Orlando Car Accident Lawyer Blog

As Orlando injury lawyers handling car accidents, we certainly endorse the use of seat belts. Buckling up has saved more lives than anyone can accurately calculate. Seat belt use also decreases the risk of serious injury and the related health care costs. Unfortunately, many Florida drivers for whatever reason ignore the importance of wearing a safety belt. Consequently, the Florida legislature is considering a bill that would make failing to wear a seat belt a primary offense.

As it stands in Florida, police can not issue a ticket for an unbelted driver 18 or older unless that person is stopped for another infraction. The primary seat belt law being proposed gives law enforcement the authority to stop and ticket motorists for not wearing a seat belt. Such legislation raises several important issues.

Does a buckling-up requirement fall within the reasonable scope of the government's public safety role, like laws against abusing illegal drugs? Would the law increase the risk of racial profiling by giving police a reason to pull over African-American males. Studies show that African-American males have the lowest use of seat belts, along with occupants of light trucks. Of course, there is the practical consideration of police priorities. Do we want our already over-burdened law enforcement officers focusing on compliance with a seat belt law.

According to The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration nearly 2,000 lives a year could be saved and 50,000 injuries could be prevented if every state adopted a primary seat-belt law. Besides health care savings from reduced injuries, states may receive large federal financial benefits. States that can get 85 percent of their motorists to wear seat belts can get about $35 million from the federal government in traffic-safety incentives.

But states must not just pass the laws. They must enforce the laws that, by themselves, make some but not all buckle up. The New Jersey's governor is a high profile example. Governor John Corzine wasn't wearing a belt when his trooper-driven vehicle crashed, nearly killing him earlier this month. Whether Florida passes a primary seat belt law and whether it will have the desired effects is yet to be seen.

Posted by Tony Caggiano | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Car Accidents

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As Orlando injury lawyers handling truck accidents we have found the web site published by the Truck Safety Coalition to provide an insightful perspective. That organization is a partnership between The Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways (CRASH) Foundation, and Parents Against Tired Truckers (P.A.T.T). The Truck Safety Coalition is dedicated to reducing the number of deaths and injuries caused by truck-related crashes, providing compassionate support to truck crash survivors and families of truck crash victims, and educating the public, policy-makers and media about truck safety issues.

Recently, the Truck Safety Coalition The Truck Safety Coalition has issued a report card based on truck accidents that have occurred throughout the United States. While the earliest year of data available is from 2005, the report sheds light on some the worst truck accident states. After evaluating the number of truck accidents that occurred through out the country, the Truck Safety Coalition looked at the number of truck accident deaths that occurred for every 100,000 people. The results they generated ranked each state from deadliest to safest.

Over 114,000 people were injured in truck accidents in 2005, and in addition to this, 5,200 people were killed in truck accidents, making the average number of truck accidents with fatalities 1.76 deaths for every 100,000 people. While Florida is not among them, the 10 states with the highest average of truck accident deaths per 100,000 population Wyoming, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Mississippi, West Virginia, Kentucky, Kansas, South Carolina and Missouri.

We believe this web site may assist you in your truck accident cases, including wrongful death actions. Any resource that provides an injury lawyer with a deeper understanding of the losses involved in a particular type of case can only enhance the ability to advocate and make your jury "feel the loss."

Posted by Tony Caggiano | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Truck Accidents

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As Orlando car accident lawyers we have represented Florida families involved in devastating car accidents throughout Florida. Recently, I wrote about a tragic Orlando car accident that appears to involve street racing by a PGA Tour professional. Now, we report on another Orlando car accident that involves racing on our Orlando roadways.

According to eyewitnesses, a modified, super-charged Nissan was racing when it flipped over and killed the Orlando driver. The Florida Highway Patrol described the driver as both speeding and driving recklessly on the ramp from the 408 to the Greenway. For several hours, that ramp was closed while evidence was gathered. Troopers carefully measured every inch of roadway and examined every piece of debris, trying to find out why a 43-year-old Orlando man's car was involved in a deadly car accident shortly after six o'clock this morning.

The evidence revealed that the car hit the guardrail at a high rate of speed, rolled over, and the Orlando driver was ejected and killed. According to the Florida Highway Patrol the man wasn't on the road alone. Witnesses said they saw two other cars, in addition to the victim's car, zooming past at well over 100 miles per hour. The three were apparently weaving in and out of traffic and being reckless. Troopers are now looking for the other drivers involved.

Investigators said the victim's Nissan was modified for speed, with special tires and a customized undercarriage. However, it lacked proper registration and a tag. The Florida Highway Patrol cautioned that these road racers on our public streets and highways put everyone’s life at risk. While this tragedy appears limited to one of the participants, we have found too often, completely innocent drivers to be impacted by such disregard for public safety.

Posted by Tony Caggiano | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Car Accidents

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