Miami Accident Lawyer Blog

November 30, 2021

PortMiami Reports Busiest Cargo Year in History: How Will Increased Traffic Impact Maritime Injuries?

Despite ongoing supply chain issues and traffic disruptions due to COVID-19, Miami-Dade officials recently announced that PortMiami experienced its busiest cargo year in history for Fiscal Year 2021. A November press releasee pointed out that more than 1.25 million standard container units flowed through South Florida’s largest port from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021, representing a 17.6% increase over the previous year. Port officials were able to accomplish this feat without delays or vessel congestion, even with the added challenge of the PortMiami being the busiest in the world for passenger travel.

Of course, with this increase in port activity and potential for additional spikes, there is an associated rise in maritime accidents. Cargo ship crew, dock workers, crane operators, and other longshoremen are exposed to innumerable hazards in this environment, and working around water is just the tip of the iceberg. A Miami maritime injuries attorney can assist with the legal process if you were hurt, but a look at the types of trauma and overview of relevant laws may be helpful.

Common Injuries in the Maritime Work Environment

October 30, 2021

Safety Tips if You Encounter a Wrong Way Driver in Miami

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Like most South Florida motorists, you will probably experience a strong sense of panic if you see two headlights bearing down upon you in the same lane of traffic. This scenario is thankfully quite rare, but statistics from AAA still reveal some disturbing trends on wrong way car accidents. From 2015 to 2018, the number of fatal wrong way auto collisions increased 34% as compared to the time period from 2010 to 2014. In an average year, approximately 500 people are killed in these collisions, while thousands of other victims suffer serious and catastrophic injuries in wrong-way vehicle accidents.

If you were hurt in a crash caused by a motorist traveling in the opposite direction of traffic, it is critical to consult with a Miami car accident attorney about your legal rights and remedies. Plus, you may benefit from some tips to bear in mind for avoiding a wrong-way collision:

What to Do if You Encounter a Wrong Way Driver

August 20, 2021

Disturbing Statistics About Motorcycle Accidents in Miami-Dade County

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

If you assume that motorcycle accidents are among the deadliest of all Florida traffic crashes, the statistics show that you are not far off. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Crash Dashboard, there are more than 8,000 traffic collisions involving motorcycles every year statewide, leading to around 900 fatalities. Around 50 people are killed in the 500+ motorcycle accidents that occur in Miami-Dade County annually, and hundreds more suffer serious injuries.

Most motorcycle crashes are the result of driver negligence, but you are in a better position to protect yourself as a rider when you know key data and causes of these incidents. You can rely on a Miami motorcycle accidents lawyer to assist with legal remedies if you were hurt, and some additional statistics may be informative.

Motorcycle Crash Data Reveals Shocking Trends

June 20, 2021

Keep These Florida BUI Accident Statistics in Mind This Fourth of July

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Just as it has enacted laws regarding driving a motorized vehicle while intoxicated, Florida also penalizes Boating Under the Influence (BUI). Unfortunately, the nature of water-based activities can make it difficult to enforce the laws, so marine accidents involving alcohol are still a common problem. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC), drunk or drugged boat operation plays a role in around 23% of boating fatalities. With the Fourth of July right around the corner and water-based fun being part of the celebration, you can be sure that the risk of BUI accidents will be high.

Victims do have legal options after being injured in a boating accident caused by impairment or any other form of negligence. A Miami boating and marine accidents lawyer can review your circumstances and explain the laws, since you may qualify for compensation. Still, it is wise to review some additional data to protect yourself and your family over this Fourth of July weekend.

Statistics on BUI and Boating Accidents

May 14, 2021

Fatal Shooting at Wendy’s in Miami: Wrongful Death Options for Survivors

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

A family continues to mourn the passing of their loved one in a recent fatal shooting in Miami, even as they plead with the public for answers and information to help identify the gunman. An article in the Miami Herald covered the May 9, 2021 incident, which started as a fight in a local fast food restaurant. Witnesses reported that two customers began fighting, and one man punched an employee of the business when he tried to intervene. Immediately thereafter, the other individual pulled out a firearm and shot the customer with whom he had just been fighting. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while the suspected shooter escaped.

Under the circumstances, the victim’s family may have legal options under Florida wrongful death laws. The remedy may not be what you expect, since survivors might opt to pursue the restaurant instead of the gunman. A Miami wrongful death attorney can provide details, but some answers to FAQs might be helpful.

What is a wrongful death case? These claims are a type of personal injury claim that allows surviving family members to seek compensation when their loved one is killed because of negligence. It is true that the victim in the recent shooting died because of a deliberate shooting, but the point is not the suspect’s intentional act: The source of the negligence is the restaurant’s misconduct in not ensuring the property was safe.

April 30, 2021

Will Florida Repeal “No-Fault” Laws for Car Accidents?

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

After years of debate, measures have moved forward in both chambers of the Florida legislature to repeal the state’s 50-year-old motor vehicle no-fault law. Senate Bill 54 has already passed, while companion House Bill 719 was approved in the committee stage on April 19, 2021. The proposed legislation has been the subject of some controversy among lawmakers, insurance industry experts, and consumer groups, who argue over how eliminating the no-fault law will affect insurance rates.

Under the current no-fault rule, if you were injured in a Miami car accident, you would seek compensation from your own insurance company through your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. If passed and signed by the governor, Florida would essentially become a so-called “at-fault” state: You would file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to obtain monetary damages after a collision.

Obviously, the elimination of no-fault principles is a major reversal of existing law and will have considerable implications if you were hurt in a motor vehicle crash. Here are some things to know as the bills move closer to passage.

April 16, 2021

Five Defensive Driving Tips That Help Prevent Miami Auto Collisions

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

You would probably not be surprised to learn that many Miami car accidents occur because of a driver’s negligence. Common examples include those who speed, run red lights, use their cell phones, and engage in other unsafe acts behind the wheel. Though laws and public safety campaigns aim to deter this type of careless driving, you can expect that there will still be motorists who disregard the risks. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), 90 people die and another 6,337 people are injured in motor vehicle crashes every day.

Many of these collisions can be prevented through the exercise of reasonable care, but you cannot always control what other drivers do on the road. You need to anticipate that you are sharing the road with dangerous motorists who put you at risk, and the best way to protect yourself is by engaging in defensive driving. This strategy goes a long way to reducing the potential for Miami car accidents, so keep the following in mind.

Focus on One Thing. When you are behind the wheel of a car, the only thing you should be concentrating on is safe operation of the vehicle. Eliminate all other distractions, so you are better able to detect and react to careless acts by other drivers. Even a split second matters in an auto crash.

March 12, 2021

Three Things About Pre-existing Conditions Miami Car Accident Victims Need to Know

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Like most other personal injury matters, Miami car accident claims fall under the umbrella of negligence when it comes to recovering compensation. You need to prove that the other motorist’s careless actions were the direct cause of the auto crash in which you were injured. If there were other intervening circumstances or factors, you usually will not be able to obtain monetary damages because the causation element is missing. In some vehicle collision cases, a pre-existing medical condition is exactly the sort of intervening issue that could impact compensation.

Still, there are exceptions to this default rule and strategies through which you can recover monetary damages despite the existence of a pre-existing medical condition. You will need a Miami car accident lawyer for assistance with overcoming challenges, but a few points should help you understand the basics.

It IS possible to recover for exacerbated injuries. A key exception to the rule regarding pre-existing injuries will allow you to obtain compensation, but only if the motor vehicle collision makes your condition worse. The classic example is when a victim suffered a broken bone in the past. Even though it has healed, the affected area remains weaker than the surrounding bone material – making it more susceptible to breaking again from the impact of an auto crash.

March 10, 2021

Uptick in Uber, Lyft Traffic May Increase Risk of Miami Car Accidents

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

For years, Uber and Lyft drivers have relied on their respective apps to match them with passengers needing a ride. When signing into the mobile app and frequenting the most popular spots for ridesharing services around Miami, these transportation network company (TNC) drivers could maximize their earning potential simply by making themselves available. However, a new app could soon change this workflow and help ridesharing drivers increase earnings: Gridwise incorporates technology that collects data on passenger trends and identifies key metrics to predict when and where Uber/Lyft can make the most money.

While this is excellent news for TNC drivers, an uptick in traffic can also lead to a higher risk of auto collisions. There are multiple factors at play, all of which combine to create a potentially dangerous situation. You should talk to a Miami ridesharing accident attorney about your legal options if you were hurt, and read on for some of the basics.

Implications of Increased Uber and Lyft Traffic in Miami

March 5, 2021

Avoid Distracted Driving to Prevent Car Accidents in Miami

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

After years of public awareness campaigns and enactment of numerous Florida laws prohibiting interaction with telecommunications devices, Miami drivers are well-aware of the dangers of using a cell phone behind the wheel. Specifically with regards to texting, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) points out that there are three areas that impact safe driving:

Visual, where you take your eyes of the road and vehicle systems;
Manual, since your hands are not on the steering wheel where they belong; and,