A personal injury lawsuit is a civil remedy brought by a plaintiff to pursue compensation for the expenses and losses you experienced because of an accident caused by a defendant’s negligence.

In general, to file a personal injury case in Florida, you must first:

• Investigate the accident
• Identify the at-fault party
• Collect evidence to prove negligence and liability
• Document your accident-related damages

For example, imagine you suffered serious injuries in a car accident while driving to the bank on an errand for work. Another driver failed to yield the right of way and turned left in front of you at a green light. While you might receive workers’ compensation because you were hurt during work, you might also be able to pursue damages through a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

You would need to collect evidence to prove the other driver is responsible for the accident and your injuries and prove your losses. This is where a personal injury attorney comes in. The team from the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato can get started on your case today.

Types of Personal Injury Cases

Many types of accidents fall under the personal injury category. Almost any incident that causes you to suffer injuries and occurs because of someone else’s negligence can support a personal injury lawsuit. If you are not sure if you have a viable case, we offer free case reviews for accident victims. We can evaluate your case, explain your rights, and help you explore your legal options.

Some of the types of personal injury cases we handle include:

• Auto accidents
• Uber and Lyft accidents
• Hurt during work
• Birthing injuries
• Medical malpractice
• Slip and fall accidents
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Wrongful death
• Other negligence accidents

Recoverable Damages in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

If we can win a personal injury lawsuit in your case, you may be eligible to recover damages to cover your losses and expenses related to the accident. This is the goal of a personal injury lawsuit — to make you whole again through a payout of damages.

For example, in the car accident case we mentioned previously, your recoverable damages could include:

• Medical care costs
• Ongoing care costs
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning capacity
• Repair or replacement of your vehicle
• Other property damages
• Pain and suffering

If a member of your family passes away because of an accident caused by negligence, we may also be able to pursue wrongful death damages on behalf of the surviving family. Once we complete our investigation into your accident, we will have a much better idea of the types of damages that might be recoverable in your case.

Pursuing Compensation Through a Personal Injury Lawsuit

We will investigate your accident and build a case to support the pursuit of compensation for damages. This may include filing a personal injury lawsuit. We will go to work immediately protecting your rights and managing all communication about your case. As a part of our investigation, we will:

• Identify all potentially liable parties
• Recover and analyze all possible evidence
• Interview witnesses, if necessary
• Prove negligence and liability
• Work with experts and specialists, when necessary
• Document your accident-related expenses and losses

Once we conclude an investigation and have a strong argument for damages, we will take legal action in your case. We may try to negotiate an out-of-court settlement with the at-fault party and their insurance company, or we may go ahead and file a personal injury lawsuit to pursue a payout in your case.

If we take your case to court, we will represent you throughout the process. We will fight for your best interests, presenting a strong argument for the damages you deserve.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney in Fort Lauderdale

If you suffered injuries in an accident in South Florida, the team from the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato can evaluate your case and help you understand your legal options for pursuing compensation. We can explain your rights and put a plan in place to go after the damages you deserve. Let us investigate your case today. We can identify the liable party and take action to hold them accountable.

Reach out to a member of our team today by calling 954-633-8270. We are standing by for your free case review and initial consultation.

While some accidents are simple rear-end collisions or fender benders, bad car accidents can result in injuries or even fatalities. Like other states, law enforcement agencies in Florida submit accident reports, and we can compile statistics using these reports.

Statewide Accident Statistics Show Decreasing Injuries, Fatalities

Florida motor vehicle accidents decreased in 2018 over 2017, but only by a little more than one percent. Statewide, agencies reported there were 397,812 total accidents reported in 2018. This includes 251,970 injuries and 3,004 fatalities. This is an improvement over the previous year. According to records, there were 402,489 total traffic accidents reported in 2017. More than 254,300 people suffered injuries, and there were 3,114 deaths on Florida roads in 2017.

While this is a downward trend, there is still a significant increase in the number of traffic accidents, injuries, and deaths over just a few years ago. However, more people are on the roads and traveling to the Sunshine State.

A Closer Look at Florida Traffic Accident Statistics in 2018

Not all traffic accidents involve only passenger vehicles. Luckily, the number of truck and commercial vehicle accidents and the number of car versus pedestrian and car versus bicycle accidents also decreased in 2018. Unfortunately, though, there were more fatalities of pedestrians and cyclists in 2018 over the previous year.

County-by-County Statistics

While many car accidents in Florida are simple fender benders, many others involve injuries and even fatalities. By understanding the statistics for a bad car accident in South Florida, it may be possible to prevent future accidents. Here is a breakdown of the 2018 statistics by county in our service area:

Miami-Dade County

Miami-Dade County is the largest county in Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population to be 2.752 million as of 2017. Law enforcement agencies in Miami-Dade County reported the following traffic accidents for 2018:

• Total Crashes: 63,034
• Injury Crashes: 20,704
• Total Individuals Injured: 30,562
• Total Traffic Fatalities: 299

Broward County

While Broward County is smaller than neighboring Miami-Dade County, with only 1.936 million residents, Broward County is more densely populated. With almost 1,445 people per square mile, people live closer together and must cross paths more in Broward County. The 2018 traffic accident statistics for Broward County, Florida, include:

• Total Crashes: 40,560
• Injury Crashes: 16,482
• Total Individuals Injured: 24,329
• Total Traffic Fatalities: 202

Palm Beach County

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that Palm Beach County had 1.471 million residents as of 2017. Expressways I-95 and Florida’s Turnpike cut through the county, in addition to U.S. 1 and SR A1A. These major roads bring a lot of traffic into the county from other areas of the state. The 2018 traffic accident statistics for Palm Beach County include:  

• Total Crashes: 26,521
• Injury Crashes: 10,502
• Total Individuals Injured: 15,725
• Total Traffic Fatalities: 166

Monroe County

Monroe County encompasses the southwest tip of the Florida mainland and the Florida Keys. It contains Key West, Key Largo, Marathon, and Islamorada. The main highway through Monroe County is U.S. 1, which runs the length of the Florida Keys.

Census Bureau estimates the county population to be 77,013 as of 2017. The 2018 traffic accident statistics for Collier County, Florida, include:

• Total Crashes: 1,566
• Injury Crashes: 623
• Total Individuals Injured: 931
• Total Traffic Fatalities: 16

Every year, thousands of us become one of these statistics. We suffer injuries or lose a loved one in a car accident. If this happened to you, you do not have to go through this alone. The team from the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato is standing by to review your car accident case. We can help you take legal action.

Call us today at 954-633-8270 to get started.

In October 2018, a class-action lawsuit was filed against electric scooter rental/rideshare companies Bird Rides Inc. and LimeBike and other companies who have taken part in the escalating presence of electric scooters in the U.S., including Xiaomi United States and Segway, the electric scooter manufacturers who supply vehicles to the rental companies.

If You Have Suffered Injuries Similar to Those Sustained by the Initial Plaintiff(s)

If you suffered injuries caused in the ways described in the class-action lawsuit filed against these companies:

• You are automatically included in the class action. You do not need to join the class.
• Once a class in a class-action lawsuit is certified and a settlement is proposed, notices are sent to all identifiable class members. Notices also appear in various media outlets including newspapers, websites, television, radio, and magazines.
• You can also contact the class-action attorney so he or she can add your name to the class registry, ensuring you receive details about participating in recovery, providing evidence to the attorneys and receiving your share of the settlement.
• As a member of the class-action lawsuit, you are entitled to a percentage of damages if the defendant(s) settles or loses at trial.
• When many victims are likely to emerge, making it difficult to identify and contact all the injured parties, a fund is created and made available to individuals who can prove the defendant’s actions injured them.

Details of the Complaint Filed Against Bird, Lime, et al

The initial plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit filed against Bird, Lime, and others allege the following:

• The defendants’ contributions to the injuries suffered by people with whom electric scooters have collided constitute “aiding and abetting assault.”
• The defendants were negligent both in “dumping” scooters on public streets without notice or authorization and in their ignorance as to the dangerous “public nuisance” their vehicles presented.
• The defendants, in their failure to facilitate an end to the accidents that injured pedestrians, contributed to “assaults” on pedestrians.
• Bird’s and Lime’s safety instructions were inadequate.
• Bird’s and Lime’s scooters are mechanically deficient.
• Bird and Lime have breached their vehicles’ warranties, and the scooters are “not suitable” for repeated public use.

Regarding its legal objectives, this lawsuit:

• Is seeking damages for the plaintiffs.
• Is pursuing the requirement that “adequate warnings and/or instructions” are provided with scooters and the apps with which they are associated
• Proposes that each company should be prohibited from continuing to deploy scooters in California

Your Three Options If You Receive a Class-Action Notice

There are three courses of action you can take upon receiving a class-action notice in the Bird, Lime, et al. class-action lawsuit:

• Choose to participate as a class member: you give up your rights to pursue personal injury remedies in a private lawsuit

1. 1. Opt-out: you decline participation as a class member, by following instructions in your notice by the specified date

• Choose to participate as a named plaintiff: you hire your attorney and participate in the lawsuit as a named party

It is a good idea to consult with an experienced class-action attorney before you act on your class-action notice, especially if your electric-scooter accident injuries are serious and/or you have a lot at stake in this class-action lawsuit.

Opting Out and Pursuing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

The purpose of a class-action lawsuit is to accommodate a large number of plaintiffs; more than what can be accommodated in a standard personal injury lawsuit.

If you have suffered injuries or losses caused by the actions of Bird, Lime, Xiaomi, Segway, or other defendants in this class-action suit, but you feel that the circumstances of your injuries do not resemble those experienced by the initial plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit, or you lack confidence in the abilities of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs, you might consider seeking remedies in a personal injury lawsuit.

Damages You Can Recover in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

When you decide to seek damages you have suffered as a result of negligence on the part of Bird, Lime, or other electric scooter companies, a civil court will hear your case and determine to which damages you are entitled.

The court could decide to award you some or all of the following recoverable damages:  

• Medical expenses
• Emotional suffering
• Physical pain damages
• Diminished potential earning capacity

• Prescription medication, including pain management
• Lost wages
• Ongoing medical costs
• Replacement services, such as housekeeping, landscaping, childcare
• Ambulance transportation
• Repair or replacement of any personal property damaged in the accident

Call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato Today

If you would like to discuss your options for pursuing damages in your Bird or Lime electric scooter accident, contact a bird scooter accident attorney from the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato for a free consultation. You can reach us by phone at (954) 633-8270.

No one wants to face criminal charges in Florida for something that could have easily been avoided, right?

Of course not.

If there’s one thing our team of accident attorneys at Wolf & Pravato want you to take away from this blog post, it’s this: Do not, under any circumstances, leave the scene of an hit and run accident you are involved in!

Even if you are the one to blame, and you are scared or nervous about the consequences, stay at the scene. You will only make things worse if you leave. It is a big crime to run, no matter who is at fault.

Hit-and-run cases are seen often in Florida, with almost 25 percent of all crashes involving a hit and run. Some of these accidents may only damage property, but there are still those that result in serious injuries or even death. Just a couple months ago, a Miami woman was left in critical condition following a hit-and-run collision. Luckily neighbors and innocent bystanders witnessed the crash and called 911 right away.

The state of Florida is trying to reduce hit-and-run accidents and has taken a large step in that direction the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles implement a “Stay at the Scene” campaign. This campaign is aimed at reducing the number of hit-and-run crashes by educating drivers on their responsibilities if and when they are involved in this type of car accidents. The main point they are “driving” home is how serious the consequences are if they choose not to stay at the scene.

Leaving the scene of a crash that involves property damage is considered a second-degree misdemeanor which could cost you up to 60 days in prison and a $500 fine. Leaving the scene where injuries were sustained is considered a second- or third-degree felony, which will result in a revoked license for at least three years, and could mean up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. In the worst-case scenario, leaving the scene of a hit-and-run that caused a fatality is considered a first-degree felony, and will be penalized with a revoked license for at least three years, as well as up to 30 years in prison time with a mandatory minimum of four years, as well as a $10,000 fine.

South Florida accident attorneys Our personal injury attorneys will always fight to win every case and to maximize every claim, and we want to be able to do this for you.

If — where someone hits you and flees the scene — there are six very important steps for you to take that can help win your case.

Call 911 if you were in your vehicle when it was hit, or if someone was injured. As you wait for the police and/or ambulance to come, take a moment to write down any and all details you can recall about the other car that was involved and fled the scene. This includes color, make, model, and license plate — even if you can only remember a few digits.

Look around for witnesses. If there are businesses or homes nearby, do not hesitate to ask anyone there if they happened to see the accident, or the car that ran. If you do find a witness, get all of their contact information so the police and/or your insurance company can reach them if need be.

Take out your Smartphone and snap as may photos as you can! This is imperative to your case. So long as the scene of the accident is safe, take pictures where the collision occurred as well as any damage done to your vehicle and the surrounding property. This includes any paint that may have transferred onto your vehicle from the one that hit it.

Call your insurance company to report the accident.

If you sustained injuries, seek medical attention right away. It’s actually recommended to get medical attention even if you don’t appear to have been injured, as you never know if something may creep up in the days after the accident. .

Last, but certainly not least, contact our attorneys at Wolf & Pravato, and let us evaluate your case.

In the event that your vehicle was damaged during a hit-and-run accident, you might be wondering who will be responsible for said damage if the at-fault driver is never found? Luckily, this type of damage is generally covered under the collision section of your car insurance policy — if you have this kind of coverage. You should be well versed in your car insurance policy so you never have to worry about what is and what isn’t covered if you get into an accident.

If this is included in your insurance, the deductible is usually $500, which will need to be paid out-of-pocket. If you have opted out of this collision coverage on your insurance, you will be expected to pay for the damage repairs on your own.

Hopefully, this can be avoided and either you or a witness will be able to remember the license plate number so the hit-and-run driver can be found and pay for his or her crime.

If you are concerned about whether a hit-and-run accident will affect your car insurance premium, do not worry. As long as you reported the accident to the police and your insurance company considers it a “not-at-fault” loss, there should not be an impact on your premium. If you find that your insurance does increase after this kind of claim has been made, it would be for a different reason not related to the hit-and-run.

Have you or a loved one been involved in a hit-and-run accident and need a South Florida auto accident attorney to fight for your rights? Wolf & Pravato personal injury lawyers have over 20 years of experience, have won over 5,000 cases and have brought in over $100 million in accident settlements.

Contact our law offices today at 954-633-8270 to schedule a free consultation and let our skilled team do everything in their power to get you the compensation you deserve.

Uber and Lyft ride-sharing services have completely changed how people get around in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and West Palm Beach. Uber completes more than 15 million trips per day; 15 billion worlkdwide. http://www.businessofapps.com/data/uber-statistics/#1. With so many drivers working for Uber and Lyft on the city’s busiest streets, it might just be a matter of time before you find yourself involved in an Uber or Lyft accident in Fort Lauderdale.

WHAT DO YOU DO?If Uber or Lyft driver’s negligence caused the accident, Uber or Lyft could be responsible. Following an Uber or Lyft accident, it is essential to obtain as much available data as possible about the at-fault driver. A Transportation Network Company (TNC) like Uber must maintain driver records for at least one year following the driver’s departure from the TNC. Contact the Uber Accident Attorneys at Wolf & Pravato and we will make sure that all of your rights are protected. At a minimum, an injured party’s attorney should demand the following for the Uber/Lyft driver:

Full driving record

Any passenger complaints or other negative feedback, either from the app itself or online

Safety inspection reports and vehicle maintenance records

In-vehicle monitoring reports

The preservation of data is important in these types of cases and a primary reason that it is better to speak to an attorney sooner rather than later.

FLORIDA REULATIONS – UBER and LYFT

Under Florida’s Uber and Lyft Law, Uber and Lyft (transportation network companies TNC) must follow rules regarding who may drive for them and what kind of insurance coverage they must carry. Under the law, the coverage available depends on the driver’s status at the time of the wreck.

App on, no passenger. Uber and Lyft’s liability policy covers people injured by the Uber driver while available for passengers, but waiting for a request. The liability coverage in this scenario is $50,000/$100,000 bodily injury liability coverage and $25,000 property damage liability coverage.

On the way to pick up a passenger. Uber and Lyft’s policy covers their liability, or fault, for injuries to people in the amount of $1 million in total liability coverage.

With passenger in vehicle. The same policy as when the Uber driver is on the way to pick up a passenger applies when the rider gets in the vehicle, $1 million in coverage. This extends to passengers in the Uber/Lyft, regardless of who is at fault. This coverage also extends to vehicles, bikes and pedestrians hit by the Uber or Lyft driver.

Offline. If the driver is not using the Uber app and unavailable to pick up passengers, then the driver’s personal insurance policy applies.

The Uber and Lyft Law also requires them to run background checks on all drivers; criminal and driving records. By law, no one with any of the following convictions in the past five years may drive for a rideshare company:

Any felony

DUI misdemeanor

Misdemeanor hit-and-run or fleeing or eluding police

Misdemeanor sexual battery or violent crime

Indecent exposure/ lewdness

Driving with a revoked or suspended license

Uber and Lyft are also subject to Florida’s Consumer Protection statutes. These laws protect consumers from misrepresentations, deceptive advertising, and unfair trade practices.

WHY ARE UBER ACCIDENTS AND LYFT ACCIDENTS MORE DANGEROUS?

Drivers are continuously distracted as they rely on their mobile phones for business and on the GPS systems for locations; THEY ARE CONSTANTLY DISTRACTED DRIVERS!

Inexperienced drivers

Unfamiliar to areas driven

Background checks for Uber and Lyft may not be thorough and this exposes passengers to criminal acts.

WHAT COMPENSATION CAN YOU GET?

Pursuing full compensation requires a careful analysis and an understanding of the accident’s impact on your life. The Uber Accident Attorneys at Wolf & Pravato fight to win every case and to maximize every claim. Your recovery could include any of the following:

• Past, ongoing and future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering (past and future)
• Emotional distress
• Prescription medication, medical equipment
• Therapy and rehabilitation expenses (past and future)
• Accessibility and remodeling accommodations
• Property damages
• Lost wages (past and future)
• Loss of consortium for a Spouse
• Wrongful death compensation for victim’s estate and the family

Vacation should be a fun, relaxing time. Sometimes, however, accidents happen. If you or a traveling companion sustained injuries while on vacation, you may be unsure what your next steps are.

Sustaining injuries while on vacation can be especially frightening due to the unfamiliarity of the location. You may be wondering how to sue a hotel, a resort, cruise ship, or other vacation spots.

If you were injured on someone else’s property due to their negligence, you are eligible to recover compensation. Here is what you need to do following an injury at a hotel, a resort, cruise ship, or other vacation destination.

Seek Medical Treatment

Following any type of injury while on vacation, you should seek medical attention immediately. Even if you do not believe your injuries are severe, it is important that you seek medical care.

A medical professional is the most qualified person to diagnose and treat your injuries.

Protect Your Legal Rights

Safety and security laws vary by state; however, most hotels and vacation destination have a duty to offer a reasonably safe environment. If they fail to meet that duty, you have the right to pursue compensation for their negligence.

Once you seek medical care, you should focus on protecting your legal rights. Here are the next steps to take.

Notify Management  

Once you have seen a medical professional, your next step is to notify the staff or management of the property where you were injured. This might include the manager on duty at a resort, the cruise director on a cruise ship, or the manager of a store.

Be sure to note the name of the person you notify, as well as their position, and contact information.

They may attempt to take your statement, ask you to sign a waiver or ask you to admit fault. It is in your best interests to state what happened and nothing more.

Document Your Injuries

Take photos of any injuries you sustained as soon as possible. Document bumps, bruises, cuts, broken bones, or even scrapes. Be sure to take the photos in a well-lit area (like the hospital waiting room), so you have clear evidence of your injuries.

Also, keep a written record of your symptoms. Do you feel dizzy, nauseous, or have pain in your neck or back? Writing your symptoms down as they occur will give you written documentation you can refer to later.

Collect Evidence Information

The moments after an accident may be a blur, particularly if your injury is severe or requires medical transportation. However, evidence can quickly disappear. As soon as you are able, begin to collect evidence. It can be critical in pursuing a claim.

The information you should collect includes, but is not limited to:

• The name, position, and contact information of the person you notified of your accident.
• The name, address, and phone number of the place where you were injured.
• A written statement of how the accident occurred.
• Photographs of your injuries.
• Pictures or videos of the location where your injuries occurred taken from several angles.
• The names and contact information of any witnesses.  
• Medical records, including bills, diagnosis, testing, and any other relevant information from your medical team.

Contact a Lawyer

You can pursue a personal injury or premises liability claim on your own; however, the experience of a lawyer can be beneficial to your case.

A hotel accident lawyer understands the tactics insurance companies use to get out of paying. They know how to negotiate and may be able to pursue negligent parties in addition to the hotel or vacation destination where you were injured.

Damages You May Recover in a Vacation Accident

Every accident is unique, which means we cannot offer an estimation of compensation without reviewing your specific case. However, there are certain types of damages we often see vacation accident victims recover, including:

• Medical bills
• On-going care bills
• Lost wages
• Property damages
• Pain and suffering

Call a Hotel Accident Lawyer at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato

When you go on vacation, you expect to enjoy a relaxing time in a reasonably safe location. When a hotel or other destination fails to protect you, they can be held legally responsible for your injuries. You should not have to pay because of someone else’s negligence.

If you were injured on vacation, the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato is here to help. Our team offers honest, attentive legal guidance to help you recover damages for your injuries. Contact us today at 954-633-8270 for a free consultation about your case.

References:

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0095/Sections/0095.11.html

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0768/Sections/0768.0755.html

Motorcycle Accidents in Fort Lauderdale

As a Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident attorney’s, we have seen a lot in 20 years. Let us help explain your rights.   If you have ever ridden on a motorcycle, you but as fun, as it is, it can also be dangerous. The latest data on The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA shows that “per vehicle miles traveled, motorcyclists accident victim’s are about 28 times more likely than people in passenger cars to die in a automotive crash. Motorcyclists continue to be overrepresented in traffic-related fatalities, accounting for 14 percent of all traffic-related fatalities, while representing only 3 percent of the entire registered motorcycle vehicles fleet.”

Motorcycle Safety First

Safe motorcycling requires balance, coordination, and good judgment. Although motorcycle safety equipment has been advancing recently, riders are still at high risk of suffering serious injuries in the event of a collision. Motorcyclists do not have the same protections in traffic accidents as drivers of automobiles. There are no metal frames or seat belts to protect them or prevent them from potentially being ejected from the motorcycle. Because of this, along with other contributing factors, Florida has become one of the most dangerous states in regard to motorcycle crashes.

Luckily, there are numerous methods to reduce your risk of a motorcycle accident; one of the most effective is to familiarize oneself with the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Fort Lauderdale, and what to do to avoid them. It is imperative for all drivers and motorcyclists on the road to show respect to each other. This means that Fort Lauderdale motorcyclists must obey all of the same laws that drivers follow, and drivers should pay close attention to south florida motorcyclists.

Types of Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accidents

Most motorcycle crashes are completely avoidable. You can reduce your chances of getting into an accident or being injured by putting an effort into preparing self and avoiding these common causes of motorcycle wrecks:

The first example is when cars turn left. Almost half of all collisions that involve motorcycles and other vehicles happen because of this. These accidents are particularly common at intersections and when riders attempt to pass passenger vehicles. Motorcyclists should always approach intersections carefully regardless of if they have the right of way and never try to get ahead of a vehicle when proceeding toward an intersection.

Impaired driving is another leading cause of accidents for all vehicle types, but statistics show that motorcycles involved in an excessively high number of drunk driving incidents. Roughly 30% of riders who die in motorcycle accidents have had a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher.

Because motorcycles aren’t as big as other motor vehicles, it makes it easier for them to disappear within other vehicles’ blind spots. Motorists need to know this and make an effort to remain visible.

When it comes to lane splitting, the act of riding between two lanes used to bypass traffic jams can be especially risky since other drivers are not anticipating the motorcyclist to enter the flow of traffic at a faster speed than everyone else. It may be tempting to squeeze through the congestion when you are stuck in the Florida heat, but doing so will raise the likelihood of you crashing.

Because of their two-wheeled structure, motorcycles are unstable when compared to automobiles. Dangerous road conditions such as potholes, slippery surfaces, and uneven pavement can be life-threatening for riders. To lessen your risk, avoid riding in unfavourable weather, and stick with the routes you know, especially when cruising at night.

Arms and legs should be completely covered when riding a motorcycle, preferably with leather or heavy denim. There is also protective gear that helps to hinder dehydration. Boots or shoes should come high enough to cover your ankles, while gloves allow for a better grip and help protect your hands in the circumstance of a collision. Wearing vibrant clothing with reflective material will make you more visible to other vehicle drivers.

You can also increase your visibility by applying reflective materials to your motorcycle and by keeping your motorcycle’s headlights on at all times, even using high beams during the day.

Under the Florida Statute 316.211 for equipment for motorcycle and moped riders, “a person may not operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless the person is properly wearing protective headgear securely fastened upon his or her head which complies with Federal Motorcycle Vehicle Safety Standard 218 promulgated by the United States Department of Transportation. A person may not operate a motorcycle unless the person is wearing an eye-protective device over his or her eyes of a type approved by the department. A person over 21 years of age may operate or ride upon a motorcycle without wearing protective headgear securely fastened upon his or her head if such person is covered by an insurance policy providing for at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of a crash while operating or riding on a motorcycle. A person under 16 years of age may not operate or ride upon a moped unless the person is properly wearing protective headgear securely fastened upon his or her head. Each motorcycle registered to a person under 21 years of age must display a license plate that is unique in design and color.”

Riders who abstain from dangerous scenarios are considerably less likely to get involved in an accident, but some collisions are purely inevitable. When the cause of the crash is someone else’s negligence, you need assistance from an experienced and trustworthy attorney to hold the liable party accountable for his or her actions. In these types of complex situations, making sure you have someone by your side to help protect your rights throughout the process would be a tremendous advantage on your end.

No matter how responsible you may try to be on the saddle, it only takes one drunk, preoccupied, or negligent driver to induce a devastating wreck. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, our personal injury attorneys who specialize in motorcycle collisions can evaluate your case and help you determine the most strategic way to proceed.

At Wolf & Pravato, our motorcycle accident lawyers are help the compensation are entitled to aftera motorcycle crash. We know that there is a plethora of factors to consider when taking on these kinds of cases, and we are determined to make sure you fully understand your rights and options every step of the way. We medical bills, lost wages, as well as other woes associated with your injury. Our legal team will some peace of mind through our expertise and loyalty.

If you have a teenager, chances are they have an unhealthy attachment to their smartphone device. When you try to talk to them, they’ll typically have their faces glued to their phones, failing to retain anything you just said. The most concerning thing about this is when that time comes for your teen to learn to drive on their own. That is when you want their phones as far away from the steering wheel as possible. Achieving that could be a challenge.

Texting while driving is a far more dangerous distraction when compared to eating, talking, adjusting music (whether it’s changing a song or the volume), or using in-vehicle navigation systems due to the fact that it takes the driver’s eyes away from the road for longer and more often.

If you are driving down a highway, do you think there is ever an occasion when it is safe or wise to shut your eyes for a matter of seconds?

Keeping your eyes on the road is one of the first things we all learn in terms of safe driving. So why would anyone ever think it is appropriate to text when behind the wheel, or do anything else that takes your attention from driving?

It takes about five seconds, on average, to look at or send a text message. Though that may not require a lot of time, in that small timeframe where your eyes are on your phone instead of on the road, a vehicle traveling 55 or more miles per hour is likely to travel the length of a football field. In the blink of an eye, over that distance, life can be taken — possibly even your own.

It is not always that easy to talk to a teen, just like it is not that simple to make them actually listen. However, there are several ways to help guide them in the right direction and avoid texting while driving at all costs.

It is important that you talk to your teen about the dangers of texting while driving. Never just assume teenagers know texting and driving do not mix. Try to casually bring it up through a family discussion — ideally before your teen even begins to drive. Make the rules clear and concise: No texting or talking on the phone while driving unless it is an emergency.

If you set rules, you cannot forget about the consequences. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests telling your teen that driving is a privilege — one he or she could easily lose if she does not follow your conditions. There are three very important things that can take away a teen’s freedom while also teaching them a valuable lesson: their cellphone, their driver’s license, and their keys. Let your kids know that if you find out if they have been driving while sending out texts, you will not hesitate to take all three away.

Make sure that you are aware of the laws in your state. Texting and driving might not just be against the rules in your household, but also against the law. Texting and driving is illegal in 43 states, yet the number of texting and driving accidents has still not declined significantly over the past couple of years.

Remember your responsibility as their role model. Although it may not seem like it is the case at times, teenagers actually listen to their parents and are influenced by certain actions they take and words they say. It is in your best interest to practice what you preach. Taking your own advice will show that it is not just a hazard for them to text and drive, but for you as well. Put your phone away every time you get in the car and never text and drive unless you want your teen driver to follow in your footsteps. Parents can have a tremendous influence on their kids. You can make it clear that it is unacceptable for them to be on their phone, but setting a good example is just as powerful, if not more so. Staying off the phone should be the rule for everyone.

In today’s world of innovative and fast-paced technology, it’s no wonder there is an app for just about everything. With this being said, there are phone apps that have been created for you to be able to track texting and driving. New technology allows parents to monitor speed and texting while teen drivers are in their cars. There are also convenient apps where parents can receive text and email alerts if their teen happens to be speeding or texting while in a moving vehicle. They even have apps like TXTShield, which is basically useful when a driver reaches a designated speed (they can select speeds ranging between 10 and 40 miles per hour, in increments of 5), the app shuts down the phone’s capability to text. Incoming texts do not show up on the home screen, and the app sends an automatic response to the person who texted the driver, letting them know that they are in the middle of driving and will get back to them when it is safe to do so.

Be careful when you call or text them. Try your best to resist the temptation to call or text if you think there’s a slight possibility your child is behind the wheel. They probably know you’d get mad if you attempted to get a hold of them and they didn’t pick up. Chances are they will answer your call or reply to your text even when their foot is pressed up on the gas pedal.

Nowadays, most people, especially teens, are reliant on the GPS app on their phones. Tell your teen that if they depend on their smartphone for navigation that they should invest in a device to mount the phone onto the dashboard of the car, putting the screen at eye level and keeping it out of hands and laps. A lot of vehicles now also come with the option to have a built-in navigation system, which can be very helpful in these situations.

If your teen has to answer or make a call while driving, consider getting them a bluetooth microphone system in order for them to use their smartphone’s voice activation commands in a safer way.

Texts and phone calls let you know you are needed and important and most people cannot help but look to see who needs them. It is our human nature, but we must inform our teens that it is also the cause of thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries every single year across the United States.

Our legal team at Wolf & Pravato want you and your teens to stay safe and be aware of the dangers of texting and driving!

A Traumatic Brain Injury, (TBI), is any injury to the head that corrupts the normal functioning of the brain. This could either be a violent blow or bump, which can lead to a sudden jolt, or the type of penetrating injury which goes through the skull as well as the brain tissue. TBI’s have the capacity to range from mild (commonly referred to as a concussion) to severe in its potential outcomes of unconsciousness or memory loss. The people most at risk of traumatic brain injury are children, especially newborns to 4-year-olds. Next would be young adults, especially those between ages 15 and 24.

Those who find out they have mild to moderate brain injuries are two times more likely to have developed issues when it comes to their attention span, and those with severe injuries are five times more likely to develop secondary ADHD.

The effects of TBI on children differ in more than a few ways from the effects on an injured adult due to the fact that the child’s brain is not fully developed , therefore an injury may alter the course of growth of the brain and its functions. It is unclear whether or not this works in the child’s favor. Because the child’s brain is less structured than the typical adult’s, its malleability gives off hope that damaged tissue and areas of deficiency will be eluded in the child’s brain by other sections taking over for these areas that no longer function properly.

After a brain injury, previously learned information, which implements essential building blocks for consecutive learning, is maintained and utilized. Despite this being mentioned, in extremely young children, these building blocks are relatively few, handicapping them as learners in comparison to similarly brain-injured older kids or adolescents, who have greater basis of intact information.

The results of a TBI on the child can go unnoticed immediately upon injury, but only become more obvious in the child’s life when, during the course of the child’s development, affected skills are to be demonstrated. For example, issues surrounding abstract thinking may not be apparent until the child with a TBI hits an age when abstract thinking becomes a part of the realm of possibility for any child at that developmental level.

Because of this lag in the surfacing of problems, the cause of the problems (the TBI) may not be established. It is typical that most problems are handled inappropriately as if they are due to learning disabilities or emotional causes. This misconception by teachers, parents, and others can potentially devastate the child, since the strategies meant to assist a child with TBI are separate from those used to address similar issues which stem from other causes.

Call if you need counsel for a Child Brain Injury Lawsuit

A child can suffer in two ways: feeling diminished or confused because no is aware of what is wrong, and being hindered as a student trying to learn because of the lack of nurturing incorporated in the process of learning based on understanding his or her real needs.

Serious internal head injuries may have the potential to become life-threatening. These include a broken skull bone, torn blood vessels, or damage to the brain itself. Infants and young children with brain injuries might not be able to communicate the headaches, sensory problems, confusion and similar symptoms they may be experiencing.

It can be hard to know how serious a head injury is, so it’s always wise to call your doctor.

Symptoms and How to Act

Make sure to dial 911 if your child reveals any of these symptoms following a head injury:

• unconsciousness for more than a matter of seconds
• irregular breathing patterns
• serious wound or scar
• bleeding or clear fluid from the nose, ear, or mouth
• dysfunction of speech or vision
• pupils of unequal proportion
• weakness or paralysis
• neck pain or stiffness
• seizure

If your child appears to be unconscious:

• It is advised not to try to move your child in the case that there is a neck or spine injury.
• Call for help.
• Turn a child who is vomiting or having a seizure onto his or her side while attempting to keep the head and neck straight. This will help prevent the possibility of choking and helps with protection in case of neck and spine injury.

If your child appears to be conscious:

• Try your best to keep your child calm and still.
• If there is any blood, apply a clean or sterile bandage.
• Do not attempt to cleanse the wound, which can make bleeding worse and/or cause serious complications if the skull is fractured.
• Do not apply direct pressure to the wound if you suspect the skull is fractured.
• Do not remove any object that’s stuck in the wound.

It is nearly impossible to prevent kids from injury, but there are methods to lessen the chances of head blows.

It can be as simple as buckling your child into your vehicle using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt (depending on the child’s height, weight, and age). For the utmost protection, infants and toddlers should be buckled in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat, until they end up reaching the upper weight or height limits of their seat. Check the seat’s owner’s manual and/or labels on the seat for weight and height limits.

Furthermore, it is also recommended to make sure that your home is childproofed to prevent household accidents, and that your kids always remember to put on the proper headgear and safety equipment when riding their bikes, skating, skateboarding, snowboarding or skiing, and playing sports.

Following a head injury, do not allow your child to partake in rough play or sports again until the doctor approves. If your child reinjures the brain while it is still in the healing process, it will take an even longer amount of time to fully heal.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a Fort Lauderdale raumatic brain injury, it is important to know who to contact for the sake of you or the patient’s personal brain injury legal case. In areas of South Florida, you can find a traumatic brain injury attorney at the office of Wolf & Pravato and receive a free, no-obligation, confidential consultation. We can look into your unique case and go in full detail of your rights and options.

Having an experienced lawyer in the area of brain injury can make all the difference in your specific case. The legal team at Wolf & Pravato is here to help guide those with various brain injuries in their traumatic brain injury lawsuit cases. Our ultimate goal is to give our clients the resources that they require in order to recover as fully as possible from the conflicting outcomes of such a traumatic brain injury. It is better to act sooner rather than later.