Posts Tagged ‘Steps’

If You are Escaping Winter in Florida, Take Extra Steps to Prevent a Car Accident in Hallandale Beach

Wednesday, January 9th, 2013

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

Steps to Take After an Auto Accident

Thursday, November 29th, 2012
Steps to Take After an Auto Accident

Victims injured in car accidents are often panicked and confused after the crash. There are many things running through your mind after an accident, including if anyone was injured, whether or not to call the police, who was at fault for the accident, and a slew of other issues. Knowing what to do in the event of an auto accident is crucial in making sure you receive just compensation if the accident was not your fault.
1. Do not leave your damaged vehicle in the middle of the roadway in an attempt to preserve evidence. Doing so will only place your life and the lives of others on the road in danger. Instead, pull over on the side of the road as near to the scene of the crash as possible, but out of harm’s way. If your car is too damaged to move, get out of the vehicle and move to the side of the road at a safe distance from the car.
2. Call the police. Even if you believe the damage to your vehicle or yourself is negligible, you should immediately report the accident. You may have hidden injuries that do not manifest for days or weeks after the accident. A police report of the accident will be necessary to file an injury lawsuit against the other driver in the event that hidden injuries later surface. In addition, the other driver may be uninsured, driving on a suspended license or driving while intoxicated. The police will be able to determine whether or not the other driver has violated the law, and issue a citation or make an arrest, as needed. The police report will serve as evidence should you later choose to file a lawsuit against the offender for damages suffered in the accidents. Finally, the police will take photographs, interview witnesses and collect evidence at the scene of the crash that can later be used in your case.
3. Exchange vital information, such as your name, phone number, insurance information, and license plate number with the other driver. In addition, you should also take down the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident. Do not rely on the police to do this for you. Always make your own notes at the scene of the crash – you may get vital information that the police missed.
4. Make sure you take your own photos of the crash scene, if possible. Most cell phones have good quality cameras with which you can document evidence at the scene. Take pictures of the damaged vehicles; any visible injuries sustained by you, your passengers or occupants of the other vehicles in the crash; the scene of the accident, including skid marks or any obstructions on the roadway; the license plate of the other vehicles involved in the crash; and the other drivers’ insurance cards. This will help your attorney investigate the crash and prepare your case.
5. Don’t admit fault. Remember that anything you say may be used as evidence against you if you or the other driver chooses to file a lawsuit. Even seemingly innocent statements can cause you to lose your case in court. So, it is important to be polite and courteous to the police and to the other driver – but to never admit fault.
6. Always seek medical treatment immediately after an accident. As mentioned before, you may have suffered injuries that won’t show symptoms for hours or days after the accident. It is absolutely crucial that you visit a doctor, who can diagnose these injuries and begin to treat them.
7. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. If you do not notify your insurance carrier, they will not conduct an investigation of the incident and may deny your claim.
8. Never negotiate a settlement on your own. The other driver’s insurance company may call you and offer a settlement. However, the settlement will likely be much lower than what your case is actually worth. Before speaking with an insurance adjuster, consult a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case
Knowing what to do after an auto accident is essential in ensuring you get the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repairs, and other damages that resulted from the accident. In Colorado, the Law Firm of Sloat & Nicholson, P.C. is dedicated to helping injury victims get fair compensation for all of their physical and financial losses. Call  866-944-2651 to schedule a free consultation regarding your auto accident case.
The Law Firm of Sloat & Nicholson P.C. are experienced Boulder injury attorneys handling cases involving motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, insurance bad faith, medical malpractice, and all types of accident injury cases in Boulder, Longmont, Denver, and throughout the state of Colorado. We are personal injury lawyers with over 70 years combined legal experience. Contact us for a no cost, no obligation discussion about the merits of your claim. Visit http://www.sloatlaw.com to learn more about the firm.

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Steps to Take to Avoid a Thanksgiving Miami Car Accident

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

Any holiday season can mean a risk of Miami car accidents. As more people celebrate a holiday and imbibe, accidents do happen. To ensure that this Thanksgiving is a safe one for you and your family, follow these tips for safe holiday driving:

1) Have a plan to get home safely if you choose to drink. Miami drunk driving accidents, unfortunately, do occur during many holidays, in part because more people drink during festive celebrations. Whether you intend to drink or not, it is safest to at least consider a few options for getting home safe. Find out about hotels in your area, write down the numbers of taxi companies, or designate a driver. Make the commitment now to avoid driving drunk.

2) Have a plan to get guests home safely if you plan on drinking. If you are hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, make sure that you have a plan for getting everyone home safely if you choose to serve alcohol. Consider making extra beds available for overnight guests, have designated drivers, or have cash on hand for taxis. As a host, you have a responsibility to ensure that your guests are not in a Miami car accident because they have been drinking and driving.

3) If you are traveling to a Thanksgiving event or dinner, plan well in advance. Plan your route and check for weather problems or road closures along your designated route. Pack your car in advance and make sure that you leave mobile devices off while you drive. Holiday driving is stressful enough, and distracting yourself with a mobile device can easily lead to a tragic Miami pedestrian accident.

4) Use extra patience on the roads during Thanksgiving. Give yourself extra time to get to your holiday destinations. Speeding leads to many Miami truck accidents and car crashes each year and rushing can lead you to make mistakes – which can be deadly on busy Miami roadways. Giving yourself extra time also reduces your stress levels and reduces your risk of road rage and distraction.

5) Consider leaving your car at home this Thanksgiving. If you have a long way to drive, it can be safer to travel by plane, train, or bus. Long drives can lead to fatigued driving and highway hypnosis, especially if you are already tired and stressed at this time of year. A long drive can also be especially dangerous for Miami drivers, especially if you are used to driving in Miami and need to drive into a wintery state to celebrate with family. If you are not prepared for winter driving and do not have snow tires, avoid driving to any destinations with snow.

6) Make sure your car can handle holiday driving. If you need to drive to family events this Thanksgiving, give yourself the gift of a holiday car tune-up. Making sure that your tires, brakes, and other systems are in good condition reduces the risk of your car breaking down en route. Having a car that handles correctly can also help you avoid a Miami car collision in many cases.


Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog