Tampa Bay Personal Injury Lawyer - Automobile Accidents - Most Commented

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

Paintball Safety Depends On The Rules Of Engagement

Bob Carroll — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 05:55:02 GMT

Paintball is spreading as an activity across Florida. Wherever there is an empty field there is a chance that paintballers are staging a war game. Following certain safety rules can avoid injuries to bystanders and players. Maybe the rules should be called the Rules of Engagement.

Paintball Safety Rules

Gun safety
*Never fire, or even point, your gun at anything you do not intend to shoot
your paintball gun to make sure your paintballs are not traveling any faster than 300 feet per second ("cranking up" the velocity of your marker only causes more balls to break in your barrel and less accuracy - while also having the potential to hurt your fellow players)
*Do not turn off the trigger safety switch until the game has begun. Turn the safety back on immediately at the end of the game.
*Always use a barrel plug or barrel sleeve. Do not remove it until either the game has begun or you have been instructed to by an official
Playing Safety
*Never shoot at anyone that is not wearing a mask
*Never shoot at any object that is not meant to be shot at (do not vandalize, duh)
*Never shoot at any animal
*Never fire in public places or places where un-masked people, animals, or objects not meant to be shot may be present
*Stop firing at the conclusion of a game, and do not fire until the game has begun or an official has given permission
*If you are within 15 feet of a person, give them a chance to surrender before shooting at them
Excerpts from Vandeta article

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bob Carroll

10 Most Dangerous Jobs In U.S.

Bob Carroll — Mon, 03 Oct 2005 06:25:47 GMT

Time to appreciate the risks taken by others to provide us with the goods and services we require. Start that appreciation with the 10 most dangerous jobs in the country. Workers most likely to be killed at work are not donning bullet-proof vests to capture criminals or saving victims from fire-engulfed buildings.

Those of us who sit at desks need to appreciate the risks taken by others to provide us with the goods and services we require. Thanks to an article at the Miami-based St. Bernardo Blog we can start that appreciation with the 10 most dangerous jobs in the country.

"According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the workers most likely to be killed at work aren't the ones donning bullet-proof vests to capture criminals or saving victims from fire-engulfed buildings. Instead, the workers most likely to die on the job are the ones who help provide us with our daily needs like a safe home, food and electricity."

"The typical worker has a low risk of fatal injuries at work â€“ the fatality rate for all occupations is 4.1 per 100,000 employed. But these hazardous jobs, all of which had a minimum of 30 fatalities in 2004 and 40,000 people employed, are far riskier. The BLS lists these occupations as 10 of the most dangerous in the nation:

1. Logging workers
Fatalities: 92.4 per 100,000 employed
Median Pay: $29,730
Logging and timber workers duties include cutting down trees and cutting and moving logs, providing the raw material for countless products. The nature of their work puts them at constant risk of being killed by heavy, falling objects.

2. Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
Fatalities: 92.4 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $129,250 â€“ but may be much lower for commercial pilots.
Although aircraft pilots and flight engineers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the nation, don't swear off air travel just yet. This category also includes commercial pilots of smaller aircrafts â€“ including crop dusters and air taxis â€“ that are far more likely to crash than your typical 747.

3. Fishers and related workers
Fatalities: 86.4 per 100,000 employed
Median Pay: $24,100
Fishers endure storms, fog, wind and hazardous working conditions before bringing you the fresh salmon on your dinner plate. Perilous weather puts fishers at risk of drowning if their boat capsizes or they fall overboard. And if they suffer serious injuries while at sea, help isn't readily available.

4. Structural iron and steel workers
Fatalities: 47 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $42,430
These workers climb dozens of stories to lay the iron and steel that form buildings, bridges and other structures. Despite strapping on harnesses and other safety gear, structural iron and steel workers face a high risk of fatal injuries from falls.

5. Refuse and recyclable material collectors
Fatalities: 43.2 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $25,760
When refuse and recyclable material collectors take away your trash, they risk traffic accidents and fatal injuries from explosions of hazardous materials. According to a University of Miami study, the leading cause of on-the-job fatalities for these workers is impatient motorists who try to pass the garbage truck and hit the driver.

6. Farmers and ranchers
Fatalities: 37.5 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $40,440
Farmers and ranchers raise animals and plant, cultivate and harvest crops used to produce our food. However, the tractors and machinery used by these workers can be very dangerous: Non-highway vehicle accidents accounted for 40 percent of occupational fatalities for farmers and ranchers in 2004.

7. Roofers
Fatalities: 34.9 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $30,840
When these workers climb atop your house to build or repair your roof, they risk slipping or falling from scaffolds, ladders, or roofs, or burning themselves on flammable, toxic materials.

8. Electrical power line installers and repairers
Fatalities: 30 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $49,100
When your lights go out, line installers and repairers climb power poles and towers to get your electricity up and running. Power lines are typically high off the ground, so workers are at high risk of injury due to falls. Plus, these workers are often at risk of electrocution from contact with the high-voltage power lines.

9. Driver/sales workers and truck drivers
Fatalities: 27.6 per 100,000 employed
Truck driver median pay: $33,520
Driver/sales worker median pay: $20,090
Truck drivers transport goods including cars and livestock, and driver/sales workers deliver and sell their firmâ€™s products over established routes. Both groups spend the majority of their time on the road, putting them at high risk of highway vehicle crashes.

10. Taxi drivers and chauffeurs
Fatalities: 24.2 per 100,000 employed
Median pay: $19,570
The dangers of shuttling around patrons go far beyond highway crashes. Taxi drivers, who often work alone and carry large amounts of cash, may also find themselves victims of robbery and homicide."

As anyone can see, the risk of injury or death is certainly not reflected in the level of compensation within these job categories. If we are not willing to compensate these workers with appropriate pay levels we should, at the very least, assure that they are properly covered by Workers' Compensation and that their working conditions and environment is as safe as it can be.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bob Carroll

Toyota Recalls 4.26 Million Vehicles for Accelerator Defect

Joe Saunders — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:45:45 GMT

Toyota has recalled more than 4 million vehicles due to a defect with the car's accelerator. The defects involve accelerators that are jammed open by floor mats. The dangerous defects have led to auto deaths including the death of a California Highway Patrol officer and three family members. Since 2002, the sudden acceleration defects have claimed the lives of at least 19 motorists who've experienced such Toyota accelerator defects.

Toyota has received strong criticism for their inaction and failure to warn motorists of the problem. "They knew something was wrong way before that San Diego accident happened," said Rebecca Lindland, an auto industry analyst for consulting firm IHS Global Insight. "That was just the catalyst to get them to finally do something."

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