We are all well aware of the dangers and consequences of texting while driving, but the number of injuries suffered by people texting while walking is actually much higher than for those texting behind the wheel. According to a University of Buffalo study, three types of distractions (manual, visual and cognitive) can occur when a person is texting while walking, and these can potentially lead to dangerous mishaps, such as walking into moving traffic, slip and falls, and bumping into walls and other objects, which quite often result in both minor and severe injuries. Texting while walking accidents may not always be necessarily the pedestrian’s fault, but given the statistics, if you absolutely have to text someone while you’re walking, stop walking altogether and find a safe place where you can stand or sit safely out of harm’s way. If you or a loved one have been involved in any type of accident, you may have legal recourses available, and the skilled and experienced attorneys at the Fenstersheib Law Group, P.A. have been helping accident victims in South Florida for more than three decades. Let…Read More
Car accidents do happen with alarming frequency, no matter how safely we drive, so it makes sense to be prepared for any eventuality. If you are involved in an automobile accident in South Florida caused by the negligence of others, it is extremely important to try to gather and preserve as much evidence as possible to support your argument. If you have been involved in a car crash, take photos with your smartphone of the car you were driving or in which you were a passenger, the other vehicle and of the actual scene of the accident. If you’ve suffered injuries, take photos of the extent of those injuries. Keep in mind that sooner is better than later – a photo of the accident scene taken immediately after the collision is worth more than one taken any time later. Photos of your bruises taken as soon as possible after you were injured, along with images of the progression of the injuries will tell more than pictures of the same bruises once they have begun to heal. Going forward, make sure to save all receipts, medical…Read More
If it seems like it’s taken longer to drive anywhere these days, it’s not your imagination. The population increase in South Florida is monumental, and the existing roadway structure is limited in its ability to cope with this growth. The congestion continues to intensify, and the resulting delays in travel time can result in aggressive behavior by drivers “trying to get there faster.” While aggressive driving is easily recognizable when we see it, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) clearly defines it as occurring when “an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property.” These behaviors typically involve exceeding the posted speed limits, tailgating, illegal passing or risky lane changes, and running red lights. According to an AAA Foundation survey, aggressive driving behaviors can prove to be a factor in as many as 60% of all vehicle accident fatalities. If you or a loved one has been involved in an automobile accident in South Florida due to the negligence of others, contact the Fenstersheib Law Group, P.A., toll-free, at 1-800-TellRobert, 24 hours a day, 7 days…Read More
Your teenager just got a brand new driver’s license, and there’s a lot of trepidation mixed in with your pride. It’s normal to be worried, but please know that there are things you can and should do to increase the chances that your teen will be safe on the South Florida roads. The first thing you can do is to lead by example. Drive the way you want your teen to drive – if you speed, tailgate, and drive aggressively, your teen probably will follow your lead when he or she gets behind the wheel. Make sure your teen realizes that driving demands full attention and fully understands the dangers associated with it – for the person behind the wheel, for the passengers, and for the other drivers and pedestrians with whom the road is shared. Establish a firm, clear set of rules – stressing that any unsafe behavior or failure to obey the rules means that the keys will be taken away. These rules must include that the driver and all passengers wear seat belts every time they get in the car, that texting…Read More
Deciding whether to take your personal injury case to court is never easy. However, it is always a good idea to arm yourself with the right information should you decide to take legal action. If you have been involved in a car accident and are experiencing back pain, the first step is to seek medical help. After that, here are some legal and medical realities you should be aware of: 1. Most Common Auto-Related Back Injuries The spine is divided into three primary sections: the cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae and the lumbar vertebrae. Generally, the type of auto accident will impact the type of injury received. Thoracic Spine Injuries: These are often the most serious because they can result in permanent nerve damage. They are also generally caused by high-speed or high-velocity accidents. Lumbar Spine Injuries: The lumbar is the strongest section of vertebrae located on the lower back, between the chest and hips. Injuries to this area can result in limited movement, swelling and bruising. In serious cases, they prevent you from performing simple daily tasks. Any accident that impacts the lower back can…Read More
As cell phone usage grows in Florida, so do the amount of accidents caused by texting and driving. According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), texting and driving is one of the most dangerous distracted driving behaviors and has contributed to over 3000 distracted driving accidents in Broward County alone last year. With over 400 texting citations issued since 2013, new laws have emerged to manage this issue and help keep you safe. In 2013, Florida Statute 316.305, Florida Ban on Texting While Driving Law, went into effect and gives police the right to issue distracted driving tickets as a secondary offense to people who are caught texting while driving. What’s more, the law also states that a person may not operate a motor vehicle while using communication methods including but not limited to: texting, emailing and instant messaging. The law and law enforcement agencies across the state of Florida are boosting their efforts to discipline distracted drivers, especially those caught texting and driving. You can sleep well knowing justice is on your side! Unfortunately, many are unaware of both this law and…Read More
While more stringent laws about vehicle safety and driver behavior have actually worked in reducing the number of fatalities in car crash incidents, the number of people killed in pedestrian accidents has increased. Pedestrians are many times at fault, quite often distracted by texting, talking on their cell phone or listening to music while walking. But while pedestrians have a great responsibility in staying attentive at all times, and following simple rules such as crossing the road only at the designated crosswalks, accidents still can occur. A combination of factors – including everything from motorist negligence and ignorance to poor road design that fails to fail to take into consideration pedestrian safety – often lead to serious or even fatal pedestrian accidents. Motorists, however, must also do their part to help keep pedestrians safe by following some simple rules, such as driving slowly through neighborhoods and showing extra caution when nearing an intersection. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, the experienced Pedestrian Accident Attorneys at the Fenstersheib Law Group, P.A. will provide a free initial consultation to determine…Read More
While no one can anticipate being involved in a car crash, accidents do happen, so it is a good idea to always be prepared for such an eventuality. Close to a quarter-million traffic accidents occur in the State of Florida each and every year for a variety of reasons – driver distractions, driver fatigue, excessive speeding, erratic driving patterns, road construction and drunk driving. There are some simple rules to keep in mind to be prepared. Write them down and keep them in your glove compartment; when an accident happens, people may become disoriented and forget what to do. Do not leave the scene of the accident Make sure your vehicle is moved so it does not block traffic Call 911 to report the accident Take witnesses’ names and addresses Take photos of all vehicles involved Report the accident to your insurance company Be careful what you say to the other driver(s), as it could be used against you in legal proceedings If your car is not drivable, request roadside assistance (it is now available in most carmaker plans, or contact the FDOT’s Road Ranger…Read More
Always keep an inexpensive camera in the glove compartment of your car. Accidents, unfortunately, do happen, and it pays to be prepared for any eventuality. For anyone involved in an automobile accident in South Florida caused by the negligence of others, it is extremely important to try to gather and preserve as much evidence as possible to support his argument. If you have been hurt in a car crash, remember the old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words – take photos of the car you were driving or in which you were a passenger, and of the actual scene of the accident. And if you’ve suffered injuries, take photos of the extent of those injuries. If you are properly prepared with a camera, keep in mind that sooner is better than later – a photo of the accident scene taken immediately after the collision is worth more than one taken any time later. And a photo of your bruises taken soon after you were injured will tell more than pictures of the same bruises once they have begun to heal. Going forward,…Read More
