Florida car accident lawyer

February 2, 2017

Florida Lawmakers Consider Repeal of No-Fault Auto Insurance

Florida lawmakers are slated to begin considering whether to repeal the state’s long-standing no-fault auto insurance requirement. On average, this additional protection costs drivers about $81 per policy, according to recent research. The question legislators have to decide is whether those savings are going to be worth it in the end due to the fact that it will likely result in an uptick of car accident lawsuits.

The no-fault insurance for motor vehicles allows that there is “no-fault” when it comes to paying out an auto insurance claim following a car accident under a certain amount. Instead, drivers are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which extends payment for any medical expenses and certain non-medical costs associated with the crash, such as lost wages or replacement benefits (i.e., having someone come help you clean your house while you are unable to do so). All Florida drivers are required to carry a minimum level of PIP benefits in addition to liability insurance requirements. Then if they are involved in a crash, they file a claim with their own auto insurer. The only way they can pursue a claim outside that no-fault system is if the injuries are considered permanent or permanently disfiguring/ scarring or if there is some significant or total loss of an important bodily function. Drivers have to carry at least $10,000 in PIP benefits.

Legislators have decided that in the spring, they will mull a proposal to scrap the no-fault insurance law that has been followed in the state since the 1970s. Continue reading

June 26, 2016

Safety Advocates: Florida’s Lax Traffic Laws Need Attention

By Ansara Law Personal Injury Attorneys

Traffic laws are intended to keep order on the roads and improve safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians who all share the space.

However, there are questions about how effective some of those laws truly are when when Florida has some of the highest rates of accident deaths by motor vehicles – including those involving bicyclists and pedestrians. In 2014, there were 2,494 traffic fatalities in Florida. That’s compared to New York – which has almost the exact same population – which had 1,039. California – which has double Florida’s population – had 3,074 that year. Texas, which is also about double, had 3,538.

Traffic safety experts say the issue is somewhat complicated. It starts with the fact that our roads (as were many in the South) were designed primarily for fast motor vehicle traffic. It continues with the fact that we have year-round nice weather and beautiful beaches and other tourist draws. That means we have far more people on our roads, many of them inexperienced with the area and sometimes on long commutes. There is also the issue of lacking public transportation, which is a major problem in a lot of Florida cities. But another issue is the fact that many of our traffic laws are rather lax. Continue reading

June 10, 2016

Florida Road Rage Act Injures Motorcyclists. Will Insurance Cover?

By Ansara Law Personal Injury Attorneys

A 31-year-old habitual traffic offender was arrested following a road rage incident caught on film in which he appears to intentionally run over two motorcyclists before fleeing the scene.

The Florida Highway Patrol reports the Land O’Lakes man had a nasty exchange with the bikers in the moments before the incident. One of the victims, a 46-year-old Navy veteran, said he feared for his life and the life of his female passenger.

“You don’t know what’s going through his mind,” the victim told 10 News. “Is he going to put the car in reverse? Is he going to turn around? Is he going to stop and pull out a gun?” Continue reading

May 25, 2016

Florida Fatal Car Accident Spurs Lawsuit Against Uber, Driver, Deputy

By Ansara Law Personal Injury Attorneys

A 28-year-old Uber passenger in Orlando was killed in December when the driver allegedly ran a red light and struck a deputy, speeding through the intersection.

Now, the family of that victim, Corey Allicock, is suing:

Uber
The Uber Driver
The Deputy

Although investigators did not fault Seminole County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Sullivan in the crash, witnesses who saw the deputy just before the crash said he was traveling 60 mph on the road. Authorities later revealed he was on his way to an emergency domestic violence call. However, it is undisputed he had not activated his emergency lights and siren. The 73-year-old Uber driver, meanwhile, was cited for running a red light and for causing the young man’s death. He has not driven for Uber since the crash. Continue reading