Miami Accident Lawyer Blog

January 29, 2021

How Bike Buffer Zones Protect Miami Bicycle Riders

When the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported back in 2012 that 726 bike riders were killed and another 49,000 individuals were injured in bicycle accidents across the U.S., South Florida officials took note. Just a few years later, Miami-Dade County unveiled its Protected Bike Lanes Demonstration Plan, which incorporates several designated bicycle lanes with so-called “bike buffer” zones intended to protect riders. Expanding the space between motor vehicles and bicycles has been proven to decrease collisions and save lives.

While there can be no doubt that bike buffer zones are effective, they will never entirely eliminate the risk of collisions with motor vehicles. A Miami bicycle accidents attorney can assist with your legal options if you were hurt, but an overview on protected bicycle lanes may help you protect yourself.

How Buffer Zones Protect Bicycle Riders

January 27, 2021

Triple Shooting in Miami: FAQs on Liability and Legal Issues

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

The Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding an early morning shooting that killed one man and injured two more at a local food market. According to an article in the Miami Herald, police received a report of shots fired in Miami’s Liberty Square neighborhood. Officers arrived at the neighborhood convenience store to find two injured men, one of whom died before EMTs arrived. Minutes later, officials received word that another individual – believed to be connected to the shooting – had arrived at a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound.

As details emerge on the causes and contributing factors behind the incident, victims and surviving family members may wonder about their legal rights regarding the shooting. If you were involved in a similar situation, you might also be considering your options. A Miami negligent security attorney can provide specifics, but answers to frequently asked questions about criminal activity on property may be helpful.

Do I Have Options Beyond Pressing Charges? While you may get closure through the criminal process, a conviction and jail time will not compensate you for your losses as a victim. Instead, you need to go through the civil lawsuit process to obtain damages for your medical costs, pain and suffering and other implications. Suing in civil court is separate from the criminal case in which the government is the plaintiff.

January 22, 2021

Non-Phone Distracted Driving and Miami Car Accidents

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

The dangers of distracted driving are not new to motorists in Miami and throughout the US, claiming the lives of more than 2,800 people every year – including drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other road users. Motorists who text, talk on the phone, post to social media, and engage in other cell phone use remain a threat. However, it is worth noting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) classifies many other activities under the umbrella of “distracted driving.” Any activity that diverts attention away from operating the vehicle could be a factor in a car accident.

As such, you should be aware of numerous forms of distracted driving that do NOT involve cell phone use. You can avoid Miami car accidents by avoiding these activities yourself – and steering clear if you observe other motorists engaging in risky behaviors behind the wheel.

Eating and Drinking

January 20, 2021

How Choice of Court Affects Miami Truck Accident Claims

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

With I-95, Florida’s Turnpike, I-75, and many other heavily trafficked commercial access highways feeding into South Florida, it is no surprise that truck accidents occur frequently in the Miami area. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports that there are around 8,700 crashes involving 18-wheelers, semis, delivery trucks, and other commercial vehicles every year in Miami-Dade County. These incidents lead to dozens of fatalities and injuries to almost 1,400 victims, many of whom have legal rights through a truck accident lawsuit.

However, one of the factors that makes truck collisions more complicated than other motor vehicle crashes is that victims have options in terms of which court to file suit. The issue is something you can trust your Miami truck accident attorney to handle, but you should be aware of some general considerations.

Factors Regarding Choice of Courts

January 15, 2021

When Florida Workers’ Comp is NOT Your Sole Remedy for Work-Related Injuries

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Any workplace in any industry can be dangerous for workers, so it is a relief to know that Florida workers’ compensation laws exist to protect your interests if you were hurt in a work-related accident. Fortunately, the system is one of no-fault, so you do not need to prove that your employer was negligent or somehow responsible for causing the incident. If you qualify, you can start receiving your monetary benefits promptly. However, there is a caveat: Filing a workers’ comp claim is your sole remedy, and you are barred from seeking damages in civil court.

This is a significant drawback in certain situations, but you should note that there are exceptions to the exclusive remedy rule. You could open the door to civil litigation – and significant advantages – if you fall within one of them, and a Miami workplace injury lawyer can advise you on the specifics. An overview of the basic legal concepts may also be useful.

Exceptions to Workers’ Comp as Sole Remedy

January 13, 2021

Miami Car Accidents: Special Considerations for Pregnant Women

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Driving is among the riskiest activities you do on a daily basis, but – unlike other things you avoid while pregnant – it is a necessity for personal and professional reasons. Unfortunately, while you are just as likely to be involved in a car accident as other Miami motorists, you and your baby are at extreme risk of serious injuries because of your vulnerable condition. According to Safe Ride 4 Kids, an organization dedicated to preventing injuries and deaths to children in auto collisions:

Automobile collisions are the single largest cause of death for pregnant mothers; and,
Motor vehicle accidents are the top cause of traumatic fetal mortality.

January 8, 2021

The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis: Statistics on Spinal Cord Injuries

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

The spine takes on numerous functions in the human body, as it provides support and structure while also enabling flexibility and mobility. It also has the important job of protecting the spinal cord from injury, but the solid bones of the vertebrae cannot withstand extremely powerful trauma. The Miami Project, an investigative research program targeting spinal cord injuries, reports that there are around 249,000 to 363,000 people in the US currently living with complications from spinal cord trauma. Plus, another 17,730 victims add to these figures every year.

While the physical pain can be excruciating, you may experience losses you never even imagined if you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury. Therefore, you should discuss your legal options and remedies for recovering compensation with a Miami spinal cord injury lawyer. Some additional statistics and legal overview may also be helpful.

Top Causes and Statistics on Spinal Cord Injuries

January 6, 2021

Get Immediate Medical Care for These Accidental Injuries

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Whether you were hurt by an auto crash, slip and fall, or other accident, being injured sends you into a state of confusion. You might not feel extensive pain, but you can probably tell that your body endured significant trauma. Under the circumstances, the first questions that cross your mind are whether you need medical care and where to go for treatment. While the Mayo Clinic description on the differences between emergency rooms and urgent care facilities may guide you on one issue, you might be stumped about the other.

The conundrum is a common one, since many accident victims may hesitate when they are not sure about the nature of their injuries. On this point, you should definitely seek immediate medical care for the following injuries so you can get on the path to recovery quickly. Plus, your decision making on treatment could affect your rights for reasons a Miami personal injury lawyer can explain in more detail.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Because they can be serious even without prominent symptoms, medical care is essential if you suffered a head injury. If you lost consciousness because of the accident, urgent treatment is even more important to assess the full extent of your head injuries.

January 1, 2021

Sources of Evidence When You are Transported From the Scene of a Miami Auto Accident

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Car accidents continue to be a primary safety threat for motorists across the US, and the problem even hits close to home in Florida. According to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there are around 72,000 people hurt in auto collisions throughout South Florida, a figure that includes Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. Many of these victims suffered injuries so serious that they were immediately transported to local trauma centers for emergency treatment.

While urgent medical care is a priority, being rushed to the hospital does create a dilemma for victims of motor vehicle crashes: They cannot remain at the scene to gather the evidence that is essential for purposes of legal remedies. Fortunately, there are strategies for collecting proof, and a Miami car accidents attorney can tackle investigations. However, you should be aware of some key sources of evidence when you are taken from the site of a crash.

Occupants of Your Vehicle: If you were traveling with friends or family, you may need to rely on these individuals to collect evidence for you. Cell phone cameras are the best way to capture damage to the vehicles, traffic signage, physical conditions at the scene, weather, vehicle skid marks, and related factors.

December 30, 2020

Will a New Florida Law Decrease the Potential for School Bus Accidents?

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Floridians always ring in a new year with a wealth of new laws to go into effect on January 1, and 2021 is no different. One piece of legislation should be of particular interest to parents who trust their school bus system to transport children to and from classes. According to ABC affiliate WTXL News Channel 27, officials are cracking down on motorists who choose to illegally pass a school bus that is stopped. The School Bus Safety Act increases the penalties for these offenders with a goal to discourage the types of misconduct that put children at risk of serious bus accidents. The fines double to $200 for drivers who pass a bus with red flashing lights and stop-arm extended; subsequent offenses within five years could lead to a driver’s license suspension.

Proponents of the law are hopeful that it will reduce Miami school bus accidents and keep children safe, but there are concerns that it does not go far enough. Plus, these incidents can be caused by many other careless acts. As a parent, the following information should be helpful.

Risks When Motorists Illegally Pass School Buses