Miami Personal Injury Attorney Blog

Car accident still the leading cause of death for teens

Published on: February 12, 2012 | By The Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson, P.A.

As a Miami car accident lawyer it saddens me that motor vehicle accidents are still the leading cause of death for individuals between the ages of 15-24. The risk is even higher for those between the ages of 16-19.

According to the Center for Disease Control, there are a number of factors responsible for the increased death rate among teenagers and young adults. Speeding, low seat belt use, inability to recognize hazardous situations, alcohol use and risky driving behavior are some of the recognized factors that increase the risk of death among this age group.

The other obvious factor is use of cell phone and the resulting distracted driving that occurs. Use of cellular telephones among those aged 15-24 is high. What is particularly high is the use of these devices for text messaging and email. This is the most dangerous use of the phone while driving. Clearly, when added to the factors mentioned above, cell phone use only increases the risk of death among young drivers.

Parents and law makers alike need to proactively address this issue and protect these drivers by educating them of risk factors and setting boundaries regarding dangerous behavior while driving. It is clear that new initiatives will be created to assist in the effort to reduce teen deaths due to auto accidents.
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Miami highway one of the most congested in the Nation

Published on: January 19, 2012 | By The Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson, P.A.

The latest Texas Transportation Institute study has ranked Miami’s 836 Highway in its top 40 most congested highways in the country. From a review of the study I found that the 5 mile corridor on the 836 between 107 Ave and 57 Ave was the only roadway in the state of Florida to make it to the “most congested” list. This stretch also made it to the institute’s “3 cup morning” list.

Although congested roadways lead to slower speeds, this does not mean less serious collisions and safer conditions for drivers. The daily grind of stop and go traffic leads to more accidents than steady traffic flow.

Automobile collisions can lead to injuries. For most of us there just is no way to avoid the congested 836 and other freeways in south Florida on a daily basis. Therefore if ever involved in a car crash in South Florida one should seek counsel of a personal injury lawyer in Miami.

Eating and driving : the next step in efforts against distracted driving

Published on: October 16, 2011 | By The Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson, P.A.

In Miami, there are still not laws against using a cell phone and driving. Throughout the country, however, there are concerted efforts to reduce distracted driving through the institution of laws prohibiting cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle.

The Chicago Tribune has recently reported that one town has taken the fight against distracted driving one step further. Town officials of Oak Park, IL have announced that they are considering a ban on eating or drinking while operating a car.

So is eating while driving really a risk?

In Canada, an observational study discovered that consumption of food or drinks while driving was the most frequent distraction. The same study revealed that using the phone was the third of all distractions.

Distracted driving is one of the leading negligent acts which result in auto accidents. A Miami car accident attorney may assist those who have suffered losses as a result of the distracted driving of others. By thoroughly investigating such accidents and claims, Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson assists victims in obtaining maximum benefits for such losses Continue reading

Millions admit to drunk driving

Published on: October 13, 2011 | By The Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson, P.A.

The Centers for Disease Control have recently reported that four million people in this country admit to driving while under the influence of alcohol.

As scarey as that statistic is, even more scarey is the fact that this astronomical number reflects only those who actually admit to driving drunk. It is therefore clear that the actual amount of persons operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated is greater than four million.

Drunk driving is a leading cause of injuries related to auto accidents. It is a significant contributing factor to motor vehicle crashes and should not be ignored.

It is for this reason that the CDC is making efforts throughout the country to encourages each state to increase checkpoints in an effort to discourage driving under the influence.
Miami auto accident attorney , Ruth E. Johnson, applauds such efforts to make the roadways safer and promote responsibility while drinking.
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Miami to Fort Lauderdale express rail : myth or reality?

Published on: August 31, 2011 | By The Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson, P.A.

Auto drivers who do the daily commute between the two major South Florida metropolitan cities understand the need for alternatives. The Florida Department of Transportation has proposed a study that anticipates yearly savings of $12 million in a commuter rail line connecting Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

A consultant working for the state agency estimates that such a rail system would cost over $40 million per year. This is based on the proposed railway that will connect the Miami-Dade government center to the Fort Lauderdale government center along the abandoned Florida East Coast Railway corridor. This is less than the current Tri-Rail system which costs over $52 million per year.

There are no guarantees regarding the new rail system as there is considerable debate regarding the cost effectiveness of a new system versus the current Tri-Rail. Hence the need for the results of the study.

Any efforts to reduce traffic congestion and the number of auto accidents on the roadways of South Florida should be applauded. It is quite clear that the increase in the number of drivers on the roadways only leads to more collisions. Miami personal injury attorneys are available to assist those who may be involved in such accidents.
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Miami area police officer injured in motorcyle accident

Published on: August 21, 2011 | By The Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson, P.A.

Saturday evening a local Miami area police officer was seriously injured in an auto accident while riding his motorcycle. The Doral police officer, who was on duty, was traveling on his motorcycle when the driver of a car made an illegal U-turn, hitting the officer and his bike.

The officer is 51 year old Rafael Cubelo. Reports state that the force of the impact sent this individual into the air several feet. He was then transported to the Ryder Trauma Center. We are wishing him a speedy and successful recovery.

Automobile drivers are often the cause of motorcycle accidents and resulting injuries. In this instance the driver of the car involved was cited for disobeying the traffic laws. Often the simplest offense can result in serious injury, especially when a motorcycle in involved.

Truck recalls by Chrystler could number almost 250,000

Published on: July 13, 2011 | By The Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson, P.A.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced that the American auto maker Chrysler will recall almost 250,000 Dodge Ram trucks due to a break of the left tie rod ball stud which can occur. More specifically, Chrystler is recalling several lines of trucks manufactured between 2008-2011. .Truck owners can call the auto company at at 1-800-853-1403 for details regarding the recall process, schedule and inventory.

How do tie rod ball studs cause accidents?
A tie rod ball stud is an integral part of the steering and wheel mechanism in the vehicle In the trucks discussed, this part may fracture which may cause instability in the front wheel when making tight turns with the vehicle. This clearly increases the risk of accident and or injury.

Product liability law Individuals who have suffered losses or damages due to auto defects may be entitled to compensation. The investigation of these claims can be very complex in nature and may require expert analysis and testimony to establish cause. It is wise to speak to an auto defect attorney who can investigate any potential claim and pursue maximum benefits under the Florida law.

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Auto safety groups want driving with cell phone laws placed on hold?

Published on: July 11, 2011 | By The Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson, P.A.

The Governors Highway Safety Association is a group that consists of all the high ranking highway safety officials through out the country. This group recently reported its recommendation that states should wait for the completion of further research prior to banning the use of cell phones while driving.

The group indicates that there is insufficient evidence out of the states that have already banned the use of hand held cellular phones that these bans have actually reduced the number of crashes on the roadways. The group does, however, urge all states to make efforts to reduce distracted driving on a whole. They encourage laws that make it illegal to text while operating a vehicle. Over half the states in the country already have such laws in place.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a report which shows that approximately 5,500 fatalities in 2009 as a result of distracted driving. The report went on to indicate that over 500,000 were injured in auto accidents with inattentive drivers.
This means that 20% of the injury crashes in that year consisted of a distracted driver.

With these statistics it is surprising that the safety groups want more direct evidence regarding the use of hand held cell phones prior to issuing laws restricting use while driving. Many motorists have become aware of these dangers and have intentionally reduced the use of cellular phones while driving on their own. Most parents do not allow teenage drivers to use their phones while operating a vehicle and are anxiously awaiting the laws that ban this in states where they don’t already exist.
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Flying car may be within reach

Published on: July 7, 2011 | By The Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson, P.A.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration have approved production of the world’s first flying car, designed right here in the United States.

The “Transition” is a product of Massachusetts based Terrafugia. The vehicle has the ability to transition between the sky and road by using retractable wings operated by the push of a button. The fold up wings make the plane narrow enough to fit on standard roadways. The car/plane has just enough room for one pilot and one passenger. It has airbags and uses a crumple zone just like that used in several cars. Unlike most cars on the road, the Transition also has a carbon fiber safety cage in case of rollovers, usually only found in racing vehicles.

It is anticipated that this flying and driving vehicle will be available to customers as soon as next year.
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Miami Beach Police Officers involved in ATV crash

Published on: July 5, 2011 | By The Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson, P.A.

MSNBC reports that both of the Miami Beach police officers based on their involvement in an all terrain vehicle accident over the weekend.

The accident occurred when an on duty officer was driving his ATV vehicle with an unauthorized passenger in the rear. The vehicle crashed into two people who were on the beach. These two victims were hospitalized for their injuries. The woman who was in the rear of the vehicle was also treated , but for minor injuries.

The Miami Beach police department has conducted a thorough investigation after allegations that alcohol was involved in the accident and operation of the ATV. The police officer that was operating the vehicle has been terminated, along with another officer who was at the scene of the hotel where they met the female ATV passenger.
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