millerboycott.com

A new study out of Oregon and Portland State Universities has concluded that left turns are among the riskiest pedestrian areas. Researchers have found that permitted (also known as unprotected) left turns are especially risky. These types of left turns are created to ensure a steady flow of traffic, but if the study’s authors are correct, that speedy traffic comes at a price: more car collisions in Hollywood and other cities.

The study, published by the Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium, determined that unprotected left turns lead to traffic accidents for a few reasons:

1) Poor motorist habits. According to the researchers, motorists who are turning left at permitted turns are 4-9% less likely to check for pedestrians when completing their turn when compared with motorists making other types of turns.

2) Confusing signals. Each city in the US – and even different cities within the same state – have different signals for unprotected left turns. According to personal injury attorneys in Hollywood and other communities, this lack of consistency can lead to confusion and can increase the risk of pedestrian accidents in Hollywood and other communities. Some experts have recommended one universal permitted left hand traffic sign be adopted to reduce confusion and reduce the risk of collisions.

3) Poor pedestrian habits. In many car and truck accidents in Hollywood and other communities, when pedestrians are involved they may bear some of the liability for the collision. Researchers with the Federal Highway Administration found that pedestrians are more likely to be injured when crossing in marked crosswalks rather than unmarked areas. According to some experts, this may be because pedestrians feel much safer in marked crosswalks and may take fewer precautions.

4) Unprotected left turns encourage cars to turn quickly. According to the study published by the Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium, drivers making a permitted left turn often need to move quickly in order to complete their turns, and this speed can mean that they do not take the time to check for pedestrians.

According to a 2010 NHTSA report, 13% of all traffic deaths in 2010 were pedestrian fatalities. That means that year about 4280 pedestrians died in traffic collisions. Experts agree that in many cases these deaths are preventable and could be avoided with better motorist habits.

Some experts believe that permitted left turns should be converted into protected left turns in order to reduce instances of traffic accidents. Others argue that better signals or traffic signs would help prevent pedestrian fatalities. Most experts do agree that some changes need to be made to prevent senseless fatalities and injuries.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

The latest statistics from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have both positive and disappointing news for Miami and the rest of Florida. According to the NHTSA, the number of fatal car accidents across the country dropped by 1.9% in 2011, when compared with 2010. In 2010, there were 32,999 fatalities linked to traffic accidents and only 32,367 in 2011 – representing the lowest number since 1949. Since 2005, traffic fatalities have declined 26%.

Florida, however, is still third in the national for the total number of car accident fatalities. Although car accident fatalities in the state dropped 1.9% in 2011 when compared with 2010, according to experts much still needs to be done to reduce these fatalities even more. In 2011, Florida saw 2,398 car accident fatalities. Only Texas and California had more. Experts believe that there are a number of things that can be done to help prevent traffic accidents in Miami and across Florida:

1) Improve awareness of seat belts, distracted driving, drunk driving, fatigued driving, and other risk factors through public education campaigns. Making drivers aware of the risks they take – and the dangers of those risks – can encourage more motorists to drive safely, which can help reduce the number of car and truck accidents in Miami and across Florida.

2) Improve law enforcement. In some cases, awareness is not enough and motorists continue to take risks that they know can lead to traffic accidents. In these cases, law enforcement can ensure that drivers are ticketed or even taken off the roads before they cause an accident.

3) Hold reckless drivers accountable for their actions. In cases where a driver’s negligence causes a car accident in Miami or anywhere in South Florida, injured parties can hold the at-fault driver responsible. Pursuing a legal claim can push a negligent driver into being more careful in the future, preventing other accidents. A legal claim can also help someone who has been injured get compensation for their injuries, so that they can pursue medical care. If you have sustained a personal injury in Miami or anywhere in Florida due to a traffic accident, consider speaking with a personal injury attorney before you make any decisions about your case. Your case may be worth more than you realize and there may be more resources available to you than you know about. You may be able to secure a free consultation with a personal injury attorney to review your options before you accept an insurance company offer.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Hallandale Beach is known as the “Most Southern Canadian City” because of the significant number of Canadians (and US tourists from the Northwestern area of the country) who visit the city each year. The number of tourists and snowbirds from the North often increases during winter months, as seniors and other visitors migrate to Florida for the warmer weather. Unfortunately, the influx of new drivers can mean an added risk of car accidents in Hallandale Beach and across Florida. If you are spending the winter in Florida this year, the following tips can help keep you safer:

1) Get Familiar with Florida laws and streets. Florida streets may be significantly different than streets in your hometown. If you will be spending time in Florida, get familiar with local laws, driving habits, and roadways. Many traffic accidents in Hallandale Beach and across Florida occur because of driver inexperience.

2) Get Florida insurance and registration. Under Florida law, any car owner who has their vehicle in the state for over 90 days must register the car in Florida. If you sustain a head injury in Hallandale Beach – or any traffic-related injury in South Florida – your insurance company may not compensate you if you violate this law. If you spend your entire winters in Florida, this law may mean that you need to buy two insurance policies – one in your usual place of residence and one in Florida. However, this added expense is a better option than being under-insured.

3) Use extra caution on I-95 and other interstate roads. These high-speed roadways do have a higher risk of truck accidents and other traffic accidents.

4) Get a copy of the Coast Guard’s Code of Federal Regulations to get familiar with bridges and drawbridges in the area. South Florida has many waterways and bridges. If you are not from the area, you may not be familiar with driving over bridges. Drawbridges, especially, may have hours you are not familiar with.

5) Go beyond local laws to stay safe. Not every safe driver behavior is legislated. For example, Florida has no specific laws against texting and driving or driving fatigued, although many studies have proven that both driving behaviors are very dangerous and lead to accidents. Use common sense and common courtesy when driving on Florida streets. Driver sober and alert, and make sure that you get adequate rest before driving. It will help make your stay in the state safer and more pleasant.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

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

Distracted driving is a key cause of Florida and North Miami traffic accidents. Research has also shown that teen drivers are more likely than adult drivers to be involved in a car accident. Many parents worry about the statistics and worry about the fact that their teens maybe driving distracted, putting them more at risk of a North Miami car accident. However, there many things that parents can do to help prevent their teens from driving distracted:

1) Make sure your teen knows what driving distracted is. Some teens assume that checking their cell phone very quickly does not amount to distracted driving. It is important to emphasize to teen drivers that taking their eyes or their mind off of driving for even a fraction of second is enough to cause a serious North Miami traffic accident. List all the types of distracted driving possible — including changing a CD, talking to passengers, daydreaming, etc. Make sure that your teen understands that there are many ways to be distracted and that all of them can lead to a North Miami truck accident or car accident.

2) Make sure your teen knows the laws. Some drivers assume that since Florida does not ban texting and driving, it is safe to do in the car. Many research studies, however, have proven that distracted driving can lead to traffic accident and can actually be just as risky as North Miami drunk driving. In addition, Florida law does allow someone who was injured in a car accident to pursue a legal claim against an at-fault driver who was driving recklessly. Therefore, even if your teen does not technically break the law by texting and driving, if the texting causes injuries in a car accident they could be held liable. Make sure your teen understands this law.

3) Help your teen understand the consequences of distracted driving. There are many online resources that describe in graphic detail how families have been torn apart and how people have suffered catastrophic North Miami head injuries, spinal cord injuries, burns, and other serious injuries as a result of distracted driving. Oprah aired an entire episode a few seasons ago about distracted driving. In addition, many law enforcement agencies have information about distracted driving, including information about how catastrophic the results of this type of driving can be. Gather a number of resources and watch them with your teen so that they can see firsthand just how a few seconds of texting or distracted driving can lead to tragedy.

4) Work with your teen to raise awareness about distracted driving. If your teen is able to get involved with raising awareness about distracted driving, he or she may be less likely to drive distractedly themselves. Consider volunteering your time and efforts with an organization dedicated to helping prevent distracted driving. It may help teach your teen driver how important it is to keep their full focus on the road while driving.

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

Driver rehabilitation services allow drivers to work with specially trained driving instructors. Driver rehabilitation services in fact offer many things, including:

1) Driving evaluations. As drivers get older, driving ability may become a concern. While many drivers drive safely well into their senior years, some senior drivers develop medical conditions which affect their ability to drive. Since everyone ages differently, it can be difficult to determine exactly when driving ability starts to decline. Professionals offering driver rehabilitation offer evaluations for senior drivers and any drivers concerned about their driving ability. These evaluations can help pinpoint issues and problems before a North Miami car accident occurs. Driver rehabilitation professionals can also make suggestions, such as exercises for flexibility or new driving techniques to help drivers cope with changing needs.

2) Specialized driver training for new drivers. New drivers who have medical conditions or physical issues which affect driving often need different driving instruction than those who do not face these challenges. Driver rehabilitation services can offer specialized new driver training for those who are in wheelchairs as well as for new drivers who face learning disabilities or other issues which could affect driver training.

3) Specialized driver training for experienced drivers with different needs. Health conditions can sometimes change an experienced driver’s ability to drive safely. For example, a North Miami spinal cord injury patient may need to learn to drive all over again with reduced mobility. Someone who has suffered a stroke or other serious illness may also need to re-learn to drive with different abilities. Driver rehabilitation can help with these issues.

4) Specialized equipment training for new drivers and their families. Someone who has suffered from a serious illness and needs a wheelchair or other devices needs to learn how to use those devices when driving. Family members may also need to learn how to drive someone who is in a wheelchair or uses other medical devices. Driver rehabilitation can help teach these skills.

5) Assistance with accessibility features for vehicles. After a serious injury or medical condition, drivers sometimes need to use accessibility features to drive safely. Driver rehabilitation professionals can help drivers determine which accessibility features and devices can help – and how to use these features most effectively.

Driver rehabilitation can help any driver who has suffered an illness or injury which affects their driving ability. These services can cost considerable amounts, however. If the injury which has affected your driving was caused by negligence, contact a North Miami personal injury attorney to see whether you may be able to seek compensation to help pay for medical costs, driver rehabilitation costs, car accessibility features, and other costs related to your injury.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Every parent wants to raise safe drivers – teens who operate a vehicle courteously and safely. To reduce the risk of your child being injured in a Pompano Beach car accident:

1) Start with smaller responsibilities. Learning traffic rules and good road habits start well before the teen years. When your child is very small, he or she will learn some road rules by learning to cross roads by themselves. Later, you can help your child by teaching them to ride a bicycle safely, avoiding Pompano Beach bicycle accidents.

2) Teach your child car safety through games. Many video games involving cars include racing and stunts, so make sure to balance that with online games that focus on traffic safety. These games are great for small children, as they can teach your child about safety rules and traffic laws.

3) Be a good role model. When you drive carefully, refuse to drive distracted, and obey the laws, your children see that driving is important. Children mirror their parents more than many parents realize, so driving courteously and safely helps set your child up for safe driving habits.

4) Get your teen into driving classes early and offer additional training. Many parents start swimming lessons early to protect their children from Pompano Beach drowning accidents and pool accidents. Driving classes can be the same way; they can teach your teen the basics of car safety so that your teen can stay safer. Providing additional driver training and defensive driver training is also importance, since most basic driver education classes only offer limited in-car lessons and do not focus extensively on defensive driving, an important skill that can help your teen prevent a Pompano Beach traffic accident.

5) Let your new teen driver drive sometimes. Driving in the car with your teen helps you notice any bad habits that your teen driver is forming and lets you get additional driver training for your teen, if needed. Driving together also helps your teen develop driving skills and confidence.

6) Set rules. Having written rules about passengers, cell phone use, and drinking and driving helps ensure that your teen knows the rules and the consequences for breaking them.

7) Keep in mind that even if your teen is not yet driving, they may be picking up habits from peers. If your teen is under the age of 16 but has older friends or siblings, he or she may be noticing different driving habits and may be at risk if peers drink and drive. From an early age, make sure that your child knows the dangers of Pompano Beach drunk driving accidents and the dangers of reckless driving. Make sure that your child knows that they can call you (and possibly other family members) for a drive with no questions asked if they are in a dangerous situation.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

In many cases, Hollywood traffic accidents are preventable. In some cases, a driver who has caused a car collision has a medical issue or a series of fender benders and other accidents that friends and family know about. If there is someone in your life that you feel is a problem driver and is at risk of causing a Hollywood truck accident or car accident, there are several things you can do:

1) Talk to the driver in a non-accusatory fashion. In many cases, motorists are defensive about their ability to drive and fearful that their independence will disappear if they can no longer drive. In these cases, it is important to listen to the driver and to show concern.

2) Find out the specific reason for a driver’s problems with driving. If it is a health condition or simply poor driving habits, there may be some way to help. A driver may be able to avoid a Hollywood car accident by speaking with their doctor about treatment or difference medications, for example. If poor habits are to blame, remedial driving lessons can be a big help.

3) Learn about transportation options and share them with the driver. A driver may be more willing to use other transportation options if they are convenient and affordable. Learning about the options can help a driver make a safer decision about their driving.

4) Don’t assume that elderly drivers are automatically unsafe. Driving ability has more to do with skills, choices, and health than with age. While the elderly are more susceptible to certain conditions which can affect driving ability, drivers of any age can make poor choices or develop health concerns that can make them a hazard on the road.

5) Learn about resources that can help. Florida’s Silver Alert system can send out if a driver goes missing. The Safe Mobility for Life program at the Florida Department of Transportation offers tips and information.

6) Speak to a doctor or have the problem driver speak to their doctor about their driving ability. If a health concern is the cause, proper treatment can go a long way towards reducing the risk. A doctor can also help a patient understand how their health can affect driving ability.

7) Get re-testing or one-on-one refresher courses with an experienced driving instructor. Re-testing and one-on-one sessions with driving instructors can help pinpoint and address problems. In some cases, additional training or even accessibility features in a car can help a motorist who is at risk drive safer.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog