Sarasota Personal Injury Lawyer - Automobile Accidents

Texting While Driving Still Legal in Florida

Joe Saunders — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:00:47 GMT

While driving to work this morning I noticed a middle-aged man next to me in an SUV, smoking a cigarette in one hand, shaving with the other hand and still driving. By the way, he had a cell phone propped up between his shoulder and left ear to boot. All this behavior is still legal in Florida.

In spite of the rising number of Florida auto accidents caused by drivers engaged in texting or using cell phones, the Florida Legislature has done nothing to stop the dangerous behavior. Several bills were introduced in Florida this year but never made it out of committee. It seems there's just no political will to pass much needed legislation. There are advocacy groups behind such measures but they never receive the kind of political support necessary to usher a bill through committee and eventual passage.

In the meantime, we're all at risk and exposed to these dangerous drivers. Until it becomes illegal, Floridians will continue to be injured and killed as a result. You'd think they'd be a law against it. . .

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Man Killed after Being Thrown from Truck in Accident

Joe Saunders — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:29:48 GMT

A 52 year old man has died as a result of his injuries stemming from a weekend auto accident in Sarasota. The driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash, Francis P. Corkin, 80 ran a red light at the intersection of Fruitville Road and US 301 in Sarasota. Charges may be pending in the case.

While the newspaper article did not mention whether Daniel Hueston, the decedent, had been wearing a safety belt. However, in all likelihood he was not since such safety device would have prevented him from being thrown from the vehicle and may have saved his life. It's tough to tell but it's a good reminder that safety belts do save lives and prevent vehicle occupants from becoming human projectiles in accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Allstate Can't Sell New Auto Insurance Policies in Florida

Joe Saunders — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:20:04 GMT

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has suspended the license of Allstate Insurance Company from selling new auto insurance policies in the state of Florida because of their relationship with rating organizations such as AM Best and Hurricane modeling companies and industry trade groups. This is an unprecedented move in Florida and sends a clear warning to other auto insurance companies that the State is willing to act if companies fail to comply with the Office's investigation. The investigation began after the Florida Legislature passed legislation last year directing insurance companies to lower homeowners' policy premiums. The Office asked for documents from Allstate and the large insurance company refused to supply them. The suspension applies to Allstate Insurance Co., Allstate Indemnity Co. and Allstate Property and Casualty Co., all of which sell auto insurance policies.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Lakeland Wildfire on I-4 Causes 50 Car Crash

Joe Saunders — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 17:16:57 GMT

A combination of dense fog and a wildfire from a controlled burn led to a 50 car crash on I-4 near Lakeland, Florida early this morning. There have been 3 reported deaths and a slew of injuries. As I mentioned in my tampabay.injuryboard.com blog, I wonder why the highway was not closed if the weather was so inclement that visibility was zero.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Hulk Hogan's Son Charged in Auto Accident

Joe Saunders — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 06:40:55 GMT

It took a few months but Nick Bollea, 17 year old son of former wrestler Hulk Hogan, has been charged with felony reckless driving causing serious bodily injury. Toxicology reports show that Bollea was drinking during the day of the accident. However, tests showed that the level of alcohol in his blood was half that in which he'd be considered impaired. He will face a charge of underage drinking though.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Automobile Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Manatee Car Accident Claims Two Lives

Joe Saunders — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:39:36 GMT

Halloween proved fatal for two Manatee residents who crashed through a fence and into a shallow pond during the evening. Witnesses spotted two teenaged girls fleeing the scene. Police are looking for them as this blog post is being written.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Florida No Fault Insurance Law On Agenda for Legislative Special Session

Joe Saunders — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 10:00:29 GMT

In a last minute change, PIP has been added to the agenda for this week's special session of the Florida Legislature. The law had expired October 1, but Governor Charlie Crist has added the item to the agenda. The law, which took effect in 1971, required drivers to purchase insurance to cover his or her own medical costs regardless of who is at fault in the car accident. Opponents of the no fault law cite fraud and abuse of the system while proponents argue that the lack of such insurance would lead to more lawsuits. A House committee will consider the compromise proposal today.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Florida No Fault Auto Insurance Law Expires

Joe Saunders — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:27:46 GMT

The Florida no fault auto insurance law expired yesterday after the Florida Legislature did not renew the law this year. As of yesterday, Florida no fault personal injury protection insurance is not required anymore. This insurance required that persons injured in auto accidents make a claim against their own auto insurance for the first $10,000 of medical bills or wages even if a careless driver, negligent driver, or drunk driver caused the auto crash. Furthermore, the old no fault auto insurance law did not allow an auto accident victim to recover money damages for pain and suffering from a careless or drunk driver unless the injury was permanent.

Now a negligent or drunk driver can be legally required to pay the full damages caused in an auto accident.

The Florida Legislature will discuss some new proposals for a different no fault auto insurance system when it meets later this month. However, it they cannot agree on a new system Florida auto drivers and passengers will return to a fault based auto liability system that has not been in effect for over thirty years.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

I-75 Crash Claims Two Lives

Joe Saunders — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 10:10:14 GMT

An overnight crash in Sarasota near the Bee Ridge Road exit on Interstate 75 has claimed the lives of two adults. I-75 northbound was closed for hours as a result of the 12 car accident which included a tractor trailer truck. The truck was driving northbound at approximately 12:30am and had its cruise control on and set at 70 m.p.h. when the crash occurred. According to the tractor trailer driver, he was not able to disengage the cruise control device as he attempted to avoid the multi-car crash.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

New Auto Safety Measures to Take Effect by 2012

Joe Saunders — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 08:37:39 GMT

By 2012, new automobiles will be required to have anti-rollover technology installed in their vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. According to industry analysts, the new technology will save thousands of lives annually as well as reduce healthcare costs. Ford Motor Co. said earlier this week that it would put stability control on its entire lineup by the end of 2009 and General Motors Corp. is planning to have the technology on all vehicles by 2010. Several automakers have made it standard equipment on SUVs.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders