poor decisions after drinking at a holiday party and the consequences can be tragic. Each year, people sustain serious Homestead head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even fatalities due to drunk driving.

You can help prevent these types of tragedies by planning well in advance. When you get an invitation for a holiday party, don’t just consider whether you can attend or whether the party fits into your schedule. Also plan ahead to determine how you can get home safely. For example, one of the things you want to consider is whether the party will be alcohol free or whether alcohol will be served. If alcohol will be served, consider how you will get home safely.

To do this, consider where the party is held. If the party is held at your workplace, find out whether your employer will be providing a way to get home safely. Consider public transportation as a way to get home safely, but also consider when the party will be ending. The party may and well after public transportation is no longer available. If this is the case, you will need a list of local cab companies as well as cash on hand so that you can call for a taxicab after the party.

Be especially alert for parties that can end late and for parties that are in remote locations. Often, these are the most challenging if you will be drinking. Taxicabs from remote locations may be more expensive and public transportation may not be available late at night or in remote areas. Hotel rooms and motel rooms may also not be available in these areas. Therefore, you will need to plan ahead and arrange for a friend or family member to pick you up. You may also want to have a list of cab companies on hand as well as extra money to get home safely. Or, you can make arrangements with your host in order to stay at their home after drinking. Planning ahead can reduce the risk that you will be involved in a Homestead traffic accident simply because you didn’t plan ahead and ran out of options when it was late and you found yourself far away from an easy way to get home.

Keep in mind that after a party where you have been drinking you may feel tired and anxious to get home. This makes it easier for you to make a bad decision. To avoid being in a Homestead traffic accident caused by drunk driving, make it easy for yourself to do the right thing. Plan ahead and have more than one way to get home safe. Better yet, consider leaving your car at home and take a cab to the party so that you are not tempted to drive home after you have been drinking.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

According to statistics, seniors in Florida will make up 27% of the state’s population by the year 2030, making it the greyest state in the US. Gail Holley of the Florida Department of Transportation’s Safe Mobility for Life program says that more needs to be done to ensure that drivers know when they must hang up their keys in order to prevent car accidents.

According to the AAA, some drivers develop conditions such as arthritis and other conditions which impair driving. Others take medication with severe side effects. In some cases, drivers can operate a car safely into their 90s. In other cases, drivers in their 30s and 40s are dealing with chronic conditions that affect their ability to avoid a car accident. Therefore, it is not age alone that determines driving fitness. However, drivers who are elderly are more at risk for many serious illnesses and may have conditions such as osteoporosis, which can contribute to serious and fatal injuries in the event of a traffic collision.

The AAA suggests that family and friends speak privately to someone who may be having problems driving. According to the organization, it is important to avoid making demands or lecturing the driver. This can be a challenge, since in some cases a driver may be in denial about their situation. If the driver has never gotten a ticket and still has a perfect driving record, for example, they may be reluctant to admit that they have developed some driving challenges. It is also important to discuss transportation alternatives. Many drivers in Florida are reluctant to surrender their driving privileges because they fear losing independence. It may be important to discuss alternatives such as shuttles, taxis, and other resources (as well as their costs) to reassure a driver that they will still be able to get around when they need to.

If you have a friend or loved one who you believe may be an at-risk driver, it is important to take steps to help them before they are injured in a Homestead car accident. Offering alternatives and discussing their medical condition can help. Keep in mind that it is not only the elderly who may have trouble driving due to a health condition. A younger driver with a chronic health condition may still be at risk of causing a Homestead truck accident or Homestead motorcycle accident if their condition affects driving ability. If you yourself have been diagnosed with a chronic condition, discuss your with your doctor and ask how your condition will affect your driving ability. It can be frightening to have a health concern and even more frightening to contemplate giving up your car keys due to a health condition. However, it is important to make the right decision in order to avoid a Homestead traffic accident.

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

Many Homestead visitors and residents choose to buy passenger vans. Indeed, in recent years vans have become extremely popular. They offer more loading space for grocery trips, and they are very popular with families, as they provide added room for children and passengers. Unfortunately, passenger vans can also lead to increased risk of Homestead car accidents. Vans handle differently and have a higher center of gravity than most passenger vehicles, potentially making them riskier for rollovers and other problems. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are several things that drivers can do to make their vans safer:

1) Gradually get accustomed to your passenger van. These vehicles are wider, higher, and longer than most passenger vehicles and handle very differently. You will rely on your mirrors more and have more blind spots than a driver with a sedan. It will take you longer to brake and more space to park or change lanes. This will take some time to get used to. According to the NHTSA, inexperienced drivers are more likely to be in a van accident. When you first get your van, give yourself plenty of time to get accustomed to the new vehicle before you go ahead and pack it with passengers or cargo. Take your van on frequent rides along less busy streets in order to familiarize yourself with the car. This will reduce your chance of being in a Homestead pedestrian accident or traffic accident.

2) Reduce your risk of rollovers. Vans have a higher center of gravity, making them more of a risk for Homestead rollover accidents. You can reduce your risk of rollovers by getting proper training for your passenger van, by driving without speeding, by avoiding distracted driving, and by loading your car carefully.

3) Maintain your passenger van correctly. Poorly maintained vans are more likely to be in a rollover. Take your can in for required tune-ups, especially if you notice any problems with the way your van handles.

4) Make sure you know who is driving your family in passenger vans. Passenger vans are often used by organizations. If your children are going on a camping trip or to a school event, for example, they may be riding in a passenger van. Ask questions and make sure that the driver in charge of the van has adequate experience with that type of vehicle.

5) Check your tires often. If you own a passenger van, make sure that the tires are properly aligned, not worn down, and properly inflated. Since vans tend to carry larger loads and more passengers than most passenger vehicles, they can place more stress on tires, putting you at risk of a Homestead tire blowout. Poorly maintained tires can also put you at a higher risk for skids, slides, and rollovers, so check your tires before every trip.

6) Don’t carry more items or passengers than your passenger van allows. Check the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating for your van and be sure to follow the guidelines. Overburdening your van makes it far more likely that you will be in an accident or that your tires will blowout. In addition to carrying less, make sure that every item in your car is properly secured. In the event of a Homestead car accident, any heavy items in your passenger van will become projectiles, increasing your risk of head injury, broken bones, and even fatal injuries.

7) Wear your seat belt. If you are in a Homestead truck accident or car accident, wearing your seatbelt can dramatically improve the chances that you will survive the crash. In all too many accidents, fatalities and permanent injuries occur when a passenger is ejected from the vehicle. Staying inside and secured with a safety belt is your best chance of survival. Even on short trips, buckle up before you start the vehicle.

Check safety issues with your van. Some vans have better safety records than others. If you’re in a Homestead car accident caused by a manufacturer defect, you may have a Homestead products liability case. However, it is better to know about such defects and problems before you make any purchasing decisions. Compare different bands and safety features to select the safest van you can. Once you have purchased your vehicle, keep up to date with recalls and safety notices so that you can get any issues resolved before they result in an accident.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Like all Florida cities, Homestead sees its fair share of car accidents. However, Homestead rollovers are among the deadliest types of car accidents. According to the NHTSA, rollovers account for only 3% of all accidents but account for almost 33% of all passenger car accident fatalities. Rollovers are particularly dangerous because they increase the risk that passengers will be ejected from the vehicle or will be violently thrown against the inside of the vehicle. These types of accidents are also more likely to result in massive vehicle damage and in Homestead brain injuries when compared with Homestead rear-end crashes and side swipe accidents.

Homestead car accidents involving rollovers are likely to only increase as more people invest in top heavy cars such as vans and SUVs. However, according to the NHTSA and other experts, there are many things that can be done to help prevent Florida rollovers:

1) Wear your seatbelt. According to the NHSTA, 72% of all passengers killed in rollover accidents were not wearing seatbelts. Safety belts keep you in place in a rollover, ensuring you are not ejected and reducing the risk that your head will impact with the roof of the car when the vehicle rolls over. Safety belts dramatically improve your chances of surviving any Homestead car accident – including a rollover – so be sure to buckle up.

2) Don’t get complacent about your car. Vans, SUVs, and trucks are more likely to rollover because they have a higher center of gravity. However, even if you drive a passenger vehicle, such as a sedan, that does not mean that you are not at risk of a Homestead rollover. In the right conditions, virtually any car can rollover.

3) Avoid off-roading. Any uneven surface increases your risk for a rollover, so avoid heading off the road.

4) Drive away from the shoulder – and be wary of narrow roads. According to the NHTSA, 95% of rollover accidents involving a single vehicle are what are known as tripped rollovers. This type of rollover occurs when a vehicle leaves the road and tires come into contact with curbs, soft soil, or a guardrail. This can cause a rollover, especially if the vehicle is traveling fast and if the driver tries to overcorrect or over-steer in order to get back on the road. Tripping rollovers can also occur on very steep grades of road.

5) Avoid sudden maneuvers when driving quickly. In less than 5% of cases, rollovers are un-tripped rollovers. These crashes occur when a car does not strike something or roll down a steep hill. Most un-tripped rollovers involve top heavy cars, such as vans or SUVs, and most of these accidents occur when drivers traveling at high speeds make sudden maneuvers in order to avoid a collision.

6) Avoid high speeds. Your risk of a serious or fatal Homestead car accident or rollover is much more likely when you speed. Speed reduces the response time you have to avoid an accident and increases the damage to your vehicle in the event of an accident.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

If you have been in a Homestead car accident, your first priority should be to get medical help for yourself and for anyone else injured at the scene. However, you must not lose sight of the fact that your Homestead pedestrian accident or car accident could also have a huge financial impact on your life, as well as medical implications. If you have been injured or if the crash was a severe one, there are many costs that you may need to pay:

1) Medical costs. The immediate and long-term medical costs of a Homestead truck accident or car accident can be staggering. Homestead personal injury patients may need to pay tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in medical costs, depending on the type and severity of the injury. Some of the costs may not even be covered by insurance. For example, Homestead burn injury victims often require cosmetic surgery and skin grafts. Even though these are necessary in order for the victims to resume a normal life, few insurance companies will agree to pay for these procedures. In addition to hospital stays and medical costs, patients may also need to pay additional medical costs, such as visits to specialists, rehabilitation, therapy, and other costs.

2) Lost income. Unless you have substantial assets or savings, you will need to find ways to replace the income that you were getting before the accident. If your Homestead car accident was a severe one, you may be unable to work for months or even years. Some victims are never able to return to work. In order to continue to pay for living expenses and basic costs, you will need to find a way to replace this income.

3) Property damage. If your car has been destroyed, you may need to pay for car repairs, car replacement, and even transportation costs to and from the hospital or to your attorney while you’re awaiting a new vehicle. If there was anything of value in your car that was destroyed in the accident, you may need to pay in order to replace that property as well.

4) Insurance costs. After a car accident, your insurance costs may increase, sometimes substantially. You may need to pay for these added costs as well.

If your car accident was caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness, Florida law does ensure that you may not have to pay these costs by yourself. You could have a personal injury claim, which could help you secure a settlement that helps to pay for more of the costs of your accident. Unfortunately, in many cases, insurance claims and insurance coverage does not cover the full cost of a severe accident. That’s why it is important to consult with a qualified Homestead personal injury attorney before making any decisions about insurance or your accident claim. An attorney can help you understand your options.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog