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Fort Lauderdale, as well as many other communities across the country, have been relying on red light cameras in order to prevent car accidents and in order to catch drivers who violate the rules of the road. Advocates of the red light cameras say that the devices help prevent car accidents in Fort Lauderdale and free up police for other tasks. They note that the cameras generate revenue for the city and may be more effective at catching those who break the law. Advocates also claim that red light cameras may discourage drivers from running red lights, since the risk of getting caught is higher. This, they claim, can help prevent traffic accidents in Fort Lauderdale.

Opponents of red light cameras argue that the cameras have a track record of sending tickets to the wrong drivers. They also note that the cameras only catch drivers at some violations. They do nothing to reduce the number of cell-phone related car accidents in Fort Lauderdale, for example. Those who oppose the cameras also point out that it is possible for drivers to simply find out where the cameras are and avoid those intersections – all without changing bad driving habits.

In Fort Lauderdale and across Florida, red light cameras have been approved since 2010 but still have not become accepted by drivers. Many drivers see the tickets simply as a cash grab. Indeed, the tickets are estimated to create more than 0 million for Florida cities and the state.

Fort Lauderdale now has 23 red light cameras in the city, after recently adding six more cameras. According to Florida Senate President Dan Gaetz, the intersections in Fort Lauderdale that have cameras saw their rates of accidents double after the cameras were installed. In 41 other cities, car accident rates fell after red light cameras were introduced. In eleven cities, however, car accidents increased. That is a large enough number that some lawmakers are asking whether red light cameras are in fact the best way to reduce car and truck accidents in Fort Lauderdale and other cities.

Some lawmakers have also pointed out that red light cameras can only stop certain violations – most notably, cars running red lights. This is not necessarily the violation that causes the most accidents, yet red light cameras cannot catch drivers who are distracted, driving drunk, or falling asleep at the wheel.

Have you been injured in a car accident in Fort Lauderdale or another South Florida community? You have rights under Florida law. If your accident was caused by a driver’s negligence or recklessness, you may seek a legal claim to recover compensation for your medical costs, property damage, lost wages, and other damages. To get more details, schedule a free, no obligation consultation with the Flaxman Law Group to discuss your situation and your options. You may qualify for more compensation than you realize which is why getting legal advice is important before you make any decisions in your case.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

According to a new study by researchers from the Safe Transportation Education and Research Center at the University of California, obese passengers are more likely to sustain fatal injuries in a car accident when compared with passengers who are a healthy weight. The study, published in the Emergency Medicine Journal, expressed concerns about the ability of passenger vehicles to safely accommodate obese passengers and drivers.

Study Suggests Obese Passengers May be More at Risk

Researchers examined data of fatal accidents between 1996 and 2008, which were recorded through the US Fatality Analysis Reporting System. Between 1996 and 2008, the data showed that there were 57,491 car accidents. For about 3,403 people information about weight and seat belt use was available. Of these 3,403 people, 18% were obese, a third were overweight, and almost half were a healthy weight (based on BMI). Looking at the data, researchers found that those with a BMI (body mass index) of 30-34.9 had a 21% higher chance of dying in a car crash when compared with passengers and drivers of a healthy weight. Drivers and passengers with a BMI of 35-39.9 had a 51% higher risk of fatal injuries. Those who were severely obese with a BMI of at least 40 had an 80% higher chance of dying in a car accident when compared with those of a normal weight.

Researchers concluded that at least once possible explanation may be related to seat belt use. The study found that one third of those who died in the car accidents were not properly wearing a seat belt. The study’s authors concluded that some people who are severely obese may not be able to wear a seat belt properly or may choose not to wear a seat belt because it is not comfortable.

The study authors also suggested that in a car collision the lower body of an obese passenger is pushed forward more before the seatbelt engages. This is due to the extra tissue and body mass which keeps the belt from fitting snugly. The upper body is held back more while the pelvis moves forward, which the researchers believe may lead to more serious injuries.

The study’s authors also suggested that obese drivers and passengers may have more underlying health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiac problems, and other conditions which can affect their recovery if they sustain serious injury.

What does this mean for obese drivers and passengers in South Florida?

The study suggests that drivers and passengers who are obese are more at risk of serious injuries in the event of a car accident in Fort Lauderdale and other communities. The study’s authors suggested that seatbelts sometimes do not fit obese passengers as well as they could. Hopefully, car and truck manufacturers will consider creating seatbelts for obese passengers and drivers so that these motorists can stay safer in the event of a truck accident in For Lauderdale and other communities. Traffic accidents in Fort Lauderdale and Florida already claim too many lives. Creating safety devices that work correctly for passengers of all sizes and shapes would certainly be a step in the right direction.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Car accidents cause serious injuries across South Florida. Each year, victims of car accidents are rushed to Fort Lauderdale and Florida emergency rooms with head injuries, spinal cord injuries, burns, fractures, and other serious injuries. However, it is not just the accident and impact of the crash itself that can cause serious injuries. In some cases, a secondary cause can cause serious and even fatal injuries.

Some car accidents in Fort Lauderdale and South Florida, for example, involve not only another car but also utility poles. Downed power lines can seriously injure a driver attempting to leave their car. In some cases, victims of traffic accidents in Fort Lauderdale and across South Florida sustain serious burn injuries or are even electrocuted because of downed power lines.

The safest place is in your car

If you are in a car or truck accident in Fort Lauderdale or anywhere in South Florida and the accident involves utility poles and downed power lines, the safest place for you to be is inside your car. If possible, remain in your vehicle and call 911 as well as the local power authority. Even if the downed power line is not close to your car, the area could be electrified and could harm you if you attempt to get out of your car or approach a car that has been in an accident near a downed power line. Verify with emergency dispatch and the power company that it is safe to get out of the car before you attempt to do so.

If you must leave your car after an accident, use caution

If you are in a traffic accident in Fort Lauderdale or South Florida involving a downed power line but cannot safely remain in your car, you can tuck your arms close to your body and try to leap free of your car. You can reduce the risk of electrocution if you try to avoid touching the car and the ground at the same time. However, it is best to call 911 first and try to get the power shut off before attempting this.

If you do leap from the car, experts suggest keeping your feet together and shuffling or hopping, avoiding placing one foot in front of the other or lifting one foot higher than the other. If one foot is placed in a higher voltage zone than the other, this could make your body a conduit for electricity and this can lead to serious injuries.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Many people at this time of year are planning their New Year’s Eve celebrations. If you are as well, it is important to plan well in advance not only to have a great time but also to avoid a Fort Lauderdale drunk driving accident. Unfortunately, the New Year is a high-risk time for these types of Fort Lauderdale car accidents, since some revelers ring in the New Year by making bad decisions. To avoid this, there are several things you can do now to enjoy a safe and happy New Year’s Eve:

1) Consider your New Year’s Eve celebrations carefully. Most cities offer alcohol-free or family-friendly activities as well as other options. Choosing an alcohol-free event ensures that you will not be drinking and therefore are less at risk of a Fort Lauderdale car accident.

2) Consider taking public transportation to and from the event. Many areas offer free transportation or free late-night public transport for revelers on New Year’s Eve. Find out whether this is available in your area. If it is, you may wish to consider taking public transit to and from your New Year’s Eve celebration. This way, you will not even be tempted to drive after drinking. Before your New Year’s Eve celebration, print out information about the routes available using public transport as well as the hours public transportation is available.

3) Make plans for waiting if you will be getting a cab home. On most nights, if you want to avoid a Fort Lauderdale traffic accident caused by drunk driving, you can simply call a cab in order to get home safely. On New Year’s Eve, however, taxi cab companies are often overwhelmed with requests. It can be hard to reach a cab company and get a cab. If you do want a taxi, you will generally have a long wait in front of you. Therefore, you will want to plan ahead. Find ways to wait patiently. This may mean setting your mobile device to alert you about an hour before you want to leave your event. This way, you can call a cab company an hour before you want the taxi to show up. Another option is to find a 24-hour diner or another place to wait for a cab.

4) Do not rely on a designated driver or public transport alone. You may decide to stay out later than you expected, long after public transport is no longer available. Your designated driver may decide to drink after all or may leave earlier than you. To get home safely, have multiple plans in place so that you can get home safely, no matter how your night turns out.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

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

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

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

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

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

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

According to research by Consumer Reports, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death among teens, ahead of cancer, violence, or substance abuse. While graduated licensing has reduced the number of teen deaths due to car accidents, Fort Lauderdale car accidents are still a major risk factor for teens. Luckily, traffic accidents are largely preventable. According to Consumer Reports, there are many things that parents can do to help their teens drive safely:

1) Insist on a seatbelt. Consumer Reports found that in 60% of fatal car accidents involving teens, the teens were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. A seat belt is one of the simplest and least expensive ways to prevent Fort Lauderdale head injuries and other injuries in an accident. In the event of a Fort Lauderdale truck accident or car accident, wearing a seatbelt could save your child’s life.

2) Set a good example. Children learn from the adults around them, often without even realizing it. If you drive safely and responsibly, chances are good that your child will, too.

3) Set strict rules about drinking. Consumer Reports found that 27% of teens involved in fatal car accidents had been drinking at the time of the accident. Even if a teen driver is under the legal age for drinking, many teens do experiment with alcohol. When that experimentation is combined with driving, the consequences can be deadly. Worse, many teens fear phoning their parents for a drive home after drinking, worried that they will be in trouble for drinking. Make it clear to your teen drivers that they can always contact you for a drive home if they cannot get home safely – no questions asked.

4) Talk to your teen driver about distracted driving. Distracted driving is a major cause of Fort Lauderdale traffic accidents. Distracted driving can mean anything from texting and driving to having too many passengers in a car. Some companies and car manufacturers are stepping in to help parents prevent distracted driving. Ford’s MyKey, for example, can be programmed so that a teen has to faster a seatbelt before turning on the radio and allows a top speed to be set on the car.

5) Insist on additional driving training, including defensive driver training. According to Consumer Reports and many safety experts, the driver training required to get a driver’s license is not usually enough to truly teach safe driving skills. In most cases, the instruction results in only limited time behind the wheel and the courses usually focus on the basics of driving, rather than on important skills such as defensive driving. Sign up your teen for one-on-one driver training or additional driving instruction. The extra investment could save your teen’s life.

6) Limit car privileges until your teen has taken additional classes or has gained some driving experience. Consumer Reports found that 16-year-old drivers are three times more like to get into a car accident when compared with 18 or 19-year-old drivers. The first year of driving is riskiest, but parents can reduce the risk by setting some ground rules – such as limiting the number of passengers in the teen’s car – or by insisting that the teen hone their driving skills and experience before being allowed more time with the car.

7) Buy your teen the right car. Consumer Reports suggests a newer model that has some safety features, such as side curtain air bags and electronic stability control. Many teens opt for older cars due to the costs, but experts agree that older cars may have fewer safety features and may be in poorer shape, putting young drivers at risk.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Chicago recently unrolled its pedestrian safety plan, joining the ranks of cities such as Portland and New York, which have their own plans for preventing serious pedestrian accidents. The Chicago plan has 250 recommendations to prevent injuries and fatalities. Could Fort Lauderdale benefit from a similar plan? Some of the recommendations in the Chicago policy could help prevent Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accidents as well:

1) Chicanes. Chicanes are extra turns added to a roadway to slow traffic down. Since in many cases Fort Lauderdale traffic accidents are caused by speeding, reducing traffic speed can be a good way to slash the risk of accidents.

2) Pedestrian islands. In some cases, Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accidents occur because a car enters a pedestrian area. Pedestrian islands keep pedestrians separated from cars and discourage pedestrians from entering traffic.

3) Midblock curb bumpouts. These narrow portions of a street to slow traffic, usually by extending the curb. This is yet another way to reduce speed in order to help prevent Fort Lauderdale car accidents.

4) A system for repairing two high-collision areas and four dangerous intersections each year. The Chicago plan calls for authorities to find and address dangerous intersections and corridors annually. Fort Lauderdale also has high collision areas and areas that are considered especially dangerous. Identifying and rectifying these problems can help prevent traffic accidents.

5) Speed humps. Reducing speed with speed bumps is effective, according to experts, because speed bumps work whether there is enforcement or not. Most cars will slow down rather than taking speed bumps at a high speed, making them more effective than simply lowering the speed limits.

6) Pedestrian scrambles. A pedestrian scramble stops all vehicle traffic at an intersection and allows pedestrians to walk in every direction at the same time. Pedestrians can even walk diagonally. Pedestrian scrambles work because they prevent pedestrians and cars from sharing an intersection at the same time. It helps prevent Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accidents caused by cars turning into a pedestrian area.

7) Road diets. Road diets reduce the number of lanes on some roads, reducing traffic and therefore crashes. Former Florida Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Dan Burden is a fan of road diets, noting that they improve road safety and may help prevent Fort Lauderdale bicycle accidents and Florida traffic accidents.

Roundabouts. These round intersections separate pedestrians from traffic entirely, by having pedestrians stay one car length outside of the intersection. When crossing this type of intersection, pedestrians only face oncoming traffic from one area and traffic is slowed down significantly in roundabouts, which could also reduce the risk of Fort Lauderdale traffic accidents.

9) An improved pedestrian network, including wayfinding systems and better walking access points to public transit. In some cases, Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accidents occur simply because pedestrians do not have safe areas to walk. For example, some neighborhoods do not have adequate sidewalks.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

The summer heat can increase the risk of Fort Lauderdale car accidents. There are many reasons for this:

1) Heat can harm drivers. High heat and bright sun can be a distraction for drivers and can even make it harder to see the road. In some cases, heat can also cause medical problems or can exacerbate fatigue, leading to Fort Lauderdale traffic accidents. If you will be driving in hot weather, it is important to wear sunscreen, carry a bottle of water, and keep the air conditioning on. If your vehicle does not have air conditioning, crack your windows before you drive. Use sunglasses to cut the glare. If you experience the symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke – fatigue, cramps, headaches, dizziness, clammy skin – stop driving and get to a cool location. Drink water and get professional medical help if the symptoms are serious.

2) Heat is bad for cars and electronics. High temperatures can cause your car to overheat and can also wreak havoc with electronics in your car. If you need to drive in hot weather, be prepared to park in indoor parking garages or in the shade to give your car a break. Take mobile devices and electronics with you when you leave the car.

3) Summer weather causes tire problems. High heat can affect the air pressure in tires. In some cases, flats and blowouts can be caused by high temperatures, so it is important to check the wear and tear on your tires and inflate them correctly before a trip. If you ride a bicycle, pay extra attention to the tire condition and air pressure of your bicycle tires, too, to avoid a Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident.

4) High heat can cause problems with infrastructures. Pavement can expand in high heat, causing roadways to crack, buckle and even melt, all of which can lead to Fort Lauderdale truck accidents and car accidents. On railroad tracks, high temperatures can lead to heat kinks, which can cause derailments and Fort Lauderdale train accidents.

5) High temperatures can be deadly for children and pets left in a car. According to KidsAndCars.org, an average of 38 children die each year across the country because they are left or forgotten in a hot car. Even with the windows open a crack and even in the shade, a car can reach dangerous temperatures in just minutes on a hot day. In some cases, parents simply forget about a child in the car, leading to a tragedy. Make it a habit to quickly check front and back seats each time you exit the car to prevent this from happening to you.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

In Fort Lauderdale and across Florida, there are speed limits in place to ensure that drivers do not go faster than has been decided is safe for that specific area. Many believe that speed limits help limit serious Fort Lauderdale car accidents and injuries. In fact, studies have shown that high-speed car accidents are more likely to lead to fatalities and serious injuries when compared with similar accidents that only different in terms of speed. Studies have also shown that too-high speeds can cause drivers to lose control of their cars and cause accidents. This leads some experts to conclude that reducing speed limits could help prevent Fort Lauderdale traffic accidents – but is this the case?

Florida is not the only state considering traffic speeds. In Texas, the Department of Transportation is considering changing a stretch of highway to 85 mph. If the change is approved, it could mean that a stretch of the 130 will have the highest speed limit in the US.
Some studies have shown that highway and freeway fatalities increase in proportion with speed limits. However, these studies do not necessarily examine whether the accidents are caused in part by more traffic, as more drivers are drawn to the promise of a faster road and more convenient travel times. Studies do reveal, however, that high speed car accidents mean greater force of impact and therefore more serious injuries as well as a greater chance of fatalities.

However, other studies show that even when speed limits are increased, drivers tend to stay in their own safety zones when it comes to speed. Some studies have also suggested that drivers, on average, are more cautious on higher-speed roads, which may actually mean more accidents. This research also suggests why so many accidents take place on rural and residential roads, where speed limits are lower.

There may also be anecdotal evidence suggesting that higher roadway speeds do not necessarily mean more Fort Lauderdale truck accidents and car accidents. For example, in 1995 New York increased its highway speed limit to 65 mph and after this change the overall traffic accident rate in the state declined 4%. A 2000 study in California found that increased speed limits in that state did not increase accident rates. In fact, only one Iowa study found that after that state’s 1996 shift in speed limits from 55 to 66 mph increased the number of traffic accidents.

Many experts believe that it is traffic flow rather than simply car speed which affects car accident rates. This idea hails back to the 1950s, when traffic researcher David Solomon found that car accidents are more likely to occur when there are different rates of speed. According to Solomon, what the overall speed is matters less than the differences in speed between cars. Therefore, today municipalities try to set speed limits by determining what the vast majority – 85% — of motorists will drive in a given area under normal conditions. Encouraging motorists to drive a similar speed, rather than lowering or raising speed limits, may be the best way to prevent accidents.

The problem may be that drivers may not obey speed limits, especially when speed limits change. A National Motorists Association study in 1996 found that once a new speed limit is in place motorists will change their speeds only slightly in light of the change. In cases where speed limits changed by between 5-20 mph, for example, researchers found that motorists speeds changed by less than 2 mph.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog