Car Accidents

June 17, 2019

Recent DUI Accident Sheds Light on Injured Victims’ Rights

One minute, visitors to a Port Charlotte Harley-Davidson store were listening to a live concert; the next, they were running for their lives from a luxury sports car that an intoxicated woman plowed into the crowd. According to a June 12, 2019 article in the Miami Herald, none of the concertgoers were injured in the chaos that ensued. However, the local country music star who was headlining the event suffered injuries to his foot. Upon arriving at the scene, police detained the woman for questioning, and eventually arrested her for DUI, among other charges.

The penalties for DUI are harsh in Florida, including fines, jail time, and a driver’s license suspension. Unfortunately, these sanctions do nothing for victims who are injured as a result of a drunk driving collision. You do have rights if you are hurt in a DUI crash, and a Florida car accident attorney can assist with your claim. Some general information regarding these cases may also be helpful.

Comparing Criminal and Civil DUI Cases

June 7, 2019

Virgin USA Train Crashes into Car in North Miami

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to a collision between a Virgin Trains USA train and a silver SUV near Biscayne Boulevard and 141^st Street. The SUV sustained significant damage, and the airbags were deployed. The back end of the SUV was crushed, the windows shattered, and the front bumper was detached and on the ground. One report stated the train was heading south when it struck the SUV on the driver’s side of the vehicle and pushed it 180 degrees. One victim was transported to Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, and their condition was unknown. A report stated witnesses saw the driver get out of the SUV and looked visibly OK. After the collision, the train stopped nearby. Virgin Train USA representatives came to the scene to assess damage to the train. There was visible damage to the train’s front car. There are no reports of any harm to train employees or passengers Commuter trains like Virgin Trains USA are growing in popularity in Florida and around the US. However, they pose a significant risk at intersections where railroad tracks public cross streets. If you or a loved one were a victim of a train-vehicle crash in Florida, do not hesitate to contact a Miami car accident lawyer at Gerson & Schwartz P.A. You can reach out to schedule a free consultation by calling (877) 475-2905 or using our online form.

Virgin Trains USA Used to be Bright line

In March 2019, Virgin Group announced its first train line would be Virgin Trains USA in South Florida. The majority owner and operator of the train is Fortress Investment. Virgin Group is a minority investor providing the iconic branding for the train. This train line was originally known as Bright line and began service in May 2018, with test runs starting in 2017. It is a high-speed intercity system that currently stops in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. Virgin previously announced it intends to extend the train line to Orlando and Tampa. Individuals who are injured in an accident involving a Virgin train should contact an experienced lawyer in Miami. If the incident was a train-car collision, our Miami car accident attorneys are here to investigate the crash, determine what went wrong, and identify the liable party. Our lawyers at Gerson & Schwartz P.A. are highly experienced in handling all types of vehicle collisions, including those involving commuter and freight trains. We are not afraid to hold large and popular businesses responsible in court.

May 6, 2019

One Pedestrian Killed in Key Largo Car Crash

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

On April 25^th, around 9:30 p.m., a Tesla driven by George McGee, 42, entered the intersection of County Road 905 and Card Sound Road near Key Largo, Florida without stopping at the stop sign. The Tesla struck Miami woman Benavides Leon Naibel, 22. The impact threw her approximately 20 ft into nearby woods and she was killed.Another pedestrian, Angulo Dillion, 27, was struck and injured. He was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital South in serious condition. Naibel and Dillion had been standing next to a parked Chevy Tahoe truck on the east shoulder of 905. McGee faces criminal charges. Currently, there is no information regarding whether the Tesla was in Autopilot or whether McGee was in full control of the vehicle. There also is no information on whether drugs or alcohol were involved.

After many accidents like this, it takes time to determine what happened and why. While car accident victims and their families may wait to see if prosecutors pursue criminal charges, they can and should reach out to a Miami car accident lawyer at Gerson & Schwartz P.A. for help.

Our experienced and skilled car accident attorneys are here to help crash victims pursue personal injury compensation. We also represent surviving family members in pursuing compensation through Florida wrongful death claims. To talk with us about how we can help, call us at (877) 475-2905 to schedule a free consultation.

April 10, 2019

Teen and Grandmother Killed in South Florida Head-On Crash

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Breanha Free-Baker, 17, her mother Michelle Free-Baker, 40, and her grandmother Robyn Underwood, 61, were driving to dinner on a Saturday night when they were struck by another vehicle head on. A vehicle speeding down Hillsboro Boulevard crossed over the median and into the Free-Baker’s vehicle and several other cars. Breanha and her grandmother died in the crash. Breanha was a senior at Coral Glades High School. Michelle Free-Baker and a driver of another vehicle, Melanie Perozin, were injured and hospitalized at Broward Health North after the crash. If you were recently hurt or lost a loved one in a crash, contact a car accident lawyer for Miami at Gerson & Schwartz P.A. You can reach out to us through our online form or you can call (877) 475-2905 to schedule a free initial consultation.

Who Caused the Crash?

According to local reports, the at-fault driver was Andrea Schneider, 21. Schneider has a history of driving offenses and criminal convictions. Schneider had been convicted of driving without a license and driving on a suspended license several times in the past. At the time of the crash, she was on probation for trespassing in an occupied structure. It is unclear whether she had a valid license.The crash remains under investigation. Police currently do not know whether drugs or alcohol were involved, though this has not been ruled out.

February 8, 2019

Florida Man Survives Wreck After His Vehicles Collides With Tree

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

On December 5, Carmelo Gonzalez, 44, was driving north on the Florida Turnpike near Quail Roost Drive. Another driver cut Gonzalez off and he lost control of his Toyota vehicle. Gonzalez’s vehicle left the road and he slammed into a tree. The car struck the tree on the driver’s side, trapping Gonzalez in the car. First responders from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue were surprised to find Gonzalez alive. They worked for over an hour to free him from the vehicle, so he could receive medical attention. He is suffering from two broken legs and a broken arm. He is expected to stay in the hospital for several weeks and has a long recovery ahead of him.

There were no reports on whether the vehicle that led to the single-vehicle crash was identified or whether that driver was ticketed. In accidents like these, another driver may not be found at fault. However, if the other driver can be identified, it may be possible for the crash victim to pursue personal injury compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.

If you were injured in a crash that was caused because of another person’s careless or reckless driving, contact a car accident lawyer from Gerson & Schwartz P.A. at (877) 475-2905. We are here to investigate your situation and advise you of your right to pursue compensation. If you have a valid claim, we will represent you in seeking a full and fair car accident settlement.

February 4, 2019

Retired Miami-Dade County Teacher Injured in a Hit and Run

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Natalie Farber, 75, was seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash. Farber is a retired Miami-Dade County Public Schools teacher and tennis coach. She suffered several broken bones due to the crash, including a fractured skull, according to her husband Frank Farber, and recently underwent her third surgery. The crash occurred around 2 p.m. when Farber was walking near Bedlington Road and Fairway Drive in Miami Lakes, FL. The vehicle struck Farber as she was walking. The driver did not remain at the scene of the collision. When Farber was discovered, she was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center. The driver responsible for the accident is still being sought by police. Due to the hit and run, the matter is a criminal investigation. If the driver is discovered, Farber has a strong personal injury claim against them and could pursue compensation for her medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more. If you or a loved one were recently injured in a hit-and-run crash, you should speak with a Miami hit and run attorney about your rights. One of our highly experienced lawyers at Gerson & Schwartz P.A. can help you navigate the aftermath of the accident. We will review whether you have an insurance policy that will cover your injuries. If so, we can represent you during the insurance claim process and fight for you to receive appropriate compensation. You can reach us through our online form or by calling (305) 371-6000.

Miami-Dade County Hit-and-Run Crash Statistics

In early 2018, the Florida Highway Patrol released Florida’s 2017 hit and run statistics. That year, the FHP stated there were 98,000 hit-and-run crashes, which accounted for about 24 percent of all crashes. Additionally, a study published by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that Florida was in the top three states for hit-and-run crashes, based on per capita rates. Between 2006 and 2016, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Florida had the highest rates of fatal hit and runs. In 2006, hit and run fatalities in Florida were 195. By 2016, hit and run fatalities in the state had increased to 206. The lowest rates were in 2010 and 2011, when Florida had only 135 hit and run fatalities both years.

November 19, 2018

Prepare for Safe Holiday Driving in Miami

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Florida and much of the south has a distinct advantage when it comes to holiday driving—there is lower chance of bad weather. The temperatures in Miami and around the state fall a little, but not where near the temperatures needed for snow, sleet, and freezing rain, like what is experienced on the east coast and in the Midwest. This lack of severe weather makes it a bit safer to drive around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Unfortunately, these holidays are still known for a high rate of car crashes and fatalities.

As we approach Thanksgiving and the entire holiday season, Florida drivers need to prepare for getting about safely and avoiding crashes. If you are in a collision over the holidays this year, do not hesitate to contact a Miami car accident lawyers at Gerson & Schwartz P.A. at (877) 475-2905.

The Holidays, Drunk Driving, and Car Crashes

November 13, 2018

Broward County Father and Daughter Killed in Vehicle-Pedestrian Crash on Halloween

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Around 7:40 p.m. on October 31, Halloween night, police received a report of a crash near Griffin Road and Davie Road. Carlos Alvarado Amaya, 45, was crossing the street with his two young children when he and one child were struck by a vehicle. His five-year-old daughter was struck by the vehicle and died at the scene. The other child, roughly 2 years old, was taken to a nearby hospital. She suffered a laceration to her head and was reunited with her mother. The father and two children were returning home from trick-or-treating.

The driver, a 30-year-old woman, in a silver Cadillac remained on the scene. Police do not yet know if drugs, alcohol, or speed were factors in the accident, though initial appearances indicate they were not. Police do know that Amaya and his children were in a designated crosswalk, but the streetlights were not on and it was a busy street.

If you were injured or a loved one was killed in a vehicle-pedestrian crash, do not hesitate to contact our Miami pedestrian accident lawyers from Gerson & Schwartz P.A. We are here to help you determine who is liable for the crash, and when appropriate, pursue compensation for your injuries or loss. Call us at (877) 475-2905 to schedule a free consultation.

October 22, 2018

Miami-Dade Transit Metrobus Crashes into Building in Little Haiti, Injuring 10

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

In mid-September, a Miami-Dade Transit Metrobus was involved in a collision with a pickup truck at Northwest 54^th Street and Second Avenue. The bus was headed north on Second around 9 a.m. when it collided with a Ford Ranger. The crash led to the bus diverting off the road and running into a clothing store, Omega Fashions.The incident led to a significant amount of property damage and injuries. The bus crushed two support columns for the 1926 building. This caused there to be significant delays in removing the bus from the Little Haiti building. The two individuals in the pickup truck were taken to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The driver of the bus and seven passengers were also taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Police are investigating the crash. Initial witness reports state the pickup truck was speeding and the bus did not have time to avoid a crash. If you were involved in a crash while riding a public transit bus, contact our experienced Miami bus accident lawyers at Gerson & Schwartz P.A. We will carefully review your situation and advise you on the best next steps. When someone else was at fault for the accident and your injuries, we can help you pursue compensation. Call us at (877) 475-2905 to schedule a free consultation.

Pursuing Compensation After a Crash

If you or a relative were harmed in a bus crash, you should speak with an experienced injury lawyer as soon as possible. You may face a complicated insurance process, dealing with complex legal issues, and will benefit from having a lawyer communicate with the insurer’s representative while fighting for your rights and to seek the maximum amount of compensation that the law permits for you.

October 8, 2018

Road Rage Incident in Broward County Leads to Rollover Crash

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

On October 1st, one driver to offense to another person’s driving and caused a serious crash. On Northwest 46^th Avenue, in Lauderhill, Florida, one driver claims another cut him off. The offended driver decided to follow the other vehicle in order to record his license plate. However, in his pursuit, he clipped the other vehicle. This led to a crash, which included one of the vehicles rolling over. The vehicles came extremely close to colliding with a home. Both drivers were cited for traffic violations and walked away with minor injuries. This is a lucky result—road range incidents often result in more significant crashes and injuries.

If you were injured in an accident that you believe was caused by the other driver’s road rage, call an experienced car accident lawyer at Gerson & Schwartz P.A. right away. We help car accident victims pursue compensation in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. We will fight hard for you to receive full and fair compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial injuries. Call us today at (877) 475-2905 to schedule a free consultation.

What Is Road Rage?