by Spencer Aronfeld | Jun 1, 2018 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury News and Safety Resources
Car accidents do not just happen on highways. In fact, many reported accidents are the result of parking lot fender benders. While speeds tend to be slower in a parking lot, the damage can be costly. Many parking lot accidents tend to involve hit-and-runs. Certain steps should be taken to protect your rights if you are involved as a driver or a pedestrian in a parking lot accident. Call for Help. Do not hesitate to call 911 if you believe anyone was injured following the accident. If the accident was a hit-and-run, calling 911 can help obtain valuable evidence and protect you in the event a police report is needed to submit a claim. Remain Calm. Emotions run high when it comes to any type of car accident. If the person who hit you or your car is present, tensions can rise and situations can quickly escalate. However, responding in anger will not help the situation. Remain calm and call the police. It is also important to take down the contact information and statements of anyone who witnessed the accident. Stay Where You Are. It is extremely important that everyone involved in the accident stay at the scene until the authorities clear them to go. In Florida, it is the law. Leaving the scene of an accident can bring an additional charge, especially if injuries or vehicular damage was done. Never Apologize or Admit Fault. It can be a knee jerk reaction to want to say, “I’m sorry” after an accident, but whatever you do, never admit fault. Conversations should be limited, giving the other person insurance and...
by Spencer Aronfeld | May 25, 2018 | Personal Injury News and Safety Resources
Pedestrian deaths are at a 10-year high on a national level with the State of Florida having the second highest rate of pedestrian accidents in the country. Between January and June 2016, 299 deaths occurred in Florida. That previous year, the number was 303. The top five states, including California, Florida, Texas, New York and Arizona, made up 43 percent of all pedestrian deaths during the first half of 2017. To put these numbers in perspective, these states account for only 30 percent of the total national population. According to a study published by NPR, eight of the top ten most dangerous cities for pedestrian deaths were in Florida. Why have these numbers increased over the course of a couple of years? According to the study, a number of factors can play into why pedestrian deaths have increased. A stronger economy and lower price for fuel has caused more cars to be on the road, which results in increased chances for accidents. Other factors include increased vehicle speeds and alcohol consumption by both drivers and pedestrians. According to the report, 33 percent of pedestrian deaths involved a pedestrian who had a blood alcohol content (BAC) above the legal driving limit. Even though it is not illegal to walk while intoxicated, it can be extremely dangerous when combined with moving vehicles. Dangerous road design also plays a part in increased pedestrian deaths. Many of these accidents occur on multi-lane roads, as pedestrians are attempting to cross a busy highway. The larger the roads, the higher the speeds are set for cars traveling on them. This combination can lead to an...
by Spencer Aronfeld | May 10, 2018 | Personal Injury News and Safety Resources, Slip and Fall/Premises Liability
How Much is Your Slip and Fall Case Worth? On the surface, it can be difficult to estimate how much a legal case is worth, especially if the case involves a slip and fall. However, if someone is injured in a fall due to a hazard on another person or businesses’ property, it is important that he or she be aware of the factors that can affect filing a lawsuit. For example, all states have a statute of limitations on how long an individual has to file a lawsuit. In Florida, the injured party has four years from the date of the accident to file the lawsuit. If the person does not file within this period of time, he or she can end up barred from any relief. Here are factors that will determine the value of your slip and fall case: Medical Expenses: Present and Future Medical expenses are one of the first things used to calculate damages in a slip and fall case. When meeting with an attorney, bring any and all medical expenses to help the attorney evaluate what types of medical expenses may be outstanding and what may be in the future. Damages can sometimes be the amount the healthcare provider has billed the injured client or the amount the healthcare provider agreed to receive as payment in full, if the healthcare provider agreed to a lesser amount. It helps if the client has reached what is known as “maximum medical improvement,” meaning the doctor has declared that he or she has recovered as fully as he or she is anticipated to recover, and additional...
by Spencer Aronfeld | May 10, 2018 | Personal Injury News and Safety Resources, Slip and Fall/Premises Liability
Ways Seniors Can Avoid Slip, Trip and Fall Accidents According to a recent statistic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately a quarter of all seniors over the age of 65 suffer a serious fall every year. These falls can happen anywhere, whether it is at home, a grocery store, hotel or at a shopping mall. On an annual basis, slip and fall accidents account for 2.8 million injuries and 27,000 fatalities for the nation’s elderly. The injuries can include trauma to the head, as well as bone fractures and lacerations. Here are some tips to help seniors avoid slip, trip and fall accidents. Clear the Floor One of the biggest causes of slips, trips and falls is clutter on the floor. It can be beneficial to regularly check the floor for any hazards that could cause someone to trip and fall. These hazards can include liquids on the floor; merchandise left in walking paths or even bunched up rugs or mats. Anything that a normal person would not expect in his or her walking path needs to be cleared and routinely checked. Clean Up Messes or Spills Accidents can happen, especially in the retail industry. As soon as an accidental spill or mess is made, the store has a duty to immediately clean up spills as soon as they happen. Messes or spills should also be cleaned up as soon as they happen in the home. This helps prevent a slip and fall accident from occurring in the home. Routinely Exercise Muscle weakness is a big contributor as to why seniors suffer slip and falls and...
by Spencer Aronfeld | May 10, 2018 | Personal Injury News and Safety Resources
Preparation can be the key when it comes to meeting with a personal injury attorney for an initial consultation. Keep in mind that you are interviewing them when it comes to their qualifications, background and whether you feel the attorney and his or her firm can properly handle your case. It can help to write questions down in advance and bring them with you to your free initial consultation. We have included some of the most important questions you should ask when ‘interviewing’ your attorney. What Is Your Main Practice Area? Like doctors, attorneys will often primarily focus in a certain area of law. General practitioners do exist, and many of them can be quite qualified. However, it helps a great deal if the firm specializes in the area of personal injury in Florida. Ask the attorney how much of his or her practice is dedicated to this specific area of the law. How many cases has the attorney handled? If this area of the law is one of specific focus for the attorney, does he or she regularly attend training to remain updated on current law? All of this information is helpful to know since you will want someone who is experienced and knowledgeable handling your case. In addition, ask the attorney if he or she has handled similar cases to your specific case. While no one case is the same, it helps if he or she has experience in these types of cases. Ask the attorney how these cases turned out, whether they settled in the client’s favor or went to trial. How Much Trial Experience Do...
by Spencer Aronfeld | Mar 27, 2018 | Personal Injury News and Safety Resources
Retail Workers Experienced a Combined Injury and Illness Rate Higher Than Those in the Construction Industry The retail industry comes with its own set of risks, and like any other industry, the possibility of accidents, injuries and illnesses are part of the job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, in 2016, a combined injury and illness rate was higher for retail workers than construction workers. Most of the injuries sustained were a result of employees moving and stocking products from delivery trucks to storage areas and onto shelves in the store. Musculoskeletal disorders were the most common types of injuries while slips, trips and falls were also reported. What Can Be Done to Prevent These Injuries? The rise of injuries and illnesses in the retail industry brings the question of what can be done to increase the safety measures put in place by the company. It is up to store management to make the safety of its employees and customers a top priority. It is recommended that employers hold annual training sessions for all employees that emphasize the prevention of slip, trip and fall accidents, how to safely use ladders, manual material handling, proper housekeeping techniques, and parking lot cart-collection. Handle with Care Handling merchandise and other materials is often the leading cause of retail injuries. It is important that employees be given proper equipment and be trained to lift properly to prevent these injuries. One way to reduce the chance of injuries is to minimize how many times a worker touches a product. Equipment Design Focusing on ergonomics can also help reduce injuries by ensuring that...
