One of the most important things to consumers when they are looking to purchase a vehicle is safety. Car owners want the security of knowing that should they be involved in a collision the vehicle they are in is going to provide protection from serious bodily injuries and possibly death. Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing […]
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Crash Spotlights Dangers in Tired Truck Drivers
Doug / 06-12-2014 / Attorney
Over the weekend, the country woke to news that famed comedian, star of NBC’s 30 Rock, Tracy Morgan, along with a handful of others, were involved in a deadly multi-vehicle collision on the New Jersey Turnpike. According to authorities, the accident was caused when a Wal-Mart tractor-trailer crashed into a limousine bus carrying Mr. Morgan and […]
Jury Awards $248.6 Million to Plaintiff against Hyundai
Doug / 05-30-2014 / Auto Accidents
In July 2011, two teenage cousins, Tanner Olsen and Trevor Olsen, were killed as a result of a head-on crash, in which a passenger in the other vehicle passed away as well. Survivors of the cousins brought suit against Hyundai, alleging that the collision was the result of a defect in the vehicle’s steering. It […]
Beach Driving Dangers
Doug / 05-27-2014 / Auto Accidents
With Memorial Day marking the unofficial start to the summer, millions of people are making their way to Florida’s beaches to cool off and enjoy the sun. This past Memorial Day Weekend saw an overwhelming amount of individuals and crowds of people. Every year we’re faced with stories of tragic injuries caused by inattentive drivers […]
Orlando: Most Dangerous City for Pedestrians
Doug / 05-20-2014 / Auto Accidents
The National Complete Streets Coalition released its latest report on Tuesday naming Orlando as the most dangerous metro area for pedestrians. Tampa, Jacksonville, and South Florida follow right behind, with Memphis closing out the Top 5. This map shows the number of fatalities due to vehicle/pedestrian accidents within Central Florida from 2003-2012. The Orlando-Kissimmee area […]
The Defective Tire Investigation: You May Be At Risk!
Doug / 05-15-2014 / Auto Accidents
The first sentence in the ABC News story should send chills to everyone who drives, “because of a badly flawed and archaic government recall system, millions of potentially dangerous recalled tires remain on the roads, on store shelves for sale, or simply unaccounted for.” In fact, the problem is so severe and the potential risk […]
Ford Recalls 2013-2014 Vehicles
Doug / 04-30-2014 / Auto Accidents
Ford motor Company (Ford) is recalling vehicles due to a manufacturing defects resulting in the seatbacks being insufficient to meet the requirements set by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, “Seating Systems”. The affected vehicles include certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured August through September 2013, 2013-2014 Ford Escape […]
Toyota Recalls Vehicles Due to Airbag Deployment Issue
Doug / 04-15-2014 / Auto Accidents
Toyota has discovered a defect in certain model year vehicles including the 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris,2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla Matrix and General Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The defect which the company has discovered is that due to the shape and location of the FFC’s retainer (Flexible Flat Cable), a portion of the electrical connections […]
Spider Issues Force Mazda Recall
Doug / 04-10-2014 / Auto Accidents
In 2011, Mazda recalled 52,000 6 sedans of 2009-2010 vintage due to Yellow Sac Spiders having gotten into the fuel tank and weaved webs in the fuel tank vent lines, which caused the tanks to crack and leak. Yet again Mazda is faced with the same issue forcing it to recall certain model year 2010-2012 […]
Chrysler Announces the Recall of Two of its SUVS
Doug / 04-07-2014 / Auto Accidents
Recently, General Motors has made numerous headlines regarding the recall of the ignition switch in several of its vehicles. But General Motors is not the only American car manufacturer recalling defects in its automobiles. Chrysler announced the recall of all 2011-2014 Dodge Durangos and Jeep Grand Cherokees after concerns arose regarding brake failures. According to […]
Backup Cameras on All Vehicles
Doug / 03-31-2014 / Auto Accidents
Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issues a regulation requiring all vehicles to have rear-view visibility (i.e. backup cameras). This rule will apply to all vehicles under 10,000 pounds and must be accomplished by May 2018. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx released this statement with the ruling, “safety is our highest priority, and […]
Deadly Driving Distractions
Doug / 03-28-2014 / Auto Accidents
Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. These types of distractions include: texting, using a cell phone or smart phone, talking to passengers, reading (including maps), using a navigation system, watching a video, or adjusting a radio, CD player, MP3 player, etc. (Distraction.gov). However, […]
Faulty Railroad Crossing Arms in Central Florida May Create Danger
Doug / 03-27-2014 / Auto Accidents
The SunRail trains are warming up and getting ready for their May debut across Central Florida, but faulty railroad crossing arms may lead to more injuries. So far, SunRail trains cross streets at 127 different locations, each one being another point for a dangerous collision. WESH investigated these crossing and uncovered that the SunRail crossings […]
Pedestrian Safety in Central Florida
Doug / 03-24-2014 / Auto Accidents
Last week, a man in Orlando was hit and killed while crossing Colonial Drive near John Young Parkway. WESH reported that the crash happened just past midnight and it does not appear initially that the driver was at fault. According to the report, 50 pedestrians were killed by cars last year in the metro Orlando […]
GM Recalls 1.8 Million Vehicles
Doug / 03-21-2014 / Auto Accidents
General Motors has issued three new recalls, in addition to its previous recall of 1.6 million small vehicles due to defective ignition switches. The three latest recalls involve: Approximately 303,000 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana from the model years 2009-2014 in order to correct the material on the instrument panel to conform with federal standards […]
Orange County Expressway Authority Takes Action Against Wrong-Way Driving
Doug / 03-06-2014 / Auto Accidents
The Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority has taken a stance against wrong-way driving and hopes to end the issue on major toll roads. By investing in a study that will show the frequency of wrong-way driving instances, the authority will use the data collected to devise a plan to prevent its continuance. Haitham Al-Deek, an engineering […]
Ford Recalls Steering Components on 2011-2012 Explorers
Doug / 02-17-2014 / Auto Accidents
Ford Motor Company has launched a recall of steering gears installed on model year 2011-2012 Explorers, which were service parts in September 2013 and January 2014. The gears that were installed may lock, preventing the driver from properly steering the vehicle. The defective steering components cause an increased chance of crash. “It is important to […]
Roadtrek Motorhomes Reports Potential Breaks in Their Brake Lines
Doug / 02-06-2014 / Auto Accidents
Roadtrek Motorhomes Inc. (Roadtrek) has recalled certain model year 2013-2014 RSCM Motorhomes manufactured between February 2013 and December 2013 on Mercedes Sprinter van chassis. The manufacturer has acknowledged that during installation of the coolant lines, the front right brake line may have been unseated from the holder, which would allow the line to make contact […]
New Car Owners Beware!
Doug / 01-27-2014 / Auto Accidents
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) will be launching a recall of its 2014 Acura RLX vehicles that were manufactured between August of 2012 and November of 2013. The reason for the recall is suspension failure. The company has become aware that during transportation to dealerships the bolts attached to the rear lower control arms to […]
Seventh Recall By Ford on 2013 Ford Escape!
Doug / 01-24-2014 / Auto Accidents
The Ford Escape is one of Ford’s most popular selling vehicles, but appears to be one of its most troubled as of late 2013. The company has recalled the 2013 Ford Escape due to problem that have cause a reported 13 engine fires. Ford officials have released a statement that a “misinstalled fuel line could […]
Is Your Child’s Safety Seat Really Safe?
Doug / 01-23-2014 / Auto Accidents
Combi USA, Inc. (Combi) has acknowledged a defect affecting potentially 33,139 units of child restraints it manufactured between January 2007 and December of 2012. The defect affects model 8220 (Coccoro) and model 8836 (Zeus 360). The child restraints are anticipated to be recalled due to the harness webbing failing to meet minimum breaking strength requirements, […]
Be Safe During Thanksgiving Travel
Doug / 11-27-2013 / Auto Accidents
Today is one of the biggest travel days of the year, and with a huge storm system running down the East Coast, it stands to be one of the more dangerous travel days of the past several years. Here are some tips to make sure you have a safe trip, if you’re the one traveling […]
Dangerous Roads In Florida
Doug / 11-11-2013 / Auto Accidents
Two deaths were the result of a wreck on Florida’s Turnpike yesterday. This is just the latest reminder of just how dangerous it can be to drive in Florida this weekend. While we do not know what caused the driver of the vehicle to lose control and roll his truck over the median, we do […]
Are you Training your Teens to be Good Drivers
Doug / 10-23-2013 / Auto Accidents
With seemingly no exception, teens are worse drivers than adults. The accident and death rates of young people ages 15-24 is 14% higher than that of other drivers. Teens and young drivers are more likely to misjudge dangerous driving conditions, drive with distractions, and cause accidents than any other sector of drivers. Are you teaching […]
The Future of Distracted Driving
Doug / 10-16-2013 / Auto Accidents
There has been an increased focus on distracted driving lately. The is mostly due to the fact that more and more accidents being caused, or likely caused do to distracted driving. With all the toys and distractions available to us in our vehicles, and in the case of cell phones, in our pockets, this is […]
Toyota recalls: nearly 700,000 Sienna minivans
Doug / 10-11-2013 / Auto Accidents
Toyota has recalled Sienna minivans made in 2004, 2005, and 2007 through 2009 model years. The Toyota Sienna is the second-best-selling minivan in the United States market. A defect has been discovered inside the shift lever allowing a mechanism to break resulting in the vans shifting out of park without change in pressure to the […]
It’s Official: No Texting & Driving in Florida!
Doug / 10-11-2013 / Auto Accidents
As of October 1st, 2013, Florida has joined the majority of states in prohibiting texting while driving. In South Florida, Governor Rick Scott signed SB 52, legislation championed by Senator Nancy Detert for the past several years. In 2011, at least 23% of auto collisions involved cell phone use. Over a million crashes a year […]
Drunk Driving: The Harm Reaches Beyond the Crash Scenes
Doug / 09-16-2013 / Auto Accidents
In the United States, every day, nearly 30 people die in motor vehicle crashes that involve alcohol-impaired drivers. With higher statistics in other countries there are over 51 million deaths annually due to drunk or impaired driving. In 2010, 1/3rd of vehicle crash fatalities were the result of alcohol related crashes. 17% of traffic accidents […]
Getting Sued Over Sending a Text Message?
Doug / 08-30-2013 / Auto Accidents
The American Bar Association Journal ran a story this week that may surprise many of you regarding texting and driving. No, it isn’t about the risks and harm associated with texting and driving, it’s about the person sending the text to the driver! In a New Jersey appellate court, the Court has held that “a […]
Orlando Considering Staying Open Late-Night
Doug / 08-27-2013 / Auto Accidents
In an interesting move, the City of Orlando Board of Commissioners is weighing an option to “change” the late-night crowd in downtown Orlando. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Monday at around 2:00 P.M., the Commissioners will vote on a measure to keep bars open in downtown Orlando until 3:00 A.M. Thursday through Saturday. They are […]
Deadly Accident Occurs Between Disney Bus and Visitor Vehicle
Doug / 08-17-2013 / Auto Accidents
A tragic accident occurred yesterday on Disney property, leading many to be concerned over the safety of the theme park operations. A female Orlando resident, passed away yesterday when her vehicle collided with a Disney Magical Express bus near the Epcot theme park. It is unclear how the accident occurred, however reports from the Florida Highway Patrol indicate […]
Feds Promote Back to School School Bus Safety
Doug / 08-15-2013 / Auto Accidents
Statistics show that riding the school bus is the safest way for children to get to school. School bus safety has again been in the spotlight after the National Transportation Safety Board addressed the question of seat belts on school buses. This latest discussion regarding school bus accidents and seat belts was linked to a […]
23 Injured in Chinese Bus Crash
Doug / 08-08-2013 / Auto Accidents
23 people were injured when a semi-truck smashed into the back of a bus in Eastern China. The accident was so severe, the bus flipped and the driver was thrown out the window of the bus, as seen in this video from CNN’s YouTube Channel. This highlights the need for seat belts on buses and […]
Driver Distractions, Don’t Become A Statistic
Doug / 07-10-2013 / Auto Accidents
According to a 2007 Harvard study, Americans will spend approximately 101 minutes per day behind the wheel. When you do the math, that means that over 7% of your life is spent driving. Given that percentage, it’s not surprising that many of us get a little blasé about our driving habits and allow distractions to […]
When Do I Contact My Insurance Company After An Accident?
Doug / 07-08-2013 / Airplane Accidents
If you’ve ever been in an accident, or had damage done to your property because of an accident, you know that you have a lot on your mind. If someone was harmed, you need to get them treatment, if damage was done then repairs need to be made. Sometimes things fall through the cracks and […]
We Wish you a Safe and Happy Fourth of July
Doug / 07-03-2013 / Auto Accidents
Tomorrow marks the 237th birthday of our great nation and here in Orlando there shall be celebrations, barbecues, and fireworks galore. As we gather to enjoy the company of our families, friends, and neighbors, we hope that your festivities are equally enjoyable. Sadly, the 4th of July is also a day that ends in tragedy […]
5 Things Not to Say to your Insurance Company
Doug / 06-26-2013 / Auto Accidents
There have been a slew of car accidents blocking the Orlando roadways this morning, and this reminds us that if you’re unfortunate to be in one of those accidents, there are some things you need to avoid saying when you file your insurance claim. First things first, it’s important that you never lie to your […]
How Do You Choose an Attorney After an Auto Accident
Doug / 06-10-2013 / Auto Accidents
As if getting into an accident isn’t stressful enough, there is the onslaught of necessities that must be taken care of even after the traumatic event has transpired. There is medical attention, filing a claim, dealing with your insurance company, and taking your car to a body shop, if it is not badly damaged. But […]
Chrysler Rebuffs US Government and Refuses to Recall Jeeps
Doug / 06-05-2013 / Auto Accidents
It is a rare thing for a manufacturer to tell the US government “No” on a recall request. It is an even rarer thing when that manufacturer works in the automobile industry. But that is exactly what Chrysler is doing in regards to their Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Liberty lines. According to the National […]
Are Tourist Buses Really Safe?
Doug / 04-15-2013 / Auto Accidents
After last week’s crash involving a tourist bus in Texas, a great deal of attention has suddenly been put on the tourist bus industry. Questions about safety, maintenance, and training are drawing the most attention in these talks, and serious considerations may be made by both Federal and State regulatory commissions. But are the buses […]
Florida Most Dangerous State for Pedestrians
Doug / 09-28-2012 / Auto Accidents
Central Florida has been identified by experts as the most dangerous region in America for pedestrians, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Transportation for America, a non-profit, released the study. It is particularly disturbing to see the top 10 most dangerous cities—Florida was over represented. The Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater area ranked second, Jacksonville was third and Miami/Fort […]
State Farm Accuses Doctor of Doctoring Medical Bills
Doug / 09-21-2012 / Auto Accidents
A Florida judge ruled that a Brevard County neurosurgeon must turn over his surgical records for an auto-injury lawsuit filed by the Morgan & Morgan law firm against State Farm Insurance. State Farm has accused Dr. Ara Deukmedijan and the law firm of inflating the medical costs in an insurance claim filed after a car […]
Counties, Employers Imposing Distracted Driving Bans
Doug / 09-17-2012 / Auto Accidents
Florida has recently failed to pass legislation to ban drivers from texting behind the wheel, but that won’t stop some counties from taking measures to make their roadways safer. Florida is one of only six states across the nation to not have distracted driving legislation on its books. According to the Orlando Sentinel, employers and […]
Two Killed in Deadly Orlando Collision
Doug / 09-10-2012 / Auto Accidents
A car accident on State Road 408 killed two on the morning of August 30, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Reports from the Florida Highway Patrol say the driver of a black Hyundai Elantra crossed over into oncoming traffic in the eastbound lanes, colliding head-on with a Toyota Corolla. Shortly after the collision, the Hyundai […]
What is Personal Injury Protection on your Insurance Policy?
Doug / 08-27-2012 / Auto Accidents
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is part of your car insurance available in Florida. In the event that you are injured in a car accident, PIP can provide coverage for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages. PIP is sometimes referred to as “no-fault” coverage because it supposedly will cover you regardless of who was at […]
10 Apps That Help Prevent Distracted Driving
Doug / 08-24-2012 / Auto Accidents
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO9bbTGhL0c&feature=youtu.be On Monday, we discussed the “How is my KID driving?” app created by Cooper City father Mike McManigal to help parents monitor their teens’ driving. However, here are 10 other apps currently available which can also reduce “driving while intexticated”: Drive First — This Sprint app locks the phone when your car is traveling […]
As Florida Lawmakers Dawdle, Concerned Parent Creates App to Monitor Teen Driving
Doug / 08-20-2012 / Auto Accidents
Last week, we noted the comments of Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Lieutenant Tim Frith to WPTV-TV regarding the increase in traffic fatalities in Broward and Palm Beach counties. “I know for a fact distractions play a large role in traffic crashes,” Frith told WPTV. “We need to attack driver distraction like we did with DUI […]
Investigation of January Crashes Shows Florida Lacks Specific Road Closure Policies
Doug / 08-17-2012 / Auto Accidents
https://youtu.be/-t2zTQW6yis This video is from an ABC News report this past January after a series of deadly crashes on Interstate 75 in which 11 people were killed and 18 people were hospitalized. On August 2, 2012, the trucking industry magazine Fleet Owner reported that one of the major findings of a state investigation into the […]
FHP Lieutenant: ‘I Know For a Fact Distractions Play a Large Role in Traffic Crashes’
Doug / 08-13-2012 / Auto Accidents
After traffic crash fatalities during the first quarter of the year declined by about 30 percent between 2006 to 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said last month that the number of deaths in the first three months of 2012 represented a 13.5 percent increase from the same period in 2011. On […]
Five Tips for Dealing With Distracted Drivers
Doug / 08-10-2012 / Auto Accidents
On Monday, we began discussing a July 26, 2012, article in the USA Today that examined how motorists should deal with distracted—and thus dangerous—drivers. Among the many pieces of advice that were offered in the piece, here are some of the things you should do if you encounter a motorist who is “driving while intexticated”: […]
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