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As Holiday Invitations Come In, Start Planning to Prevent Homestead Drunk Driving Accidents

Published on: November 27, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

During this time of year, many Homestead residents are getting invitations to work holiday parties as well as holiday get-togethers from friends and family. While it’s exciting to get invitations and to schedule them into your planner, this is also a good opportunity to make sure that you plan ahead for safety.

Holiday parties are a cause of concern for local law enforcement, since alcohol served at holiday parties can lead some motorists to make poor decisions, leading to Homestead drunk driving accidents. Homestead car accidents involving alcohol do typically increase during the holiday season in many years, according to authorities. Sometimes, drivers simply make poor decisions after drinking at a holiday party and the consequences can be tragic. Each year, people sustain serious Homestead head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even fatalities due to drunk driving.

You can help prevent these types of tragedies by planning well in advance. When you get an invitation for a holiday party, don’t just consider whether you can attend or whether the party fits into your schedule. Also plan ahead to determine how you can get home safely. For example, one of the things you want to consider is whether the party will be alcohol free or whether alcohol will be served. If alcohol will be served, consider how you will get home safely.

To do this, consider where the party is held. If the party is held at your workplace, find out whether your employer will be providing a way to get home safely. Consider public transportation as a way to get home safely, but also consider when the party will be ending. The party may and well after public transportation is no longer available. If this is the case, you will need a list of local cab companies as well as cash on hand so that you can call for a taxicab after the party.

Be especially alert for parties that can end late and for parties that are in remote locations. Often, these are the most challenging if you will be drinking. Taxicabs from remote locations may be more expensive and public transportation may not be available late at night or in remote areas. Hotel rooms and motel rooms may also not be available in these areas. Therefore, you will need to plan ahead and arrange for a friend or family member to pick you up. You may also want to have a list of cab companies on hand as well as extra money to get home safely. Or, you can make arrangements with your host in order to stay at their home after drinking. Planning ahead can reduce the risk that you will be involved in a Homestead traffic accident simply because you didn’t plan ahead and ran out of options when it was late and you found yourself far away from an easy way to get home.

Keep in mind that after a party where you have been drinking you may feel tired and anxious to get home. This makes it easier for you to make a bad decision. To avoid being in a Homestead traffic accident caused by drunk driving, make it easy for yourself to do the right thing. Plan ahead and have more than one way to get home safe. Better yet, consider leaving your car at home and take a cab to the party so that you are not tempted to drive home after you have been drinking.

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Preventing Pompano Beach Drunk Driving Accidents This Thanksgiving

Published on: November 22, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Unfortunately, Thanksgiving and the holiday season are a time when Florida and Pompano Beach drunk driving accidents may be on the rise. There are more holiday parties at this time of year serving alcohol, which can lead motorists to make poor decisions after drinking. Luckily, these types of Pompano Beach car accidents are completely preventable and you can do your part to help prevent these types of tragedies with just a few simple steps:

1) Plan ahead – even if you don’t plan to drink. Many drivers plan ahead if they plan on drinking, but even if you do not plan on drinking you may find that you end up being served alcohol or end up drinking anyway without planning to. Any time you head to a party or holiday event, you should have a backup plan for getting home safely if you do consume alcohol. This way, being unprepared is no excuse for driving drunk.

2) Have extra money on hand. A simple way to prevent DUI Pompano Beach car accidents is simply to have extra money on hand to pay for a hotel room or taxicab home if you have been drinking. You do not want to have to make a bad decision simply because you do not have money on hand to get home safely.

3) Keep the names of hotels and taxi companies in your wallet or glove compartment. Knowing exactly who you can call and where you can call in order to sober up or get home safe makes it easier for you to make the right decision if you do drink.

4) Have more than one plan for getting home safely. Having just one get home safe plan can be risky. For example, if you designate a driver but the driver ends up drinking or ends up leaving early, you could be stranded – unless you have a backup plan to get home safe. In addition to designating a driver, therefore, you may want to have other options on hand. Have money for a taxicab, have a list of friends you can call for a safe ride home, or have other options on hand so that you have lots of ways of getting home safely.

5) Don’t plan on walking home alone if you have been drinking. While it can seem like a better option than driving drunk, walking home inebriated can lead to a Pompano Beach pedestrian accident. Pedestrians who are intoxicated are more likely to become confused and may wander into traffic or get hit by a car. Inebriated pedestrians are also more likely to be involved in a Pompano Beach trip and fall accident or are more likely to injure themselves or become the victim of a crime because they are not alert enough to walk home safely. If you must walk home, walk home with friends or get a taxicab instead.

6) Consider making a difference by donating to a local group raising awareness about drunk driving. Raising awareness about the dangers of drunk driving and supporting groups that strive to reduce drunk driving helps keep everyone safer.

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Preventing a Hollywood Car Accident This Holiday Season

Published on: November 20, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Holiday season accidents can be especially tragic. No family should have to face the holidays with an injured loved one or immediately after losing a loved one. However, for some Hollywood families, this is exactly what occurs. The rush of the holiday season as well as increases in traffic during this time of year as well as the increase in the number of parties serving alcohol can all conspire to create an increased risk of Hollywood traffic accidents. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk of tragedy this holiday season:

1) Give yourself extra time. Driving while stressed is more likely to lead to driver errors, speeding, reckless driving, and other mistakes which can cause a Hollywood truck accident or car accident. Give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination when you’re driving. When running holiday related errands, consider delegating some tasks or removing some tasks entirely from your to do list. Being less stressed and putting less pressure on yourself allows you to focus fully on safe driving and allows you to reach your destination safely.

2) Give yourself the gift of sleep. During the holiday season, many people feel pressured to do more and to accomplish more. Sometimes, this can lead to insomnia or to reduced hours of sleep as we try to catch up on everything. However, drowsy driving is a leading cause of Hollywood car accidents.

3) Maintain your car. It is a good idea to get a car tune-up at this time of year, especially if you will be driving far in order to visit friends and family for the holidays. A car that is properly maintained is more likely to react properly if you need to make a sudden maneuver in order to avoid a car collision.

4) Plan routes carefully. If you will be driving to visit friends or family or if you are simply running errands in unfamiliar parts of town as part of your holiday routine, make sure that you plan your routes ahead of time. Consider construction as well as the safest routes to drive. Make sure that you print out maps and instructions and place them in an easy-to-reach area or use your GPS device in order to get to your destination safely. You do not want to have to be trying to look at instructions while driving at the same time.

5) Avoid distracted driving. Distracted driving is a leading cause of Hollywood car accidents. Even though Florida has no laws against texting and driving, keep in mind that if you drive recklessly you may have a legal claim launched against you if your recklessness causes a car accident. Distracted driving can easily kill you, so make sure to put all distractions away when you get behind the wheel. During the holiday season it is normal to want to multitask in order to get everything done, but you’ll be safer – and happier – if you focus on one task at a time. When on the road, your entire focus should be on driving and driving only.

6) Have a plan for getting home safely from any party where alcohol may be served. Hollywood drunk driving accidents are a key cause of concern for families and law enforcement every year during the holiday season.

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Miami Drunk Driving Accidents May be a Greater Problem Than Previously Suspected, New Study Finds

Published on: September 14, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

According to a new research study led by Joanne Brady of Columbia University, more than half of drivers in the US involved in fatal car collisions had drugs or alcohol in their system at the time of their accidents. According to Brady and her researchers, men and those driving at night were the most likely to have controlled substances in their system.

The study, which appeared in the journal Addiction, was based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Researchers looking over the data found that between 2005 and 2008, 20 150 drivers were fatally injured in car accidents in fourteen states. Of these, 57 percent tested positive for alcohol of drugs. About 20 percent had multiple drugs or controlled substances in their system. The most common controlled substance found in these drivers was alcohol, but marijuana, amphetamines, and other stimulants were also found in some drivers.

According to researchers, men were more likely than women to be driving with drugs or alcohol in their system. Less than half of women fatally killed in car accidents had controlled substances in their system at the time of their traffic accident, compared to sixty percent of men. The records did not show how much of a drug drivers had in their system, so according to researchers it is impossible to tell how impaired by drugs the drivers were, and whether any prescription drugs found in drivers were being taken correctly.

In Florida, since the 1980s, groups such as MADD and law enforcement agencies have launched enforcement and education initiatives aimed at reducing the number of Miami drunk driving accidents on the roads. Drivers are well aware of the risks of drugs and alcohol in increasing the risk of a Miami car accident. Nevertheless, as the newest study suggests, many drivers are still making poor choices when it comes to controlled substances and driving.

More can be done to prevent Miami traffic accidents caused by substance abuse. While Brady and her research team did not make specific recommendations based on the findings, the study itself does suggest a number of possibilities. For example, since impaired driving collisions seem more likely at night, perhaps more can be done to provide low-cost and accessible transportation options for drivers in the evenings and at night. In addition, since men are more likely than women to drive impaired, perhaps education and prevention campaigns aimed at reducing Miami truck accidents and car accidents can be tailored at men.

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Avoiding a Hialeah Car Accident This Labor Day Weekend

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

As with every three-day weekend, the Labor Day weekend is a cause of concern for law enforcement agencies across the state when it comes to drunk driving. Unfortunately, even with all the law enforcement checkpoints in place and all the public awareness about the dangers of drunk driving, every Labor Day weekend there are Florida and Hialeah car accidents and traffic stops caused by DUI.

This year, the Florida Highway Patrol is taking part in a national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” initiative that will continue through September 3. In addition, police will be more vigilant during the holiday weekend in order to try to prevent Florida and Hialeah drunk driving accidents. To avoid a tragedy this holiday weekend, follow these tips:

1) Do not assume a small amount of alcohol is OK. In Florida, the legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.08%. For a woman who weighs 120 pounds, it may take only two to three drinks to exceed this limit. For a 190-pound adult man, it may take three to four drinks to exceed the limit. Depending on the physical condition of the person and the strength of the drinks served, however, it can take less. As well, some experts question the 0.08 percent limit, noting that for some people by the time they approach this limit their reasoning, peripheral vision, depth perception, and reflexes may be affected. In fact, most European countries have set their blood alcohol limits much lower and some nations have eliminated any drinking for drivers. Experts believe that even if you are below the official blood alcohol limit, you may still be affected enough by the alcohol to cause a Hialeah car accident. The best option is to avoid driving if you have been drinking at all. Keep in mind that secondary factors such as the heat or fatigue after a late-night Labor Day party can amplify the effects of just one drink.

2) Do not belittle other risk factors. Some drivers assume that as long as they are not drinking and driving, they are being responsible. However, if you are driving distracted or tired, you may be just as much risk on the road. For example, if you stay out late after a Labor Day party and then drive you may be just as liable to fall asleep at the wheel and cause a Hialeah pedestrian accident as someone who has been drinking.

3) Have multiple options for getting home. You are more likely to choose a safe route home if you choose several options. Designate a driver, but also have money and taxi company phone numbers to get home safely, for example. The more options you have, the more likely you are to make the right choice.

4) Remove temptation in the first place. If you are attending a Labor Day event where you know you may drink, consider taking a taxi or a bus to the event in the first place, so that driving home in your car is not even an option. Or, consider an alcohol-free event.

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Miami Drunk Driving Accidents Still a Serious Problem

Published on: August 28, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

In the 1980s, campaigns and initiatives were launched by MADD and other organizations to crack down on drunk driving and to educate the public about the dangers of driving inebriated. Legislators passed laws to make penalties harsher for those who decided to drive after drinking. Despite all the efforts, however, there are still thousands of Miami drunk driving accidents occurring because drivers make poor choices after drinking. Each day, police pull over drunk drivers and attend tragic car accident scenes caused by inebriated drivers.

According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, there were more than 2000 drunk driving convictions in Miami-Dade County in 2010. There were 1588 car accidents caused by drunk driving in the county that same year. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), these accidents resulted in 1034 injuries and 43 fatalities.
The results of a Miami car accident caused by a drunk driver are devastating. In cases where a serious injury or fatality has occurred, it can cost a family hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars to take care of lost income, medical costs, long term care, and other expenses. It can be especially galling for a family to learn that their pain and suffering was preventable and caused by someone’s poor choices.

After a Miami traffic accident caused by drunk driving, families do have options. Depending on the details of the accident, the family may be able to pursue action against the driver and other parties. In a DUI case, the drunk driver is presumed negligent. In some cases, claims can be filed against those who provided the alcohol and anyone who permitted the driver to drive inebriated.

A family who has suffered due to a drunk driver can pursue claims for pain and suffering, injuries, medical costs, lost income, lost earning capacity in the future, and property damage. To prove these damages in court, the family will usually need to work with an experienced Miami personal injury attorney. A good attorney can investigate the cause of the accident, find all liable parties, find evidence of negligence, accurate evaluate the cost of damages, and pursue justice in the case. In most cases, an attorney will work with medical experts and will gather medical records, doctor’s bills, prognosis details, body shop receipts, police records, and other records that can help prove the case. He or she will take care of all the details so that you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life after the accident.

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Preventing Miami Car Accidents During the Holidays

Published on: July 4, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

The Fourth of July travel period is supposed to be a time of fun and family. Each year, however, Florida families are devastated as a result of Miami car accidents during this time of year. Unfortunately, the holiday period usually coincides with an increase in car accidents during most years. While police presence on city streets is aimed at reducing the risk of accidents, there are still many things that motorists can do to help prevent a Miami traffic accident at this time of year:

1) Give yourself extra time to get to your destination. Many Miami car accidents during the holiday weekend occur because travelers are heading to see family and friends, creating congestion and frayed tempers. Giving yourself extra time helps reduce the stress as well as the risk of a car crash.

2) Avoid driving when tired or upset. Strong emotions are a major distraction and driving when tired can mean that you lose focus or even fall asleep at the wheel. It is especially important to avoid driving fatigued or angry at this time of year, since the sun and hot weather can exacerbate the fatigue and irritability.

3) Put away distractions when you get in the car. Even though there are no texting bans in Florida, there is quite a bit of scientific research to show that any type of distraction – whether in the form of food, passengers, or mobile devices – can increase your risk of being in a serious car collision. Whenever you drive distracted you take your mind and eyes off the road for seconds at a time – more than enough time to cause a Miami bicycle accident or other type of traffic accident.

4) Stay cool in the car and bring provisions. Heat exhaustion, sunburn, and heat stroke can be very real problems if you are stuck in Miami traffic for hours this holiday weekend. Pack a cool drink and wear sunscreen and a hat to keep yourself from overheating. Roll down your windows and use your air conditioner to keep yourself cool as you drive.

5) Have a plan to avoid drunk driving. Miami drunk driving accidents are a serious concern during the holiday weekend. You can avoid this type of accident by having a plan for getting home safely. Even if you plan on not drinking, have a plan in place – just in case. Better yet, leave your car at home and use public transportation to get to and from parties where you know you may be drinking.

6) Have a plan to prevent others from driving drunk. If you are hosting Fourth of July celebrations, make sure that you have options to get your guests home. You may arrange for a designated driver and car or have guest beds set up, for example.

7) Find out what options exist for holiday celebrations in your area – and take advantage of them. Most communities have alcohol-free festivities, free public transportation, and other options for revelers. In many cases, these options can help you avoid drunk driving.

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Underage Drinking and Miami Drunk Driving Accidents

Published on: March 14, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), underage drinking is a major cause for concern when it comes to preventing car accidents. While many drivers are aware that drunk driving causes many Miami car accidents, few people are as aware that teen drinking and underage drinking are also a leading cause of Miami drunk driving accidents. Florida has a zero tolerance law when it comes to teen drinking – drivers under the age of 21 are prohibited from having any alcohol in their system when they drive. Despite these laws, however, some teens choose to drink and drive, and some parents are not aware that their teen drivers are taking part in this risk-taking behavior.

According to MADD, in 2006, about 28.3 percent of teens between 12 and 20 years of age admitted to drinking in the previous month. Another 6.2 percent were identified as heavy drinkers while 19 percent were classified as heavy drinkers. MADD also reports that 28% of fatal car accidents involving teen drivers involve alcohol. In fact, according to the organization, more teens die from alcohol-related events than from all other controlled drugs combined.
Underage drinking affects everyone and is costing lives. Teens who are in alcohol-related accidents can suffer permanent injuries, including brain injuries. Each year, teens are killed in alcohol-related Miami traffic accidents.

According to experts, everyone has a role to play in preventing these accidents. For example, teens have been involved in MADD initiatives to inform other teens about the dangers of drunk driving. Teens can also sign pledges to not drink and drive.

Schools are also helping to prevent Miami truck accidents and car accidents caused by drunk driving. Many schools sponsor MADD events or support police initiatives. Many teens have heard a presentation at their school about drunk driving.

Parents, of course, also have a huge role to play in preventing Miami drunk driving accidents. Parents can speak with then teens and children about the dangers of drunk driving and underage drinking. Even if teens do not drink and drive, alcohol can still cause serious accidents, including Miami pedestrian accidents and sports-related injuries. Teens who have been drinking are more likely to get into an accident because they have poor motor control and fewer inhibitions. However, some teens see the drinking age as an arbitrary number. Parents can help by ensuring that teens understand that the drinking age is present for a number of reasons. Of course, parents can also help by setting a good example themselves and by ensuring that teens and children know that they can get a no-questions-asked drive home if they need it. Teens and children are more likely to call a parent for a sober ride home if they know that they will not be punished for doing so.

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Can Car Interlock Devices Prevent Miami Springs Car Accidents?

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

According to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drunk drivers were less likely to repeat the offence if they had alcohol interlock devices installed in their cars. The study examined drivers who were convicted of drunk driving in Washington. According to the study, the rate of repeat drunk driving offences declined by 12% after Washington State mandated that all drivers convicted of drunk driving install interlock devices on their cars.
The study may suggest that Miami Springs car accidents could be prevented with a similar initiative in Florida. With Miami Springs drunk driving accidents still claiming too many lives and causing too many injuries each year, perhaps it is time to consider mandatory alcohol interlock devices for drivers convicted of DUI offenses.

Alcohol interlock devices work very simply. The devices are installed in a vehicle and the driver of the vehicle must blow into the device before the car will start. If the driver has been drinking, the car will not start. The idea behind the devices is that they prevent drivers with an elevated blood alcohol level from starting and driving their cars. Advocates of the devices say that they prevent drunk driving and physically stop someone from driving their car after drinking. Advocates point out that the devices physically place an obstacle to driving drunk and are more effective than license suspension, since someone with a suspended license can still choose to drive without a license quite easily.

Those who disagree with the Washington program, however, point out that alcohol interlock devices are expensive and do not necessarily prevent someone from drinking and driving. Someone can still borrow a car without an alcohol interlock device and drive that vehicle. A driver with an alcohol interlock device in their car can also fool the system by having someone else blow into the device.

Anne McCartt of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety feels that alcohol interlock devices do work in preventing drunk driving deaths, however. She notes that drivers with DUI convictions are more likely to repeat their offence and be involved in fatal DUI car accidents. As a result, McCartt and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety are supporting an initiative that would create a federal law to pressure states to create similar laws as Washington, requiring those drivers convicted of DUI to install alcohol interlock devices. States who initiate such programs would be eligible for additional federal highway funds and might get additional incentives.

Currently, fifteen states require any driver convicted of a DUI to install alcohol interlock devices in their car in order to maintain driving privileges. Twenty-two states require alcohol interlock devices only for those drivers who had very high blood alcohol levels at the time of their arrest and for those drivers who were repeat offenders. Drivers can choose to suspend their driving privileges in most cases, rather than install the alcohol interlock device.

Some experts feel that the devices could be effective in helping prevent some Miami Springs personal injury cases stemming from drunk driving. Even if only a few lives are saved by the devices, these experts suggest, the program is well worth the effort.

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Is Marijuana Causing North Miami Car Accidents?

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

According to a study published in the latest British Medical Journal, researchers at Dalhousie University have concluded that driving under the influence of marijuana almost doubles the risk of a fatal or serious car collision. The study is an especial concern for motorists, as it is the most used illegal narcotic and use of the drug seems to be growing among drivers.

According to the researchers, driving under the influence of marijuana is a bigger problem now than drunk driving in some areas. Part of the problem, according to the study’s authors, is that marijuana is easy to get, inexpensive, and readily available. As well, while the dangerous effects of drunk driving have been stressed again and again in public service announcements and the media, many young drivers, especially, do not believe that driving under the influence of marijuana is dangerous. According to associate professor Mark Asbridge, who headed the study, even some designated drivers will smoke marijuana, erroneously believing that it will not impair them.

Another problem is that past studies on the effects of marijuana have not always established a definitive link between marijuana use and car collisions, making it easy for some people to suggest that marijuana is a safer option for motorists. The Dalhousie Research team combined data about 49, 411 drivers from the US, France, Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.

All the car accidents examined in the study involved at least one vehicle on a public road.
According to the study, drivers who used marijuana within two to three hours of driving faced a 92% greater risk of being involved in a fatal or serious injury. According to the study, marijuana affects spatial awareness, perception, motor skills, and other skills that drivers need to stay safely.

Some countries, including the US, do have saliva roadside tests for marijuana. The tests can detect recent marijuana use, but the tests are not widely used and are controversial. As well, some experts have stated that more research needs to be done to see whether random drug tests of drivers will reduce marijuana-related car accidents.

It is unknown how many North Miami car crashes each year are caused by marijuana use. In many cases, drivers are not tested for the substance after a crash. However, the newest study suggests that more can be done to alert the public about the dangers of driving impaired under the influence of marijuana. Awareness can possibly help to prevent some of the North Miami truck accidents and car accidents caused by controlled substances.

If you have been injured in a North Miami motorcycle accident, car accident, or any traffic accident and you believe that the at-fault driver was driving under the influence, you may want to discuss your case with a qualified North Miami personal injury attorney. An experienced attorney can get you answers about the accident, can determine whether you have a case, and can help you understand your rights and options.

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