attorneys for car accidents

Dangers of Electric Vehicle Auto Crashes in Miami

Published on: June 30, 2023 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Electric vehicles (EVs) have increased in popularity in recent years as motorists seek ways to reduce their carbon footprint and avoid paying high gas prices. According to the US Department of Energy, Florida drivers are certainly on board with the benefits. The Sunshine State ranks second in the US when it comes to EV registrations, at almost 95,650 and growing. These vehicles are becoming more affordable as well, also a factor in the rise in electric vehicles on the road.

However, when you look at an EV, you might not realize that there are multiple features that make them extremely dangerous. They are very different from vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, and the occupants of the autos are the ones who suffer. If you were hurt, it is important to work with a Miami EV car accident lawyer who understands the subtleties. You can also read on for a description of the risks and tips on what to do.

Risks of Being in a Crash With an EV

NHTSA’s Five Eras of Safety is the Path to Full Automation

Published on: May 12, 2023 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Automakers add new bells and whistles with every new model release, but it is the safety features that you may not see that offer the biggest benefits to motorists. Technology and equipment continue to evolve, especially automated driving systems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) predicts that these features will eventually take over driving tasks and eliminate the human errors that are often behind traffic crashes. There are more than 39,000 fatalities and more than 2.5 million victims injured in accidents, and self-driving cars have the potential to significantly reduce these figures.

The NHTSA’s road to full automation is a long one, but the US is already several years into the journey. We have already reaped many of the safety benefits through features that will be familiar to any motorist. However, collisions will remain a threat, so it is important to consult with a Miami car accident lawyer if you were injured or lost a loved one in an accident. An overview of the NHTSA’s Five Eras of Safety provides insight into the past, present, and future.

Safety in the Rear View Mirror

Do Advanced Vehicle Safety Features Reduce Miami Car Accidents?

Published on: December 9, 2022 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

You might expect that the risk of auto crashes is lower when a vehicle is equipped with the latest safety technology, but the data provides solid, numerical proof of this point. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), automatic emergency braking reduces rear-enders by up to 56%. At the same time, blind spot detection decreases the likelihood of a lane-changing accident by 23%. One of the most profound impacts comes from rear automatic braking. When functioning in conjunction with a rearview camera and parking sensors, the potential for a collision while in reverse drops 78%.

Knowing these statistics probably places you in one of two camps: You either have a vehicle with advanced safety features, or you want to make sure your next one does. The data is clear that this technology is your best bet for reducing Miami car accidents and protecting occupants. To become better acquainted with available options, have a look at the categories of advanced safety features.

Collision Warnings

Right of Way Laws Many Florida Motorists Do NOT Know

Published on: October 21, 2022 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

In an ideal world, all road users would strictly follow traffic regulations and drive defensively to ensure the safety of others. Unfortunately, statistics indicate that this perfect scenario does not exist. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there are more than 401,500 total motor vehicle crashes across the state every year. Almost 129,000 of these collisions occur in South Florida, which amounts to around 350 car accidents daily. In any given 24-hour period, three people lose their lives, and 185 victims are injured in auto crashes.

Many drivers rely on signage to guide them in following traffic laws, but there are some regulations that you will not see posted. An important set of rules governs the right of way, a concept that is sometimes misunderstood. Failures in this area are a top cause of collisions, so trust a Miami car accident lawyer for help with proving fault. You can also benefit from reviewing the right-of-way laws many Florida motorists do not know.

Intersections With Stop Signs

Raising a Safe Teen Driver: Tips for Florida Parents

Published on: July 21, 2022 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Every teen looks forward to the day they finally get their driver’s license, but this same rite of passage instills fear and dread in many parents who appreciate the risk of teen car accidents. If your child is or will be driving soon, your concerns are understandable. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), traffic crashes rank second among the leading causes of death for teens, with around seven fatalities every day in the 13- to 19-year-old age group. Motorists aged 16 to 19 years old are also three times as likely to be involved in a deadly car accident, as compared to drivers aged 20 and up.

The good news is that teen auto crashes are preventable. Of course, you know the risk is reduced when a parent is along for the ride, but you will not always be sitting shotgun to supervise. The best strategy is to focus on raising a safe, responsible driver who makes wise decisions when you are not around. The following tips can guide you in protecting your teen from Miami car accidents.

Choose a safe vehicle

Miami-Dade County to Pay $4 Million for Catastrophic Spinal Cord Injuries

Published on: June 10, 2022 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Six years after suffering catastrophic injuries in a South Florida car accident, a young girl and her family will finally gain some financial relief for their devastating financial, physical, and emotional losses. Miami NBC-affiliate WFLA News Channel 8 covered the story, reporting that the victim’s spinal cord was severed in a collision with a police cruiser. The officer driving the vehicle was speeding through an intersection without properly working traffic lights as Hurricane Matthew was bearing down on the state in 2016. The girl, an infant at the time, was traveling in a vehicle driven by her mother when it entered the intersection. The police cruiser smashed into the car, causing an impact that severed the victim’s spinal cord.

The $4 million was reached by settlement of the parties, and it is the largest sum Miami-Dade County has ever paid for an accident claim. You should consult with a Miami catastrophic injuries lawyer if you or a loved one suffered harm to the brain, spinal cord, or spine, but a few points about this case are informative.

Distribution of the Settlement Award

Statistics on Intersection Car Accidents in Florida

Published on: April 15, 2022 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

You might not give much thought to the countless intersections you turn on or pass through as you navigate your way throughout South Florida roadways, but there are risks involved with every encounter. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), around 25% of all traffic deaths and half of all vehicle accident injuries are linked to intersections. Despite clear signage and laws regarding yielding when drivers approach cross-streets, motorists are still careless or unaware of right of way rules.

Florida auto crash laws allow victims to pursue damages from the at-fault driver, so it is comforting to know that you have options for recovering compensation. A Miami intersection car accidents lawyer can explain your remedies, but some additional statistics and causes behind these incidents is useful for understanding the risks.

Detailed Data on Intersection Auto Crashes

How to Avoid Aggressive Driving Car Accidents in Miami

Published on: March 25, 2022 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Aggressive driving and “road rage” have become serious problems nationwide in recent years, and Florida followed in the steps of several US states by enacting laws to penalize dangerous misconduct. State traffic laws define aggressive driving as driving at excessive speeds, making unsafe lane changes, “tailgating,” and cutting off another motorist while passing. A first-time offense could mean up to 90 days in jail, a fine ranging from $25 to $500, or both. The penalties get harsher with subsequent offenses, which are punishable by up to six months’ incarceration and fines up to $1,000.

Unfortunately, the threat of jail time, fines, and a driver’s license suspension are not sufficient to discourage all motorists from aggressive driving. Their outrageous conduct puts everyone on the road at an increased risk of crashes, and the injuries to victims are far more severe. You should consult with a Miami aggressive driving accident lawyer right away if you were hurt, but some tips may help you avoid being involved in such an incident.

Avoid Being a Target: Drivers often enter road rage mode after getting frustrated with traffic maneuvers by other motorists that, while legal, can be maddening. When traveling on multi-lane highways, do not drive slowly in the fast lane – even when you are doing the speed limit. If you spot a vehicle rapidly approaching in your rearview mirror, you should wait to attempt a passing move.

Christmas is NOT #1 for Holiday Car Accidents in Miami

Published on: December 3, 2021 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

It may not be a surprise to learn that road travel is more dangerous around holiday periods in Miami, but you might be shocked to find that Christmas and other winter celebrations do not rank in the Top 10. The “bookends” of the summer season – Memorial Day and Labor Day – claim #1 and #2 for the highest number of fatal collisions according to auto insurance marketplace AutoInsurance.org. In fact, deadly crashes around Christmas are 12.4% below the average of all holidays considered, putting the holiday at the #17 spot. Travel on New Year’s Day, the 12th most dangerous holiday, is slightly riskier at 3% under average.

Obviously, car accidents still occur at an alarming rate in Miami. There have already been more than 107,700 auto crashes in South Florida so far, and 2021 is not yet over. If you were injured or lost a loved one, retaining a Miami car accident lawyer should be a priority any time of year. Some additional information on holiday traffic collisions offers insight on the dangers.

Risk Factors for Holiday Auto Crashes in Miami

What is the KABCO Scale for Assessing Catastrophic Injuries?

Published on: September 9, 2021 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Car accidents remain one of the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S., so government officials are constantly researching, assessing data, and reviewing statistics to determine ways to reduce them. One measurement that has proven useful for purposes of analysis is the so-called KABCO scale established by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which evaluates the severity of auto collision injuries and expresses how they impact crash costs.

There are several complicated formulas that FHWA uses to balance how much a manufacturer must expend to implement accident countermeasures against how well they succeed in reducing crashes. The resulting calculation is useful from the perspective of societal costs, but the KABCO scale may also be a factor if you suffered severe, debilitating trauma in a collision. Though you can trust your Miami catastrophic injuries attorney for help with the legal process, here is an overview of the KABCO scale.

KABCO Injury Scale and Cost Assessment