Item: Flaxman Law Group
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Author: Clara Barman

Simple Things You Can do Today to Prevent A Car Accident in Homestead or Your Community

Published on: September 17, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

Preventing a car accident in Homestead or your Florida city does not have to be a huge undertaking. In fact, there are simple things you can do right now that can make a big difference in preventing injury and traffic collisions:

1) Figure out what your biggest distractions are and tackle them. Many studies have shown how dangerous distracted driving can be. In fact, distracted drivers have the slower response times and poor judgment of drunk drivers. Most of us think that if we do not use our mobile devices while driving, we are safe. However, anything that removes your eyes from the road, your thoughts from the drive, or your hands from the wheel can lead to a deadly car or truck accident in Homestead. Make a list of what your biggest distractions are, whether they are daydreaming, eating in the car, or changing music. Then, find ways to cut those distractions out.

2) Do all you can to make your car safer. Has it been a while since you have taken your car in for a tune-up? If you are in the market for a new car, maybe you can research new safety features you can buy for your new vehicle.

3) Get a breathalyzer keychain – and a drive sober plan. Drunk driving accidents in Homestead and across Florida are still a big concern and you can help prevent them by testing your alcohol level before you drive. Even if you have only had one drink, you may find that you are more affected than you realize. The best option is to create an emergency get-home-sober kit for yourself. This may mean tucking some cab money in your car so that you can get home safely or calling a few friends right now to make an agreement – you can call them for a safe drive home if you offer the same deal for them.

4) Get a backup car camera. Rollover car collisions in Homestead and across South Florida often occur when children are not visible behind a car when a driver is backing up. To prevent this type of tragedy, get an inexpensive backup camera for your car, which will allow you to see exactly what is going on behind your car. As an added bonus, the camera can help you with parking and may be able to keep you from backing up over something sharp and harming your tires.

5) Consider how your driving has changed since you were in driver’s education classes. Do you have mobility issues or health concerns now that you didn’t have when you were first learning to drive? Has your location or how you drive changed? Maybe the laws have changed significantly. All of these can be an indication that you might want to sign up for some on-on-one refresher courses with a driving instructor. Call your insurance company first to find out whether these type of lessons could help you lower your rates. In some cases, they can.

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Experts Weigh in on Which Technology Most Likely to Save Your Life in a Car Accident

Published on: September 12, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

According to Consumer Reports, not all car manufacturer technology is equal when it comes to avoiding car accidents in Hollywood and across the state. While car makers promise better crumple zones, better braking systems, more intelligent air bag systems, and many other technologies designed to help prevent car crashes – or at least to help you prevent head trauma, soft tissue damage, or spinal cord injuries in Hollywood if you are in a Florida accident – according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports, autonomous braking combined with forward-collision avoidance systems are the best technologies when it comes to reducing injuries and insurance claims.

A combined system of forward-collision avoidance and autonomous braking can slow or stop down a car facing a rear impact collision. According to the IIHS, cars such as the Volvo S60 and XC60 have this technology. For Volvo, it’s called the City Safety feature and it uses infrared technology to determine whether you are getting too close to another car too quickly. If you are, the car automatically applies the brakes to prevent or minimize the crash.

According to the IIHS, when comparing Volvo car crash car insurance claims between 2011 and 2012, cars with the City Safety Feature were less likely to be in a car collision than cars without the technology. In fact, cars with the technology had about 16% fewer property damage claims and 18-33% fewer personal injury claims when compared with Volvos that did not have City Safety.

While crash avoidance systems were once only used in luxury cars, they are now becoming more available in standard cars. Among 2013 cars, about 12% of models have autonomous braking systems and 29% have forward-collision warning systems as options. Forward-collision avoidance technology is standard for some models, such as the Toyota Land Cruiser, the Honda Crosstour AWD, the Hyundai Equus, and others.

Can these technologies help you avoid a car or truck accident in Hollywood or your community? It is possible. If you are looking for a new car, it can be useful to compare safety features. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website at safercar.gov has useful information about specific models and safety features.

However, personal injury attorneys in Hollywood and other safety experts note that having technology does not necessarily reduce your risk of an accident. Even if you have crash avoidance braking systems, you may not be able to avoid a traffic collision or pedestrian accident in Hollywood or your community.

Even the best technology is not worth much when drivers drive distracted, tired, or inebriated. Most safety experts agree that buckling up, honing driving skills, and driving defensively are still the best ways to avoid car crashes and their injuries. Keep in mind, too, that technologies such as forward-collision warning systems usually only work to prevent a few types of injuries and accidents. A forward-collision avoidance system, for example, will not help you avoid a side impact collision, pedestrian accident, or rear-end car accident in Hollywood or your community.

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Will Your Teen be Driving to School in Hollywood This Year? How to Make the Morning and Afternoon Commute Safe

Published on: September 2, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

If this is the first year your teen will be driving to school, it is only natural to be worried about car accidents in Hollywood or your community. After all, research has shown that morning and evening commutes are higher-risk times for car and truck accidents in Hollywood and other Florida cities, simply because more people are on the roads. There are several things you can do to help your child get to school safely:

1) Make sure your teen has a safe car. A reliable car will respond correctly if your teen has to move quickly to avoid a crash. As a back-to-school gift, you may want to offer your teen driver a tune-up of their car. In addition, make sure that your teen has an accident kit in the car. This kit should consist of a disposable camera, blankets, a first aid kit, a notebook and pen, insurance company contact information, and a flashlight, at minimum.

2) Set some ground rules about distracted driving and passengers. Studies have shown that teens are more likely to be in a collision if they have multiple peers in their car. In fact, the risk of a crash increases with every teen passenger in the car. Quite simply, these passengers pose a distraction and can lead to an accident. On the other hand, the same studies have shown that having an adult in the car can cause teen drivers to take fewer risks and drive more safely. If you want to prevent your teen from being in a traffic accident in Hollywood or your community, limit the number of teen passengers in the car and ensure your teen does not use their cell phone or mobile devices while driving.

3) Ensure your teen has a safe route and a good parking spot. Review routes to school and consider taking the route yourself to and from school during rush hour to determine what your teen’s commute will be like. Make sure that your teen has a safe parking spot once they are at school – one that lets them get to school along a safe pedestrian route.

4) Get your teen some extra lessons during rush hour. One-on-one lessons from a professional driving instructor can help a lot. Get the instructor to drive with your teen to and from school during the times your teen will be driving. This can help the instructor review the skills your teen will need on their specific route.

5) Supervise at first. If your teen has not driven to and from school before, ask about their experiences the first few days of school. If the route and experience seem overwhelming, consider suggesting an alternative way to get to and from school.

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Ways to Improve Your Driving Skills to Prevent a Car Crash in Hollywood or Your Community

Published on: August 28, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

Research suggests that a wide range of car accidents in Hollywood and other communities are caused by driver error. In fact, one of the reasons why younger drivers have slightly higher insurance rates and a slightly higher risk of traffic accidents in Hollywood and other cities is because driver experience and driving skills are a contributing factor in preventing many collisions. Even if it has been years since you have received your driver’s license, however, you may have acquired bad habits or may simply have learned fewer driving skills than you currently need. Luckily, improving your driving skills can be one of the simplest and best ways to prevent being involved in a car crash. There are many ways that you can go about this:

1) Speak with a driving instructor about one-on-one adult driving instruction. In many cases, you can take refresher courses for a nominal fee. A driving instructor can also help review your driving skills and can help point out any problems with your driving abilities. In some cases, this type of driving instruction can even help lower your car insurance rates. If you have been in a few fender benders or near misses, this type of refresher course can be very useful.

2) Driver rehabilitation. Since you have gotten your driver’s license, your physical health may have changed. If you develop a disability or serious illnesses that could affect your driving abilities, it is important to speak with your doctor. You may also want to take a driver rehabilitation course, which allows a professional driving instructor to evaluate your driving skills and to help you adapt your car and your driving skills your current physical condition.

3) Take a racing class. Racing school is a very fun and adrenaline-filled way to hone your driving skills. There’s no room for mistakes when you’re whipping around the track at high speeds. Skilled racing class instructors can help you get confident behind the wheel and can help you learn driving skills that you can use even during rush hour. Another option is to take a stunt driving class, which can be a very fun and exhilarating way to hone your skills behind the wheel.

4) Get an additional license. If you are licensed to drive a regular car, you may want to look into getting another class of license. This forces you to review your knowledge of traffic laws and driving rules and also helps build your driving skills in a regular car as well, so that you can avoid car and truck accidents in Hollywood or your community. It can also give you more options when it comes to how you get around.

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Red Flag Signs That Your Car Accident in Homestead is Part of an Insurance Fraud Scheme

Published on: August 24, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

Florida leads the country when it comes to car accident insurance fraud, and this has made many insurance companies crack down on fraud. Unfortunately, innocent drivers who follow all the rules are often caught in the middle. Law-abiding drivers may be caught up in a car insurance scam and even injured in a staged traffic collision in Homestead. The injuries from these accidents are often all too real. In addition, car insurers may be looking more closely at legitimate claims. This can make it harder for law-abiding drivers to get the insurance money they deserve.

Unfortunately, staged car accidents and other types of car accident fraud occur every day. One of the most common types of car accident insurance fraud involves a staged car accident. This is just what it sounds like: fraudsters create an accident (with you as the victim) and then make an insurance claim, escalating the supposed injuries and costs to extract more money. If you’ve been in a staged car accident in Homestead, you may not even know it. Fraudsters who stage car accidents do several things, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau:

•They target cars that are more likely to be well-insured, such as newer cars and luxury cars. There are also staged truck accidents in Homestead and other communities because big rigs are often well insured.

•They target distracted drivers, younger drivers, women drivers, and elderly drivers, often because they hope these drivers will not start a loud and strong protest, which could call attention to the scam.

•They drive older cars that they don’t mind junking after the staged car accident and they fill the car with passengers, so that there are multiple claimants.

Even if you are in a newer car and are hit by an older car filled with passengers, however, do not assume that you have been the victim of car insurance fraud. In many cases, it really is just a car accident in Homestead. In many cases, you may have simply a sneaking suspicion that something is amiss. In other cases, you may notice that a witness steps forward and claims a different chain of events than what you saw happen. In some staged car accidents, you may be blamed for the accident even though you know that is not the case. For example, a common staged car accident occurs when a fraudster waves a car into a lane and then crashes into it, later alleging that they did not wave the victim forward. In some cases, you may be pressured to pay cash rather than reporting the accident to your insurer or the other driver may insist that you use a specific professional for the claim.

If your gut is telling you that something is not right or if you suspect fraud, the best thing to do is to contact the police and your car insurer. They can investigate the accident and can look for signs of fraud. You can also make an anonymous report at the National Insurance Crime Bureau phone lines: 1-800-TEL-NICB (1-800-835-6422).

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Dealing with Insurance Matters after a Hit and Run Accident in Homestead or Your Community

Published on: August 17, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

Being in a hit and run accident is a terrifying event, but it is unfortunately all too common in Southern Florida. The area is considered one of the most deadly for hit and run accidents. In 2012 alone, there were 70 000 hit and run crashes in Florida, leading to more than 160 fatalities and thousands of injuries. If you have been in a hit and run accident in Homestead or any Florida community, make sure that you:

1) Start gathering documentation at once. Your insurance provider will not usually want to offer you insurance money unless and until you can prove that your injuries and car damages occurred due to a hit and run. The best thing, clearly, is to get a photo of the car that has hit you before it leaves the scene. Since accidents occur in a fraction of a second, however, this is unlikely. If you cannot get any information about the car, take photos of the accident site and of any paint transfer on your car. Get witness testimony if you can. These things can help you prove that you have been injured in a hit and run car accident.

2) Call the police. After about half an hour, it is very unlikely that the police will be able to catch a hit and run driver – the evidence simply becomes too scant. However, you will still want to call the police because your insurance company will need to see a copy of the police report before they pay out any insurance money to you.

3) Get medical attention. If you may be injured, you will want to get medical treatment right away. Not only is this an important part of the documentation process, showing that you have been injured in a hit and run car or truck accident in Homestead or your community, but getting prompt treatment ensures that you do not suffer any unneeded complications from your injuries.

4) Call your insurance company. You can get information from your insurance company as well as immediate help. You can also begin the claims process. In most cases, you have only a limited amount of time to file your claim.

5) Get legal advice. If you have suffered a serious injury, such as burns, a spinal cord injury, or a head injury in Homestead or your community, it is important to get legal advice. Even if you have uninsured motorist coverage, you may have a hard time getting compensation for lost income, all your medical costs, and other expenses. A personal injury attorney in Homestead or your community can advise you about the best way to proceed in order to get fair compensation for your injuries.

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Just How Deadly Are Hit and Run Car Collisions in Miami and Other Florida Cities?

Published on: August 14, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

According to a 2009 study by the nonprofit group Transportation for America, four of the top ten cities with the highest rates for pedestrian fatalities are in Florida: Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville. In addition, Southern Florida ranks as one of the worst areas in the country in many studies for hit and run collisions. In 2012 alone, for example, there were about 70 000 hit and run accidents in Florida. One out of every five pedestrian deaths that same year occurred in hit and run accidents. There are many reasons for these types of accidents:

1) Drivers who have something to hide. Drivers who are driving unlicensed or uninsured typically want to avoid taking responsibility for an accident because they fear jail time. Drivers who have outstanding warrants or who have already been arrested for drunk driving accidents in Miami or other cities may also choose to flee the scene of an accident rather than accept responsibility for their actions.

2) Design flaws. According to Transportation for America, hit and run car accidents in Miami and other cities result in part from poor city planning and design. According to the group, the focus over the years has been on suburban and urban sprawl, leaving few safe spaces for walkers and bicycles, leading to pedestrian and bicycle accidents in Miami and other cities. The driver culture also makes it harder for people to choose safer public transport options, which means more cars on the road and more risk of accidents. According to the same source, 13% of all traffic deaths in the US are cyclists and pedestrians but only 1.5% of US transportation safety budgets are earmarked for bicycle paths, sidewalks, and other pedestrian and cyclist-safety projects.

3) Distracted driving. When drivers are distracted due to mobile phones, passengers, pets, or for some other reason, they may not notice pedestrians in time. Distracted driving can easily lead to a pedestrian accident in Miami or another community, leaving the at-fault driver in a panic and leaving the scene of the accident. In some cases, drivers may also believe that they will not get caught and will leave without helping the victim because they don’t want to face the consequences of their actions.

Many government agencies, including the Florida Department of Transportation, The Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida Police of Chiefs Association, the Florida Sheriffs Association and others have formed educational programs to alert drivers about the law. In Florida, it is illegal to leave the scene of a car accident without offering assistance and without exchanging contact information with the other driver. Leaving the scene of a fatal accident is considered a felony and can result in 30 years of incarceration as well as fines of $10,000.

Since Florida tends to have a high instance of hit and run drivers, it is important for motorists to carry uninsured motorist coverage. If you drive anywhere in the state, consult with your insurance carrier to ensure that you have coverage even if you are in a hit and run accident.

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Now that Summer is Ending, You Need a Back-to-School Traffic Plan to Prevent Car Collisions in Homestead or Your Community

Published on: August 10, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

If you have children and will be heading back to school, you need to have a morning routine that helps prevent traffic accidents in Homestead or your community. The daily school run can be one of the more dangerous times for a car accident. Whether your children walk to school or whether you drop them off, you need to take precautions to reduce the risk of a pedestrian accident in Homestead or your community.

If you are making the school run, there are a few tips that can make mornings and afternoons safer:

•Review your route before you go. Find out from the school whether they have a drop-off zone and drop your child off and pick them up in a spot where they will not have to weave around car traffic to get to school.

•Adjust your morning routine so that you have plenty of time in the morning. Rushing can easily lead to a car accident in Homestead or your community because you are more likely to be distracted and less focused during a chaotic day.

•Consider carpooling. It will reduce the amount of traffic in front of your child’s school, which is safer for the students. It is also an eco-friendly option that may help prevent accidents since you will periodically be getting a break from having to rush to and from school.

If you have a teen who will be taking a car to school for the first time, this is a good time to review safety rules as well. You may want to:

•Set rules for school runs. Ensure that your teen has a safe parking spot and limit the number of passengers your teen has on the route to and from schools. Rush hour is hectic enough, especially for a new driver, and studies have shown that teens with multiple passengers in the car are more likely to be in a car accident when compared with non-distracted young drivers.
•Make sure your teen has a safe, well-maintained car. This ensures that mechanical problems are less likely to lead to a car collision.

•Give your teen some extra lessons. A great back-to-school gift for a young driver is some additional training. Hire a professional driving instructor for one-on-one in-car training with your teen so that your teen can get professional feedback and help building their skills.

Even if you do not have children, keep in mind that in the autumn months there will be more traffic and more pedestrians on the sidewalks as children return to school. You may want to:

•Review where schools are in your community, so that you know where pedestrian traffic is more likely. If possible, consider avoiding these areas or at least use extra caution. Children being dropped and heading to school may not be paying attention to traffic and may inadvertently step in front of cars.

•Use extra caution when driving during morning and afternoon rush hour. Even if your route does not take you near a school, there may be an increase in car and pedestrian traffic as well as bus traffic as children head to school.

•Be prepared for many different types of traffic. Some children walk to school, some are dropped off, some take bicycles. Keep in mind that when school is in session you will need to be ready for an increase in many types of morning and afternoon traffic. Use your mirrors and scan the roadways and sidewalks around you to prevent bicycle accidents in Homestead – as well as other types of traffic accidents.

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Canadian Drivers in Car Accidents in Hollywood and other Communities

Published on: August 7, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

About three million Canadians travel to Florida each year for part or all of the winter, according to some polls. In addition, millions of Canadians travel to the state each year for shorter vacations. Florida cities such as Hollywood promise warm climates, a relatively easy-to-drive route, and affordable living.
However, being in a car accident in Hollywood can be especially upsetting for someone who is not an American citizen or resident. The rules are slightly different, and it can be frustrating and upsetting for victims to try to deal with two systems. The best way to avoid hassle is to take some precautions:

1) Plan well in advance of your trip. If you are a Canadian, you will generally be able to access Canadian insurance benefits even if you are in a traffic accident in Hollywood or another US city. However, keep in mind that lower minimum insurance requirements are in place in Florida than in many Canadian provinces. In addition, you will be dealing with a difference of currency and costs. To protect yourself, speak with your insurance provider before you travel to discuss what is covered. This way, you can get additional coverage to close any gaps. Be sure to also secure travel insurance and health coverage. If you are injured in a slip and fall accident in Hollywood – or another incident – your province’s health care system will not cover the costs.

2) Be prepared for an accident. No one expects to be in a car or truck accident in Hollywood or another city. However, it does happen. To stay prepared, be sure you have a first-aid kit, disposable camera (or cell phone) and your insurance carrier’s information in the car with you at all times.

3) Take steps to prevent an accident. Get familiar with the area where you will be driving as well as with weather and road work conditions when you travel. Drive only when you are sober, in good physical condition, and well-rested. Keep your car in good physical condition so that a mechanical problem does not cause an accident.

4) Get familiar with local laws. Florida laws are in some ways similar. Just as in Canada, you must not drink and drive and you must stay to help if you are involved in an accident. However, there are important insurance and legal differences. Get familiar with these differences before you travel.

5) If you are in an accident, speak with a personal injury attorney. If the worst happens and you are in an accident, contact a personal injury attorney in Hollywood or your community. You do have the option of contacting an attorney in Canada as well, but a Florida attorney will be familiar with local laws, US insurance providers, and local resources that can help you.

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Car-Related Child Injuries in Homestead and Other Florida Cities

Published on: August 3, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

For children, car accidents in Homestead and other communities remain one of the leading causes of fatalities and injury. However, children do not need to be riding in a car to be injured. There are other car-related injuries that can cause permanent or even fatal head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other injuries:

1) Seat-belt and airbag-related injuries. When a child is riding in the car, it is vital to use age-appropriate safety restraints and it is important to place the child in the back seat of the car. A child riding in the front of the vehicle and using a seat belt intended for an adult can be seriously injured in a collision. During a car crash, the airbags may cause head injuries and a seat belt can cut a child’s neck or face.

2) Back-over accidents. Back-over accidents in Homestead and other cities can easily occur if a child is playing behind a car. A motorist may not spot the child and if the driver is in a van, SUV, or light truck, the child may not be visible in the vehicle’s blind spots. In many cases, these types of traffic accidents in Homestead and other communities are preventable. Motorists can check around their car for pedestrians before starting the engine. In addition, there are camera systems which allow drivers to see clearly behind their vehicle when backing up.

3) Pedestrian accidents. Children are more likely than adults to walk around their neighborhoods, and this can put them at risk for pedestrian accidents in Homestead or their communities. If your child walks to school, after-school activities, and friends’ houses, review the routes your child walks and have a discussion about best safety practices.

4) Hyperthermia. One of the most tragic car-related child injuries in Homestead and other communities involves children who are left behind in cars. In many cases, this occurs because a child minder forgets the child in the car or simply assumes that the child will be fine in the car for a “few minutes.” In reality, a car in the Florida sun can heat up to dangerous temperatures very quickly.

5) Bicycle accidents. Children tend to rely on bicycles to get around and to have some fun. When children share the road with cars, however, Homestead bicycle accidents are a serious risk. It is important to insist that your child always wear a bicycle helmet when riding a bicycle. It is also important to review safety rules often.

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