Miami Injury Lawyer Blog

Last week, a West Park bicyclist died after he was hit by an automobile in Hollywood, Florida. 57-year-old Fearly Brownlee was in the center turn lane on Johnson Street when he was struck by a white Jaguar. The driver of the Jaguar reportedly failed to stop and render aid following the accident and continued driving her adult son to the airport. She was later stopped by police several miles from the crash site. Following the accident, Brownlee was transported to Memorial Regional Hospital where was pronounced dead.

The driver of the Jaguar, 67-year-old Eve Ramsden, told police she had no idea she hit someone and believed she instead struck a box in the roadway. According to police, since Brownlee’s bicycle was not damaged in the accident the father of nine may have been stopped in the turn lane and crouched down next to it when he was injured. Because it is unclear whether Ramsden was in fact aware she hit the bicyclist, Hollywood traffic-homicide investigators have asked any witnesses to the accident to contact them. Hollywood Police Sgt. Gene Cochenour stated Ramsden has not been charged in connection with the accident, but the crash is still under investigation for any possible criminal intent or neglect on the part of the driver.

Unfortunately, bicyclists are commonly struck by automobiles in South Florida. Unexpected motor vehicle collisions are one of the most frequent causes of personal injury and wrongful death in our state every year. When a bicyclist or pedestrian is struck by a car or truck, complex injuries, lifelong disabilities, and even death often result.

Bicycle crashes are normally caused by a reckless, inattentive, or careless drivers who simply fail to notice bicyclists. If you were injured or tragically lost a loved one in a bicycle or other accident, you may be able to sue the person who caused your harm or loss for the cost of your medical care, pain and suffering, temporary or permanent disability, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and funeral expenses. Unfortunately, the amount of time you have to file your personal injury or wrongful death claim in the State of Florida is limited. Because of this, you should contact a qualified personal injury attorney as soon as you are able.

Continue reading " Bicyclist Killed in Hollywood Hit-and-Run Accident " »

Last weekend, 7 people died in two fatal car accidents in the city of Miami, including a 13 year old girl, a 14 year old boy, a 50 year old woman, and a 22 year old man. In one accident, the driver of a minivan lost control of his vehicle while suffering a heart attack at the wheel . His van spun out of control, as a Miami Marlins game was ending, striking down an entire family who was leaving the game and walking back to their home in Little Havana. All individuals involved were pronounced dead on arrival at Jackson Memorial Hospital, with the exception of a 10 year old girl who was in critical condition.

On the same day and nearly at the same time, two victims were killed by a drunk driver after eating at a popular restaurant called Jumbo’s in Liberty City. Wilton Harris, 60, and Al Jo Hamlin, 61, were both church leaders and highly respected individuals in their communities. The senseless of this tragedy has left a community searching for answers about why someone would risk his life and those of others, by getting behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated. A third victim involved in a deadly accident last weekend was a 22 year old unidentified man. He was struck down by a wreck less driver named Kevin Singh. Singh’s car spun out of control, hitting a curb and crashing into a utility pole in Pembroke Gardens. Singh did not suffer any critical injuries, but caused an innocent victim to die due to his gross negligence.

Continue reading " July 4th Weekend Car Crashes Shock the City of Miami: DUI Manslaughter Charges to Follow " »

Another case of internet child pornography takes notice by the South Florida Community, this time surfacing in the Miami Herald news. A US immigration and Customs Enforcement former chief will plead guilty to charges of sending, receiving, and possessing internet pornography on his home computers. Why do public officials who are supposed to be protecting citizens and children believe they are above the law? The internet has become a vast playground for child molesters and predators to view indecent images and to facilitate victimizing children. In this case, Anthony V. Mangione was arrested and will change his plea to guilty in order to receive a lower sentence.

The good news is that Mangione has retired and his 16 cell phones and over a dozen computers were confiscated. Hopefully, the equally horrible individuals with whom he was sharing the illegal images will be caught and will get justice as well. Too often, it is the people who one would least suspect, such as Mangione whose child porn offenses took place during his 27 year career serving as an agent with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division of South Florida. The most devastating part of this story is, the fact that, part of Mangione’s job was focusing on child pornography and working to eradicate offenders from sharing their child pornography images across the internet with other predators and sex offenders.

Internet child pornography and sexual abuse of children must be stopped. Experienced lawyers and professionals who work with crime victims are at your service to help you stop a predator or report their crimes to the proper authorities. It is the duty of these lawyers and advocates to help protect the rights of children who are being abused or exploited.
Gerson & Schwartz, PA is a dedicated law firm that strives to recover damages for clients who have been harmed by sexual violence, whether it was towards adults or children. Crime victims need representation and Gerson & Schwartz, PA is a full service law firm available to you 24 hours a day. Contact Gerson & Schwartz, PA for a free consultation today. (305)371-6000 or info@gslawusa.com

Sources: The Miami Herald.com

Last weekend, three family members visiting from Georgia were killed and another was critically injured when the driver of a minivan allegedly lost control and ran them down on a sidewalk in Little Havana. The family was reportedly walking to their vehicle following a baseball game at the new Marlins baseball park when the van suddenly swerved, jumped the curb, drove through metal handrails, and hit them. Following the crash, 53-year-old Esther Terrero de Diaz, 14-year-old Franklin Diaz, and 13-year-old Adriana Diaz were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital where they were pronounced dead. 10-year-old Magdeline Diaz was also taken to the hospital where she remains in critical condition. A relative of the family killed escaped serious injury, but was later hospitalized after he was reportedly overcome with grief.

Police believe the driver of the minivan, 67-year-old Raul Herberto Ortega, suffered a medical emergency behind the wheel. According to Ortega’s neighbor, the man suffered a fatal heart attack prior to the crash. A passing bicyclist was also allegedly hit by the minivan, but was not seriously injured.

Unfortunately, car accidents are one of the most common causes of personal injury and wrongful death in the State of Florida each year. A car, motorcycle, or truck accident often occurs when you least expect it. When a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle, a wide range of complex injuries and lifelong disabilities may result.

Pedestrian accidents like this one are all too common in Florida. Although most pedestrian accidents are caused by a careless, distracted, or intoxicated driver, other causes such as poor weather conditions or a medical emergency are also possible. If you were hurt or lost a close relative in a pedestrian or other accident, you may be eligible to receive damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, temporary or permanent disability, suffering, pain, and funeral expenses. Contact a qualified Miami personal injury attorney to help you file your claim.

Continue reading " Four Dead Following Pedestrian Accident Near New Marlins Baseball Park " »