Florida Personal Injury Attorneys Blog

Allachua County, Florida - Florida Highway Patrol reported a series of fatal multi-car accidents in I-75 in Alachua County which killed 10 and injured at least 18 others. The initial trigger of the accidents was thought to be from poor visibility from smoke.

Despite the poor visibility, the drivers still has an obligation to use reasonable care. As a result of the negligence of one or more drivers, several drivers and passengers were killed and severely injured. The Florida Highway Patrol said involved at least 12 passenger cars and about seven semi trucks.

Most of the collisions were on Interstate 75, said Alachua County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Todd Kelly, with other crashes occuring on U.S. Highway 441.

The interstate's northbound and southbound lanes remained closed Sunday afternoon, and would stay closed until the roadways are cleared, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Traffic was being detoured.

"It was just so crazy," said one Gainesville resident. "We were just sitting in the car and all of this came out of nowhere."

Continue reading "Fatal Accident in Alachua County Kills 10 and Injures More" »

MIAMI, FLORIDA - A rollover vehicle crash on State Road 826 in Northwest Miami-Dade caused one car to catch on fire and sent one person to the hospital this past weekend.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the accident happened on the southbound lanes of the 826 just south of Northwest 74th Street.

FHP said a Volkswagen Jetta struck the rear of a pickup truck, which caused the truck to flip over. The impact also caused the Jetta to catch fire.

The driver of the truck was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition, according to FHP.

Presumption of Fault in a Florida Rear End Accident

Continue reading "Rollover Accident on State Road 826 in Miami Sends One to Hospital" »

For the second time in a week, a bicyclist was struck by a car and killed in Sunrise, Florida, according to NBC Miami. The accident happened around the 2500 block of W. Sunrise Blvd.

Bike accidents are common around South Florida and often result in serious injuries or death. When a bicyclist is killed in a car accident in Florida, this is a devastating time for the family. To make matters worse, some insruance companies will send adjusters out to meet with the family to try and get a quick settlement. It is important that families wait to talk to an attorney who can properly advise them of their rights.

We've represented many bike accident victims and families of those whose loved ones were killed in automobile accidents. In an accident like the one that killed the bicyclist in Sunrise, evidence gathering at the beginning of the case may be crutial to determining fault. Without a witness willing to talk, physical evidence collection may be vital to proving who caused the accident. Remember that the victim is dead and the driver may not speak under a privilege against self-incrimination.

Continue reading "Bicyclist Killed in Sunrise Florida After Being Struck By Car" »

On Sunday, January 2, 2011, Robert Wissler, 25, was driving a Honda Civic when the vehicle was struck by a van allegedly driven by Cedric Levon Williams. The severe impact caused Wissler's vehicle to strike a street light, killing him and two passengers and injuring a fourth.

According to police, Williams fled the scene after the crash and failed to help or render aid. While the driver will now face criminal charges, the families of those who lost loved ones will be changed forever. Florida's wrongful death and auto accident law permit the families to bring their own claim against Williams for the wrongful death of their children.

Florida law may also allow the families to pursue punitive damages against Williams for his apparent willful, wanton disregard for the safety of the public.

Continue reading "Miami hit-and-run crash kills three and injures another victim" »

On September 15, 2009, a biker died in Cape Coral, Florida on Pine Island Road after a woman pulled out in front of him and caused a collision. The biker was ejected from the motorcycle and was airlifted to Lee Memorial Hospital where he later died from his injuries.

It is estimated that nearly 7,000 motorcyclists are injured or killed each year in Florida. Drivers need to share the road and be mindful that there are other motor vehicles other than cars on the road. This accident was probably preventable. If the driver of the car was paying attention, they likely would have seen the motorcyclist and could have avoided the collision.

Continue reading "Cape Coral Motorcyclist Killed When Driver Pulls Out In Front" »

Polk County Sheriff responded to a crash yesterday evening involving a car and a mini van on Highway 27 and Citrus Ridge Drive in Davenport, Florida. They confirmed a pregnant woman and another man died in the crash, and an infant was airlifted from the scene and was taken to Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital in Orlando.

This is such a tragedy, both for the families of the victims and for the injured child. As the families struggle to deal with their losses, the sad truth is that insurance companies begin working on defending cases after they are reported. An accident like this can also have a tremendous financial impact. For those who died, there may be funeral expenses, loss of income for the family, loss of services and support for their spouses if they were married, or loss of parental support if they had any children.

The injured infant may have years of medical expenses, pain and suffering, and psychiatric problems, as well as having to deal with the unimaginable loss of a parent.

Continue reading "Polk County crash kills man and pregnant woman" »