The United States is one of the busiest countries in terms of road traffic with over 5 million auto accidents happening annually, resulting in injuries (many with permanent disabilities) to more than 3 million people, and over 40,000 fatalities. Unfortunately, car accidents will continue to happen as long as people continue to drive, but we can all use some common sense behavior to decrease the odds of being involved in a collision. First and foremost, understand that driving a vehicle requires your full, undivided attention. You really need to concentrate – playing with the radio or CD dials, talking on the phone or texting while driving can be a recipe for disaster. Just as important, never drive under the influence of alcohol, and please be aware that as little as just one drink can affect your overall awareness and reaction time. If you feel sleepy or fatigued, no matter what time of day, avoid driving – and if you are already on the road, get to a safe place and rest as long as necessary. And lastly, because even the best precautions can’t completely stop…Read More
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving as “the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner which endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property.” It is equally dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists as well as a motorist. As reported by NHTSA, approximately one-third of motor vehicle accidents resulting in deaths are caused by road rage. Examples of aggressive driving are improper overtaking or passing, disregarding traffic control devices, excessive speeding, disobeying the traffic signals, abrupt change of lanes, not stopping for an ambulance or school bus, not slowing down at a school or pedestrian crossings and not keeping sufficient distance between the vehicle in front. South Florida’s population is on the rise and there are too many people trying to get somewhere too fast and someone else is in their way, thus drivers are zig-zagging between lanes, speeding or disobeying safe driving laws. We can all be safe on the roads if we avoid aggressive driving, share the road, do not speed and exercise caution. Road rage can be a frightening and perilous experience for any driver. If you or a…Read More
A bill that would let law enforcement pull over Florida drivers they see texting and driving is moving closer to becoming law. House Bill 107, filed by state Rep. Jackie Toledo, R-Tampa, was passed unanimously by the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. The bill will now go to the House Appropriations Committee. The new proposed bill would shift texting while driving from a “secondary” offense to a “primary” offense. The Senate proposal would begin with a public-awareness campaign, with warnings being handed out to violators from Oct. 1 through the end of the year, at which time citations would start to be issued.Read More
When head injuries are suspected after an accident, immediate medical treatment is of utmost importance. Although signs of head trauma can be readily apparent immediately after a car accident, mild head injuries may not result in any major symptoms and may even be confused with symptoms of other types of medical conditions. But symptoms may indeed show up well after the fact that could indeed be a delayed result of the accident. These may include blurred vision, confusion and disorientation, loss of memory and lack of concentration, headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. If you or a loved one have been involved in an automobile or slip and fall accident, and the extent of the injuries was not fully apparent at the time of the accident, please be aware that you still have legal recourses available, and the skilled and experienced attorneys at Fenstersheib Law Group, P.A., have been helping accident victims for more than three decades. Let us put that experience to work for you – we stand by our long history of compassion, integrity, and tenacity in bringing justice for the injured. Call us…Read More
Every year more and more motorcycle enthusiasts will take to the roads. If you are one of them, make sure you are safe. According to 2018 reports from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), a nonprofit organization representing state highway safety offices, nearly 5,000 people were killed on motorcycles in 2017. That’s significantly higher than passenger vehicle occupant fatalities. One of the most logical steps to reduce the risk of serious injuries while riding a motorcycle is to always wear appropriate safety gear. While a helmet is the most important piece of equipment you can wear to reduce the risks of death and traumatic brain injuries, there are other additional pieces of gear that will help you be safer when riding. A good pair of gloves will allow you to grip the handlebar more efficiently, and also protect your fingers and hands in the event of an accident. Wearing a reinforced motorcycle jacket will not just make you look better while riding, but also help protect your upper body from severe injuries. A sturdy neck collar will lend additional stability to your neck area, and…Read More
Yes, depending on the type of claim being filed. If you find yourself involved in a car crash in Florida, you should immediately report it to the police, even if no injuries are apparent, as a police report can assist the insurance companies in determining who was at fault. If you’ve suffered injuries in the accident, you should also seek immediate medical attention. It is important to note that in many cases, injuries are not immediately apparent, and the victim may not experience pain or discomfort resulting from the accident until long after the initial reports have been filed. Many people assume that if they did not report actual injuries when the accident took place, the right to file a claim has been lost. That is not necessarily the case, because every case is different and our experienced attorneys can help guide you through this process. The experienced attorneys at Fenstersheib Law Group, P.A., have successfully handled hundreds of Florida vehicular accident cases over the past three decades. In the State of Florida, you generally have four years from the date of a collision to…Read More
Even though you are paying your insurance company to protect your assets, they are mainly interested in protecting their own vested interests and bottom lines, and paying out any claim in full is detrimental to their profits. When dealing with insurance companies, it is important to understand how they work, so your settlement is full and fair. Simply stated, insurers make money in part by denying you benefits, so the insurance adjustor is not necessarily your friend – his primary role is to keep the insurance company’s payment as low as possible. Insurance adjustor knows the tricks of the trade to get you to accept what he thinks is fair. He may try to discourage you from seeking medical care, or he may tell you that rental car coverage is limited to a set number of days. In most cases, this is not true, and if you are not at fault, you are entitled to have all of your reasonable damages and expenses covered. You are also not required to give the at fault insurance company’s adjustor a statement or a medical authorization. However, you…Read More
While we all try to be safe and responsible drivers, someone else’s reckless decision behind the wheel may only take a second, and the resulting injuries to you or your loved ones could last a lifetime. Here are seven important steps to keep in mind if you’re faced with an automobile accident in Florida due to someone else’s heedlessness. Call 911 immediately to report the accident. Take photos with your cell phone to document the accident. Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Make your best effort to collect names and addresses of all witnesses. See your doctor immediately, even if you don’t believe you have suffered any injuries; injuries suffered in a car crash are not always immediately apparent. Call Fenstersheib Law Group, P.A., toll-free, at 1-800-TellRobert. Download our Tell Robert Phone App to track accident details. Our App is available on Google Play or iTunes App Store. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash, the skilled and experienced attorneys at Fenstersheib Law Group, P.A., have been helping auto accident victims in Florida for…Read More
More and more people are using rideshare services like Uber and Lyft for its convenience. However, most have no idea what steps to take if they were involved in a rideshare accident. Most rideshare companies hold liability insurance that will protect you if you were involved in a collision. As with any accident, you should seek immediate medical help, even if no apparent injuries are visible. Contact law enforcement to report the accident and collect contact information of all drivers involved. Lastly contact an experienced personal injury attorney for advice and how to proceed. If you have been injured in a rideshare collision and have suffered a loss as a result of another’s negligent or wrongful conduct in Florida, you need a knowledgeable and experienced legal team on your side. For more than three decades, the Accident and Injury Lawyers of Fenstersheib Law Group, P.A., have been helping people injured in car accidents. We stand by our long history of compassion, integrity, and tenacity in bringing justice for the injured. Call us today, toll-free, at 1-800-TellRobert, for a free initial consultation to determine your legal…Read More
Lately, it seems as though almost every road we travel in South Florida is undergoing some type of construction work. While improving our roadways is both good and necessary, and road maintenance and construction are vital components to the ongoing growth of our State, these activities can also lead to the creation of road hazards, which may result in accidents and injuries to drivers, passersby and the construction workers themselves. You should be aware that, in the majority of cases, independent contractors are hired by State authorities to perform the construction and maintenance work on our highways. While construction companies and contractors have an obligation to ensure public safety, they might not be totally familiar with all State safety laws regarding highway construction projects, such as the proper placement of the necessary road signs, unmarked road hazards, and scattered debris resulting from the construction process. Fortunately, these contractors are required to have liability insurance to protect the public in the event of an accident. If you have been involved in an accident related to highway construction work in South Florida, you may be entitled to monetary damages.…Read More
