Injuries at “Low Speed Impacts”

On January 20, 2010, In Soft Tissue Accidents, By mesauto

 Impacts that occur at speeds less than 10 MPH are known as “low speed impacts”. There is usually little (if any) visible property damage done to the rear of ones motor vehicle. However, the occupants of the vehicle that is struck (especially in the rear) often have injuries, especially neck injuries. The most common of them are identified as “Whiplash”.

Injuries to the low back are also common. The occupants cannot brace themselves nor force their back and neck against the seat or headrest. If the person is sitting at a light when the impact occurs, they may be leaning forward. Unlike the “crash test dummies” most people are not sitting completely erect when the crash occurs. Although most bumpers are built to withstand a low impact (with limited visible damage) the body gets snapped around and the body sustains “Soft Tissue” injuries – - including bruises, plus chest and rib injuries.

Often, insurance companies will deny that there is a personal injury claim when there has been little property damage. The reasoning for not paying the claim is often based on the idea that if the car is not damaged, how could the occupant be? The human body is not built like a vehicle. Unlike factory standards of the cars coming off assembly line, every body is different is size, shape and pre-existing conditions that affect the outcome of a crash. If you need help navigating a personal injury claim on a low impact collision, contact a Florida personal injury lawyer.

 
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Accidents Caused by Texting

On December 10, 2009, In Choosing a Lawyer, By mesauto

Lets be safe this holiday season on our Florida roadways. We all know that it’s illegal in Florida to drive drunk but driving distracted can be equally deadly, and should be illegal as well.

Cell phone use while driving can be as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. The act of driving involves a person processing multiple distractions. For example driver needs to wash the car ahead, pay attention to kids along the side of the road on bikes, and deal with their own children wrestling in the backseat. At that attention to using a cell phone in the human ability to focus on the road is maxed out.

It is estimated by the national Highway traffic see the administration that nearly one in six of all crashes are caused by at least one form of driver distraction. Please don’t be a statistic this holiday season. Florida personal injury attorneys know too well the consequences of cell phone use while driving.

 
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Fixes for Toyota’s Sudden Acceleration Problem?

On November 18, 2009, In automobile defects, By mesauto

The Detroit Free Press (11/18, Gardner) reports, “Federal regulators and Toyota Motor Corp. are discussing whether the automaker needs to fix gas pedals or floor pans in millions of recalled vehicles instead of blaming floor mats, which the automaker had maintained was the source of unintended acceleration cases. The talks are the result of new evidence from safety tests and allegations in some lawsuits, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which has received more than 400 complaints about acceleration problems that include several fatalities.” Toyota “continues to deny that electronic technology was a factor in any reported case of unintended acceleration.”

If you have had an accident  involving Toyota’s sudden acceleration problem, contact a Florida Personal Injury Attorney today to review your rights.

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Ford Explorer Rolls – 25 Year Old Woman Loses Life

On November 11, 2009, In rollovers, By mesauto

The Florida Highway Patrol reports that a 25 year old Orange Park Woman was heading south on Interstate 95 in Flagler County when she lost control of her 1999 Ford Explorer SUV and crashed Saturday afternoon around 3:15 p.m. Kathleen Lugo reportedly tried to pass slow traffic and when she moved to the shoulder of the road she lost control and rolled several times. Not wearing her seat belt, Lugo was ejected from the Explorer and taken to Halifax Hospital where she was pronounced dead according to the Florida Times Union.

Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyers have known about the tendency of these vehicles to roll since they hit the market in 1991. The safety of the Ford SUVs became a nationwide concern in 2000. More than 200 deaths and 700 injuries in the United States were blamed on Ford Explorers rolling over after the tread separated on Firestone tires with which the Explorers had been equipped.

In 2005, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety issued a report finding that the two-door, two-wheel drive Ford Explorer made between 1999 and 2002 had the fourth highest rate of driver death of the 47 SUVs that were part of the study. In November 2006, a jury awarded the Oklahoma family of a teenager who died in a Ford Rollover accident $15 million in a lawsuit against Ford. The jury found that the teen was killed because the Ford Explorer’s roof was too weak to withstand a rollover. In early 2006, further support that the Explorer is unstable and can flip over during sudden driving maneuvers surfaced in an Explorer rollover trial in Mississippi. Ford’s test results of replacement tires for the Explorer, introduced as evidence in the trial, indicated that the vehicle is unstable not only on Firestone tires but also on tires made by Goodyear, Michelin’s Uniroyal, Continental and other manufacturers. Ford had approved some of the failed tires as replacement brands.

 
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Car Kits for All Types of Accidents

On November 10, 2009, In Uncategorized, By mesauto

Car Accident KitMost Emergency Kits are put in the back of an automobile with safety in mind. Some were sold with the car. All of these emergency kits are designed for a breakdown on the side of the road and first aid.

To upgrade your car’s emergency kit, add a disposable camera to take pictures when the accident occurs. Many cell phones nowadays have cameras too. That will work in a pinch, but you shouldn’t rely on them. What if your phone runs out of power, or you are obliged to use it as a phone when you want to take pictures? Also, the finer the resolution, the greater the chance you’ll have something worth documenting in your pictures. A spare disposable camera is cheap. There should always be pen and paper available to take down information, like the time and location, names of anyone present, and anything else that seems pertinent. Everyone exchanges insurance information (hopefully, if you are in an accident, all parties have insurance), but don’t forget to have your medical information available for worst-case scenarios.
Remember that these suggestions are in addition to the things you should already have in case of an accident. Flashlight and batteries, non-perishable food and water, a flat tire kit, a basic tool kit, flares, jumper cables, spare oil, antifreeze and towels, and it never hurt to have a roll

But what about other kinds of accidents: the kinds that don’t involve changing a tire or warning oncoming traffic on the interstate? Thankfully, many accidents don’t require first aid, but every accident could be a potential legal nightmare. Be prepared for this other kind of emergency by becoming familiar with a board certified personal injury lawyer in your area.

 
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Car Accidents at Night

On November 7, 2009, In night accidents, By mesauto

Accidents that occur at night are often a result of lighting. Many people overestimate their ability to see at night and very often the headlights are insufficient.

Light is reflected in different ways depending on the materials used in the construction of roadway surfaces. The road surface has a significant effect on the driver’s recognition of objects and vehicles on the road. Whether objects or the roadway is visible depends on ambient lighting, headlights, moisture conditions and other.

 If your car accident happened at night, or in poor lighting conditions, your car accident lawyer may hire an accident reconstructionist. Accident Reconstruction is used to help unlock what happened in a particular accident. A personal injury lawyer will help you recover the most for your damages,

 
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Florida Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

On November 4, 2009, In Choosing a Lawyer, Drunk Driving Accidents, By mesauto

Drunken driving accidents are devastating to the victims as well as the families of those involved. Because the drunk driver’s senses are impaired they do not have the normal reaction time and instincts that a sober driver would have.  Many times, the results of the accidents caused by a drunk driver are worse than that of a regular car accident. If you or a loved one has been vitimized by a drunk driver, you will need the help of a Florida Auto Accident Attorney.

In Jacksonville at  Michael E. Seelie, PA, we have been helping accident victims for over 25 years, including the victims of drunk driving accidents. We pledge to get our clients the compensation they deserve for their damages.

 Before you hire a lawyer from a televised 1-800- ASK ad consider this. A referral service does not guarantee a competent aggressive lawyer to handle your case. Check with the Florida Bar and hire a Florida Board Certified Trial attorney with experience.

 
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Jacksonville Car Accident Attorney

On October 30, 2009, In Choosing a Lawyer, By mesauto

Auto accidents have become a regular event on our highways and streets here in Northeast Florida. Most of us have at one time or another been involved in a Jacksonville car accident, as speeding and aggressive driving has become an unfortunate reality in our daily lives.

At Michael E. Seelie, PA , we have personally seen the devastating consequences auto accidents can have on innocent people and their families. Car accident victims must overcome serious obstacles to get their lives back in order. They are often faced with outrageous medical bills, lost wages and crippling injuries. This is why following auto accidents; we are committed to helping victims recover.

If you have been involved in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for property damage, injuries, and pain and suffering. Even if you are unsure of who was at fault, our firm may be able to help. If you are looking for an aggressive competent attorney please give us a call 904-858-1895.

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Florida Improper or Unsafe Lane Change

On October 27, 2009, In Rules of the Road, By mesauto

Florida considers unsafe or improper lane change one of the features of aggressive drivers. However, state statute forbids the enforcement of aggressive driver laws. Still, moving traffic violations can be expensive and detrimental to one’s credit with insurers. In Florida, an improper lane change is 3 points on your license, 4 points if this violation results in a collision.

The correct method of changing lanes is a four-part process. Turn on your signal (Always ensure that your turn signal is in working order). Check your mirrors for other drivers. Check your blind spot (This is usually where most drivers go wrong). And only then, when it is clear that you are turning and the way is open, do you merge into the next lane.

If you want to merge into the next lane over, repeat the process. Do not make a continuous lane change. When changing lanes, never alter your speed significantly. Breaking hard disrupts the flow of traffic and can lead to a collision. Speeding up does the same thing. Never change lanes while in an intersection. If your lane is merging, you are still required to make a proper lane change.

Florida law states an improper lane change has occurred if you pull out in front of a vehicle going the same direction, or passing a vehicle when meeting oncoming traffic.

In some states, your turn signal has to be flashing for 200 feet before the lane change. If you are driving over 50 mph, the flash has to be on for 300 feet. Even if you are driving in a state without these guidelines, it is best to give the other drivers on the road sufficient warning before changing lanes.

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Do I Need a Lawyer for a Whiplash Injury?

On October 27, 2009, In Soft Tissue Accidents, By mesauto

You are driving in Florida, when a car behind you rear-ends your vehicle. The impact pushes your car forward. It takes your body about 100 milliseconds to catch up to the forward movement. You step on the brakes, bringing the car to an abrupt halt. The sudden stop throws your head and neck backward, and they bounce against the headrest. In a matter of seconds, you’ve experienced whiplash.
Following a whiplash injury, you may experience headaches, neck aches, shoulder pain, ringing in the ears. One in three people will experience TMJ, pain in their temporo-mandibular joint, within one year according to a study by Hanna Sale and Annika Isberg, Delayed Temporo-mandibular Joint Pain and Dysfuntion Induced by Whiplash Trauma, 138 J. Am. Dental Assn. 1084 (2007). This is at an incidence rate of five times higher than what is found in the general population.

If you have had a whiplash accident, your first step should be to seek immediate medical assistance. Treatment of whiplash depends on the wide variety of symptoms present.

You may need a lawyer to help recover the costs of your medical treatment. We can help. Michael E. Seelie , board certified trial attorney, has been helping injured people in Jacksonville, Florida for over 30 years.

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