Be Careful in Spring Break Traffic

Spring is always a busy time in Ft. Lauderdale as thousands of students head to the city for spring break. With each school having a different schedule, there is almost a revolving door of students for weeks in South Florida. Even though Ft. Lauderdale officials are trying to enforce stricter rules this year, spring break can get chaotic – especially when it comes to drivers. Whether you live in Ft. Lauderdale or are visiting, please be careful on the roads and call an experienced auto accident attorney if you’re involved in a crash.

Drunk Drivers

Spring break is an alcohol-fueled event for many students. Even with plenty of ride-sharing options available, many young people still decide to try to drive after they had too much to drink. Often, there is the following combination of risk factors in cars packed with visiting students:

• Impaired drivers
• Loud music
• Other distractions
• Unfamiliarity with directions
• Inexperienced drivers

Drunk driving is dangerous enough on its own without adding in all the other common risk factors. For this reason, many accidents may happen on the crowded streets, including State Road A1A, along which many arrests are often made during spring break. Anyone visiting should remember there are many options to get around without drunk driving and residents may want to avoid the roads near the beaches and resorts whenever possible during this time.

Pedestrian Accidents

Drunk or careless drivers are not the only cause of traffic-related accidents over spring break, as pedestrian accidents are also common. Many spring breakers do not pay adequate attention when they are walking to the beach and they may cross in front of traffic and get hit. On the other hand, anyone else walking in Ft. Lauderdale runs the risk of being hit by a spring break visitor who may be distracted behind the wheel or unsure of yield requirements. Pedestrian accidents can be devastating for everyone involved and can be either the fault of the pedestrian or the driver.

Road Trip Risks

If you have plans to hit the road to Ft. Lauderdale or out of Ft. Lauderdale for a spring break trip, it is important to recognize safety risks and take steps to ensure you arrive at your destination without incident. The following are some things to keep in mind before and during a road trip:

• Get a tune-up. Road trips can always be hard on your car’s engine, tires, and other parts. It is important to have a professional inspect your car, top off fluids, and identify any possible risks before you get on the road. A sudden tire blowout or another malfunction can cause you to lose control and crash.

• Know where you’re going. Anytime you are traveling away from familiar territory can be risky. There is a chance you will miss an exit or a turn and you may slam on your brakes, speed up and slow down erratically, or make dangerous lane changes because you were unsure of where you were going. It is important to have the whole trip mapped out and pre-programmed into your GPS so you have clear directions without any unnecessary distractions.

• Stay organized. Road trips can be fun but they can also be disorderly. Having several friends packed into a car with bags, snacks, and other provisions can get messy quickly. If you have to search for a phone or for a bottle of water while you are driving, you can quickly become a dangerously distracted driver and put everyone at risk. Additionally, having passengers constantly moving around and searching for items can also be distracted. Organization in the car can increase focus on the road and overall safety.

These are only some of the many steps you can take to stay safe on road trips and while you are in Ft. Lauderdale. Spring break should be an enjoyable time and an unexpected accident and injuries can certainly disrupt anyone’s life. If you’re injured, you should know that you may have important legal rights.

Our Ft. Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer is Here to Help

There are risks of traffic accidents year-round in Ft. Lauderdale, however, these risks may substantially increase during spring break season. At the law office of Joseph LoRusso, we want everyone to stay safe and enjoy the season. However, if you do suffer injuries in any type of traffic accident, you need an experienced car accident attorney on your side to evaluate your legal rights and options. Please do not hesitate to call our office in Ft. Lauderdale at 954-715-3260 or contact us online to discuss your injuries for free today.

Hit and Run Driver Leaves College Student in Coma in Ft. Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale – A hit and run driver slammed into a college student on vacation in Ft. Lauderdale, leaving him unconscious, bleeding, and unresponsive on the pavement. According to news reports, the victim suffered skull fractures that required doctors to place him in a medically-induced coma. The victim’s father said his son was simply crossing the road to an Uber when struck down by the hit and run driver. A woman called 911 and waited with the victim until help arrived. Fortunately, doctors expect the student to survive, although he will need to remain in the hospital in Florida for a month before heading home. Meanwhile, the driver has not been identified.

What Happens if You’re Injured in a Hit and Run?

If a driver crashes into you or your car and flees the scene, you may think it means you cannot recover for your injuries and losses. However, in Florida the law provides certain protections for victims of hit and run accidents. An attorney experienced with these aspects of Florida accident law can advise you of the best options in your specific case.

First, if you are a Florida resident involved in a car or pedestrian accident, you may be able to turn to your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage. Florida law currently requires this mandatory, no-fault coverage for all vehicle owners. It allows you to recover the costs of medical expenses and lost income, even if someone else hits you and flees the scene. However, this type of coverage often has limits that do not cover the costs of more serious injuries. In addition, people traveling to Florida from other states usually do not have this type of insurance, because most other states do not require no-fault coverage.

Second, if you are involved in a hit and run accident, your uninsured motorist insurance may provide coverage. This coverage typically covers losses if you are hit by someone without adequate insurance, but it also works to cover hit and run accidents. Your insurance company may treat an unidentified driver the same as an uninsured driver, but specific requirements apply. You must have elected this kind of coverage when you purchased your insurance policy, because it is not mandatory in Florida. You will also need to prove that a hit and run driver caused your injuries, as well as the extent of your losses.

Third, in some hit and run cases, law enforcement officers identify the driver in the days or weeks following the accident. Witnesses may come forward, or nearby surveillance cameras may show the accident and allow police to find the driver. If this is the case, you may have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver, especially if your injuries are serious. This process can be complicated and you should always have the guidance and representation of an experienced car accident attorney when you have been injured in an accident. Although watching a hit and run driver speed away after causing you injury may make you feel helpless, you have legal rights and options that a skilled personal injury law firm can help you evaluate and move forward with recovering compensation for your injuries.

Working with the right attorney can help you recover several different types of damages, including:

Medical bills from ambulance services, emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, physical therapy, and any treatment you may need in the future.

Lost income if your injuries or treatment required you to miss work, as well as future lost earnings if you have injuries with long-term effects.

Physical and mental pain and suffering for the trauma you experienced.

Any permanent impairments, disabilities, or disfigurements you have from the accident.

Contact a Ft. Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney for Help Today

If you have been involved in a hit and run—or any other type of accident—do not lose hope. Instead, contact the legal team at the Law Offices of Joseph LoRusso to discuss your options to recover the compensation you deserve. Our car accident lawyer handles even the most complex injury claims, so please call 954-715-3260 or contact us online for a free consultation today.

Fatal Scooter Crash in South Florida

When we think of two-wheeled motor vehicles, we may first think about motorcycles. However, there is an increasing number of scooters on the roads in Fort Lauderdale and around South Florida. Scooters are economical to purchase, as well as to fuel. They are convenient for parking and storage and are better for the environment. Scooters provide many benefits of bicycles without the need to pedal and with the ability to travel faster.

A recent scooter accident in Davie demonstrates that riding a scooter in traffic can be dangerous, however. News reportsindicate that a man was stopped on his scooter on State Road 84 when a vehicle crashed into the rear end of the scooter. This impact caused the scooter to go crashing into another vehicle and the driver of the scooter was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Scooter riders often have little more than a helmet to protect them from 3,000-pound metal cars colliding into them, so it is no surprise that scooter accident injuries can be life-threatening or fatal. Whether you are seriously injured or have a family member who was killed on a scooter, you may have important legal rights and should have a skilled traffic accident lawyer evaluate your situation.

Rear-end Crashes are Particularly Dangerous for Two-Wheeled Vehicles

Four-wheeled cars and trucks have airbags, crumple zones, bumpers, and other protections in accidents and rear-end collisions are often considered to be relatively minor accidents. However, two-wheeled vehicles like scooters have no such protections, leaving victims almost completely exposed to an impact. Even the best helmets cannot even protect a victim from head trauma all of the time, so a scooter rider is still vulnerable to head and brain injuries, as well.

Unlike crashes between two cars, a rear-end collision involving a two-wheeled vehicle can be particularly dangerous. Cars are much heavier than scooters and an impact can cause the rider to fly off the vehicle or to crash into another vehicle, increasing the risk of multiple traumatic injuries. Common injuries resulting from rear-end scooter crashes can include:

Skull fractures

Brain injuries and hemorrhages

Facial, jaw, and dental injuries

Broken arms or legs

Crushed or shattered bones

Torn ligaments or tendons

Spinal cord injuries and paralysis

A scooter rider will often get hit by the vehicle that crashed and then may hit another vehicle and/or land on the ground with force. This provides numerous opportunities to injure multiple parts of the body and, all too often, this can result in permanent disabilities or death.

Who was Liable?

After a serious scooter accident in Florida, perhaps the most important question to ask is was another person liable for the crash? No-fault PIP insurance laws in Florida do not apply to two-wheeled vehicles. Therefore, victims must seek compensation from any negligent parties that caused the crash.

The following are some examples of negligence that can cause scooter accidents:

Distracted driving

Impaired driving

Speeding

Tailgating

Other forms of aggressive driving

Cutting a scooter off during a lane change

Not checking blind spots

Failure to yield

Violating traffic signals or stop signs

Running a scooter off the road

If you determine that another driver was negligent, you have the right to file a claim with the driver’s liability insurance or to file a lawsuit in civil court.

The type of lawsuit you may file depends on the severity of the crash. For example:

If a crash caused serious injuries, you can file a personal injury claim to be compensated for your medical expenses, lost income, future financial losses, permanent impairments, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and more.

If a crash was fatal, the personal representative of the estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit. This claim can seek recovery for medical and funeral expenses, lost income the deceased would have earned, loss of services and support to the family, loss of companionship and guidance, and for pain and suffering if the deceased was a child. Any compensation obtained will be distributed to the deceased’s qualified family members including a spouse, children, parents, or other dependents.

Contact a Fort Lauderdale Scooter Accident Lawyer for Assistance

The Law Office of Joseph J. LoRusso knows that scooter and motorcycle accidents can be devastating for both accident victims and their families. We can evaluate whether you have the right to take action and if so, can handle insurance claims, personal injury claims, or wrongful death claims when needed. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries, please call 954-715-3260 or contact us online for a free case evaluation today.

Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyers

The Levin Firm is a personal injury law firm located in Ft Lauderdale, FL and serves clients throughout the region. We represent people injured in a variety of situations: motor vehicle (e.g., car, truck, taxi, Uber, Lyft, bus, bicycle, motorcycle, etc.) or pedestrian accidents, brain injury, slip-and-fall, dog bite, and burn injury, as well as wrongful death. We fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. The Levin Firm’s Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers are dedicated to providing quality representation and ensuring that you are fully compensated for all of your harms and losses. Call our award-winning firm today for a free consultation at (954) 715-3260.

CONTACT:

The Levin Firm

820 NW 7th Terrace

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311

Phone: (954) 715-3260

I was injured in a bicycle accident – who is liable? 

Bicycle accidents can result in serious and sometimes fatal injuries, and lawsuits to recover damages for injuries in bicycle accidents with automobiles often involve many of the same issues that are found in car accident cases.

Generally, in nearly all states, a bicycle is considered to be a “vehicle”. That means that cyclists must follow the same rules of the road. So, when trying to determine liability, the question usually comes down to who had the right-of-way -- the car or the bike.

Here are some examples of who may have the right of way:

• No traffic signals – First Arriving: Usually, when two vehicles approach an intersection not controlled by a traffic signal, the vehicle arriving first has the right of way. 
• No traffic signals – Same Time Arrival: If the vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle to the right has the right-of-way. This is also the rule for vehicles approaching intersections controlled by stop signs. In that case, the vehicle to the right has the right of way. 
• Traffic signals: The right-of-way: At intersections controlled by signals is determined by the signal. If a signal sensor is unable to detect the presence of a bicycle, the cyclist can (1) position the bicycle closer to the sensors embedded in the road, and if that doesn't work, wait until it is safe to cross against the light, or (2) cross at the crosswalk. 

There are other legal considerations that come into play depending on the type of intersection and whether the car is turning or going straight through, which is why it is important to consult with an experienced bicycle accident attorney. Bicyclists who have been injured by negligent drivers or other parties deserve to be fully and fairly compensated for all of the losses they incurred as a result of their injuries.

Miami bicycle accident lawyer Joseph J. LoRusso works to protect the rights of injured bicyclists and provides the highest quality of representation in every case. Joseph J. LoRusso has extensive experience assisting clients file successful bicycle accident claims in Fort Lauderdale and its surrounding areas. Please feel free to call (954) 715-3260 to schedule a free consultation today.

Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),¹ about 66,000 pedestrians sustain injuries in accidents on an annual basis. The following are only some of the most common injuries suffered in pedestrian collisions:

 

Traumatic brain injury – Pedestrians often fall as a result of a collision and falls are a leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI).² A TBI can be a minor concussion or can result in serious brain damage that can cause a coma, permanent impairments, or even death. TBI can affect physical, sensory, cognitive, and emotional functioning, so the effects of the injury can be pervasive into many aspects of a victim's life.

Spinal cord injury – In pedestrian collisions, it is common for a victim to sustain damage to the spinal cord, which plays a key role in bodily functioning. When an injury to the spinal cord occurs, a victim may temporarily or permanently lose functioning in the parts of the body below the point of injury. Spinal injuries may result in paralysis, which can affect a person's ability to move around, work, engage in usual activities, and more.

Fractures – A pedestrian often suffers multiple points of impact with the vehicle, the ground, or other objects and, upon each impact, it is common for bones to fracture or break. While many broken bones can heal with relative ease, serious compound fractures may require extensive treatment including surgery and may cause disabilities.

Find out how a Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyer can help you

If you were a hit by a car or another vehicle while you were walking, chances are you have a long road to recovery ahead of you. Because the injuries in pedestrian accidents can be so severe, the amount of compensation to which victims are entitled is often substantial. You want to make sure you have a personal injury attorney representing you who has the litigation experience necessary to skillfully and efficiently handle your claim. At the Law Office of Joseph J. LoRusso, P.A., we can successfully handle cases involving catastrophic injuries and complex legal issues, so please call today at 954-715-3260 for a free consultation. 

Fatigued Driving Can Lead to Collisions

Everyone with a driver's license should know that behaviors such as texting and driving and driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs¹ are unlawful due to the severe risks of collisions and resulting injuries to others. However, even behaviors that are not against any particular law can be dangerous and can lead to accidents. One such behavior is fatigued driving.

 

Fatigued driving is extremely risky as overly drowsy drivers can lose focus and concentration on the road or can even doze off while driving. If a driver falls asleep behind the wheel while moving at highway speeds, devastating crashes and injuries may result. As the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) points out,² however, there is no particular test to measure a driver's fatigue level, like there is for suspected drunk drivers. Unless a driver admits to falling asleep, it may be difficult to pinpoint the cause of an accident.

The following can result in drowsy or fatigued driving:

·         Lack of sleep

·         Driving for long periods of time on monotonous roads

·         Taking sedatives or other medications that may have this type of side effect

·         Having sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy or apnea

If a driver begins to feel fatigued, they should always pull over and rest. Tricks like energy drinks, coffee, or even stimulants will not necessarily increase awareness though they may be able to stay physically awake. In such situations, the danger of an accident still exists.

Call for a free consultation with a qualified Fort Lauderdale auto accident lawyer

Proving that a driver was fatigued at the time of an accident can be difficult, especially if there were no witnesses and the driver does not admit they were at fault. However, an experienced and skilled auto accident attorney in Fort Lauderdale can conduct a thorough investigation and make use of resources such as accident reconstruction experts in order to identify the cause of the accident. If you believe your collision was caused by the other driver, you should not hesitate to call the law office of Joseph J. LoRusso for a free consultation at 954-715-3260 today.