Car Accidents

Published on: October 5, 2015

One Killed and Seven Hospitalized in Tragic Miami Car Accident

Earlier last month in Miami, a fatal car accident claimed the life of one elderly man and injured seven others, including the elderly man’s wife and six teenagers riding in another vehicle. According to one local news report, the accident took place near the intersection of Northwest Seventh Street and 35th Avenue.

Evidently, a vehicle carrying six teenagers was traveling eastbound on Northwest Seventh Street approaching the intersection with 35th Avenue. As the vehicle approached the intersection, an oncoming black SUV carrying an elderly couple attempted to make a left-hand turn in front of the teens’ vehicle. The two vehicles collided, causing the SUV to overturn. Nearby witnesses to the accident were quick to come to the aid of those involved, pulling the elderly couple from their mangled vehicle.

Unfortunately, the heroic efforts of the bystanders were not enough to save the elderly man’s life, and he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival at the hospital. Seven others, including the man’s wife and all six teens in the other vehicle, were all transported to the hospital with various injuries. It is expected that these seven will survive their injuries.

Continue reading →

Published on: March 6, 2015

Florida Supreme Court Weighs In on Hit-and-Run Liability

By Cecere Santana, PA

Earlier last month, the Florida Supreme Court heard a case regarding the criminal culpability of a hit-and-run driver who claimed he had no idea he ran over the accident victim. According to one local Florida news report, the near-fatal accident occurred on the A1A Highway in Boca Raton.

Evidently, a skateboarder had fallen off his skateboard and into the road. As the defendant was driving past, he struck the boy, running him over and dragging him for 90 feet. One eyewitness to the accident testified that she saw the truck’s tires bounce up and down after the boy was hit. Another witness testified that he saw the skateboard get spit out the back of the truck after snapping in two.

The driver was pulled over by police three miles from the accident site. There was no visible damage to his truck and no brake or skid marks. It was also raining at the time of the accident. The driver claimed that he had his radio, windshield wipers, and air-conditioning on, and that he had no idea he hit the skateboarder. At a criminal trial, the man was found guilty for leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury and was sentenced to two years in jail.

Continue reading →

Published on: January 27, 2015

Florida Ranked Worst State To Be Involved in an Accident

By Cecere Santana, PA

No one wants to be involved in a serious auto accident. However, according to a recent report, some states are better than others when it comes to the ability of accident victims to recover for their injuries from an at-fault driver and his or her insurance company. Unfortunately, Florida didn’t quite make the top of the list. In fact, Florida came in second-to-last.

The report looked mostly at the required amount of insurance that all drivers must have to legally drive and compared that number to the percentage of compliant drivers. For example, in Florida motorists need to carry the following insurance coverage:

$10,000 in bodily injury per person;
$20,000 in bodily injury per accident; and
$10,000 in property damage per accident.

In the insurance business, this kind of coverage is written as $10,000/$20,000/$10,000. Other states, such as Maine, require drivers to insure themselves with $50,000/$100,000/$25,000.

Continue reading →

Published on: January 13, 2015

Three Florida Sisters Killed in Chain-Reaction Accident

By Cecere Santana, PA

Earlier this week in a tragic accident that occurred in Melbourne, three women—all sisters—were killed when they were involved in a chain-reaction accident on northbound Interstate 95. According to one local news report, the three sisters were on their way home after a short gambling trip.

The women were in a 2007 Hyundai Elantra driving behind a 2008 Infiniti when the Infiniti left the roadway and slammed into the median guardrail. After the car crashed into the guardrail, the women in the Hyundai collided with the Infiniti. After that, several other vehicles crashed into the wreckage. Altogether, four vehicles were involved in the chain-reaction accident.

All three sisters were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. It is unclear at the present moment whether they were killed in the initial collision with the Infiniti or if they were killed as a result of one of the subsequent chain-reaction crashes. There was also one other passenger traveling with the woman. She was admitted to the hospital with critical injuries.

Continue reading →

Published on: December 4, 2014

Florida State Football Player Involved in Hit-and-Run Accident

By Cecere Santana, PA

Earlier this year in October, a key Florida State football cornerback was involved in a serious hit-and-run accident. Despite the seriousness of the accident, and his fleeing the scene, he was let off the hook relatively easily by police. According to one news report by the New York Times, the accident occurred at 2:37 in the morning on a Sunday night.

Evidently, the Florida State player drove his car into the path of an oncoming vehicle, causing the serious accident. Rather than stay at the scene and make sure that the other driver was all right, he decided to flee the scene with his two passengers.

The cornerback eventually returned to the scene. When he did, police were present and conducting an investigation into what had happened. However, despite the fact that the accident occurred late at night, the officers did not administer an alcohol test. They didn’t even ask the player if he had been drinking that evening.

Continue reading →

Published on: October 28, 2014

Air-Bag Recall May Lead to Numerous Lawsuits in the Near Future

By Cecere Santana, PA

Honda Motor Company, as well as the manufacturer of airbags used in Honda vehicles, may be facing a series of lawsuits for defective airbags used in certain vehicles. While there have not yet been widespread reports of injuries or deaths stemming from the recalled airbags, one woman recently filed suit against both Honda and Takata Industries, the airbag manufacturer.

According to a report by one South Florida news source, a woman was involved in a minor accident. The accident probably should not have resulted in the airbag deploying, but it did. The woman’s attorney claimed that “As soon as the airbag deployed, a piece of metal shot through and it struck her in the forehead.” The woman still has a large scar on her forehead as a result.

Another person was actually killed not long ago in a similar incident. The airbag deployed, and a metal shard came out of the bag, piercing the driver’s neck. She died as a result of her injuries.

Continue reading →