South Florida Injury Attorney Blog

What happens when you are the victim of a car accident stemming from a police chase?

The driver of a pick up truck committed a traffic violation and refused to stop or yield right of way, then Police Officers initiated pursuit that crossed through three cities in Broward County: via Pembroke Pines, Davie ending in Fort Lauderdale. The fleeing pickup truck driver broadsided a woman driving in her Lexus, travelling south on Andrews Avenue. Fortunately, the woman only suffered moderate injuries for which she was hospitalized. Now what should the driver of the Lexus do in this situation? Contact a South Florida personal injury attorney for advice, of course.

Here are some of the liability issues about police chase, in some states Police departments have adopted a “vehicle pursuit policy” where the agency may be immune from liability for civil damages, for personal injury, or death of any person or damage to property resulting from the accident of a vehicle being operated by an actual or suspected violator of the law, who is being, has been, or believes he/she is being or has been pursued in a motor vehicle by a peace officer employed by the public entity.

Continue reading " Accident Victim Involving A Police Chase " »

Any type of road hazard can be dangerous to you. For years, personal injury attorneys in Broward County have successfully filed claims against the counties and cities on behalf of drivers and passengers of cars, motorcycles and even bicycles.

In Florida, a recent case in Sunrise, Holmes v. City of Sunrise, made it easier for seriously injured victims to be compensated for personal injuries caused by various types of city or county road hazards.

A Broward resident, Mr. Schwatts was in an accident in Broward County while out riding his bicycle one day. Schwatts’ hit a depression in the road that was two feet wide and an inch and a half deep, on Broward Blvd, (a county road) in the city of Fort Lauderdale. Investigations revealed that about five weeks prior to the Schwatts accident, complaints had been made to Broward County and the city of Fort lauderdale, about two potholes in the cyclist path on the same stretch of the road where Schwatts happen to be riding.

Continue reading " Are There Road Hazards In Your County? " »

Mr. Roberts was injured in a Pembroke Pines motor vehicle accident after his motorcycle was struck by a car. Official police reports stated that the driver of the car made an incorrect turn at the intersection, causing serious bodily injury to the motorcyclist who was heading north on Flamingo Road in Broward county, Floirda. Mr. Roberts suffered critical injuries as he was thrown from his motorbike. Police reports and investigation determined, that the driver of the car made an illegal right turn and failed to yield right of way to the motorcyclist.

The law states that drivers who fail to properly obey traffic signals may be held liable for the accidents they cause. Furthermore, accident investigations are used to determine whether the driver of a motor vehicle was, driving under the influence, distracted, inattentive or more recently texting behind the wheel. If found to be at fault the driver will be held liable for any injuries that occur, if he/she should be found to be the cause of an accident.

Continue reading " Motorcycle Accident " »

After falling from the roof of a building where he was working, a 34year old man suffered injuries at his jobsite in Davie, Florida. While fixing a hole in the roof of a building that had been damaged by fire, the worker fell through the roof hitting several fluorescent light bulbs on his way to the ground.

Fire officials said the man was knocked out briefly, but regained conscious when he was transported to a Broward hospital, his injuries were not life threatening, but serious enough for him to be hospitalized.

This worker will probably be entitled to workers compensation benefits from his employer, but may also be entitled to compensation from the construction company he was contracted to work for which may be liable for not keeping the premises in working order. Investigations were made as to whether it was someone’s negligence or failure to adhere to the safety standards as mandated by both OSHA and the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Continue reading " Construction worker injured on a job site. " »

While heading back to work after lunch time, an employee at the Galleria Mall in Fort Lauderdale was involved in a slip and fall accident. The employee’s injuries occurred when he slipped on a wet spot just outside his office on the 3rd floor of the mall. A call was made to 911 and EMT’s were dispatched to the scene, and they determined that the man’s injuries were serious enough to require hospitalization.

Just prior to the incident, the floor was mopped by another employee of the maintenance company contracted to housekeeping services at the mall. The injured employee alleged the cleaning company employee, failed to post proper signs or any other warnings that the floor was wet. The injured man was hospitalized for one week and suffered a fractured patella and knee injuries due to slipping on the wet mopped floor. The injured man decided to hire a personal injury attorney.

Continue reading " Work Related Injury or Not? " »

Ten people were injured in a bus accident in Sunrise, when a delivery truck collided with a Broward Transit bus heading east on Sunrise Blvd. Police reports stated that the delivery truck collided with the bus as the driver was not paying attention to the flow of the traffic. The delivery truck driver failed to realize the bus had stopped to pick up / drop off passengers, as he hit the bus from behind causing injuries to himself, the bus driver, and the ten passengers on board the bus.

In Florida “No-Fault” Law may prevent the prediction of who is at fault for any particular motor vehicle accident. The local governments in the city of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and or Palm Beach, have encountered many cases in which fault for an accident has to be equally determined, in order to resolve and comply with “no-fault” Statues.

In this case, police reports stated that the delivery truck driver was at fault but this could have gone in another direction where the bus driver was found to be negligent. See the two scenarios below:

Continue reading " Truck v. Bus Accident " »

A young couple was injured in a car accident, heading north on University Drive crossing the intersection of Sheridan St, in Pembroke Pines. The other vehicle involved in the accident was attempting to make a left turn on to Sheridan Street to head east. Who is at fault? Miramar police came to the scene, and found there were only minor injuries but serious enough for the young couple to be taken to the hospital for observation.

In a situation like this, where there is uncertainty of who is exactly at fault, a copy of the police report should be obtained and kept to be provided to the personal injury attorney, that will represent you and ensure that you receive proper compensation for medical bills, damages to your vehicle, and any other losses you may have incurred due to your injury.

Continue reading " Who Is At Fault? " »

Personal injury caused by a motor vehicle accident or collision is one of the most unfortunate situations you may find yourself in. Whether you were in a rear-end collision, a T-bone accident, a roll over car crash or the victim of a hit and run, damages and injuries caused by these collisions may be serious and / or permanent. From neck and back injuries, broken bones, amputations, and in the most unfortunate situations injuries which may cause brain damage or paralysis, the damages from any motor vehicle collision can and may alter your life.

Some of these cases may also include un-insured or under-insured claims, where the person causing the accident may not have had insurance or not enough insurance to compensate you for your damages or inconveniences that you may incur. Please seek immediate medical attention for any injuries you may have received as this step is a crucial part of your personal injury case against another driver who is responsible for your injuries.

Continue reading " Understanding Motor Vehicle Accidents " »

Slip and fall injuries in South Florida are among the top reasons for emergency room visits, according to the National Safety Council. The average medical expense for a slip and fall injury is estimated at $28,000 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Slip and fall injuries are preventable, companies and businesses all over South Florida have taken precautions to reduce these injuries. The Florida Sure Step Organization lists safety tips for preventing slip and fall injuries in the workplace and by customers, among these are selecting proper flooring in stores and restaurants, properly training housekeeping, controlling access to slippery areas, and ensuring proper warning signs where there is a slippery substance on the floor.

Over the years, our office has handled cases all over Broward County, and against many large and small companies where clients have been the victims of slip and fall injuries due to a slippery and dangerous substance on the floor of a business. For example, we had a case recently, where a customer suffered slip and fall injuries at a Pembroke Pines Publix and sustained injuries to her neck and back, after inspection of the area it was revealed that there was water leaking from a freezer and there were no signs or warnings of the wet floor danger. We have handled hundreds of similar slip and fall cases caused by the negligence of some businesses.

If you were injured in a slip and fall because of a business' failure to properly clean and maintain their property anywhere in South Florida including; Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Wilton Manors, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Davie and Miramar you may be entitled to damages for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other future damages.

For more information on Florida slip and fall claims or your specific case, contact a South Florida Personal Injury Attorney.