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Broward Injury Lawyer Blog

January 6, 2013

Broward Bicyclists and Pedestrians Facing More Dangers in 2013

By Ansara Law Personal Injury Attorneys

As we recently reported on our Broward Injury Lawyer Blog, the number of pedestrian accidents here in the Sunshine State is on the rise. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) recently released a statement confirming these findings.

While accident fatality numbers are decreasing, the number of pedestrians and bicyclists in these accidents continues to climb. Our Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident attorneys also recently reported on the increase in the number of bicyclist fatalities. There were about 75 bicyclists killed in Florida in 2010 and about 120 killed in 2011. Thousands are seriously injured each year in collisions with motor vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently released all of this information in detail. Their headline focuses on the fact that the total number of traffic fatalities is down about 2 percent from the previous year and down more than 25 percent since 2005. What should be the focus is the fact that bicycle, pedestrian and motorcyclist fatalities are significantly up.

Broward County is ranked number one in the state when it comes to these kinds of accidents. Drivers just aren’t looking out for these vulnerable travelers — and bicyclists and pedestrians continue to pay the price.

In the Sunshine State, there were about 500 walkers killed while walking throughout the state.

Nationwide, more than 10 percent of traffic fatalities are of pedestrians. What might be most alarming is the fact that only about 2 percent of federal funds are set aside to improve pedestrian and cycling safety. Most of our roadways are designed only for fast-moving, vehicular traffic.

“Traffic crashes are largely avoidable, and so I would urge drivers to give their full attention to the road when they are behind the wheel,” said the DHSMV Executive Director, Julie Jones.

With the New Year, we’re asking drivers to renew their vow to be safer travelers. We’re asking everyone behind the wheel to keep an eye out for bicyclists and pedestrians along our Florida roadways. The truth of the matter is that our year round beautiful weather provides some of the most ideal conditions for these travelers. When they’re out and about during the winter months, we see significant increases in the risks for accidents and ultimately an increase in the number of injuries and fatalities. But that can be changed with more driver awareness. Take that extra second to look for a bicyclist or a pedestrian when making a turn in traffic. In most cases, drivers of motor vehicles are at fault in these kinds of accidents. It’s important to keep away from the distractions and to keep all of our attention on the road and on other travelers.

“Even as we celebrate the progress we’ve made in recent years, we must remain focused on addressing the safety issues that are continuing to claim more than 30,000 lives each year,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland.
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December 30, 2012

Protecting our Children from Dangers of the Road

By Ansara Law Personal Injury Attorneys

Pedestrian accidents continue to be the second leading cause of fatalities among children between the ages of 5 and 14 across the U.S. According to Broward Health, our young pedestrians are at such great risk for these kinds of accidents because they don’t always understand the rules of the road and because these risks oftentimes exceed their behavioral, developmental, physical, cognitive and sensory abilities.

At the same time, many parents overestimate these skills in their children.

More specifically, children ages 1 and 2 are at the highest risks for these kinds of accidents. Usually, these accidents happen when vehicles are reversing out of a driveway, over a sidewalk or out of a parking spot. The injuries they sustain are oftentimes severe and even fatal. Each year, there are roughly 625 child pedestrians killed and another 40,000 injured in traffic accidents. These accidents can be prevented with a little education.

Our Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident attorneys are asking parents to sit down and to have a talk with the child in their family, especially as schools are letting out for winter break. They’ll be spending more time outside and consequentially will be at greater risks for these kinds of accidents. In addition to having the talk, make sure that they understand the rules and that you’re still providing them with the proper supervision.

Where do most child pedestrian accidents happen?

-In areas where there are high volumes of traffic.

-Areas where there are a lot of vehicles parked along the street.

-In areas where vehicles are traveling fast, or areas with higher speed limits.

-In areas that have no divided highways.

-In areas that don’t have enough pedestrian-control devices, like crosswalks, crossing signals or crossing guards.

-Communities that don’t have areas designated for children to play in, like playgrounds.

-Residential communities.

-Paved, straight or dry roads.

How can I keep my child safe?

-Make sure that children younger than 10-years-old don’t cross the road without an adult.

-Teach the by example. Always practice your safest pedestrian travel habits when walking with your child. Remember to always cross at street corners, use traffic signals and make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.

-Teach your child to look left, right and left again before crossing the street and to keep looking left and right for oncoming cars as they cross.

-Never let children run into the road.

-While waiting for a school bus, students should remain at least 10 feet from the roadway.

“Pedestrian safety is a concern in our community and our hope is that we can teach children to be safer pedestrians in a way they will remember for years to come,” said Jennifer Belyeu with Safe Kids Broward County
Talking with your child and making sure they understand their responsibility as a pedestrian will help to keep them out of a potentially fatal accident. Have the talk with them today!
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December 20, 2012

Avoiding a Car Accident during the Holiday Travel Season

By Ansara Law Personal Injury Attorneys

Florida roadways are going to be slammed throughout the rest of the year.

We’re in the heart of the holiday travel season. That means we’ve got kids who are out of school, Floridians cashing in on their vacation time and seasonal residents venturing south. With all of this in mind, car accident risks are on the rise — and their rising quickly. Our Fort Lauderdale accident attorneys are here to offer you some safety tips to help to ensure a safe trip for you and your family this holiday season.

Holiday Travel Tips from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV):

-Make sure that someone knows where you’re going and when you plan on returning. Notify them when you arrive and when you depart. It’s always good to have a close friend or family member keeping tabs on you should something happen.

-Always travel with a cell phone. Keep a car charger in your vehicle or an extra battery handy, too!

-Be sure to always keep your car doors locks and your windows rolled up, especially when stopped.

-Make sure that your leave a good amount of room between you and the car in front of you, especially when stopped — in case you get boxed in.

-Never stop in areas that are dark or underpopulated to ask for directions. Always find a bright, public place.

-Never pick up a hitchhiker.

-If you think you spot a drunk driver, report them by calling 9-1-1 of *347 (FHP). We want unsafe drivers off of our roadways this season!

-Make sure that you check to make sure that your car is up to par. The gas should be full, fluids under the hood should be topped off and your tires shouldn’t be too worn.

-Never advertise that you’re from out of town. This makes you an easy target for predators.

-If you experience any mechanical problems or a flat tire, don’t get out of your vehicle. Move your car off to the side of the road and call for help. If someone approaches your vehicle, crack the window and ask them to call for help, too.

-If you think you’re being followed, do not go home. You’re only telling the follower where you live. Call 9-1-1 or drive to a police station.

-Never drink and drive. Always designate a sober driver to get you home safely.

-Know where you’re going before you depart. You don’t want to mess with road maps or GPS systems while behind the wheel.

-Know the road laws of the places you’ll be traveling to and driving through.

-Always wear your seat belt. It’s your best defense against injury and death in the event of an accident.

-Leave for your destination with plenty of time to spare. This will help to cut down on rushing and minimize the risks for aggressive driving habits.
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December 15, 2012

Bicyclist Fatalities on the Rise in Florida: Broward of the Worst

By Ansara Law Personal Injury Attorneys

As our Fort Lauderale injury attorneys have recently reported, the overall number of traffic accidents may be down in the state of Florida but there are a few important categories that actually saw some serious increases over the last year. These categories include pedestrian, bicyclist and motorcycle accidents, injuries and fatalities.

We are now going to focus in on the increase in the number of bicyclist accidents and the injuries and fatalities, as they continue to be critical concern in Broward County and through South Florida. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), there were 76 bicyclists killed in the state of Florida in 2010. That number increased by close to 60 percent to 120 fatalities in 2011.

About one out of every seven bicyclists who are killed in accidents are killed in the state of Florida. Even though California has about twice the population of the Sunshine State, Florida has more bicyclist fatalities, according to recent statistics.

Nearly half of all bicyclists who are killed in traffic accidents are killed in broard daylight. About a third of these cyclists die when it’s nighttime but the street is illuminated and the remainder of these fatalities happen when it’s completely dark out.

Bicyclists are also warned when riding during the weekend. As a matter of fact, Saturday has been recorded as the most dangerous day of the week, observing roughly 16 percent of all fatal bicycling accidents. Accidents on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday tied for being the second most dangerous — all seeing 15 percent.

Broward County is the second most dangerous county in the entire state for these kinds of accidents, only following Miami-Dade County. Unfortunately, many of our roadways are designed with only motor-vehicle traffic in mind. We need more sidewalks, more crosswalks and more amenities for bicyclists and pedestrians. These are measures that have been proven across the country to help to reduce the number of these kinds of accidents.

So why are these kinds of accidents on the rise? Well, officials credit a number of factors for the increase. One of the most frequently mentioned of these factors is the population growth. Florida has more than 5 times as many residents as it did back in the 50s, going from less than 3 million to more than 18 million.

Another factor commonly attributed to these accidents is tourism. As we celebrate the holiday season, we’re seeing some of the highest numbers of tourists out of the entire year. Officials estimate that more than 80 million people visited Florida in 2009. Lastly, officials say that the climate has something to do with it. Because we’re provided with nearly 365 days of ideal biking weather, people spend more time outside and on two wheels. With more bicyclists on our roadways, accident risks are higher.
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December 8, 2012

Pedestrian Accidents in Florida on the Rise!

By Ansara Law Personal Injury Attorneys

The number of people dying in bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents and pedestrian accidents in the state of Florida is showing no signs of decline.

According to a recent release from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), the overall number of traffic accident fatalities may have declined from 2010 to 2011, but the truth of the matter is that are many categories in which we are seeing significant increases.

“Traffic crashes are largely avoidable, and so I would urge drivers to give their full attention to the road when they are behind the wheel,” said the DHSMV Executive Director, Julie Jones.

Our Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyers understand the risks that pedestrians face along our South Florida roadways. Since the Sunshine State provides just that — sunshine — we get a lot of people taking advantage of the weather by walking and biking to where they’ve got to go. Unfortunately, motor-vehicle drivers aren’t on the same page. They’re practicing almost complete disregard for these vulnerable travelers and are putting them in harm’s way as a result.

Another serious problem affecting the safety of our on-foot travelers is the fact that our roadways were designed with fast-moving traffic in mind. Very rarely do we see roadways that accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. Each year, there are approximately 500 pedestrians killed while walking in Florida.

Across the nation, pedestrian accidents account for close to 12 percent of the total traffic fatalities. At the same time, less than 2 percent of the available federal funds are allocated for projects to retrofit dangerous roads or create safe alternatives.

Over the average day, a pedestrian is hit by a car or a truck every 7 minutes, according to Transportation for America. Many of these fatal accidents are caused by driver inattention. It’s only takes a little tweak in travel habits to prevent these accidents!

Florida is ranked as the fourth-largest state in the country in terms of population, but continues to be ranked number one when it comes to number of pedestrian fatalities. In Broward County, we have close to 1,800,000 residents (as of 2011) and ranked as one of the top five most dangerous areas for pedestrian accidents, injuries and fatalities in the entire nation.

The risks for these kinds of accidents are only expected to grow. As we head into the holiday travel season, we’re going to have more travelers out on our roadways. Snowbirds and coming into town, residents are taking those holiday vacations and teens are out of school on winter break. With more drivers out there and more pedestrians — risks are escalating quickly! Be safe out there and be considerate for other travelers. We’ve all got a family to get to this holiday season, let’s get there safe and sound. Travel safely!
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November 30, 2012

Seat Belts: Saving Lives in Broward

By Ansara Law Personal Injury Attorneys

You wouldn’t reach your hand into a hot oven without an oven mitt.

It’s a part of staying safe and preventing a really painful burn. This same theory should be used with seat belts as well. A seat belt is your safety net against serious injury and even death. Yet despite some of the record high rates of seat belt usage there are still millions who are wandering our roadways without a seat belt.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belt usage is at an all-time high with more than 85 percent of motorists reporting using a seat belt during every car ride. Still, there are thousands who are still putting themselves at risk and riding around with no safety net.

Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers understand that a seat belt is the most useful safety feature in your car when it comes to preventing injury and death. With the end of the year approaching, seat belts are now more important than ever. The snowbirds are heading south, students are getting out on winter break and residents are using up those last-minute vacation days. With more people on our roadways, the risks for car accidents skyrocket. As a matter of fact, the last eight weeks of the year are usually some of the most dangerous.

“When it comes to driving safely, one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your family is to use a seat belt,” said Ray LaHood with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Seat belt facts:

-If all passenger vehicle occupants 5-years-old and older had worn seat belts, an additional 3,341 could have been saved in 2010. That’s more than twice the number of lives lost in the Titanic.

-Of all passenger vehicle occupants ejected from their vehicles, close to 80 percent were killed.

-The annual two-wheel “Click It or Ticket” crackdown has resulted in more than 3 million seat belt citations over the last 5 years. That’s one ticket every other second.

-About 70 percent of 18- to 34-year-old passenger vehicle occupants killed in rural crashes at night were unbuckled.

Seat belt myths:

-If you’re not going far or you’re not traveling too fast then you don’t need a seat belt.

-Seat belts can trap you in a car if it catches on fire or submerges in water.

-If your car has airbags then you don’t need a seat belt.

-Your seat belt can hurt you in an accident.

-Guys don’t need to wear seat belts. They’re tougher and they’re better drivers.

Before heading out on our roadways, make sure you buckle your seat belt. Parents and guardians need to make sure that young passengers are properly buckled during every car ride, too. There’s never a car ride too short for a seat belt. With the ability to save lives, it’s imperative that you use it!
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November 25, 2012

Broward Advocates Fighting for Blind Pedestrian Safety

By Ansara Law Personal Injury Attorneys

White Cane Safety Day helped advocates for the blind to raise a little awareness about the difficulties that these residents face. The campaign was accompanied by a walk through downtown Fort Lauderdale.

According to the Sun Sentinel, police escorted more than 50 walkers through the area.

The walk was closely monitored as nearby motorists were issued warnings because they tried to turn in front of the walkers. According to the president of the Broward chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, Tom Ryan, these walkers had a message to motorists — “Yield to the Blind!” They chanted. “It’s the Law.”

Our Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident attorneys understand that pedestrians have a tough enough time when they can see. We’re got some busy roadways, designed for fast-moving traffic — and the flow of pedestrians and bicyclists is often secondary. When you add in the difficulties of being blind — you create a death trap. Motorists are more concerned with their phone calls, text messages and speed than with the safety of these vulnerable motorists.

“It was about bringing awareness of people’s disability and the right-of-way they have,” said Ryan.

According to Ryan, there have been more than 200 fatalities in the state of Florida involving sight-impaired pedestrians in the last five years.

There’s even an audible street signal that was put in a number of years ago at the intersection of Broward Boulevard and First Avenue. This crossing signal helps to alert crossing pedestrians with a spoken message or a beep. It says, “You can cross now.” Ryan and his wife have been proposing for years that these signals be installed at more intersections. Throughout the years, they’ve succeeded at nearly 30 intersections across the nation.

There are two more audible crossing devices on Commercial Boulevard. One wasn’t installed until a pedestrian was sideswiped by a passing driver. Unfortunately, the two proposed a device at this intersection twice before the accident even happened.

According to the National Federation of the Blind, there are about 50,000 active members who are pushing for safer roadways for our blind pedestrians. These pedestrians oftentimes use a white cane to help to let motorists know that they’re blind. It’s to help to promote independence and mobility.

Pedestrians using guide dogs or white canes with or without a red tip must always be given the right-of-way. These pedestrians can be partially or totally blind. When these pedestrians are near your vehicle, be careful when turning corners or backing up, particularly if you are driving a quiet hybrid vehicle.

When stopping for these pedestrians, make sure you do so at least five feet from the crosswalk. Refrain from giving them verbal direction. Avoid honking your horn and never block sidewalks. We need to be careful around these pedestrian. They’re some of the most vulnerable in our community.
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November 20, 2012

Broward Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Urge Caution over Thanksgiving Holiday

By Ansara Law Personal Injury Attorneys

There are millions who are expected to travel 50 miles or more from their home over the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend. As a matter of fact, the South Florida Business Journal reports that the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport is expected to be the 10th busiest airport in the nation over this holiday weekend, despite the fact that air travel is expected to decline more than 1.5 percent from last year.

While we may have one of the busiest airports, it’s important to remember that traveling by vehicle is going to be the most popular way to get around during this time. According to Tampa Bay Newspapers, there are going to be more than 2 million Floridians traveling at least 50 miles from their home over the holiday weekend. Nationwide, it’s a near 1 percent increase in travel from last year.

Our Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyers understand that our roadways are going to be hectic during the holiday weekend. But our parking lots and driveways are going to be even worse! This is where a pedestrian accident frequently occurs.

Not only do we have to worry about residents enjoying their day off of work, but we also have young drivers out of school and snowbirds heading south during this time. For these reasons, car accident numbers typically spike over the holiday.

“Although leisure travel is forecast to make just modest gains from last year, it’s still a positive sign to see growth for the fourth year in a row,” said Brent Hubele, with AAA.

Officials predict that 90 percent of travel is going to be done on our roadways. Gas prices are dropping and more people are driving. And with more people driving, we’re asking you to make cautious driving a holiday priority. We’re here to offer you some safe travel tips to help keep you and all other travelers safe during this hectic time of year.

Broward Thanksgiving Travel Safety:

-Make sure you get plenty of sleep before heading out.

-Avoid driving during times when your body would normally be sleeping.

-Fill up your gas tank. Never head out on a long trip without a full tank.

-Check the fluids under the hood and check your tire pressure before heading out.

-Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle. Keep basic tools in case of a breakdown, keep a first-aid kit, a blanket, a flashlight, some cash and some nonperishable food items.

-Keep your eyes on the road. Cell phones and driving aren’t a good mix. If you need to use the phone, have a passenger handle it or pull over and stop before dealing with the business.

-Leave for your destination with plenty of time to spare. You want to avoid rushing at all costs. Be ready for congestion and delays out there.

Officials with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) suggest that drivers on the Florida Turnpike take a “Safety Break” if they start to feel tired. On the day before Thanksgiving, drivers can stop at the restaurant or the gas station at the service plazas and help themselves to a free cup of coffee. You can also get it on 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday the 21st, Sunday the 25th and Monday the 26th.
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November 10, 2012

Slow It Down in Fog, Smoke and South Florida Rain

By Ansara Law Personal Injury Attorneys

Officials with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) are asking you to “Beware of Smoke & Fog.” It’s all a part of a new safety campaign put on by the FHP, the Florida Forest Service and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).

In a matter of seconds, conditions can change and become dangerous. This can be the result of weather, smoke and fog. Officials are asking drivers to be prepared for these conditions. Wilfires, smoke, fog and even heavy rain can significantly reduce your ability to see. Our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers are asking you to be as safe as possible during these conditions.

“The agencies want every motorist to be aware of the dangers involved with weather events that affect our roadways and how fast those events can occur,” said Col. David Brierton with the FHP.

Safety Tips for Driving in Low Visibility:

-Slow it down. Don’t slam on your brakes though. That’s how rear-end collisions happen. Many of the accidents in these conditions are multiple rear-end collisions because drivers are going too fast and following too closely!

-Keep your headlights on low. Putting on your high beams is only going to hinder your visibility. You need every foot of visibility you can get in these situations.

-If you feel the need to stop, do so way off to the side of the road and make sure you turn on your emergency flashers.

-Keep distractions out of the driver’s seat. We oftentimes talk about the dangers affiliated with distractions, but these dangers are amplified in these conditions. Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road!

-If you see any hazards out there, call your local law enforcement agency or dial 9-1-1. Help to warn other travelers and to keep everyone safe.

-Check the weather and traffic conditions before heading out. This will help you to avoid any problem areas. Plan your trip accordingly. Choose safe routes with less traffic.

Smoke from prescribed burns and wildfires can be just as unpredictable as our ever-changing weather conditions. When you add fog into the mix, it only gets worse.

Remember that catastrophic accident that happened near Gainesville on Interstate 75? It happened back in January when 10 people were killed and another 18 were hospitalized, according to CBS. The story reports that “drivers were blinded by a combination of fog and smoke caused by a nearby brushfire.”

The scene of the accident spanned for about a mile, involving nearly 20 vehicles — 7 of them being tractor-trailers.

“As we were coming through the prairie, it went from crystal clear visibility to nothing in 50 feet,” said Bert Thomas, crash survivor.

This can happen anywhere in the state at any time. Be sure you’re safe out there and you’re prepared for the worst. Drive safely — especially in low-visibility conditions.
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October 27, 2012

Broward Traffic Safety “Operation Safe Driver” Opens Efforts to Reduce Seasonal Risks

By Ansara Law Personal Injury Attorneys

Officers are flooding our roadways in search of unsafe drivers. It began with the Operation Safe Driver campaign, which ran from October 14th through the 20th.

It’s a part of a nationwide campaign too, and targets unsafe drivers of all kinds, but with particular focus on unsafe drivers of commercial vehicles. During this week-long campaign, officials with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) and with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) worked to help to educate the public about the dangers of irresponsible driving habits while officers aggressively targeted those in need of a lecture … and a ticket.

Our Broward County personal injury attorneys understand the risks that accompany dangerous driving habits, especially when they’re displayed by commercial truckers. When driving along our state’s roadways, especially on our interstates, drivers are asked to drive cautiously, to stay one step ahead of the traffic around them and to make sure that they steer clear of commercial vehicles, including tractor-trailers. Accidents with these kinds big rigs or semis often result in serious or fatal injuries.

To help to target unsafe commercial trucks and drivers, officials with the FHP will be conducting random roadside safety inspections. Officers completed more than 110,000 of these inspections in 2011. Through this effort, there were close to 20,000 drivers and their trucks who were put out of service because of the safety violations that were discovered.

“The campaign aims to educate all motorists on the risks involved with aggressive and distracted driving around large trucks,” said the director of the FHP, Col. David Brierton.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were close to 3,700 people who were killed in traffic accidents involving a large truck in the United States in 2010. In addition to these fatalities, there were another 275,000 people who were injured in these same kinds of accidents. What’s even more alarming is that these accidents show no sign of relief. From 2009 to 2010, there was a near 10 percent increase in the number of fatalities resulting from these crashes.

In the state of Florida, there were close to 200 large trucks involved in fatal accidents during 2010. We were the third most dangerous state in the country for these kinds of accidents, behind Texas and California.

Drivers are asked to be cautious and alert while driving near large trucks. As the snowbirds start heading south and traffic increases, drivers of all kinds are asked to be safe out there. Pay attention to your surroundings and keep an eye out for commercial vehicles. Be on your best behavior, put away the distractions, always wear your seat belt, follow road laws and never linger near a commercial vehicle. Your safe driving habits can help to keep you and your passengers safe and out of a potentially fatal accident.
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