Articles Posted in Car Accidents

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Originated as “Decoration Day” in 1865, Memorial Day is an American holiday for remembering the people who perished while serving in the United States Armed Forces. While some follow these traditions, most take Memorial Day long weekend as a short vacation, full of partying and tons of alcohol, making being on the roads and in the waters a true hazard. The past Memorial Day weekend was no exception.

Last Saturday May 23, a boat slammed into a light tower off Miami’s coast, resulting in two 18 year old men injured. Both were taken to Kendall Regional Medical Center and it is still unclear of what caused the accident. “These two 18 year olds somehow did not see this light tower. I’m not sure if the marking lights were on, but the boat ended up going through the frame of the lighthouse and came to rest on the other side,” explained Captain Ignatius Carroll, with Miami Fire Rescue. Moreover, just a couple of hours later, a couple in a jet ski crashed into the Venetian Causeway Bridge in Miami Beach.

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A new class action lawsuit against the Japanese airbag manufacturer, Takata, addresses the ever expanding numbers of cars affected by faulty airbags.  The airbags have been known to violently inflate, explode before expanding enough to stop major damage, and even send dangerous metal shrapnel into the drivers and passengers of vehicles.  Millions of vehicles produced by Honda, Nissan, Acura, and even some domestic companies like Ford and Chrysler have been recalled due to the dangerous airbags.  You can read more about the ever increasing numbers of vehicles on the recall list here.

The manufacturer of these faulty airbags has been scrambling to identify all the vehicles that were produced with the model of airbag, but has struggled to determine the true number of vehicles affected.  Honda alone has had to recall 14.3 million Honda and Acura vehicles, including the wildly popular Honda Civic and Honda Accord for several model years in the early 2000s.  United States regulators have threatened the company with huge daily fines to press the company into faster and more efficient identification of all the vehicles that may have the airbags installed. To find out of if your car or SUV is part of the recall, please visit your car maker’s website and find recall information. Continue reading

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A Miami resident and his dog are dead after a brutal crash on the 7-mile bridge that extends to the Keys from the mainland of Florida.  The US 1 bridge was closed for hours while emergency crews scrambled to remove the damage and identify the causes of the crash.   For several days the identities of the victims were withheld while next of kin was notified.  According to witnesses, a black Nissan, driven by Miami resident Wedner Saint Louis and occupied by a passenger, Chetna Saini, was passing vehicles on the left, when it struck a white Ford Mustang travelling northbound with a driver and passenger as well.

The driver and passenger of the Mustang, Christal and George Fraundorfer, are in stable condition at the Community Hospital in Marathon.  The cars were both taken from the scene in extremely bad condition, as can be expected from a high speed, head-on crash.  This incident marks the 3rd fatal car accident in the Keys this year, and has put the area on a fast track to be one of the most deadly on the road in a while according to Florida Highway Patrol.  Just last month, two fatal accidents were reported, one with an SUV flipping over into a utility pole, and another with a young man being hit by a car.  The driver of the fatal accident for the young Big Pine man in January has yet to be identified.  You can read more about the accident here.

U.S. 1 has claimed the lives of many travelers and residents alike.  The dangerous two lane highway that leads to the Florida Keys has a fairly high speed limit, yet drivers in South Florida tend to drive dangerously, and with great speed, causing a multitude of crashes and small fender benders in the island region.  Florida Highway Patrol warns everyone driving towards and away from the Keys to drive with caution, as tourist season, and especially spring break drivers, start coming towards Florida for their getaways.  The roads are only to get more and more dangerous as impatient vacation drivers start to pour into Florida.  You can read more about driver safety in Florida on the Florida Highway Patrol website, and the various websites for the cities and municipalities in the Florida Keys.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident due to the fault of another, such as passing on the left without yielding, failing to stop at a light or intersection, pulling in front of traffic, failure to signal, or any other kinds of driving negligence, call the Friedland | Carmona today!  The attorneys at the Friedland | Carmona have extensive experience and knowledge in the field of personal injury and car accidents, allowing them to work well with clients and opponents alike to get the compensation you deserve for accidents and injuries. Continue reading

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Early on Wednesday morning, two cyclists travelling Eastbound on the Rickenbacker Causeway were struck by a silver Volkwagen Jetta, causing serious injury to one cyclist, and killing the other.  Police arrived to find that the driver of the car, 21 year old Alejandro Alvarez, had fled the scene.  He later attempted to make it look like his car had been stolen the night before, but eventually turned himself in.  49 year-old Walter Reyes was killed at the scene, while 40 year-old Harry Hernandez was rushed to the hospital with injuries not disclosed by the police.  Reyes was a well-known figure in Key Biscayne, as a prominent executive with Keyes company.  The two cyclists were out for a training for an upcoming charity biking event, the Dolphin Cycling Challenge.

Alvarez will be charged with driving under the influence, and vehicular manslaughter.  Police told reporters that the cyclists were following the applicable traffic rules, while the driver was not.  Police claim that Alvarez had wandered into the bike line, striking both cyclists before driving off to his home.  The case therefore, was handled like a normal homicide.   The situation here is much like one that happened very recently on the same stretch of the causeway to another young husband, which caused an outcry from the cycling community and led to a new statute to protect cyclists sharing the road with drivers.

Police and public officials again urge drivers to drive carefully on the causeway, as visibility is not always ideal for cyclists and drivers alike.  Police also warn that this has been a particularly bloody couple of years on the causeway, and that drivers and cyclists need to prepare and be cautious for the contingencies of others not following road rules.  You can read more about the story, and follow the upcoming trial of young Alejandro Alvarez on most major local news agencies here.

Cycling accidents that include cars are some of the most damaging and deadly in the field of personal injury.  Like in the case above, these cases often times have aspects in both criminal and civil law.  While Alvarez will be brought up on charges, he will also likely face damage suits for the injuries he inflicted and the wrongful death of Mr. Reyes.  On top of over 20 years of experience in car accident and personal injury cases, the attorneys at the Friedland | Carmona have experience in dealing with these types of bicycle accident cases, having won large awards for cycling injuries when they are lawfully riding on roads and with others.  As a cyclist himself, Jonathan Friedland understands the dangers of cycling, and can help get the compensation you deserve when drivers do not share the road.  The Friedland | Carmona has been awarded multiple commendations for his work, and remains one of Florida’s Best Lawyers in the South Florida Legal Guide.  If you or someone you know has been injured because of the fault of another in bicycle, car, boating or slip and fall accidents, call us today! Continue reading

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For anyone that has driven in South Florida, it might not be a surprise that Florida is one of the most dangerous states in the US to commute and drive in.  In South Florida especially, population density, confusing roads, and aggressive drivers are just some of the many factors that lead to some of the highest fatality rates on the road in any state in the US, only following the much larger states of California and Texas.  According to the Census Bureau and the Federal Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Florida ranks third among the states in fatal traffic accidents, with over 2,500 incidents of fatal accidents in the year of 2009 alone.  This number brings into focus the harsh truths about the Florida driving environment.

In a separate study comparing the fatal accident rates to that of drivers reported to be distracted, some more startling numbers come to light.  The census reports that upwards of 15% of fatal accidents involve at least one distracted driver.  These cases are the just the ones that actually reported that one driver might have been distracted in the official accident report, so the number in fact could be much higher, with police trying to soften the blow to families, and their reluctance to place blame at the scene of a fatal accident.  These numbers include motorcycle and big rig cases as well.  You can see more information about the Census Bureau’s investigation into transportation related incidents at census.gov.

So what all is distracting the drivers of Florida causing such high numbers of crashes and crash fatalities?  The main problems with distracted drivers include the prevalence of cell phone communication while driving (of which some is illegal in the state of Florida), talking and paying attention to passengers, changing of music, cds, or other media while driving, and sleep deprivation or sleepy drivers.  These factors can cause serious problems on the road, especially with the traffic situations like they are in South Florida day to day.   The Friedland | Carmona handles cases often where drivers, passengers, and even pedestrians and bikers are injured seriously by distracted drivers in South Florida.

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123 cars are reported to be involved in a major pileup that occurred in Kalamazoo County, Michigan this week. At least one person is dead in this horrendous crash involving a police estimate of at least fifty semi trucks, causing damage in both directions of the freeway. A semi-trailer carrying an unknown amount of fireworks also exploded when the truck caught fire, causing even more damage to vehicles and people alike. It is unknown at this time what caused the accident, or even the extent of the damage. Emergency evacuation for drivers and passengers was required to get the non-injured parties to a nearby school to provide food and assistance while the situation was sorted out. The highway was shut down in both directions for hours while rescue workers worked to help victims, remove cars, and clean up the huge amount of debris left by the accident. Witnesses and victims of the huge pile-up had only confusion and pain to show for the accident, with an investigation into the causes of the accident still pending.

Additional information about the intense pile-up and pictures of the scene can be found here. Updates on the damage are also still pending, as authorities work around the clock to clean up the road and get people information on the causes of the crash.

The confusion, injuries, anger, and property damage that follows a major accident like this can be devastating, and leave all parties involved in complex litigation and settlement that could take years. With the cause of the accident still unknown and the sheer number of cars involved in the incident, the insurance companies and parties involved will be very reluctant to pay premiums in order to pay for the medical bills and property damage. It is times like these that automobile accident attorneys, like the experienced ones at the Friedland | Carmona are important to the process of recovery. Mr. Friedland and his associate, Michael Carmona, Esq. have experience in getting victims of automobile accidents and other personal injuries compensation awards for their injuries, damage to their property, and disruption of their lives.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident that injured you or your family, or you have been injured in any personal injury incident at work, home, or on the property of another, call the Friedland | Carmona today! The personal injury attorneys at the Friedland | Carmona have decades of experience litigating personal injury cases, with a strong track record of large compensation awards and quality service to victims and their families. If you or someone you love has been the victim of an injuring car accident, slip and fall, or any other kind of personal injury, call today!

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A Utah motorcycle police officer is in serious condition this week after a brutal crash between his motorcycle and a sports car. The Murray, Utah police officer was struck by a car turning on the street where the motorcycle was cruising, causing serious injuries to the officer, while not causing any visible impairment to the driver of the car. The officer is listed as in serious condition, but improving after both he and the driver were taken to a local hospital. Investigation into the causes of the accident were performed, but at this time there has been no determinations as to whether or not either party was at fault, or if charges will be leveled. You can read more about the Utah crash here.

Sadly, incidents like these indicate some of the major issues with motorcycle safety, especially when they share the road with other drivers. The woman driving the car claimed to have not seen the officer, which is a common complaint of drivers when motorcycles are involved in accidents. Cases like this sometimes bring up criminal and civil charges, as many drivers do not take the time to look closely for motorcycles and their vulnerable riders. It is imperative that drivers take their time and look carefully when driving, especially to check for hard to see drivers and riders like in the case above. Driving at full attention can mean the difference between a major collision and injuries, and a safe ride home for all around you.

South Florida is one of the most dangerous driving environments in the country, with high incident rates, and millions in damage and injuries every year. Negligent and inattentive drivers account for a huge portion of this damage, and create an even more dangerous driving experience in South Florida. If you or someone you know has been injured due to the fault of another, were injured and cannot collect insurance you believe you are owed, or believe you deserve compensation for an accident, collision, or slip and fall, call today!

The Friedland | Carmona has successfully represented many people injured by negligent drivers, including cyclists and motorcycle riders, and can effectively represent you or your loved ones during the troubling times that follow major accidents and injuries. Mr. Friedland and Mr. Carmona are both committed to making stressful times easier with effective representation, caring attitudes, and a strong command of the law surrounding personal injury. The expenses that follow a major accident or personal injury can be overwhelming, and the attorneys and staff of the Friedland | Carmona can help deal with the stress, making sure you get the money you deserve after a life-altering accident or injury.

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The driver of a car involved in a bus crash in Hialeah is expected to recover after being pinned against a tree this week by a school bus. The driver was making a right turn, when it was hit by the bus and pushed until it became pinned against a tree near the city limits of Hialeah and Hialeah Gardens. Police report that the bus was occupied by children and the driver, but none were injured in the crash.

Hialeah police and fire departments responded to the crash, which required the top of the vehicle to be removed to rescue the injured driver. Once he was assessed, he was rushed to Palmetto Hospital, and then airlifted to Ryder trauma center for his head injuries. He is expected to recover after new information of his injuries became available. You can read more about the crash and his recovery here.

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The Third District Court of Appeals has overturned a major vehicular manslaughter guilty plea this week of a Miami man who crashed into a carload of tourists on Tamiami Trail. Luis Lazardo was speeding down the trail, at speeds up to 83.9 miles per hour when he struck a car full of tourists from the United Kingdom, killing passenger Rachel May Coulson. The speed limit on the stretch of road this occurred was only 55. Initially, state troopers did not cite Mr. Lazardo with anything other than speeding, but once the ticket reached the desk of the prosecution, the ticket was dropped in favor of a charge of reckless driving and vehicular manslaughter.

Lazardo originally plead guilty to the charges, with an opportunity for appeal, and was sentenced to one year on house arrest and 3 years probation. While the 3rd DCA has overturned the guilty plea and the sentence, the civil suit against Mr. Lazardo remains, pursued by the families of those injured, and especially the family of Ms. Coulson. The court found that while he was being reckless, his speed of nearly 30 miles per hour over the speed limit did not amount to the “proper level of recklessness” that would require a criminal conviction on top of the civil liability faced by Mr. Lazardo. Without additional aggravating factors to the way he was driving, he can not face criminal charges for his behavior. You can read more about the accident and the case here.

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An unnamed man is dead in Hialeah after being run over by a Miami-Dade public transportation bus. Witnesses claim that the cyclist lost control of his bicycle around West 49th Street and 10th Avenue when a car, which has yet to be identified, attempted to pull out of the shopping center without seeing him. The cyclist fell into traffic, and was run over by the bus. Police have yet to release the cyclist’s name, or any speculation as to the direction the investigation into the crash is heading.

The interaction between cyclists and motorists a very dangerous one, especially in the South Florida area. Drivers and riders have a very tenuous relationship, with odd laws about sharing the road and disallowing cyclists on sidewalks, but not really having the necessary infrastructure to support cyclists on the major roads that criss-cross Miami and the South Florida area. Accidents between cars, trucks, and buses and cyclists are some of the most deadly, as the recent crash in Hialeah has demonstrated. You can read more about the accident and the following investigation here.

In complicated cases involving both cars and bicycles, it is important to have extensive experience in handling the law, injuries, and nuances that are commonplace with these kinds of cases. The attorneys at the Friedland | Carmona have that experience, and have worked tirelessly on several cases involving injured cyclists. Preserving the share the road laws and protecting the compensation rights of injured cyclists are especially important to the Friedland | Carmona, with Mr. Friedland, Esq. being an avid cyclist himself. If you or a family member have been injured in an accident due to the negligence of another, and need the representation of one of the most experienced personal injury attorneys in South Florida, call today!

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