North Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

A Jacksonville, Florida women was killed when a Lincoln Towncar ran a red light. The car veered off the road a struck a fruit stand. Witnesses at the scene reported that the car was driving unpredictably prior to running into the fruit stand, pinning the women under the car and critically injuring her husband. The women and husband were transported to the hospital. She was pronounced dead at the hospital. At the time that this story was first reported on the news and Internet, the husband was admitted to Shands Hospital in critical condition. Police believe that the driver may have suffered from a medical condition prior to the accident. The driver of the Towncar was also transported to Shands. The accident will be more fully investigated by local law enforcement officers / detectives. See Fruit Stand Automobile Accident Results in Death and Personal Injuries.

In Jacksonville, Florida and other cities, automobile accidents frequently result in serious personal injuries and, in some instances, even the death of drivers, passengers, bicyclists, and / or pedestrians. Drivers should do their best to obey posted speed limits, traffic signals, and other rules and regulations for driving on Florida roadways. You can read more traffic laws and regulations at the Wood, Atter & Wolkf, P.A. Website - Florida Traffic Laws and Regulations.

Watch Out for Motorcycles! This is a bumper sticker seen on vehicles in North Florida and the rest of the State. Unfortunately, many automobile accident / motorcycle accidents lead to the death or serious personal injury of the motorcyclists. One such motorcycle accident was reported in Flagler County Florida on U.S. 1. The Florida Times Union reported that David Lloyd Rocky (age 67) was northbound on U.S. 1 when Julia Ann Tucker drove her Nissan XTerra from a stop sign to cross the highway and then proceed South. Mr. Rocky collided with the driver's side door of the Nissan XTerra. While Mr. Rocky was wearing a helmet, the force and trauma from the crash caused fatal injuries and Mr. Ricky was pronounced dead at the scene of this Florida motorcycle accident. See Flagler County Florida Motorcycle Accident Reported - Florida Highway Patrol Responds to the Accident Scene.

A 50 year old women was struck by a pick up truck and killed while crossing the street in Sanford, Florida. The pedestrian was attempting to cross US 17 in Sanford when she was struck by the truck that was heading Northbound. According to the police, the 50 year old, was not in the crosswalk when she was struck by the pick up truck.

When driving a car always be aware of pedestrians. When driving a car you should yield the right of way to the pedestrians. Pedestrians should cross in the properly marked crosswalks. According to some reports, four of Florida's largest cities, Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Miami have been called the most dangerous cities for pedestrians. For more information see, Pedestrian Death Reported in Sanford, Florida. See also Florida Laws Regarding Pedestrians and Traffic Regulations - Importance of Exercising Due Caution When Pedestrians Are Present

Florida Statute 316.130 provides regulations and guidance when pedestrians are present or near roadways and intersections. It is important for all drivers to follow this statute and other laws. Furthermore, caution should always be taken when pedestrians are in or near roadways. It is always better to slow down when a pedestrian is in or near a roadway. A few extra minutes of travel time can save a live and prevent serious personal injuries to a pedestrian.

See also Florida Traffic Statutes and Regulations - Frequently Asked Questions.

A 23 year old a Jacksonville , Florida Forrest High School graduate died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. Rebecca Hawk and her roommate were found unconscious in their Tampa, Florida apartment. Both women were taken to a local hospital were Hawk was pronounced dead. Hawk's roommate survived. Both Hawk and her roommate were sleeping when they were exposed to carbon monoxide. A 22 year old neighbor left his car running overnight for about 12 hours in a garage that was attached to Hawk's bedroom.

Carbon monoxide is a odorless and colorless gas that can kill in minutes. Several hundreds of people die from accidental exposure to carbon monoxide each year. There are many things that can do to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Each year you should have your fuel burning appliances inspected by a trained professional. Make sure you fireplace and chimney are in good working order. Remember - never leave a car idling in the garage. You should never use an outdoor grill indoors. There is a simple device known as a carbon monoxide detector that can be used as a back up device, but remember to use common sense and follow the rules provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency when it comes to avoiding carbon monoxide poisoning. For more information see, Tragic Death of Rebecca Hawk Resulted From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

Two Duval County (Jacksonville), Florida School Buses were in involved in an accident. Buses from the Jacksonville Charter School were transporting children home from school when one bus rear ended a car. The force of the automobile / bus accident pushed the car into the back of another bus. No students were injured, however the driver of the car was transported to a local hospital for observation. The extent of the injuries of the driver of the car was not reported.

Millions of children ride school buses to school each day. It is important for drivers to obey the rules of the road when it comes to school bus safety. Florida has laws when it comes to stopping and obeying laws regarding a school bus. A vehicle must come to a full stop when a school bus is stopped and and is displaying a stop signal. A driver may not pass the school bus when the signals are displayed. A driver is not required to stop if they are on a divided highway with at least 5feet of unpaved space, a raised median or any other type of physical barrier. It is the duty of the school bus driver to stop as far of the street as possible. The bus driver should display stop signal and warning lights before allowing students to exit the bus. For more information see,Two School Bus Accidents Reported in Jacksonville Florida. You can read more about traffic rules and regulations at Florida Traffic Laws - Frequently Asked Questions.

A 23 year old bicyclist was injured when he was struck by a Orange County, Florida school bus while riding East on Colonial Drive. The bicyclist was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center and is reported to be in stable condition. There were six students from University High school in Orlando, Florida on the school bus. According to a spokesperson from the Orange County School system, none of the students were injured.

Florida is a State filled with bicyclists and pedestrians who travel on or near the roadways every day. It is important for all drivers to pay especially close attention when driving near pedestrians and bicyclists. This includes children who walk or ride bicycles in school areas, residential, and, yes, commercial areas. It is also important for pedestrians and bicyclists to show due caution on or near Florida roadways.
There are basic rules for being safe on the road when riding a bicycle Bicyclists should always be aware and alert of any oncoming car traffic. Be sure to communicate with hand signals so that drivers are aware of your intentions. When riding a bicycle always ride with traffic and protect yourself by wearing a protective helmet. When in a accident stay with the victim until the police and/or fire rescue arrives. For more information see, School Bus In Orange County Florida Hits Bicyclist.

A lane change on Interstate 4 in Hillsborough County caused the death of a Port Orange, Florida, motorcyclist. 63-year-old Charles Lewis Lee was driving westbound in the center lane near the Interstate 75 exit ramp. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Lee shifted his vehicle to the right to get to the exit. Lee reportedly changed lanes in front of a 70-year-old motorcyclist. The lane change caused the two vehicles to collide. Joseph Malette Glover of Haines City, Florida, was ejected from his motorcycle onto the road and struck the back of Lee's car. Glover was pronounced dead at the scene. Lee and his 21-year-old passenger Alex Caron Lee did not sustain any personal injuries. For more read Erratic lane change causes death of 70-year-old motorcyclist.

The death of this man is a tragedy for his family and community. All Florida drivers owe a duty of due and reasonable care when behind the wheel of an automobile. This includes but is not limited to obeying the posted speed limits, using defensive, not aggressive, driving and changing lanes only when no immediate hazards are present.

It is not news that texting while driving is not only dangerous, but deadly. Texting while driving is a nation-wide epidemic that is increasingly popular among children and teenagers. Stephanie Ando, a mother from Jacksonville, Florida and owner of Ando Insurance Services, has joined Allstate in its "X the TXT" program. "X the TXT" has teens pledge not to text and drive. Recently, Ando and her director of marketing, Karen Phillips took the program to Clay High School. Thumb rings embedded with the message "txtng klls" were given to students who made the pledge. Each pledging student also put their left thumb print on a banner. Ando's goal is to spread the program throughout schools in Northeast Florida.

A fact sheet compiled by Allstate revealed some startling statistics about texting while driving:
- Car crashes are the number one killer of American teenagers (more than 4,000 teens die in car crashes annually).
- Just reaching for a cell phone while driving increases the likelihood of a car crash nine times.
- A person looking at a cell phone for a mere 5 seconds while driving at the rate of 55mph travels the equivalent of a football field.

For more on Ando and the "X the TXT" program read Jacksonville mom spreads word about dangers of texting while driving.

Hurricane season is here and in full effect. In fact, more storms hit Florida than any other state in the nation. September is a very active month for Hurricanes in Florida. These storms can be very dangerous and sometimes deadly. Recently, a man from New Jersey tragically died while swimming in rough surf at the tail-end of Hurricane Irene. 55-year-old James Palmer was at a beach just north of Flagler beach with is wife, daughter and son. Palmer went into the rough surf and his family eventually lost sight of him. An unidentified surfer spotted his body floating in the water. The surfer brought Palmer's body to shore and he was eventually transported to Florida Hospital Flagler, where he was pronounced dead. According to the Sheriff's Office, the surf Palmer was swimming in was rough about 4 feet or more higher than average because of Hurricane Irene. The death of this man is a tragedy for his family and community. For more details please read New Jersey man drowns due to violent surf from Hurricane Irene.

During this time of year, Florida residents and tourists need to take extra precautions. Hurricanes and tropical storms can be very dangerous and sometimes deadly. Adequate precautions should always be taken to ensure your and your family's safety.

A young man from Ocala, Florida, tragically died after the four-wheeler he was driving crashed into a closed steel gate in Putnam County. According to the report by the Florida Highway Patrol, 18-year-old Douglas William Burguess was driving a 2003 Honda four-wheeler east on County Landfill Road; the crash occurred around 10:10 p.m. The impact ejected Burguess from the four-wheeler, he suffered personal injuries to his stomach and chest. Burguess was transported to Putnam Community Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. For more read 18-year-old Ocala man dies in four-wheeler crash.

The death of this teen is a tragedy for his family and community. Four-wheelers and All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) can be exciting and entertaining, but they are also very dangerous and potentially deadly. Always wear a helmet before you or a child ride an ATV. It can be very dangerous for a child to operate an ATV, especially at high speeds over rough terrain. Children and teenagers tend have poor safety awareness making their likelihood for sustaining personal injuries is greater. Safety should always be the focus for children and adults alike when operating or riding an ATV.

Pursuant to Title XXIII - Motor Vehicles, Chapter 316 - State Uniform Traffic Control, Section 316.1235, Florida drivers who are approaching an intersecting where the traffic lights of said intersection are not working (inoperative) shall treat the stop as a stop sign. The method of stopping is governed by section 316.123(2), Florida Statutes. Drivers must stop at a clearly marked stop line, or if there is no stop line before entering the cross walk, or at the point nearest the intersection roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic before entering the intersection. After stopping, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection from another highway or which is approaching so closely on the highway so as to constitute an immediate hazard when the driver is moving across or within the intersection. If at a four-way stop intersection, the driver of the first vehicle to stop at the intersection shall be the first to proceed. If two or more vehicles approach this type of intersection at the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.

In the event that only some of the traffic lights at an intersection are inoperative, the driver of a vehicle approaching an inoperative light shall stop in the above-prescribed manner.

You can read more Florida Traffic Laws on the Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A. website.

Pursuant to Title XXIII - Motor Vehicles, Chapter 316 - State Uniform Traffic Control, Section 316.125 - Vehicles Entering Highways from Private Road or Driveway or Emerging from Alley, Driveway or Building, Florida drivers have a duty to yield the right-of-way in certain circumstances.

1. Drivers who are about to enter or cross a highway from an alley, building, private road or drive way MUST yield the right-of-way to ALL vehicles approaching on the highway to be entered which are close enough to constitute an immediate hazard.

2. Drivers who are exiting an alley, building, private road or driveway within a business or residence district shall stop the vehicle immediately prior to driving onto a sidewalk or onto the sidewalk are extending across the alley, building entrance, road or driveway. If there is no sidewalk area, these drivers must stop at the point nearest the street they are attempted to enter where the driver has a view of approaching traffic. The drive must yield to all vehicles and pedestrians which are close enough to constitute an immediate hazard.

Florida law states who has a duty to yield (give up) the right-of-way. As a general rule of Florida traffic law, every driver, motorcyclist, bicyclist, pedestrian or other operate of a motorized vehicle (i.e., moped) must do everything possible to avoid a crash. You can read more Florida Traffic Laws on the Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A. website.

Florida traffic laws are unclear as to who has the right-of-way on Florida street, highways and other roadways. Florida law only states who has a duty to yield (give up) the right-of-way. As a general rule of Florida traffic law, every driver, motorcyclist, bicyclist, pedestrian or other operate of a motorized vehicle (i.e., moped) must do everything possible to avoid a crash. Florida drivers and pedestrians have a duty to yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles while said vehicles are en route to an existing emergency. This duty is established under Title XXIII - Motor Vehicles, Chapter 316 - State Uniform Traffic Control, Section 316.126 - Operation of Vehicles and Actions of Pedestrians on Approach of Authorized Emergency Vehicle.

Pursuant to section 316.126, Floria Statutes, both pedestrians and drivers must yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles. These vehicles include law enforcement vehicles, fire engines and other emergency vehicles that are using sirens and/or flashing lights. There is a duty to immediately pull over to the close edge of the roadway and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed. Pedestrians and drivers shall not block intersections in said process.

When driving on interstate highways or other highways with two or more lanes and traveling in the same direction of an emergency vehicle, drivers approaching a parked law enforcement or other parked emergency vehicle with its lights activated, are required to leave the lane closest to the emergency vehicle, as son as it is safe and practicable to do so. This law shall apply unless other directed by a law enforcement officer.

When traveling on a two-lane roadway, drivers approaching a law enforcement or other emergency vehicle are required to reduce their speed to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limited when the posted speed limits is 25 miles per house or greater; or travel at 5 miles per hour when the posted speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less.

Other types of emergency vehicles include wreckers that are displaying their flashing lights and performing a service (i.e., recovery or loading) on a roadside.

If you have been involved in and/or are the victim or a Florida automobile accident, please contact Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A. regarding your Florida legal rights. You can also read more Florida Traffic Laws on the Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A. website.