Car Accidents

December 5, 2019

New Car on Your Holiday Wish List? Safety Features and Options for Miami Shoppers

If a new car is on your wish or gift list for the 2019 holiday season, there is a good chance you are already doing your homework to find the best model that suits your budget and needs. It is understandable that cost, size, brand, and other factors will impact your decision, you should also make safety features a key consideration. There are many online tools you can take advantage of as you are conducting your research, notably SafeCar.gov, a website managed by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

Some of the most important safety features can help you avoid a Miami car accident entirely, while others are critical in reducing the likelihood of severe injuries if you are involved in a crash. As you are engaged in your holiday car shopping, pay special attention to:

Forward Collision Warning: This technology incorporates sensors that detect when a collision may occur to the front of the vehicle. It then issues a warning, through a visual or audible alert – or both. On many vehicles, the forward collision warning is linked to automatic emergency braking features described below.

November 28, 2019

Rollovers are Among the Deadliest Types of Car Accident in Miami

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

There are numerous car accident scenarios that can lead to serious bodily harm for victims, but a rollover crash is one of the most likely to result in catastrophic injuries. Statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveal that rollovers cause more fatalities than most other types of collisions: While the number is low at 2.1%, rollovers are responsible for causing almost 35% of all deaths due to motor vehicle crashes.

If you were injured or lost a loved one in such an incident, you do have rights under Florida law. A Miami car accident lawyer will help you enforce them, but some information on rollover crash claims may be useful.

Factors That Contribute to Rollover Accidents

November 14, 2019

Latest Safety Features can Reduce the Risk of Teen Car Accidents in Miami

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Many people assume that teen drivers present a considerable safety threat, and data compiled by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reveals that there is some truth to the assumption. There are approximately 662,000 auto crashes in Florida every year, and almost 63,000 involve drivers who were between 15 and 19 years old. That is roughly 10%, rather high for an age group that spans just four years. However, despite the belief that teens are more reckless or dangerous because they take unnecessary risks, studies have shown that inexperience is a top factor in teen auto crashes.

For worried parents of new drivers, experience is something your teen can only gain through practice – along with guidance, support, and appropriate rules established by you. As your child is learning and becoming more proficient at driving, there are some vehicle safety features that can also reduce the potential for car accidents in Miami.

Lane Maintenance Alerts: This technology employs sensors or video to assess whether the vehicle swerves over into another lane of traffic. It will then issue a lane departure warning to alert the driver and get him or her back on track.

November 7, 2019

Five Myths About Miami Car Accidents

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Being injured in a Miami car accident is a horrific experience, but the aftermath can be even more overwhelming as you are trying to enforce your right to compensation. The process of filing an insurance claim is extremely complicated. To make the situation worse, you may be at a disadvantage if you are operating according to certain misconceptions about auto crashes. Though family members and friends mean well, they may not always provide accurate information if they do not have experience in the legal field.

A skilled Miami car accident attorney can eliminate some of the confusion and will fight to protect your interests in the insurance claims process. However, it may be helpful to debunk common myths about motor vehicle collisions.

Myth #1: Lawyers Cost Too Much. Auto crash lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay if you recover compensation in your case. Instead of paying upfront or supplying a retainer, your attorney takes a percentage of the award you receive from an insurance claim or in court. According to the Florida Rules of Professional Conduct, a contingency fee arrangement must be reasonable and in writing.

October 29, 2019

Vehicle Black Boxes Impact Miami Car Accident Claims

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

You may think of air travel when you hear about black boxes, but the truth is that these devices are in wide use in all types of passenger vehicles that were manufactured in recent years. The actual terminology used by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is event data recorder (EDR), which is technology that captures information related to an event – typically a motor vehicle crash. While some drivers have privacy concerns, many other motorists have realized the benefits when filing an injury claim as the victim of a collision.

Though the information from an EDR can support your position, it is still essential to retain a Miami car accident lawyer to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. A synopsis of vehicle black boxes may help you understand how they fit in an effective legal strategy.

How Event Data Recorders Work

October 24, 2019

Depositions in Miami Car Accident Claims: What You Need to Know

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

If you are pursuing your legal remedies as the victim of a motor vehicle crash, it is likely that the responsible driver’s insurance company will request that you appear for a deposition. Under the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, it is each party’s right to depose the other in connection with litigation. Plus, depositions are a common strategy for the narrowing legal issues involved when you are trying to work out a settlement.

However, beyond the basics, there is not much information on the point of depositions and what to expect. Your Miami car accidents attorney will provide guidance and represent you during the proceedings, but a background on depositions in auto crash claims may also be helpful.

Overview of Deposition Proceedings

October 17, 2019

Speeding is a Primary Factor in Miami Car Accidents

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Most drivers are well-aware of the dangers of speeding, but recent information published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sheds some light on the severity of the problem. Speeding has been a factor in around one-third of all fatal motor vehicle accidents for the last 20 years, and it contributed to 26% of such incidents in 2017. Not only does speed lead to a high number of fatalities, but it is also a top cause of serious injury-causing crashes.

If you were hurt or lost a loved one in an auto collision caused by someone else’s negligent acts, including speeding, it is important to contact a Miami car accidents attorney right away. In the meantime, you can also review some information on the dangers of speeding.

How Speed Limits Impact Safety on Florida’s Roads

October 3, 2019

Reasons to Avoid Social Media After a Miami Car Accident

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Billions of people around the world are active on social media on a regular – sometimes hourly – basis, according to data published by social media intelligence company BrandWatch. There are 2.2 billion users spending an average of 142 minutes per day on such platforms as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others. Based on the popularity of social media and ability to stay in touch with family and friends, it is no surprise that victims of auto collisions often share information regarding their ordeal with their network

Unfortunately, there is such a thing as sharing too much. A Miami car accident attorney can explain in more detail, but you should understand why some of your actions adversely affect your crash claim.

Why Avoiding Social Media is Important

September 24, 2019

Top Vehicle Safety Features can Prevent Florida Car Accidents

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Once a vision for the future, self-driving cars are actually not too far away as auto makers continue to test and develop vehicles that could be in every US garage in a few years. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that automated safety technologies have already evolved to stage four within the Five Eras of Safety: Self-parking cars and traffic assist.

Convenience may be an attractive feature for drivers, but the primary focus of these technologies is safety. Automation cannot entirely eliminate the potential for fatal and injury-causing accidents in Miami, but you might look for some of the key accident prevention technologies the next time you are car shopping.

Lane Departure Warning

September 12, 2019

Your Post-Accident Journal as the Victim of a Florida Car Crash

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Besides hiring a Miami car accident attorney, one of the most important things you can do as the victim of a crash is to start a journal regarding your experiences. You will face considerable challenges in attempting to recover compensation through an insurance claim, since you can expect the adjuster to dispute everything from fault to the nature of your injuries. Having your own documentation enhances your credibility, provides support for damages claim, and helps your lawyer fight for your rights. Plus, a diary can also serve to refresh your memory regarding details you may not be able to recall.

Here are a few items to include when starting your post-accident journal.

Details Regarding the Accident