Item: Flaxman Law Group
Rating: 5
Author: Clara Barman

Study May Suggest that Doctors and Eye Doctors Play a Key Role in Preventing Miami Gardens Car Accidents

Published on: November 13, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Two studies published recently in the Archives of Ophthalmology suggest that physicians and eye doctors may do more to prevent car crashes. As the population ages, experts predict that by 2020, 40 million drivers will be over the age of the age of 65. According to researchers, many of those drivers will eventually develop chronic conditions such as dementia, arthritis, eye problems, and other health concerns that could affect driving ability.

According to the study’s authors, eye doctors may underreport vision problems among elderly patients. The study asked eye doctors to respond to a series of questions. 87% of participating doctors stated that they would often ask about driving ability if the question was raised or if a patient fared poorly on an eye exam. Two thirds of polled doctors stated that they asked all elderly patients about driving. Over half of eye doctors stated that they were reluctant to report patients to agencies regulating driving. They were often worried about liability issues and about compromising the doctor-patient relationship. Only 36% of eye doctors reported unsafe drivers to physicians and only 28% reported unsafe drivers to rehabilitation.

According to the study’s authors, eye doctors need to take a greater role in reporting and helping unsafe drivers. The authors suggested that eye specialists always ask elderly patients about driving ability and refer patients to primary care physicians or driver rehabilitation when needed. Not only can this potentially prevent car accidents, but it can also help drivers stay behind the wheel longer. Driver rehabilitation, for example, can help qualified drivers adjust to mobility issues and vision problems.

Many Miami Gardens car accidents are caused by drivers with medical issues. Each year, people are killed because motorists cause Miami Gardens traffic accidents due to vision problems, strokes, heart attacks, and other medical situations. Having doctors reporting at-risk drivers can help prevent these accidents and can help drivers get help through driver rehabilitation to help prevent Miami Gardens truck accidents and car accidents. Some drivers may be resistant to this idea since it could get drivers banned for health conditions that have not yet caused an accident. With many drivers seeing cars as a form of freedom and independence, the decision to hang up the car keys for medical reasons is a difficult one. Support systems and more transportation options for non-drivers would potentially help with this problem.

Continue reading →

Could Doctor Reporting Reduce Miami Beach Car Accidents Caused by Chronic Illness?

Published on: November 8, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

A new study led by Dr. Donald Redelmeier of the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre has found that if drivers with chronic health condition were reported to the government by their doctors, car accidents and traffic accidents could be reduced by up to 45%. However, researchers also concluded that this type of system would potentially harm the doctor-patient relationship and make patients less likely to return to doctors for fear of being reported for conditions such as epilepsy, alcoholism, unregulated high blood pressure, and other conditions.

Researchers studied what happened if doctors were to report chronic health problems to the government and the government sent potentially unsafe drivers a warning letter, potentially suspending a driver’s license if the patient could not manage their condition. According to researchers, drivers were more likely to take a government warning letter seriously and make needed changes, compared with simply getting a warning from their doctor.

In the US, Maine, California, Nevada, Delaware, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico and Pennsylvania all have laws requiring drivers to be reported if they have a medical condition which could affect their driving. Florida does not currently have these laws – but would these types of legislation changes help prevent Miami Beach traffic accidents? The studies seem to suggest so.

Having doctors report patients with possible driving issues and medical issues that could affect driving ability could get drivers off the road – before they cause a Miami Beach car accident. It is no secret that medical issues cause Miami Beach truck accidents and car accidents. Each year, people are injured and killed because a driver has dementia, a heart attack or stroke behind the wheel, vision problems, or other medical problems. Drivers with sleep apnea can fall asleep behind the wheel while those with other serious illnesses could have a medical emergency behind the wheel, losing control of their car.

The idea of reporting medical issues that could affect driving ability is not new – truck drivers have faced these types of regulations for years. Commercial truck drivers need to report to medical examinations regularly and are not allowed to drive if they have a condition that makes them dangerous on the roads. Should regular motorists have to meet the same strict standards?

Removing at-risk drivers could help prevent some Miami Beach car accidents, but as researchers have concluded, a system that reports medical issues to government agencies could also hurt doctor-patient relationships. If patients know that they face losing their license, they may be more likely to doctor shop or more likely to avoid visiting the doctor if they believe they could lose driving privileges.

Continue reading →

Making the Difficult Decision to Hang up Car Keys to Prevent a Homestead Car Accident

Published on: November 1, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

According to statistics, seniors in Florida will make up 27% of the state’s population by the year 2030, making it the greyest state in the US. Gail Holley of the Florida Department of Transportation’s Safe Mobility for Life program says that more needs to be done to ensure that drivers know when they must hang up their keys in order to prevent car accidents.

According to the AAA, some drivers develop conditions such as arthritis and other conditions which impair driving. Others take medication with severe side effects. In some cases, drivers can operate a car safely into their 90s. In other cases, drivers in their 30s and 40s are dealing with chronic conditions that affect their ability to avoid a car accident. Therefore, it is not age alone that determines driving fitness. However, drivers who are elderly are more at risk for many serious illnesses and may have conditions such as osteoporosis, which can contribute to serious and fatal injuries in the event of a traffic collision.

The AAA suggests that family and friends speak privately to someone who may be having problems driving. According to the organization, it is important to avoid making demands or lecturing the driver. This can be a challenge, since in some cases a driver may be in denial about their situation. If the driver has never gotten a ticket and still has a perfect driving record, for example, they may be reluctant to admit that they have developed some driving challenges. It is also important to discuss transportation alternatives. Many drivers in Florida are reluctant to surrender their driving privileges because they fear losing independence. It may be important to discuss alternatives such as shuttles, taxis, and other resources (as well as their costs) to reassure a driver that they will still be able to get around when they need to.

If you have a friend or loved one who you believe may be an at-risk driver, it is important to take steps to help them before they are injured in a Homestead car accident. Offering alternatives and discussing their medical condition can help. Keep in mind that it is not only the elderly who may have trouble driving due to a health condition. A younger driver with a chronic health condition may still be at risk of causing a Homestead truck accident or Homestead motorcycle accident if their condition affects driving ability. If you yourself have been diagnosed with a chronic condition, discuss your with your doctor and ask how your condition will affect your driving ability. It can be frightening to have a health concern and even more frightening to contemplate giving up your car keys due to a health condition. However, it is important to make the right decision in order to avoid a Homestead traffic accident.

Continue reading →

Passengers May be the Key to Avoiding Hialeah Car Accidents Caused by New Drivers

Published on: October 30, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

According to a new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, teenage drivers between the ages of 16 and 17 increase risky driver behaviors as the number of young passengers in the car increases. The study also concluded that teen drivers who have at least one teenage passenger are more likely to drink and drive, speed, or drive late at night. Male teen drivers have a higher risk of risky behaviors when driving with passengers when compared with female drivers.

About half of fatal car accidents involving young drivers with at least three teen passengers involved speeding. In fatal car accidents involving teen drivers in the car alone, about 30% of accidents involved speeding. In cases where a teen driver had two passengers, speed played a role in 44% of accidents. Across all age groups, speed played a role in 33% of accidents.
According to the study, teen drivers who had three teen passengers saw late night driving rise 11 percentage points while drunk driving increased five percentage points when compared with teen drivers driving alone.

To reach their conclusions, the AAA examined available fatal car accident data dating from 2005 to 2010. Researchers found that 9500 collisions in that period involved 16 and 17-year-old drivers. In about 4000 of the accidents, the car had at least one teen passenger.

In May of this year, the AAA released research suggesting that teen drivers with a passenger under the age of 21 have a 44% increased risk of being in a fatal collision. The same study found that the risk doubled with two teen passengers and quadrupled if the car had at least three teen passengers. However, when there was an adult passenger in the car, the risk of a collision actually decreased.

Most parents realize that car accidents are a leading cause of death for minors in the US. In order to prevent Hialeah car accidents, parents may wish to speak to their teen drivers about passengers and the risks that passengers pose. To prevent Hialeah traffic accidents, parents may also wish to limit the number of passengers in a new driver’s car – at least until a teen driver gains more driving experience and skill. Since adults in the car can actually improve teen driving habits, parents may want to spend some time in the car as a passenger to help teens build driving confidence and the skills needed to prevent Hialeah truck accidents and car accidents.

Continue reading →

Avoiding Hialeah Pedestrian Accidents on Halloween Night

Published on: October 25, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Halloween night presents a number of challenges for drivers, the biggest challenge being the groups of trick-or-treaters out on the streets. Hialeah pedestrian accidents are in fact a much greater threat to trick-or-treaters than injuries caused by candy. To avoid a Hialeah traffic accident this year, consider the following tips:

1) Consider a curfew and other rules for teen drivers. Teen drivers are most at risk because they are less experienced. Set some rules or consider having new drivers avoid driving entirely on Halloween night to prevent Hialeah pedestrian accidents.

2) Consider a party instead of trick-or-treating. Hosting a party rather than having children trick-or-treat can be a safe alternative that still stays fun. If you are hosting a Halloween party that is not just for kids, either make it alcohol-free or have a safe transportation option for your guests to avoid the risk of Hialeah drunk driving accidents.

3) Have everyone outfitted with visible costumes. If you have children who are trick-or-treating, ensure that the costumes are safe. The costumes should not have long hems that can pose a trip hazard or masks and hoods that block visibility. Costumes should be highly visible and should have reflective strips to make them more visible to motorists.

4) If your children go trick-or-treating, insist that they go with an adult and in a group. An adult can supervise to ensure that children do not run out into the road while a group of children can ensure that they are more visible.

5) If you are taking children trick or treating, walk along one side of the street before crossing at a crosswalk and working down the opposite side of the road. Children often want to run back and forth across the road, but this can increase the odds of a Hialeah car accident.

6) If you will be driving on Halloween night and Halloween afternoon, exercise extra caution. Children may start trick-or-treating early and not all will follow safety rules or cross at crosswalks.

7) Consider a night in. If there is nowhere you have to drive on Halloween night, consider renting movies or staying in on that night. The fewer cars are on the roads, the safer the streets will be with the extra influx of pedestrians.

Continue reading →

Pedal Mistakes and Hialeah Car Accidents

Published on: October 23, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

There are many causes of Hialeah car accidents, one of them being pedal mistakes. When a driver mistakes the gas pedal for the brakes (or vice versa) a serious accident can occur. These types of Hialeah traffic accidents most often occur in driveways, parking spaces, and garages, although they can occur anywhere. These types of accidents can be serious, since suddenly stepping on the gas while in a parking area or other low-speed area can cause the car to crash into another vehicle, person, or building. Serious injuries, including fatalities, Hialeah head injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, and other serious injuries are reported each year due to pedal mix ups.

According to the Highway Safety Research Center, women are more likely to be involved in this type of accident, even though male drivers cause more car accidents overall. Drivers who are over 76 or under 20 are most likely to mix up pedals and cause an accident. According to the study, almost two-thirds of drivers involved in pedal mix-up accidents were women. Most of the accidents involved older drivers over the age of 76 and most occurred in parking areas. Researchers hypothesized that the reason for the crashes may be that some areas of the brain that deal with executive functioning deteriorate in some drivers, making gas pedal mix up accidents more of a risk.

According to experts, there are several things that drivers can do to reduce the risk of this type of Hialeah truck accident or car accident:

1) Do not drive distracted. Distracted driving can easily lead to a pedal mix up and Hialeah car collision because a distracted driver may simply not be considering which pedal they are pressing. Talking on a mobile device (even a hands-free device), having an animated discussion with a passenger, texting, eating, drinking, changing the music, and any activity that takes your mind off driving is a distraction and can be potentially deadly.

2) Take one pedal mix up as a serious warning sign. If you are in a minor fender-bender due to a pedal mix-up, take that as a serious warning sign. The pedals should be so automatic for you that you should not mix them up. If this is not the case for you, take a refresher course or additional driver training to ensure that the accident does not repeat itself.

3) Visually check pedals when backing up out of a parking space, driveway, or other area. Checking forces you to consider the right pedal and reduces the risk of a mix-up.

4) Stay mentally fit to drive. Check medications to ensure that they will not make you sleepy or unfocused. If you notice any signs of loss of concentration or memory, speak with your doctor to ensure that there are no medical conditions which may be

Continue reading →

Ford Aims to Reduce Florida Car Accidents Caused by Distracted Driving

Published on: October 18, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Every motorist today is aware of the risks of Miami drunk driving and motorists are increasingly being told about the dangers of distracted driving as well. However, the message of distracted driving seems to be more difficult to communicate and many Miami car accidents each year are still caused by distracted drivers.

Car manufacturers are sometimes held blamed for distracted driving since many car makers are creating car models with built-in computers, GPS systems, and systems designed to support mobile devices – all of which can be distractions for a driver. Ford wants to change that image by researching the so-called “driver workload” in order to eventually formulate sensors in the seatbelt and steering wheel that could eventually help detect a driver’s respiration and heart rates in order to gauge a driver’s emotions and distraction level.

The premise is similar to the steering wheel sensors and built-in breathalyzers that have been used to curb Miami drunk driving accidents. According to Ford, the new devices measuring heart rate and respiration would be effective in curbing driving distraction because they would measure driver response to distraction rather than try to regulate specific distractions – such as texting while driving. Ford researchers say that avoiding technology in the car is all but impossible today and while many drivers know they should turn off mobile devices before driving, many choose not to do so. By providing an alert system for drivers, Ford hopes to develop a system that lets drivers know when they are in danger.

According to the car maker, the sensors would be able to process data about a driver’s state in real time and the information would not be shared or recorded. Instead, if the sensors deemed that driver’s respiration and heart rates suggested a high level of stress, the car would mute music and disable mobile devices, allowing the driver to relax and place their full focus on driving. The system would be used in conjunction with the Ford Sync system, which some experts have already suggested may be a distraction to drivers.

Would these sensors help prevent Miami pedestrian accidents and car accidents? Ford researchers seem to think so and some experts feel that the sensors would help by targeting a driver’s physical responses rather than specific activities – such as texting. By focusing on the heart rate and respiratory rate, the system would be able to alert drivers if they were getting too upset or stressed to drive safely and would potentially help drivers become more aware of their emotions when driving, which could help prevent accidents caused by road rage, as well. The sensors might also provide an early alert system in the event of a heart attack, stroke, or other medical emergency which can make a driver a hazard on the roads. Critics of the system, however, point out that the system has no way of telling whether a driver’s eyes are not on the road – a major danger associated with distracted driving.

Continue reading →

Miami Car Accidents Caused by Distracted Driving are so Prevalent that the US Post Office Issues a Plea

Published on: October 16, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Recently, the US Postal Service issues a news release, asking Florida drivers to pay more attention to their driving in order to avoid running into post offices. While distracted driving is a serious concern across the country, the US Postal Service warning may indicate that Miami car accidents and Florida car accidents caused by distracted driving may be an especial concern. Specifically speaking to Florida motorists, the US Postal Service offered a few tips to drivers to prevent collisions with buildings:

1) The US Postal Service asked drivers to check whether their foot was on the brake pedal or gas pedal. This tip may be because pedal mix-ups are a common cause of Miami traffic accidents and Florida car accidents. A Punta Gorda post office was hit this year because an elderly driver accidentally hit the gas pedal instead of hitting the brake. In that accident, the post office building was so damaged that the structural support of the building was affected.

2) The US Postal Service asked Florida motorists to check whether their car was in drive, reverse, or park before backing up and before getting out of the car. This warning may come after a number of motorists backed up into post office buildings while trying to move forward or crashed into the buildings while thinking they were in reverse.

3) The US Postal Service asked Florida drivers to void distracted driving. Distracted driving is a hot topic in Florida and there is little doubt among many safety experts that single-vehicle accidents where a car crashes into a building are often caused by driver inattention.

4) The US Postal Service asked Florida motorists to enter and leave parking spaces carefully. In many cases, drivers may wish to make a quick stop at a post office to run an errand, and in their hurry may make mistakes that lead to a Miami pedestrian accident or traffic accident.

According to the US Postal Service, 14 post offices have been hit by cars in Florida since the start of 2012. In many cases, the accidents seem to be caused by a lack of attention. In one Leesburg accident, for instance, a woman crashed into a post office because she was startled by something. A post office in Vero Beach was hit twice, once by a driver who crashed into the lobby and once by an elderly driver who was attempting to park when she accidentally drove over the curb and collided with the building. According to the US Postal Service, the two most common causes of these types of collisions are pedal mix-ups and acceleration when the driver mistakenly thinks the car is in reverse.

According to the Charlotte County Postmaster, the post office in Punta Gorda is hit yearly, and the problem is serious enough that the county is considering placing concrete poles in front of the building to protect the post office. It is unknown whether other post offices have this type of plan in place to prevent this unusual type of Florida and Miami truck accident.

Continue reading →

Employers May Now Be Pushed to Do More to Prevent Fort Lauderdale Car Accidents Caused by Distracted Driving

Published on: October 11, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Many employers make company cars available for their workers, but does this mean that employers are responsible for how those employees drive? In a number of recent court decisions across the country, judges have held employers partly liable in cases where employees have caused distracted driving accidents while driving company cars on company time. In one Florida case, a woman was killed when a driver rear-ended the car because he was distracted. The employer of the man was ordered to pay $21.6 million in the case because the man was driving on company time. In an Arkansas judgment, an employer was forced to pay $16.1 million after one of its lumber salesmen caused a car accident that caused permanent injury.

The reality is that many employers now require employees to be available around the clock – and that means being available while the employee is driving. In some cases, employees are provided with company cars and company phones and may feel that they need to answer any work-related texts or phone calls as they comes in.

Experts recommend that employers should have written policies in place about cellphone use. These policies should clearly outline the dangers of using cell phones while driving and should provide clear directives to employees about what they should do if they are driving while expecting a work-related call or text.

These policies can, and in fact, should extend beyond the state regulations regarding mobile phone use. For example, in Florida, texting while driving is not prohibited but employers may still be held liable if an employee causes a Fort Lauderdale truck accident while texting. In situations where an employee on the clock causes a Fort Lauderdale car accident or traffic accident while distracted, the employee may still be held liable for reckless driving and the employer may be held liable for contributing to that negligence, even if texting while driving is technically legal in Florida.

Employers may be held liable if a distracted employee causes a Fort Lauderdale traffic accident while using a personal car for work use, while using a company car, or while using any company-provided device while driving. For this reason, it is important for employers to institute strict rules and to offer training to all employees about safe use of mobile devices. Even employees who do not drive in a company car regularly or do not drive for the company may get into an accident in which the business is partly liable.

Continue reading →

How Drivers Can Prevent Davie Car Accidents involving Bicyclists

Published on: October 9, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

While all Davie car accidents are frightening and can lead to serious accidents, collisions involving a car and a bicycle are often devastating. Since the cyclist is not enclosed, the size and car of a passenger car often leads to very serious or even fatal injury. In many cases, Davie bicycle accidents are caused by drivers who take risks or fail to pay attention. Fortunately, there are many things that drivers can do to prevent these types of accidents:

1) When passing cyclists, give them plenty of room. At least a few feet reduces the risk of collisions.

2) Pass cyclists quickly. While drivers may think that they are being courteous by passing cyclists slowly, it can actually make cyclists nervous and can cause a collision. Simply give cyclists plenty of room and pass as you would a car.

3) Check for cyclists before opening a car door. If you are opening your car door where cyclists are riding, a bicyclist may not notice the car door in time to stop, and the collision is enough to seriously injure or kill a cyclist.

4) Do not honk at bicyclists unless absolutely necessary. This can startle someone on a bicycle and can lead to a collision. Bicyclists can generally hear a much larger vehicle, such as a car, behind them.

5) Get familiar with the signals bicyclists use when turning. In some instances, drivers are not aware of these signals and cannot prevent an accident because they cannot anticipate where bicyclists are headed.

6) Never drive distracted. Bicyclists are more flexible than motorists in that they can zip up behind a car quite quickly and can be hidden in a car’s blind spots. Driving distracted increases your risk of a Davie pedestrian accident, bicycle accident, and every other type of traffic accident.

7) Check your blind spots. Bicycles are small enough to hide in your blind spot, so check your blind spot.

8) Never drive drunk. Davie drunk driving accidents claim too many lives each year. These accidents are completely preventable, which makes them even more tragic. If you will be drinking, make sure you have a few plans for getting home safely.

9) Drive defensively. Driving defensively ensures that you anticipate the movements of other motorists, so that you can avoid a collision if necessary.

10) Treat bicyclists like cars. Never attempt to share a lane with bicyclists and make sure that you provide them with the same space and courtesy you would provide to any vehicle. Use signal lights and eye contact to ensure that bicyclists can see you when you change lanes, turn, or pass.

Continue reading →