Articles Posted in Car Accidents

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Sadly, drowsy driving is a factor in thousands of traffic fatalities and injuries every year. If you been injured in an accident caused by a drowsy driver, you need to reach out to a seasoned Miami personal injury attorney without delay. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we have handled numerous South Florida cases involving drowsy driving and can apply our experience and knowledge to your legal claim.

The Study

A recent study published in the journal SLEEP reveals that individuals who have slept fewer than seven hours in the past 24 hours have an increased chance of getting into and causing car crashes. The highest risk is for drivers who have slept fewer than four hours. While there is a way to measure a person’s blood alcohol content if he or she is suspected of driving under the influence, there is no way to figure out if a person has slept enough prior to getting behind the wheel. Driving while a person is sleepy, also known as drowsy driving, can significantly increase the risk of making errors and reducing reaction times. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 800 deaths were the result of drowsy driving last year.

Liability for Drowsy Driving Accidents

Accidents resulting from drowsy driving are more common than you may think. If you or a loved one was injured in an accident caused by a drowsy driver, you may be able to obtain compensation through a negligence claim. Negligence takes place when someone acts in a careless way and causes an injury to another person.

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Car accidents happen daily in Florida and across the United States. If you or someone close to you has been injured in an auto accident that was not your fault, please a contact a seasoned Miami car accident attorney as soon as possible. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we are dedicated to helping South Florida clients obtain the justice and compensation they rightfully deserve.

Establishing Liability After a Car Accident

When it comes to determining fault in an accident, some cases are simple while others are complex. In the vast majority of auto accident cases, the legal concept of ‘negligence’ is used to establish fault. Negligence takes place when an accident is the result of someone failing to use the level of care that an ordinarily prudent person would have used behind the wheel under the same circumstances.

Using Circumstantial Evidence

In a recent car accident case, a Florida court upheld a jury’s decision for a plaintiff who sustained serious injuries after her vehicle was rear-ended by a van while stopped in traffic on a bridge. In this case, the court needed to make a determination about whether the plaintiff’s case wrongly relied on stacking a number of inferences since her evidence was circumstantial. The court held that the plaintiff’s case did not rely on the wrongful or inappropriate stacking of inferences and affirmed the lower court’s decision favoring the plaintiff.

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Every accident that is caused by a drunk driver is an accident that should never have happened in the first place. A drunk driver’s careless decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated puts everyone on the road at risk of harm. If you or a family member has been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you need to contact a caring, compassionate and competent Miami injury attorney who can help. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we are dedicated to holding drunk drivers accountable for the injuries and losses they cause.

Florida Statistics 

According to a Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) rating, Florida ranks 14th in the nation for the number of drunk driving traffic fatalities. 26% of fatal auto accidents in the state are associated with drunk driving, and 841 individuals died as a result of driving under the influence in 2016. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has compiled data over a longer timespan, noting that 8476 people died in Florida vehicle accidents that involved a drunk driver between 2003 and 2012. While the national percentage of adults who reported driving after drinking too much over one thirty-day period in 2012 was 1.9, respondents from Florida clocked in at 2.1%, a troubling result, given how many people are expected to be driving on state roads throughout the upcoming holiday season.

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When a driver is distracted, their judgment and reaction time are compromised. Unfortunately, distracted driving has become one of the leading cause of auto accidents in Florida and across the US. If you were injured by a distracted driver in Florida, you deserve compensation. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our experienced Miami personal injury attorneys recognize how difficult it can be to cope with a car accident and we are committed to providing you sound legal advice every step of the way.

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Risk Institute reveals that accidents triggered by distracted driving tend to be more serious than others, and their severity also depends on the type of setting in which they take place. Specifically, the study determined that distracted driving wrecks increased the chances of a crash leading to severe injury or death when compared with other types of accidents, especially those distraction-related collisions involving rear-end accidents in construction zones or on highways. The study analyzed 1.4 million police records obtained from the Ohio Department of Transportation for crashes that occurred between the years of 2013 and 2017.

Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted drivers put everyone on the road at risk of harm. Individuals who are injured or have lost a family member due to distracted driving have a right to sue for damages under Florida law. In Florida, texting while driving is illegal. The fact that a driver was texting while driving may be used as evidence to show a driver was negligent as a matter of law. Also known as the negligence per se rule, this legal doctrine allows a plaintiff to establish negligence merely by showing that the driver violated Florida’s cellphone law, which is a shortcut when compared to a traditional negligence claim that requires proving many more elements.

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Highway accidents often result in devastating injuries because of the speed of the vehicles and the potential for multi-car collisions. Other times, cars traveling down the highway can hit an officer investigating a car accident or a person who is repairing a car. If you or a person you know you has been hurt in an accident on the highway, you could potentially make a financial recovery for your harm. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our reputable Miami highway accident attorneys will zealously advocate for your rights in your case.

A Florida Highway Patrol officer is in critical condition after an out-of-control car struck him on the freeway when he was looking into another collision. He was thrown into the air, which compounded his injuries. The accident took place on the shoulder I-95 in Hobe Sound where the officer was talking to a witness. The trooper who was hit was actually able to push another man beside him out of the way seconds prior to being hit himself by an Audi A3 that had spun out of control. Highway workers who were clearing the scene of the previous wreck ran to assist the injured trooper and he was rushed to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach.

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While many of us focus on drunk driving or distracted driving as prevalent causes of car accidents, in some cases, car accidents are results of pre-existing medical conditions. If you or your loved one has been injured in a car accident that was someone else’s fault, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our Miami car crash attorneys understand that proving fault in a personal injury case involving a crash caused by a driver’s medical condition is not easy, but we understand how to navigate this type of claim.

A 2011 study conduced by the National Institute of Health found that chronic medical conditions most likely to increase accident risks include alcoholism, cardiovascular disease, epilepsy, diabetes, and dementia. Of course, poor eyesight can make it unsafe for a person to drive as well. Florida has some of the most lenient laws in the country when it comes to prohibiting motorists with medical conditions from operating a motor vehicle. Essentially, the state relies on confidential reports from other motorists, after which it conducts an investigation, which includes requesting the driver’s medical records and reviewing the driver’s history.

In many car accident cases, the issue of fault is relatively straightforward because one driver was clearly negligent (i.e., did not stop at a stop sign, ran a red light, etc.). Negligence occurs when a person causes injuries or death by failing to use reasonable care behind the wheel. In the context of car accident cases, reasonable care is defined as how a sensible or prudent driver would have operated the motor vehicle in the same or similar circumstances. For example, if a driver’s excessive speeding caused an accident, he or she would be liable for the crash and any resulting harm.

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Spots utility vehicles (SUVs) are commonplace in Florida and throughout the United States. If you have been injured in an SUV accident that was not your fault, you might be able to make a financial recovery for your losses. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our experienced Miami auto accident attorneys will take the time to address your concerns and fully answer your questions in order to help you move on with your life.

A 15-year old Florida high school student was struck by an SUV as he attempted to cross the street in Northwest Jacksonville, according to Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). The accident took place at Dunn Avenue early in the morning last month when a Jeep allegedly hit the student who was attempting to cross multiple lanes of traffic to reach his bus stop. Immediately after the accident, the driver of the jeep pulled over to help the young man. Thankfully, the teenager survived but he was transported a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries. The FHP is still investigating the matter.

Liability for SUV Accidents 

In most cases, the cause of an SUV accident is driver error. If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in an SUV accident, you may be able to sue the at-fault driver. Lawsuits involving SUV accidents are typically rooted in the legal theory of negligence. Negligence is the failure to use reasonable care resulting in damage or injury to another.

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Florida has strict laws regarding a person’s responsibilities following a car accident. If you were injured in a hit and run accident, it is vital to consult an experienced Miami personal injury attorney immediately. Sadly, hit and run accidents are fairly common occurrences. These accidents are complicated because the search for the fleeing driver can be long, and in some cases the driver may never be found. We understand the different aspects of Florida hit and run laws and can apply our knowledge to your case.

Three lineman were hit, the third of whom died, in fatal hit-and-run accident in Florida last month. The accident took place around 7:00 p.m. when three lineman were working to restore power lost during Hurricane Michael near State Road 77 in Chipley. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), a driver headed northbound on the road completely departed from it and ended up striking the three lineman. Immediately after the accident, the driver of the car fled the scene on foot but was found shortly after. The driver was arrested and charges against him are currently pending as FHP continues to investigate the incident.

Hit and Run Accidents in Florida

In Florida, a hit and run collision occurs when one vehicle strikes another vehicle and then leaves the scene of an accident when the crash involves death, bodily injury or property damage. If you are a victim of a hit and run accident, you may not always be able to locate the at-fault driver to hold him or her responsible for the accident. However, you can seek compensation for your losses through our own insurance company. Florida is a no-fault insurance state, which means that all drivers must have personal injury protection coverage (PIP). The claim process can be complicated when you cannot identify the driver so it is important to have an experienced attorney on your side who understands the unique challenges associated with hit and run accidents.

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Sadly, drowsy driving is the cause of many preventable accidents every year. If you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by drowsy driving, it is essential to contact a reliable Miami car accident attorney without delay. We will work tirelessly to help you make the financial recovery you rightfully deserve for your injuries.

Just last month, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) troopers said a drowsy driver caused a serious accident at a toll plaza in Winter Haven. Toll both cameras captured the wreck and showed the pickup truck being pushed forward after an SUV crashed into the back of the truck, causing the truck to slam into a camera, light display and two control panels at the toll booth plaza. The victim who was driving the truck broke his leg as a result of the accident and had a seizure that led him to be put in intensive care. Law enforcement highlighted that accidents at tollbooths are rare since the posted speed limits are low. 

Drowsy Driving Accidents in Florida

Drowsy driving, also known as tired driving or fatigued driving, refers to the operation of an automobile while being cognitively impaired due to lack of sleep. Just like drunk driving, drowsy driving can result in impaired judgment and delayed reactions, which can substantially raise the risk of accidents on the road. Unfortunately, drowsy driving accidents injure too many Floridians every year. FHP data shows that there were 4,329 accidents caused by drowsy driving in 2017, which led to 28 deaths. Across the country, data reveals that drowsy driving is responsible for 100,000 collisions.

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Teenage drivers are more likely to be involved in auto accidents than any other age group due to inexperience behind the wheel. If you have been injured in an accident involving a teen driver, our Miami auto accident lawyers can advise you of your options. If we accept your case, you can trust that we will tirelessly protect your rights through the entire legal process.

Car accidents are still the leading cause of teen deaths in the US. Given this reality, it is vital for parents and teenagers to have ongoing discussions about how to be safe and responsible behind the wheel. Last month, a survey released by Hum by Verizon during National Teen Driver Safety Week shed some light on how parents need to be an example of safe driving for their children. The evaluation, which surveyed 1,000 US teen drivers, revealed that 79 percent of these drivers stated that they depend on their parents or guardians beyond any other figures to be role models for their driving.

Unfortunately, parents do not always set the right example. The survey found that 80 percent of teenage drivers have seen their parent or guardian drive in an unsafe manner in the past year alone; 57 percent of teenage drivers have seen their parents drive over the posted speed limit; 46 percent of teenage drivers have seen their parents slam on the brakes; and 25 percent have seen their parents drive while not wearing a seat belt or make an illegal maneuver while driving.

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