Item: Flaxman Law Group
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Author: Clara Barman

How Smarter Roads Could Help Miami and Florida Outsmart Crashes

Published on: February 19, 2015 | By Flaxman Law Group

Google has moved forward with its self-driving cars, announcing a fleet of 100 fully autonomous vehicles. With smart cars soon to be on our roads, could smart roads be far behind?

According to experts, we have already been moving in that direction for years. Some streets and highways already have sensors and detectors in the pavement to catch overburdened trucks, speeders, and more. There are also road designs that promise to melt snow, warn drivers about traffic, and create a lighted surface that shows warnings. However, smart roads and more sophisticated communication systems in our infrastructure promise to do a lot more in the future.

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Safe Driving Tips for Drivers Under 5’4

Published on: January 29, 2015 | By Flaxman Law Group

According to at least one study, drivers below or above average height may have an increased risk of car accident injuries. One reason may be because drivers below average height sit closer to the steering wheel. Safety experts recommend keeping at least ten inches between the driver or passenger and the dashboard so that air bags can work properly. When drivers sit closer, they can be injured when an airbag detonates.

Adults that are below average height also face some of the same challenges as children when they are in a car accident in Homestead or their community. Seat belts can cut into their neck and chest areas, potentially causing injuries in an accident. Seat belts can fail to restrain them. Drivers who are below average height may also have a hard time seeing the road correctly because of their car’s design, and this can increase the chances of an accident.

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How Public Transit Can Reduce Car Accident Rates

Published on: January 27, 2015 | By Flaxman Law Group

Could public transportation help reduce car accidents in Hollywood and other communities? Many city planners and safety experts think so. While public transit accidents in Hollywood and other communities can still occur, they are far less common than car accidents. In addition, studies have found that better transit systems in cities can reduce the risks of traffic accidents overall.

Public transit may reduce car accident rates by:

1) Offering an alternative to drunk driving.

When trying to reduce drunk driving accidents in Florida and other parts of the country, it is important to give drivers an alternative to getting behind the wheel after drinking. When motorists can easily hop on an affordable bus or train after drinking, it may be easier to make the right decision. If drivers have no access to transportation and need to wait for a friend or need to pay a lot for a taxi, they may be more tempted to simply drive themselves home.

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How to Pick a Safe Car

Published on: January 6, 2015 | By Flaxman Law Group

If one of your resolutions for the New Year is to buy a new car, don’t just go for flash. Whether your budget is modest or extravagant, you want to choose a car you love but also a car that can get you and loved ones to your destinations safely. To do that and to help you prevent car accidents in Miami Lakes and other communities, ask yourself these questions when looking at any potential car:

1) Does this car have good safety ratings and a good reputation for safety?

Many organizations publish their lists of safe cars and lemons, especially at this time of year. While safety ratings alone are not the ultimate measure of preventing accidents, they can help. These lists are often based on crash tests, recalls, and safety features and many organizations publish useful information about specific models.

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Make 2015 Your Safest Year as a Driver: 7 Safety Tips You May Not Have Heard Before

Published on: January 1, 2015 | By Flaxman Law Group

Of course, you want 2015 to be the best and safest year for you and your family. For that reason, you owe it to yourself to take a good look at your driving habits. Driving is one of the most dangerous things you do every day and a motor vehicle crash in North Bay Village or your Florida community can devastate your life.

We all know about the importance of seat belts and the dangers of distracted driving, but consider these less-well-known safety tips that could help keep you and your family safer throughout the year:

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Sharing Hollywood and Florida Roads with Motorcycles

Published on: December 16, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Driving on Hollywood streets means that you have to share the road with others, including truck drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists. Unfortunately, many motorcycle crashes in Hollywood and other South Florida areas happen because drivers failed to see a motorcycle in time. To reduce the risk that this will happen to you, make sure that you:

1) Slow down and look for other users of the road.

Speeding is a big factor in many roadway accidents. Slowing down ensures that you have time and room to stop suddenly if you need to in order to avoid a collision. It is especially important to slow down at intersections; many intersection accidents in Hollywood and other cities happen because drivers are too impatient. Slowing down ensures that you can see other users of the road in time.

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Top 5 Tips to Drive Safely This Holiday Season

Published on: December 11, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

You will probably be on the road between now and the end of December. You may be visiting family or taking care of holiday-related errands or even just doing your usual morning commute. During the next six weeks or so, though, the situation on the roads may become more dangerous as more motorists will be on the roads and drunk driving will potentially be a problem due to holiday parties. While you can’t control what other drivers do, you can do five simple things to make holiday driving safer:

1) Buckle your seatbelt.

This is the busiest time to be on the roads, and traffic crashes are more likely due to higher traffic and other dangers. Even a minor rear-end collision in Homestead or your community can be serious if you are not wearing a seatbelt and your body snaps forward with the force of impact. A seatbelt keeps you securely in your seat and keeps you from being thrown around in the event of a collision. It only takes a few seconds to buckle up, but it could save your life.

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If You are Renting a Car This Holiday Season, You Need to Read This

Published on: December 9, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Are you renting a car this holiday season? Many people will be, whether they are renting a vehicle at the airport when visiting friends or renting a small van or truck to get trees or other holiday purchases home. If you are planning on renting a vehicle, however, you will want to keep some safety tips in mind to ensure that your rental is safe and takes you where you need to go.

When renting a vehicle, make sure you ask some questions, including:

1) How has this vehicle been maintained?

Unfortunately, some rental trucks and cars have poor safety records. Investigative reports have found mechanical problems with rental vehicles before and some customers have accused rental companies of renting unsafe vehicles. When taking a look at the vehicle with the rental company representative, ask questions about any potential problems and take photos of any signs of damage (this can protect you later on if you are accused of causing the damage). Ask for a new vehicle if you notice poor steering, unexplained noises, or other issues. If you will be traveling in the car for some time, consider taking it to a mechanic to make sure it is safe.

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Professional Tips for Driving in Bad Weather

Published on: November 27, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Florida is fortunate in that it does not have to deal with the heavy snows, ice, and other winter weather so common in many parts of the country. Despite that, Florida drivers can’t get too complacent about winter driving. Bad weather can happen anywhere and at any time . In Florida in the winter, rainy ways, fog, and other weather conditions can still lead to car accidents in Aventura, Miami, Hollywood, and other Florida cities.

Experts recommend a few things for drivers who need to drive in bad weather:

1) Give yourself more room.

Drivers in good weather need to leave about 3 seconds space in front of them when driving behind a vehicle. This means that when passing a sign or other marker, you should be able to count 3 seconds after the vehicle in front of you passes before you pass the same marker. In bad weather, you need to increase your following distance to at least for seconds or more. If you hydroplane or lose control of your car in a slick surface, this extra time allows you to brake in order to avoid an accident. Leave even more time if you are driving when the rain first starts. According to experts, when rain first starts the roads are even slicker because oil may combine with the rain before it is washed away.

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When Car Accidents Become Water-Related Accidents

Published on: November 14, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Most car accidents involve injuries caused by impact. In an intersection collision in Miami or Florida, for example, the impact can push passengers forward into the dashboard or can cause passengers to be flung about the inside of the car, potentially causing head injuries, spinal cord trauma, and other serious injuries. In a car accident where the car is thrown into the water, however, passengers are at risk of drowning as well as all the other causes of injuries that can happen with a traffic accident.

Florida Has More Water-Related Traffic Fatalities

Unfortunately, Florida leads the nation when it comes to drownings caused by car collisions. Between 2008 and 2012, 49 people in the state have died due to car crash drownings. In comparison, Texas had 18 deaths in the same time period. That state was second in the nation when it comes to car crash drownings.

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