TIPS TO REDUCE PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS
To begin with, Halloween is exciting for both kids and adults alike. As it brings out their inner ghosts and goblins on a search for candy and fun. Even though many people have fun and enjoy Halloween it is actually one of the most dangerous days for pedestrians. In fact, according to an IIHS report pedestrian deaths have increased 53%. Nonetheless, with awareness and proper planning, we can reduce pedestrian accidents during Halloween.
So, this year help reduce the risks while driving and trick-or-treating with some safety advice from RHINO Lawyers.
Reduce Driver Pedestrian Accidents with these tips
First, driver safety is always encouraged throughout the year. But, with all life’s distractions, we sometimes forget. Which increases the risk of a pedestrian accident. Especially, on a day like Halloween with it’s increased pedestrian traffic. So, for everyone that plans on driving this Halloween here are some driver safety tips to help you avoid an accident with a pedestrian.
- Drive with headlights on. If you don’t have daytime running lights you will need to turn your headlights on. Because this will allow pedestrians and trick-or-treaters to easily see your vehicle. And, please don’t use your brights.
- As always don’t drive distracted. Now, we all know we should put our phones away while driving. But, we should avoid any activity that takes our attention away from the road or our hands off the steering wheel. Just wait until you have safely stopped.
- Don’t blast your music. When you turn your radio down it allows you to better hear things going on around you. Like someone yelling or another vehicle. Additionally, the lower volume can help you focus on the road.
- Slow Down. Considering, how excited kids get trick-or-treating on Halloween they don’t always look both ways before going to the next house. So, slowing down in residential areas will give you more time to react when someone darts into the road.
- Watch for stopped cars. If you see a car stopped, slow down and don’t pass. Because the car could be dropping off or picking up kids. So, if this happens look for anyone entering the road before proceeding past the stopped car.
- Do not drink and drive. The fact that we have more options available. If you plan on drinking, choose a sober driver, or use rideshares like Uber or Lyft.
Pedestrian and trick-or-treater safety tips
Finally, pedestrians and trick-or-treaters should take precautions to stay safe while out. So, whether you will be out trick-or-treating with your kids or walking to and from a party here are some tips to keep you safe.
- A responsible adult should always go with small children.
- Everyone should walk with a flashlight and try to stay on well-lit streets.
- If you have an older child, review their route, and make sure they have a cell phone for emergencies.
- Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
- If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
- Never cut across yards or use alleys.
- Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks.
- Never cross between parked cars or driveways.
Most importantly, notify law enforcement if you see any suspicious or unlawful activity. Everyone at RHINO Lawyers would like everyone to have a happy and safe Halloween.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
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TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES AND AUTO ACCIDENTS
To start with, auto accidents are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Considering, the brain is one of the most important organs in the human body an injury can leave a lasting impact. In fact, it could leave individuals suffering physically and financially.
Thus, if you or someone you love sustained a head injury from an auto accident see a doctor immediately. After, contact an auto accident attorney to protect your rights. And, help you recover damages for your injuries.
What is a traumatic brain injury?
Generally, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is damage to the brain. Specifically, this occurs from sudden trauma to the head, resulting in contusions and swelling. Now, two types of TBI can result from an auto accident closed head, and open head injuries.
- Closed Head – These injuries happen when the brain slams against the interior surface of the skull.
- Open Head – As the name implies, open head injuries result from foreign material making contact with the brain due to a fractured or pierced skull.
Actually, traumatic brain injuries are unlike any other physical auto accident injury. Because brain injuries can also affect the victim cognitively and emotionally. Moreover, these injuries can be temporary or permanent, subtle, or catastrophic.
What are the common causes of TBI?
Regarding causes, traumatic brain injuries have a myriad of causes. Because of any sudden impact to the head could cause damage to the brain. Despite, the myriad of causes, the most common TBI causes include:
- Car Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Trucking Accidents
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents
- Slip and Fall Accidents
In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), motor vehicle accidents cause 20% of all TBI’s in the U.S. every year. Because even low-impact auto accidents can cause traumatic brain injuries in victims. Additionally, other TBI causes are assault and unintentional blunt trauma.
traumatic brain injury symptoms
So, how would someone know if they are suffering from a traumatic brain injury? As a result, of the injury, the brain swells against the skull causing a variety of physical and cognitive issues. Although, these symptoms may not present themselves right away. In some cases, it takes hours, days, or weeks for the symptoms to show.
Since each brain injury is different, a person can experience any of these symptoms. For example, the most common symptoms people experience are:
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Severe Headaches
- Convulsions and Seizures
- Loss of Consciousness
- Agitation or Mood Swings
- Blurred Vision
- Slurred Speech
- Loss of Coordination
As a matter of fact, if you or a loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms following an auto accident get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.
traumatic brain injury statute of limitation
Typically, victims injured in an auto accident have four years after the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Since some injuries like TBI’s are not immediately clear or detectable. Florida Statute Section 95.11, allows for exceptions. Like, the discovery rule. Which changes the statute of limitation from the date of the accident to the date they diagnose the injury.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
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AUTO REPAIR AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT
Typically, after an auto accident, you’ll need to get your car repaired. But, will your insurance cover the auto repair after a car accident? In most cases, various factors come into play when trying to get your car repaired after a car accident. Like, what does Florida’s No-Fault Law cover? Or, you have extra coverage to help repair damages?
In any case, dealing with an auto accident is stressful. And, knowing the right steps to take is important. So, don’t handle a car accident alone, talk to an auto accident attorney. Because they can help guide you through the system. As well as, make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.
What Does No-fault Insurance Cover After An Accident?
As for a “no-fault” state, every driver must carry their own auto insurance. As a result, your insurance company will cover things like medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. Yet, the coverage will only cover up to the limits of your policy. And, most policies go up to $10,000. As for your auto repairs, you would need a separate policy for coverage.
Collision Insurance And Auto Repairs
Considering, Florida’s minimum insurance requirements don’t include collision. Some Florida residents don’t carry this insurance. Yet, it could help cover your auto repairs despite who caused the accident. Now, collision insurance will cover your auto repairs after a crash like:
- Another driver crashes into you.
- You reverse into another car.
- You’re involved in a rollover accident.
- You collide with a pole, tree, building, pothole, or curb.
Usually, these policies have deductibles. And, you would need to pay it before the insurance company will cover the repair costs.
Comprehensive Insurance And Auto Repairs
Incidentally, most people confuse collision insurance and comprehensive insurance coverage. While each of these insurances protect your car, their protection is different. In fact, in the industry, they refer to it as OTC or other than collision. Instead, your comprehensive insurance will cover auto repairs for:
- Natural Disasters
- Vandalism
- Theft
- Impacts with Animals
- Falling Objects
- Broken/Shattered Windshield
- Fires or Explosions
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
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NEW DRIVER ADVICE AND GENERAL RULES
First of all, diving is a privilege for anyone, but especially for those new drivers. And, with it comes to a sense of freedom for them. But, you can quickly lose that freedom by not driving safely or following the rules of the road. So, you don’t lose that new driver’s license we put together some new driver advice and general rules to help keep you on the road.
Advice for new drivers
If you are a new driver or learning to drive we don’t want you to lose this privilege. So, here is some advice to help you stay safe and keep your driver’s license.
New Drivers should Practice, Practice, Practice
Before you can get your driver’s license, you must prove you have completed the required hours of practice driving. Now, if you take a driving course like Drivers Ed your instructor will document these hours. But, if you don’t take the course you can practice with a parent and keep a log of your hours. Like, anything the more you practice the better you will get, so practice as much as possible.
Keep your hands on the wheel
Given that, to drive safely you must have control over your car. When you drive with lazy hands or both hands not on the steering wheel you diminish that control. So, it is important to keep both hands on the steering wheel. In fact, the proper positions to place your hands are either ten and two or nine and three.
All Drivers put your cell phone away
For one thing, texting and driving are illegal. Even though, using a cell phone to make a call while driving is common to see, it’s makes driving more dangerous. Because when you use your phone you do not give 100% of your attention to the road. And, the fewer distractions while driving the safer you and the people around you are.
Use your headlights
Next, use your headlights or the automatic headlight setting if your car has that feature. Besides, it makes you visible to other cars and pedestrians it’s the law to use your headlights from dusk to dawn. Also, you should always use your headlights when your windshield wipers are on.
Whether a new driver or experienced don’t drive aggressively
Consequently, aggressive driving can land you with a ticket, or worse an accident. So, don’t tailgate, speed, or zip in and out of lanes. And, if someone is tailgating you, let them pass. Do not block them from passing or slam on your brakes. As this behavior will only make your drive more dangerous. Not to mention, if you have an accident because of these actions you could share in the fault of the accident.
General rules for driving
Whether you are a new driver or experienced driver here are some basic rules of the road to keep you safe.
- Buckle-up it’s the law.
- Use the appropriate child safety seat for your young passengers.
- Pullover to the right side of the road for emergency vehicles and wait for them to pass.
- Don’t drink and drive. And, if you do drink, use a rideshare program or sober friend to get home.
- Typically, roundabouts allow for continuous moving at a slow speed. Although, as you approach a roundabout you should yield to the circulating traffic.
- You should pass on the left and drive in the right lane.
- When stopped at a stop sign always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic.
New Drivers and Speeding
Lastly, next to distracted driving, speeding is one of the leading causes of accidents with new drivers. Additionally, more drivers receive speeding tickets than any other traffic ticket. So, pay attention to the posted speed limit when you are driving.
And, driving the speed limit will help you avoid getting a speeding ticket. As well as, the increased insurance rates that follow. Alternatively, driving too slow and blocking traffic will also land you a ticket. Thus, to be safe drive within the speed limit and with the flow of traffic.
CONTACT TAMPA TRAFFIC TICKET ATTORNEY
RHINO Lawyers can help and guide you through a system molded by law enforcement, judges, and lawyers for decades. Having won cases for our clients in similar circumstances, our criminal defense team knows what it takes to fight on your behalf.
Let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. Get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
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UNDERSTANDING BAD FAITH INSURANCE TACTICS
To begin with, drivers depend on their insurance company to provide impartial treatment and compensation for individuals injured in auto accidents. But, that does not always happen. Actually, some insurance companies will employ bad faith tactics to deny or reduce payments of claims.
Moreover, insurance companies have the responsibility to handle your claim in good faith. Thus, understanding these bad faith insurance tactics will help you keep them accountable.
What are Bad faith tactics?
First, bad faith tactics are generally characterized as dishonest practices to get out of paying a valid claim. So, here are some bad faith tactics you should look out for when you file a claim.
- Delaying Claims – Some insurance companies will delay processing a claim hoping the claimant will give up. For this reason, states have established deadlines for denying or accepting a claim.
- Failing to Complete Investigation – Admittedly, insurance companies should complete a personal inspection. And look at all evidence to confirm the policyholder’s claim.
- Lowballing – When the insurance company offers less money than a claim is worth.
- Unwillingness to Pay a Valid Claim – This is when insurers deny claims covered by their policies.
- Distorting Policy Language – So, some insurance companies will misrepresent the language of the policy or law. Then they will use it against the policyholder to deny a claim.
- Threats – Unfortunately, some insurers may use threatening statements. Or, imply harsh legal action against a claimant.
In all honesty, if you experience any of these tactics from an insurance company, you need to contact an auto accident attorney.
Bad faith Florida Laws
Finally, to help protect individuals from bad faith tactics Florida established statute 626.9541. Which prohibits insurance companies from the deceitful acts of the tactics listed above. Additionally, under statute 624.155 the state allows you to recover unpaid damages from the insurer that acted in bad faith.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
Read More