Why do commercial vehicle accidents happen?
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently conducted a study in which they looked at the top reasons for car accidents involving large trucks (those weighing over 10,000 lbs.). Accident reconstructionist professionals rarely determine one factor that causes an accident, but they can identify common trends.
Some of the most common events they identified that resulted in commercial vehicle accidents include:

• Problems with the vehicle’s brakes.
• Interruptions in the flow of traffic.
• Using prescription or over-the-counter drugs.
• Traveling too fast for the road’s conditions.
• Being unfamiliar with the road.
• Issues with the road itself.
• Not getting enough rest.

What should you do after a car accident with a semi-truck or bus?
If you’re involved in an accident with a semi-truck or bus, here’s what you need to do:

• Don’t leave the scene, or else you’ll get charged with a “hit-and-run.”
• Check on everyone to see if anyone needs medical attention.
• Call the police, especially if there’s property damage, injury, or death.
• Exchange information (e.g., names, addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers, driver’s license numbers, insurance information, name and phone number of the commercial driver’s employer) with the other driver.
• Don’t discuss the accident with anyone but your lawyer.
• Take photos of the accident scene, damage caused by accident, and injuries.
• Tell your insurance company about the accident’s details.
• Get the police report, so you have a copy.
• Keep good records of any medical attention you see, any conversations you have, and how your injuries have impacted your life.

How do you determine who’s liable for the commercial vehicle car accident?
Since there are numerous parties involved with the commercial transportation industry, it’s oftentimes quite challenging to determine exactly who’s responsible for a car accident. Therefore, you’ll need to have a personal injury lawyer on your side who’s well-versed in this area of the law. They’re the ones you can turn to so that you can recover the compensation you deserve.
Your attorney will need to look at the unique circumstances surrounding the accident to determine which of the following parties may be liable:

• The company that owns or leases the vehicle
• Whoever is responsible for maintaining the vehicle
• The bus or semi-truck driver
• The driver’s employer
• The manufacturer of the vehicle or a certain part of the vehicle

How do you get help after the accident?
Commercial vehicle accidents can be quite devastating because of the vehicles’ size and weight. This frequently results in victims suffering from serious lifelong health issues. At the Blenner Law Group in Palm Harbor, FL, we’ve been fighting for those who are injured in these car accidents. If this is you, you’re urged to call us today so we can fight for your rights.

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According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration car accidents caused by speeding are up as much as 15% in some areas during recent months. The resulting injuries become worse as your speed increases. This speed is also a significant factor in crash liability.

It should be no surprise that speeding isn’t only common but also quite dangerous. According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately one-third of all deadly crashes occur when at least one of the parties involved has been speeding. What’s interesting is that most drivers don’t think it’s an issue. They’ll even go so far as to make excuses for it.

In reality, driving at a high rate of speed has many dangerous consequences, including:

• You’re unable to easily maneuver your vehicle around obstructions and curves in the roadway.
• You need more time and distance so you can stop safely.
• Since it takes a bit for you to react to your vehicle when you get in an accident while speeding you’re more likely to get injured.
• You can’t possibly react fast enough to assess just how fast another vehicle is traveling when it’s moving at a high speed.

Undoubtedly, cars traveling at excessive speeds are frequently a liability. Just how big of a liability they are will depend on factors specific to the case.

Defining Speeding

Although this sounds easy, you should know that you could also get a speeding ticket when you’re traveling too fast for the road conditions, even when you’re going under the speed limit. This is why you need to remain alert to any changes in weather conditions. Of course, you also need to watch for congested traffic, roadway debris, poorly maintained roads, and anything around you (e.g., bicyclists, pedestrians, animals).

According to F.S. 316.183, you aren’t permitted to drive your vehicle at an unreasonable speed. As a driver, you’re responsible for controlling your speed so you avoid causing a car accident. This is important to understand because if you’re found negligent you’ll also be found liable. Negligence is defined as not being careful enough to avoid harming someone else. When found negligent you’ll incur fines and points on your driver’s license. You may also be held liable for your actions if someone else gets hurt.

Retaining a Lawyer After a Car Accident

Just because you were in a car accident where someone is injured or killed doesn’t mean it has to go to litigation. Relatively minor injuries can be adequately compensated with the personal injury protection (PIP) part of your insurance coverage. This coverage offers about $10K in coverage for medical and wage loss. No proof of fault is necessary.

When you’re in a car accident that meets the severe injury threshold you may step outside of the no-fault system to pursue a claim with the other driver’s insurance. To do this you must be able to prove the other driver’s negligence. This means that if you can prove that the other driver was traveling at too high of a rate of speed you can prove that they’re breaching their duty of care for others as a driver.

To win your case here you not only need to prove this, but you must also prove that they caused the crash and your injuries. It’s also important for you to defend against accusations that you contributed to the accident and the injuries that were incurred therein.

When you get into a car accident in St. Petersburg, reach out to us at Blenner Law Group. We may be able to forego a lawsuit and still negotiate a fair insurance settlement for you. Put our dedication to the test. Contact us today.

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Living in Palm Harbor or St Petersburg, FL, you’re bound to encounter numerous bicyclists. As a vehicle owner in the area, you know you’ll need to share the road with them.

Unfortunately, sharing the road with some bicyclists doesn’t work out so well. Some of them aren’t very cautious. Sometimes they may even be at fault when a collision occurs. Of course, there may also be at fault sometimes.

Car accidents involving bicyclists don’t have to make you anxious. Knowing what to do when they occur will help calm your nerves. Take a few minutes to learn how to better share the road with them.

Tips for Preventing Bicycle Accidents in Palm Harbor and St. Petersburg FL

Bicycle accidents happen for many different reasons. Some of the most common reasons include speeding, intoxication, and poor signage or road maintenance.

Regardless of what caused the bicycle accident, both drivers and riders can prevent these car accidents in the future. For the sake of prevention, you must understand your role in preventing these accidents.

Tips for Drivers

As a driver, some of the things that you can do to prevent these car accidents include:

• Be on the lookout for bikes, especially in your blind spots
• Drive defensively and use your signals correctly
• Never drive when intoxicated or distracted
• Give bikes plenty of room

Tips for Bicyclists

Some precautions you can take as a bicyclist to avoid these bicycle accidents include:

• Use lights, reflective gear, and a helmet
• Watch for drivers to ensure that they see you
• Obey traffic rules (e.g., driving with the traffic as if you’re a car)
• When possible, use bike trails or lanes instead of busy streets
• Make proper use of your signals, so you remain predictable
• In situations with low visibility (e.g., bad weather, nighttime), be extra cautious
• Give motorists room and respect
• Avoid motorists’ blind spots whenever possible

How to Handle Car Accidents Involving Bicyclists

If you’re in a bicycle accident, you should stop and exchange contact information. Avoid discussing what caused the accident. Neither of you is likely to specialize in car accidents, so you won’t be able to determine liability. Instead, focus on getting as much documentation as possible (e.g., photographs, notes, contact information from witnesses).

When you’re in one of these accidents, it’s common for the driver to be automatically blamed, even if it isn’t their fault. If you’re injured, you should speak with a personal injury attorney immediately. Doing so will allow you to establish the case’s facts so you can seek compensation for your injuries.

Getting the Help You Need After an Accident

At Blenner Law Group, we understand that accidents happen. When they do, it shouldn’t be the end of the world for you. Instead, you should remember to reach out to us.

Over the years, we’ve helped numerous people during such unfortunate times in their lives. We’ve been able to help relieve the stress and anxiety they’ve felt during these times. We look forward to helping you too, so contact us today.

Picture Credit: Freepik

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In the last year I have had a number of calls and questions from clients and friends regarding angry drivers who perceive some wrongdoing done to them and who then “flash” a gun at the other driver in an apparent show of force or retribution.

Wow, this is such a bad idea. This bit of rudeness might land you in jail. Hostility can bring out the worst in some people and given the frequency of how often this issue comes up, obviously it is a growing problem. Some apparently think this is as harmless as shaking ones fist or using the notorious middle finger if they don’t pull the trigger. It is not only a crime, it’s usually a felony.

If it is done to you, you are indeed the victim of a crime.

Depending on the State you live in, the crime is called any number of things: disorderly conduct, menacing, reckless conduct, second degree riot and even “terrorist threat”. But make no mistake: It is a form of assault. Here in Florida, it’s aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

This is true even if the gun isn’t loaded as the person at the end of the gun barrel doesn’t know this. This is also true if it is a BB gun or even a toy gun for the same reason: the victim perceives it to be a dangerous weapon, and the damage is done.

It is also true if the gun isn’t even aimed at you, but it just made visible in a mirror in a threatening manner. Again, the victim is witnessing a deadly weapon and they are the intended target.

If this happens to you on the road, stay calm. However, do not antagonize the other driver. Get the license tag number, and as detailed a description of the other car and driver as you can and call the police. Don’t worry about “losing” the other driver. Let them go. That’s what the police are for.

And if the investigative agency tries to talk you out of filing charges, make it known in no uncertain terms that you were the victim of a violent assault and you want the other driver prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Too many times these altercations get out of control and someone ends up dead when a confrontation ensues. Don’t take any chances. Get the information, get off the road and call the authorities.

Image credit: mullannix930

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