Tampa Bay Personal Injury Lawyer - Automobile Accidents - Most Popular

Rear-end Collision Not Always Fault Of Just One Driver

Bob Carroll — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 05:42:10 GMT

A Floride appellate court opinion has again reminded us that sometimes the lead vehicle in a rear-end collision can bear some, even most, of the legal responsibility. It appears from the opinion that a jury actually determined the lead driver was more at fault than the rear driver. Because of the doctrine of comparative negligence that jury decision would significantly reduce the damages awarded to the injured driver of the lead vehicle. The appellate court ruled it was error for the trial court to determine, after the jury verdict, that defendant was 100% at fault for the collision, instead of 34% as had been jury's determination.

Where defendant presented evidence from which jury could reasonably conclude that lead driver's negligence contributed to the collision, the presumption of negligence that attached to the driver of the rear vehicle was rebutted, and the issue was for jury to decide.

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

Hot Pursuit Deaths Become Hot Issue

Bob Carroll — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 03:42:58 GMT

A few years ago I represented the survivors of a father and his married daughter who were killed when a police hot pursuit ended tragically with a violent head-on collision. It was clear in that case that the police had violated the internal Police Department policies against hot pursuits of non-violent subjects. Now, two more needless deaths have occurred in the Orlando area as a result of another hot pursuit in violation of internal policies of the Sheriffâ€™s Office. The pursuit in Orlando lasted 29 minutes despite the fact that the subject was only accused of using a pickup truck without permission. The family of the two recent victims and a State Representative are calling for a state law formalizing a rational hot pursuit policy for the State of Florida.

A few years ago I represented the survivors of a father and his married daughter who were killed when a police hot pursuit ended tragically with a violent head-on collision. It was clear in that case that the police had violated the internal Police Department policies against hot pursuits of non-violent subjects. Now, two more needless deaths have occurred in the Orlando area as a result of another hot pursuit in violation of internal policies of the Sheriff. The pursuit in Orlando lasted 29 minutes despite the fact that the subject was only accused of using a pickup truck without permission. The family of the two recent victims and a State Representative are calling for a state law formalizing a rational hot pursuit policy for the State of Florida.

Excerpts from the news article in the Orlando Sun-Sentinel:

Family seeks new pursuit law

ORLANDO â€¢ The family of two half-siblings killed when a stolen pickup truck chased by deputies crashed into their vehicle called Friday for a change in state law governing police pursuits.

Their announcement at the intersection where Frantz Leandre and Carole Leandre were killed in May came a day after the Orange County Sheriff's Department suspended five deputies for their involvement in the chase.

Several deputies in patrol cars and a helicopter pursued Jonathan Kornexl, accused of using his mother's pickup truck without permission, for 29 minutes, even though he drove through lawns, ran traffic lights and committed at least 30 traffic violations, according to a Sheriff's Professional Standards Division report. Investigators say he ran a red light and broadsided the Leandres' car.

Sheriff's policy calls for deputies to abandon a chase on cases such as car theft if the pursuit makes public streets too dangerous. The office had previously defended deputy efforts, saying they were merely following -- not pursuing -- the suspect.

State Rep. Bruce Antone, D-Orlando, said he would introduce legislation next session formalizing such a policy.

He said the bill would address "when do you pursue, when do you call off the pursuit, some accountability measures and how you reprimand or potentially punish law enforcement officers."

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bob Carroll

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

Hillsborough County to Get Red Light Cameras at Major Intersections

Joe Saunders — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:08:17 GMT

The Hillsborough County Commission voted unanimously last evening to obtaining cameras at major intersections throughout the county. Advocates of the red light cameras say that the cameras save lives and deter would be red-light runners. The statistics show there's a problem in Tampa Bay with motorists running red lights. Hillsborough County Sheriff's issued 3,784 red light citations last year. The Sheriff's office blamed 439 car crashes on red light runners, one of them being a fatality. Those who run red lights tend to be moving through intersections at a high rate of speed in order to beat a light. This inevitably results in serious auto crashes with severe injuries and motorist deaths. If the cameras serve as a deterrent and save lives, I say go ahead and install them not only in Hillsborough County but in Pinellas as well.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

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

Man Crushed in Tampa Car Accident

Shannon Weidemann — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:55:49 GMT

A man was killed in a car accident in Tampa on Sunday. A man was working on his van while it was parked in a driveway of a residence. He placed the car in reverse and it hit the car that was parked behind the van, which then struck the victim.

The victim

was pronounced dead at St. Joseph's Hospital, authorities said. The death appears to be accidental, deputies said.

The two men both lived in the house. The accident is being investigated by they Tampa Police Department. This car accident illustrates the need to always be aware of your surroundings when placing a car into drive or reverse.

If you would like to learn more about car accidents, please visit InjuryBoard's Car Accident information page.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

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

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