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airbagEvery day, millions of people drive on Florida roads, and many of them may not even know that their vehicle is part of a huge airbag recall. If you or someone close to you has been injured by a defective airbag, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At our Law Offices, our skilled Miami product liability attorneys will hit the ground running to protect your rights. With years of experience, we understand how to navigate these complex legal claims.

Members of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are teaming up with automakers and community members to warn people of the dangers of defective airbags. The recall involves several airbag types, all made by Takata. In fact, the Takata airbag recall is the largest vehicle recall in history. Experts say that heat and humidity make the defect worse, which is why there is an extra push to raise awareness now.

In Florida alone, there are more than 1.4 million cars with defective airbags in need of repair. Accordingly to the NHTSA, approximately 15 people have died from the defect, and more than 200 have been seriously injured. Three people who died are from Florida. Part of the NHTSA’s awareness campaign highlights that the matter is urgent, and repairs should be sought as soon as possible.

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slip hazardFlorida restaurants have a legal obligation to keep their properties safe for customers. From the parking lot to the dining spaces, property owners have a duty to make sure that diners are not exposed to dangers. If you or someone close to you has been injured in a slip and fall or trip and fall accident at a restaurant, we can help. At our Law Offices, our seasoned Miami premises liability attorneys can evaluate your case and help you understand your legal rights and options. We are here to answer your questions and address your concerns at every step of the way.

Fall accidents in restaurants are more common than you may think. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found that there were more than 50,000 reported injuries in the restaurant industry in 2016, a number of which were caused by slip and fall accidents. A number of risk factors, such as spills on walking surfaces as well as rain or mop water on the floors, can lead to slipping hazards that can cause people to slip and fall. In addition, loose mats or rugs, debris, and other hidden hazards can create tripping hazards within a restaurant. According to BLS data, about 15,000 reported nonfatal slip, trip, and fall injuries occurred in the restaurant industry in 2016.

All property owners in Florida have a duty to maintain their property and make sure it is free of hazards in order not to cause injuries to those who enter the land. The specific duty owed by a landowner to a visitor depends on the status of the visitor. For instance, a property owner owes a higher duty of care to a paying customer than a trespasser. In Florida, business owners, including restaurant owners, owe their customers the highest duty of care. These customers are legally categorized as people who are legally known as ‘invitees’ – individuals who are invited onto the property for business reasons. As a result, restaurant owners must protect invitees against known and reasonably ascertainable dangers. For example, if there is a spill on the floor, the restaurant should immediately put a “wet floor” sign to warn customers and then clean up the spill as quickly as possible. If the hazard cannot immediately be remedied, the restaurant should leave signage there or try to block off the area.

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teenTeenagers are inherently inexperienced drivers. This inexperience often leads to serious, sometimes deadly accidents. If you were injured in a crash caused by a teenage driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At our Law Offices, our Miami car accident attorneys understand the intense physical and emotional pain that often follows from a serious car crash. We will make every effort to help you get a fair resolution in your case.

This year, the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day spans 98 days. Statistics show that during this time, there is an increased risk of dying in a car accident for teens. The percentage of teens who drink and drive has decreased by more than half in the past 25 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, 16-20-year-old drivers are 17 times more likely to die in motor vehicle accidents when their blood alcohol content is 0.08 percent than drivers who have not been drinking.

During each summer month, an average of 260 teenagers are killed in car crashes, an increase of more than a quarter compared with the other seasons. In fact, according to one estimate, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers. An increase in summer deaths may take place for a number of reasons. For one, teenagers are not in school and are spending more time on the road driving around with their friends, which can also make them prone to distractions from within the car. Additionally, teenagers may be experimenting with drugs and alcohol more during the summer months, which, when mixed with driving, can lead to devastating consequences.

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car accidentIf you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you need to seek the help of a seasoned Miami car accident attorney who can help. At our Law Offices, we are dedicated to providing personalized attention throughout the entire legal process.

A new report released by a legal referral site, which analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), found that Saturday is most dangerous day of the week to drive. The safest day to be on the road, according to the report, is Tuesday. The analysis found that 6,802 people were killed on Saturday out of the 37,461 road deaths that took place in 2016. That was 53 percent higher than the 4,444 deaths that occurred on a Tuesday. The second and third deadliest days on the road were Friday with 5,826 deaths and Sunday with 5,809 deaths. The report also found that the afternoon rush hour period is actually more dangerous than the morning commute.

There could be a number of reasons for this trend. More people tend to be on the roads during the weekends, and drivers are also potentially more careless during these times. Drunk driving seems to be a major reason. NHTSA data reveal that 28 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2016 involved drivers with blood alcohol concentrations of 0.08 percent or higher, the legal limit in Florida and throughout the country. More drunk driving deaths take place on the weekend and at night. Speeding was another major factor in car crash-related deaths.

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When a driver chooses to get behind the wheel despite being extremely tired or sleepy, that driver puts everyone else on the road at risk. If you have been injured due to the negligence of a drowsy driver, you need to speak with an experienced Miami car accident attorney. At our Law Offices, we are committed to representing clients who have been hurt or have lost a loved one in a car accident caused by drowsy driving.ambulance

A shocking surveillance video released by the Florida Highway Patrol shows an SUV speeding into a toll plaza, sending one of the passengers flying through the air and into a tollbooth. The man miraculously survived, although the full extent of his injuries is not known. He was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. The accident took place near St. Cloud in Osceola County at around 7:15 am on June 3. The Cadillac shown in the video was approaching the tollbooth at full speed when it crashed into a barrier, causing a man to be ejected from the vehicle.

Police believe the accident took place because the driver of the car had fallen asleep. There were 5 passengers in the car, and all of them survived after being rushed to a nearby hospital for their injuries. The Florida Highway Patrol says it released the video to warn others about the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt as well as the risk of harm associated with drowsy driving.

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carSingle-vehicle accidents can lead to serious and lifelong injuries that can be extremely costly to treat. If you have been injured in a single-vehicle crash, you may be entitled to compensation. At our Law Offices, our Miami car accident lawyers can help you understand your options and figure out how to proceed in your case. While our goal is to settle every case in a timely manner, we are prepared to vigorously advocate for you at trial if necessary.

Last month, a Lake City woman died in a single-car crash when the car crossed over the road’s shoulder and hit a culvert. Upon impact, the car flipped a number of times and ultimately landed on its roof. The woman inside was ejected from the car and died at the scene of the crash. Three others in the car suffered serious injuries. Each of the passengers was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident except for the woman ejected from the car.

Unfortunately, single-car accidents are quite common. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, approximately 55 percent of motor vehicle crash deaths in 2016 occurred in single-vehicle crashes. In Florida, there were 1,670 deaths caused in single-vehicle crashes in 2016, making up 53 percent of the total accident deaths in the state. A single-vehicle accident is a type of road accident in which only one vehicle is involved.

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car keysCar accidents are the leading cause of death and serious injuries in Florida. Unfortunately, these accidents are commonplace and can happen to anyone at any time. If you or someone close to you has been injured in a car accident, you need to speak to a skilled Miami auto accident attorney who can analyze your case. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we can examine what happened at the time of your accident and figure out all of your options, including which insurance claims you may be able to make.

During the upcoming legislative session, the Florida senate will determine the merits of repealing Florida’s requirement for drivers to carry personal-injury-protection (PIP) insurance. For a long time, PIP has been mandatory for Florida drivers and is a facet of car insurance that covers medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Every driver is required to carry at least $10,000 in coverage. The policy is designed to limit lawsuits from auto accidents. Florida is one of 10 states to require drivers to carry PIP insurance.

When you get into a car accident in Florida, you have to file a claim with your own PIP insurance for your injuries resulting from the accident. However, if the injuries are severe and permanent, you can file a claim against the other driver and, in some cases, a lawsuit. Auto accident lawsuits are rooted in the theory of negligence. Negligence occurs when a person causes an accident and resulting injuries due to carelessness, recklessness, or misconduct behind the wheel. Put simply, when a driver causes an accident because he or she failed to act as a reasonably prudent driver would have acted in the same or similar circumstances, that driver will likely be liable.

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pig

Truck accidents can have devastating consequences for everyone involved. If you or someone close to you has been injured in a crash caused by a truck driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our Miami truck accident attorneys can analyze the facts of your case and help you understand your legal rights and options. With years of experience, we understand how to navigate these types of cases.

Last month, on Thanksgiving morning, a truck crash sent pigs wandering on I-95 in St. Johns County when a semi-trailer carrying them collided with another truck. Upon impact, the truck carrying the pigs overturned, causing the animals to escape onto the shoulder of the highway. The second truck continued down the right side of the highway for approximately 1,000 feet before it partially rolled over as well. The accident took place just before 4 a.m. in a muddy area, which was made worse by rainfall. Miraculously, no one was injured in the accident, but the Florida Highway Patrol warned drivers to use extra care on the highway, due to the possibility of loose livestock. This is not the first time that pigs or other livestock have been left wandering the streets after an accident, and, unfortunately, it probably will not be the last.

Unfortunately, truck accidents are more common than you may think. In 2015, a total of 3,852 people were killed in large truck crashes, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. About 16 percent of these deaths were truck occupants; 69 percent were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles; and 15 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists.

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highwayDrivers of motor vehicles have a legal obligation to drive safely, which includes following traffic laws. This obligation includes determining that a movement, such as changing lanes, can be made without endangering others. If you or someone close to you has been injured in an accident caused by an improper lane departure, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our Miami car crash attorneys can analyze the facts of your case and help you determine your legal rights and options.

Any time a car veers out of its designated lane, there is a significant risk that an accident will occur. Unfortunately, lane departure accidents are more common than you may think. According to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, approximately 25,000 fatalities are caused by lane departure crashes each year. In fact, the Federal Highway Administration found that over 18,000 individuals died in lane departure crashes in 2013 when a driver left his or her lane and either crossed the center line into oncoming traffic or went off the edge of the road altogether. A lane departure accident can happen for any number of reasons, including but not limited to:

  • Excessive speeding;
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brakesWhile they are not common, accidents caused by faulty brakes do happen in Florida and across the United States. When these accidents happen, they can lead to devastating accidents, seriously injuring and even killing those involved. Whether an accident occurred because your brakes failed or because the brakes failed on the vehicle that hit you, we can help. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our Miami car accident attorneys can evaluate every available legal option to make sure you are fully compensated for the injuries that you suffered.

Brake failure is difficult to prove. Much of the time, evidence in these cases will be circumstantial, so it is important to document everything after a wreck. One of the most challenging aspects of a brake failure claim is identifying each potentially liable party. In some cases, the owner of the vehicle may be considered negligent if he or she knew a brake replacement was due but failed to get one. Negligence takes place when a person causes an accident and injuries by failing to act how a reasonably prudent person would have acted in the same or similar circumstances. For example, a reasonably prudent person would get the brakes changed if that person had been alerted to the fact that the brakes needed replacement. As a result, someone who causes an accident in this way would likely be responsible for any resulting harm.

In other cases, the auto shop could be liable for the negligent repair of the vehicle. Again, a lawsuit against an auto shop would be based on the theory of negligence. The relevant question would be:  would another auto shop using reasonable care have done the same thing as the defendant auto shop? If the answer is no, the defendant auto shop will likely be liable.

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