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" »

Costa Cruise accident - Several Costa cruise passengers are feared dead with an estimated sixty more still missing after a cruise departed from Italy.

Reports say that the ship began to list, or tilt to one side, and then began to sink.

Cruising is often an amazing, relaxing vacation, but things can go wrong. Cruise lines generally have a legal obligation under maritime law to act reasonably under the circumstances. When they don't, they could be held liable for damages or wrongful death.

Continue reading "Costa Cruise Accident Kills Several Passengers Near Italy" »

What should I do if my attorney closes my accident or injury case?
We often get calls or email submissions from accident victims and families of wrongful death victims who were dropped by their prior attorney, and who believe they were hurt by someone else's negligence. They want us to take their case.

Lawyers drop cases for a variety of reasons, so don't be discouraged if your lawyer drops your case. Reasons include:

• Lawyer is too busy to effectively handle all cases


• Lawyer is not experienced enough to recognize the value in your case


• Lawyer got in trouble with the State Bar and must withdraw from all cases


• Lawyer took a job with another law firm and can't take your case any longer


• Law firm split up and you are left to find another lawyer


• Case was denied and lawyer won't file a lawsuit


• Conflict of interest prevents the lawyer from continuing with your representation


• You and your lawyer don't get along anymore and the attorney withdraws because of irreconcilable differences

The list is not absolute, but suffice it to say that I've handled many cases where other lawyers couldn't resolve the case. Just because one lawyer says he or she can't help you didn't mean you have no case. It may simply mean that one lawyer out of tens of thousands can't help you.

Continue reading "My Attorney Withdrew From My Accident Case...What Now?" »

My Attorney App by the Law Offices of Jason Turchin for Android and iPhone

To better connect with our clients, we developed the My Attorney App for Android phones, iPad and iPhone. The app has several purposes:

• To enable our clients to reach us whenever they need through simple push button calling, an easy to use texting feature, and a quick case question submission form


• To provide prospective clients with quick and easy contact to our office


• To give free accident checklists for clients and prospective clients to give them tips on what to do in case of an accident


• To have an Accident Help Kit available for clients to write in accident-related information and email it directly to my office


• To allow other lawyers to join our referral team and co-counsel with us on cases outside of their practice area or location


• To have easy access to our website and Facebook fan page


• To provide background information on our firm


• To highlight prior settlements and verdicts

Continue reading "My Attorney Is On My Cell Phone - Attorney Apps" »

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" »

Hialeah Fire Rescue and Police are investigating a horrible accident where 5 teenagers were found dead in a motel room from apparent carbon monixide poisoning. According to news reports, a car was left running outside of the room but somehow the toxic fumes were able to get into the motel room.

The reports also indicated that building inspectors were looking into whether improper maintenance or inadequate ventilation contributed to the deaths.

If there was a building code violation found to have contributed to the deaths, Florida law may allow a wrongful death claim to be brought against the Motel owners. Florida law generally requires property owners to reasonably maintain their property and to make sure it is to code. Under the comparative fault laws, even if the Motel was 10% responsible for contributing to the deaths, they could be held to pay 10% of the total verdict or amount of money to compensate these families for their losses.

Continue reading "Hialeah Florida teens died from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning in motel room" »

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" »

According to witnesses, on December 10, 2010 a semi-truck was travelling at a high rate of speed on US 27 in Weston, Florida when it rear-ended a vehicle with several teenagers inside. Three of the teens died following the crash. The witness said, "What had happened, that semi-truck had come at tremendous speed. That black car looked like it was at the side of the road, broken down."

The police were investigating the crash to determine fault.

Trucking accidents in Weston, FL are common in US 27 and on other "trucking" roads throughout South Florida. South Florida Truck Accident Attorneys can handle the investigation and civil prosecution of these cases. When a catastrophic accident like this happens, it is important to investigate the facts, secure witness testimony and gather evidence which could disappear over time. In a wrongful death case caused by a tractor trailer where there is a dispute over how the accident happened, an accident reconstructionist may also be necessary to help determine fault.

Trucking companies often have attorneys and claims representatives trained to begin preparing to defend their actions following the accident. Families should consider hiring a Florida Wrongful Death Attorney to protect those who may have rights on behalf of the deceased children.

Continue reading "Weston FL Tractor Trailer Crash Kills Three and Injures Three Others" »

This past year, a motorcyclist was killed in a head-on accident with a scooter in Key West, Florida according to Keys News. The scooter rider was airlifted to Ryder Trauma Center in Miami, FL with severe injuries. One of the riders was speeding and was scene passing other cars before the crash and police were investigating whether alcohol was a factor.

This accident highlights the need for safety while riding scooters and motorcycles. Every year, thousands go to Key West or South Beach for vacation and rent scooters or motorcycles with little to no training. It is important to follow the law and use caution while riding on public streets. It may seem like fun for party-goers to ride a scooter around Duval Street in Key West, but it can also be quite dangerous.

There are several laws in place to help protect moped and motorcyclists from accidents. For example, Florida law requires moped riders to keep both hands on the wheel at all times and prohibits them from carrying any objects which would prevent them from keeping both hands on the wheel. Mopeds and motorcycles may also not be rented to anyone under 16 years of age. There are a great number of other laws regulating the operation and maintenance of mopeds, scooters and motorcycles.

One of the biggest dangers in motorcycle and scooter accidents is the lack of protection. Cars are designed to absorb impact in a crash. Often, in a motorcycle or scooter accident, the person's body may absorb the impact or may be thrown to the ground at a high rate of speed with little protection. This lack of protection can lead to serious injuries from even minor impacts.

If you were injured in a motorcycle, moped or scooter accident, you may be entitled to recover money damages for your injuries. Florida's motorcycle and scooter law provides certain damages that a victim can claim if someone else is negligent in causing the accident. For example, a Florida motorcycle accident victim can make a claim for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills and prescriptions, among other possible damages.

For more information or to see if you have a scooter or motorcycle accident case in Florida, please feel free to call us at (888) 99-VICTIM. That's (888) 998-4284. Our law firm handles Motorcycle and Scooter Injury Claims throughout Florida, including Key West, Ft Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, Naples, Miami Beach and West Palm Beach.

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" »

A near drowning of a young girl whose arm got stuck in a pool drain in a Key Biscayne apartment pool could have been prevented, an expert said. Rescue workers had to use jackhammers and respirator equipment to save the three year old child's life.

Some states have passed laws which force certain pool owners to upgrade their pool drains with dome shaped drains or large flat drains. The purpose of the new drains is to minimize the suction effect of the older type of drains.

Drownings are one of the leading cause of death among young people. In 2005, there were a reported 3,582 fatal unintentional drownings in the United States, averaging ten deaths per day.

Continue reading "Key Biscayne Florida Pool Drain Accident Could Have Been Prevented" »

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" »

According to the latest statistics published by the FBI, Florida, Maryland and Texas have some of the country's highest violent crime rates. As a Victim's Rights Attorney in Florida, we have also seen an increase in civil claims brought by crime victims in our office.

One statistic stands out: There were an estimated 14,180 Americans murdered in the United States in 2008. When someone is killed, there is a tremendous financial and emotional impact on society and on the families of those killed.

The Financial Impact
Imagine the heartache of a family whose breadwinner is shot and killed on his or her way home from work. Who will pay for the funeral? Who will pay the mortgage? Who will pay for the children to go to college?

Continue reading "Florida Crime Victim Rate One of Highest in Country" »