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

5 New Driving Habits to Make 2016 Your Safest Year on the Roads

Published on: January 6, 2016 | By Flaxman Law Group

Every year, tens of thousands of Americans lose their lives in roadway accidents and tens of thousands of Hollywood and Florida drivers are injured in the state. While you might not be able to do much about the driving habits of those around you, there are things you can do to make 2016 the safest year ever for you as a driver.

Building new habits and setting new intentions for your driving can make you a stronger driver and can reduce your risk of an accident. Here are ten habits that can make you more confident and safer on the road:

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Do You Love Craft Beer? Be Careful About Drunk Driving

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

Craft beer has become extremely popular over the past few years. These beers are crafted by small, independent breweries and for beer lovers they offer a distinctive tasting experience. Craft beers often include unique flavor combinations and tastes that can be very appealing for anyone who is looking for something a little different than usual beer.

Unfortunately, craft beers also have another distinction – they are often more likely than traditional beers to have a high alcohol content. One of the things that independent breweries can experiment with is the alcohol content of their beer, and some craft beers have higher alcohol by volume (ABV) when compared with traditional, mass-produced beers. In fact, some craft beers have an ABV of 8% or more.

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Why Even Florida Drivers Need to Worry About Winter Driving (Sometimes)

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

Most of the time, it’s good to be a driver in Southern Florida. While drivers in Vermont, Minnesota, and other parts of the country already are digging their cars out of snow, most Hollywood and Florida drivers don’t have to worry about icy roads and blizzards. While it’s certainly one of the perks of living in this part of the country, it’s important not to get too overconfident. There are two situations where lack of winter driving knowledge can hurt you:

1) Unusual weather patterns.

While it’s unusual for snow and ice to make their way to Florida, it does happen. In early 2014, for example, a winter storm affected parts of the Panhandle, causing power outages and extensive road closures.

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What to Do if You Hit an Animal on the Road

Published on: November 13, 2015 | By Flaxman Law Group

Statistics show that one out of 17 car accidents in this country involve collisions with wildlife. In addition to wildlife, residents in Hollywood and other South Florida communities may also find themes in crashes involving pets and domestic animals.

It’s not a situation anyone wants to find themselves in, but no matter how careful you are an animal may jump in front of your car, causing a collision. There are several things you can do ahead of time to prevent these types of collisions. For example, you can drive sober and distraction-free and use your headlights to see ahead.

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Rain and Florida Car Accidents

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

Many Florida residents think that they escape some of the worst weather-related risks of driving. After all, Florida residents don’t have to worry about blizzard conditions, winter driving, or ice most winters. Despite that, statistics show Florida drivers are in fact at risk of one of the most dangerous weather conditions out there: rain.

That’s right: while many of us think of extreme weather conditions as causing the most weather-related accidents, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) has identified rain as one of the most dangerous weather conditions out there. According to their statistics, 23% of the estimated 5,870,000 vehicle accidents that take place in this country each year are weather-related. Of these weather-related crashes, 74% occur on wet pavement and 46% happen during a rain. Both winter-related and fog-related weather cause fewer crashes.

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Clocks Have been Turned Back: Are You Driving Fatigued?

Published on: November 4, 2015 | By Flaxman Law Group

Clocks have been turned back within the past week, but does that mean you’re more at risk of a car accident caused by fatigued driving? The reality is that switching clocks back even one hour can wreak havoc with your internal clock, cause insomnia, and can increase the likelihood of some types of accidents.

One problem is that internal clocks are not as easy to adjust as the clock on your mobile devices. Even though you may feel like you have adjusted well, you may be more fatigued than usual. You may especially be more fatigued in the mornings and in the evenings, since it gets darker sooner. If you do feel affected by the time change, consider giving yourself extra time to get work or leave the driving to someone else if you feel too fatigued to operate your car safely.

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Drive Safe This Autumn

Published on: October 28, 2015 | By Flaxman Law Group

Now that autumn is here in Florida, motorists need to adjust their driving. Here are a few tips to keep you driving safely all season long:

1) Be aware of visibility issues.

Rain, fog, and other weather can wreak havoc with your visibility. Make sure that your windshield wipers are in good condition and that you have plenty of windshield wiper fluid. If you do find yourself caught in heavy rains or in heavy fog, consider pulling over if conditions are too harsh. Otherwise, adjust your speed and drive more slowly and carefully. Prepare for the unexpected.

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Pedestrian Accidents in Florida: A State Problem

Published on: October 16, 2015 | By Flaxman Law Group

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) reports that Florida is among the top states in the nation when it comes to pedestrian accidents. In fact, 27% of all traffic fatalities in the state involve pedestrian or bicycle accidents. Unfortunately, children and students can be especially vulnerable to these types of accidents, simply because they may bike or walk more often than adults.

According to safety experts, there are many things that can be done to reduce pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents in Miami and across Florida:

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Deer and Car Accidents: What You Need to Know at This Time of Year

Published on: October 9, 2015 | By Flaxman Law Group

First, the good news: if you live in Florida, you don’t have to worry about deer on the roads as much. A recently published report found that the state is in the bottom five states when it comes to deer crashes. The odds of being in a car crash involving a deer are about 1 in 930.

Here’s the bad news: the chances of being in a car accident involving deer more than double in October, November, and December. Fall is the start of deer mating season, so deer are more on the move. In addition, it’s also hunting season and harvesting season for some crops, which also can move deer out onto roadways.

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Hit and Run Accidents are a Cause for Concern in Fort Lauderdale and South Florida

Published on: October 7, 2015 | By Flaxman Law Group

Earlier this month, David Cassidy, who is most famous for his appearance on the “The Partridge Family,” was charged with driving with an expired tag and leaving the scene of an accident. Cassidy currently lives in Fort Lauderdale and denies the charges against him. In a statement made through his attorney, Cassidy alleges that he provided police with his registration and driver’s license information before leaving the scene of the crash. Witnesses, however, say that Cassidy attempted to cover his license plate number at the scene of the crash and left with a flat tire before providing any information. The case is ongoing.

This news story highlights a common problem not only in Fort Lauderdale, but also across South Florida: hit-and-run accidents. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) reports that the state has seen an increase in these types of collisions over the past two years. In between 2013 and 2014, hit and run accidents increased 7%, to 80,000. During that same year, fatal hit and run accidents increased 23%. Currently, about one quarter of all car accidents in Florida are hit and run cases.

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