Tampa Bay Personal Injury Lawyer - Automobile Accidents

Texting While Driving-A New Study Shows How Dangerous it is

Joe Saunders — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:27:16 GMT

A new study demonstrating the extreme danger of texting while driving appeared on the front page of the NY Times today. The study involved installing video equipment in the cabs of long haul truckers for 18 months. The results showed that the risk of an accident while texting was 23 times greater than when not texting. This is significantly higher than earlier estimates reported. Of course, this should be a no-brainer for all of us. However, for some drivers the temptation to text while drive or read email messages while behind the wheel is often too great too avoid. Yet the consequences can be devastating. The study estimated that in the time it took a trucker to read a text, the big rig could cover the length of an entire football field. In other words, during this entire time, the driver's attention and eyes are not focused on the road but on the electronic device.

I've personally witnessed this phenomenon. While driving in Florida the other day, the car in front of me suddenly swerved up onto the sidewalk before swerving back into her lane of traffic. As I approached the upcoming red light, I saw that the driver had a cell phone in hand and was texting!

It's high time to ban texting while driving. Fourteen states do have such a ban. While it's difficult to enforce at times, the ban would send a message to drivers (as if they need more warning) that such behavior is dangerous and may cost someone a life.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Local Hispanic Activist Killed in Miami Car Crash

Joe Saunders — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:55:12 GMT

The local Tampa Bay community is mourning the loss of dearly beloved Hispanic activist Maria Carillo. Carillo had been a member of Tampa mayor Pam Iorio's Hispanic Leadership Council.

Tragically, Maria Carillo was walking along a sidewalk on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami when two cars crashed at the intersection. One of the vehicles involved in the crash, a Toyota Tundra spun out of control and struck Carillo and her daughter. Just prior to being struck, Maria Carillo pushed her daughter out of the way. Unfortunately, she was struck as well but local officials expect her to make a full recovery.

What makes the story even more tragic is the circumstances of the Carillo women's visit to Miami. They were attending a gala during which Carillo's daughter was awarded a college scholarship.

No words or expressions of support can assuage the pain and grief experienced in the Tampa Bay area over this tragedy. This young, talented daughter lost a devoted mother and we lost a great woman who inspired us all.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Steve Lombardi's Piece on Accident Investigation Spot On

Joe Saunders — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 12:21:00 GMT

Fellow IB colleague Steve Lombardi wrote a great piece today about the importance of gathering and securing evidence from an accident scene in a timely and efficient manner. He correctly points out that failure to do so jeopardized the client's case and impacts ultimate outcome. As he notes, professional and thorough investigation of an accident scene can make the difference between winning and losing.

We had a serious auto/truck accident case over a year ago in which the accident scene investigation as well as the proper safeguarding of the vehicles involved proved crucial to the outcome of my client's case.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Young Boy Struck By Car At Bus Stop in Valrico

Joe Saunders — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:23:12 GMT

Christian Gonzalez, a 10-year old 4th grader from Valrico Elementary School, was struck and seriously injured by a vehicle driven by 65 year old Carlos Garcia. It is still not known whether the driver of the vehicle will face criminal charges. Garcia was driving a 2001 PT Cruiser at the time of the accident. Christian Gonzalez was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital. The boy was struck in front of Town and Country Mobile Home Park, 1221 Valrico Road north of Dockside Drive, at about 7:45 a.m.

This type of tragedy is every parents' worst nightmare. Now that school has re-opened in the Tampa Bay area, all drivers need to take extra time and precaution when approaching and driving through a school zone. A young life may be at stake and the few minutes you might save by speeding won't be worth it if one of our young children is maimed as a result of careless or thoughtless driving.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Pedestrian Killed Near Tampa Bay

Shannon Weidemann — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:18:29 GMT

A woman walking in Spring Hill was killed by a car on Monday night. The pedestrian accident happened on U.S. 41. She was walking with another person when she was hit.

The pedestrians

both of New Port Richey, were crossing U.S. 41 at the intersection with Bowman Rd. They crossed in the path of a car driven by Andre L. Storr of Spring Hill, and were hit.

The victim died at the scene. Her companion was taken to a St. Joseph's Hospital to be treated for his injuries. His condition is unknown. It was reported that his injuries were serious. The police are investigating the accident and the cause is unknown. No charges have been filed.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Tampa Streets Dangerous to Pedestrians and Cyclists

Shannon Weidemann — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:08:43 GMT

Last year 204 people were injured on the streets of Tampa, either walking or on bicycles. Ten people were killed in pedestrian accidents and 3 were killed riding on bikes. They were all hit by cars or trucks. City officials are constantly analyzing new ways to make the streets safer. They also say some accidents could be prevented if people used marked crosswalks.

While it appears that there are more opportunities for cars and people to collide in dense areas like downtown, accidents are actually more likely to happen in places where there is more distance between crosswalks, such as on Nebraska and Hillsborough avenues. People often take their chances and dart across the street on foot or bike despite oncoming traffic, Bennett said.

Still, downtown has its dangers, and the Tampa Downtown Partnership often works with the city to identify ways to make the grid system more walkable.

Pedestrian accidents in Tampa are down 66 percent from the same time last year. The Tampa Downtown Partnership hopes to find funding to install more clear signage downtown for pedestrians. The police department hopes that by educating the public accidents will go down even more.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Allstate Barred from Writing New Insurance Policies in Florida

Joe Saunders — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:35:02 GMT

Florida's First District Court of Appeals has overturned a lower court ruling and reinstated the ban on Allstate writing new insurance policies in Florida. The original controversy surrounded Allstate's refusal to comply with subpoenas regarding its property insurance policies in the State. While the ruling does not effect existing Allstate customers, it will have an impact on the company's finances. That's what happens when you think you're above the law. The ban will affect Allstate Floridian Insurance Co., Allstate Indemnity Co., Allstate Property & Casualty Insurance Co., Allstate Insurance Co., Allstate Floridian Indemnity Co., Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co., Encompass Insurance Co. of America Encompass Indemnity Co., Encompass Floridian Insurance Co. and Encompass Floridian Indemnity Co.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Hit and Run Driver Kills Tampa Man in Wheelchair

Shannon Weidemann — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:45:43 GMT

A man in a wheelchair was killed by a hit and run driver in Tampa on Sunday. The pedestrian accident happened at Main Street and Rome Avenue. He was hit by an unidentified pickup truck.

The victim

was hit by a brown Ford pickup truck that ran a red light, and they say the driver was trying to avoid another car when they hit the wheelchair. After the crash, they say the driver never stopped.
Police are asking the driver responsible to come forward, and anyone who has information about the accident is asked to call the Tampa Police Department.

The victim lived in the neighborhood and was going to a local store at the time of the accident. The police are actively investigating the accident and could use the help of anyone that witnessed it.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Brooksville Man Dies in Hit and Run Accident

Shannon Weidemann — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:15:36 GMT

A man was killed in a hit and run accident after being struck by a car in Brooksville. The pedestrian accident happened early Monday morning. The victim was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa where he later died. The driver of the car that hit the victim left the scene of the accident.

The driver of the car, Jason Morgan Blair, 29, of Brooksville, faces a felony charge of leaving the scene of a crash involving death or personal injury. Blair was quickly tracked down by police and arrested shortly after the accident, according to police. He was booked into the Hernando County Jail and released after posting $500 bail.

The man was hit on State Road 50 in Brooksville. An autopsy is being performed to see if the car accident was the reason the victim died. The police are still investigating the accident. Drug or alcohol use is not believed to have been a factor in the crash.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Plant City Train Accident Injures Pedestrian

Shannon Weidemann — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:24:10 GMT

Two pedestrians were injured in two seperated incidents about 15 hours apart from each other in Plant City. Both men were hit by trains. The pedestrian accidents happened on Thursday.

In the first acciden two men

were walking west on the CSX tracks west of Waller Street, not far from Wheeler Street, when a train hauling chemicals approached, police said. Raymond was able to get out of the way but the engine clipped Nelson, police said.

The victim in that incident was taken to the hospital for observation and later released. The second accident happened near Calhoun and Palmer Streets. A man was hit by a train and his right foot was injured. He is currently at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

Both train accidents are being investigated by the police.

If you would like to read more about train accidents, please visit InjuryBoard's Train Accident information page.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann