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It took just a few seconds for a Toyota Camry to hurl through the glass exit doors of a Publix store in Palm Coast on April 14, leaving ten people injured in the wake of the crash. Now, lawyers for some of the Florida auto accident injury victims are asking why there were no protective barriers in front of the door to keep the runaway car from crashing into the store.
There are five Publix stores in Flagler County and three of them have concrete pillars in front of store entrances and exits that are designed to prevent the very tragedy that happened in the Palm Coast Publix.
Whether Publix should have had the barriers there to protect against such a tragedy is a complicated issue. Publix did not build the store, but bought and renovated it in 2008 after the original Albertsons closed. The Daytona Beach Journal asked a law professor at Stetson University College of Law about this issue and he stated, “The question is should they have added barriers since. And that’s really a jury question.”
The legal waters are further muddied because there is no county or state code that mandates the placement of protective barriers in front of store entrances and exits. No lawsuits have been filed thus far, but Publix and the driver of the Toyota Camry have been told to preserve evidence, such as the videotape of the incident and the car involved in the crash.
A complicated scenario like this is exactly why you need to hire a knowledgeable and experienced automobile accident attorney. A Florida auto accident attorney at Farah & Farah can help you understand your legal rights and options if you have been injured in automobile Florida car accident. We are on call, day or night, at (800) 533-3555 to discuss your case and your next legal move.
10 people were injured after a 76-year-old woman crashed into the entrance of a Palm Coast Publix.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the woman was in the parking lot of the market when her Toyota Camry suddenly and inexplicably smashed through the glass entrance doors at the front of the building, sending shoppers and employees sprawling in her wake.
FHP said that the woman who was driving was unhurt, but that 10 other people were injured in the Florida auto accident — two of them seriously.
A spokesman for Publix said that the car entered through the double-doors, went past the checkout line and into a shopping aisle. He also told The Florida Times Union, “There was a situation where a customer was pinned under her car and our associates helped to lift the car off of the customer.”
Most of those hurt suffered non-critical injuries, including a 3-month old infant who is expected to recover. Two customers, an 81-year-old woman and an 83-year-old man,
were listed in serious condition, according to the FHP. All of the victims are Palm Coast residents.
Troopers are still investigating the cause of the accident.
A Farah & Farah vehicle crash lawyer in FL certainly hopes for the recovery of all those hurt in this accident. If you’ve been hurt in an accident involving a careless, negligent, or incompetent driver, you should seek legal advice as to what your legal options are when it comes to receiving compensation for your injuries. Call us today at (800) 533-3555 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Boca Raton Police are investigating a road-rage incident in which the driver of a Jaguar FX, apparently angered that the driver of a 2002 Ford Taurus ahead of him had stopped at a yellow light rather than going through it, got out of his car, spit on the Taurus driver, scuffled with him, and eventually struck the driver of the Taurus and his car with a baseball bat.
After an initial confrontation that involved spitting, hand gestures, and choking, the assailant went back to his Jaguar, grabbed a baseball bat, and proceeded to smash the rear-view mirror of the Taurus. After getting hit with the bat, the driver of the Taurus wrestled it away and started using it against the assailant. The Jaguar’s driver eventually ran back to his car and sped away — but not before the other driver got his license number.
Police have identified the suspect, who faces vandalism, aggravated battery, and auto burglary charges.
The Taurus driver told the Sun Sentinel that he was still too shaken to drive, but assured them that “next time I’ll be driving like a little old lady.”
Serious Business
In 2007, the federal government estimated that 12,000 injuries on Florida’s roads and highways were caused by road rage. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that nationwide incidents of road rage have jumped 51 percent since 1990. In 35 percent of road-rage incidents, drivers used their cars as weapons.
Play it Smart on the Road
A FL automobile accident attorney at Farah & Farah suggests that the best offense is a good defense when it comes preventing injuries caused by aggressive drivers on Florida’s roads and highways. Always try to maintain your cool and NEVER get out of your car to confront an angry motorist. If you have been injured by an aggressive or negligent driver, we may be able to help you obtain compensation for damages and expenses associated with the accident. Call us at (800) 533-3555 today.
Sources:
http://www.wesh.com/r/13608913/detail.html;http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/boca-raton/fl-boca-baseball-bat-attack-20120402,0,1161085.story
Three people were listed in critical condition after a driver lost control of his Ford Mustang on rain-slicked State Road 100 near Jarosz Street and crashed into an oncoming pickup. Although the driver of the Mustang as well as the driver and a passenger in the pickup were wearing seatbelts, they were all hospitalized.
Driving in Wet Weather
Researchers have found that 24 percent of all crashes occur in adverse weather conditions, including rain, snow, and ice. Rainstorms can especially wreak havoc on roads and highways because drivers tend to go too fast, or too slow, in rainy conditions.
Unlike snow and ice-covered roads, which tend to scare motorists into either staying home or driving with extreme caution, many drivers don’t see rain as dangerous — so more vehicles tend to be on the road when it’s raining and drivers tend to go too fast and follow too closely to other vehicles.
Edmunds.com offers some tips for driving in the rain:
- Be extra cautious after a long dry spell. Oil, grease, and rain make for a slippery mix on the road, especially for the first few hours after or during a rainstorm.
- Put some extra distance between you and other vehicles. This is not only a good idea for safely braking in the rain, but also for avoiding large, blinding back-spray from buses and large trucks.
- Watch out for pedestrians. Pedestrians tend to be distracted in the rain, too, and are not always paying attention to their surroundings.
- Allow more travel time. Don’t be in a rush because it just increases crash risks.
Accident Lawyers Protecting Your Rights
When driving in the rain, or on rain-slicked roads, it is every driver’s responsibility to assess road conditions and drive accordingly. If you have been injured in an accident because another motorist has been careless or negligent, the Florida auto accident injury attorneys at Farah & Farah may be able to help you obtain compensation. Call us at (800) 533-3555 today.
Sources: http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2012-04-01/story/3-critical-wet-weather-crash-flagler; http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2008/0601-bad_weather_bad_drivers.htm
A Collier County Deputy, who was clocked doing 101 mph in a 45 mph zone in his police cruiser while responding to a robbery call, has been cleared of all wrongdoing in the death of a man he collided with on Santa Barbara Road.
There is no speed limit imposed on officers who are responding to calls, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, but officers must show “due regard” when answering a 9-1-1 call. The State Attorney’s Office did not file any charges against the officer, but the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) did ticket the deputy for failing to use due regard in the March, 2011 accident.
It’s a year later, and a Collier County judge just threw out the ticket.
The stepfather of the victim told NBC News, “[The officer] got completely out of it, completely.”
As a result of this accident in FL and many others, a state law enforcement task force is set to discuss what a reasonable 9-1-1 response speed might be.
A three-month investigation by the Sun Sentinel that looked into speeding cops in Florida — those answering emergency calls and those who were off-duty — revealed some eye-opening revelations. After digging into a sample of officer’s toll records, they found that one out of five police cars hit speeds above 90 mph; there were 5,100 high-speed incidents in a 13 month period; and 96 percent of the high speeds were clocked in the 90 to 110 mph range.
More than half of the officers were not even answering emergency calls and were most likely traveling to and from work. Since 2004, speeding Florida police have caused 320 crashes and 19 deaths.
The Florida car crash lawyers at Farah & Farah think that everybody on Florida’s roads and highways should be using “due regard” when driving their vehicles — whether they carry a badge or not. If you have been injured by a negligent or careless driver we can help you obtain the compensation that you deserve. Call us at (800) 533-3555 today.
Sources: http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120322/BREAKING/120329870/2627/news?Title=FHP-Drunken-driver-injures-pedestrian-on-Siesta-Key&tc=ar;http://www.madd.org/drunk-driving/campaign/state-stats/Florida.html
It was supposed to be one last vacation for a Massachusetts couple before the birth of their first child; instead, it ended in tragedy when an out of control car smashed into a poolside cabana at the Riverside Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, killing a woman and her unborn child.
Police are still not sure why a woman driving a 2006 Audi lost control of her car. They do know that she was heading west on Southeast 4th Street when the car hit a curb, went over the sidewalk and then continued 20 feet into the cabana where the pregnant woman had been waiting for her husband.
Investigators are waiting for toxicology test results to determine if charges will be filed. Police did not administer a Breathalyzer test or draw blood at the scene because the driver had also suffered injuries in the crash. She was taken to Broward Medical Center and was listed in stable condition.
The general manager of the hotel told the South Florida Sun Sentinel that the couple had checked in only hours before and had planned to stay only one night. It has been reported that she had won the vacation in an essay contest and the couple was attending a marriage seminar at the hotel.
A detective on the scene described the accident as “an absolute tragedy.”
The Fort Lauderdale automobile accident attorneys at Farah & Farah express our deepest condolences to the friends and family of the woman killed in this tragic accident — a tragedy compounded by the death of her unborn child. No amount of compensation can fill the hole left by the death of a loved one, but if you want to hold a negligent or careless driver liable for their actions, we are standing by to take your call at (800) 533-3555.
Sources: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811402.pdf;http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/fire-rescue-2-trapped-vehicle-after-crashing-home/nLTGB/
After some contentious wrangling between defense attorneys and prosecutors, a jury was finally seated for the trial of Polo Club International’s founder, who was charged with DUI and vehicular manslaughter after a Feb 12, 2012 automobile accident claimed the life of a 23-year-old man.
Prosecutors say that the accused was driving his Bentley convertible on 120th Avenue in Wellington when he ran a stop sign at Lake Worth Road and smashed into a Hyundai driven by the 23-year-old victim who was returning home from a visit with his family in Orlando. The impact flipped the Hyundai upside down into a canal and the driver drowned.
Prosecutors contend that the driver of the Bentley never stopped to render aid and fled the scene of the accident. Allegedly, the accused first stopped at a nearby trailer and called his girlfriend in Atlanta before calling 911 to report the fatal accident — an hour after it had already been called in by another person at the scene. Authorities said the accused had a blood-alcohol level of 1.77 three hours after the accident — more than twice the legal limit to drive.
The Polo Club International founder made national headlines after the accident when he adopted his 42-year-old girlfriend, making her the beneficiary of a $300 million trust for his two minor children.
The trial is expected to take five days. The parents of the victim have filed a wrongful-death suit, and the civil trial is scheduled to take place after this one is over.
Seeking compensation for injuries and damages after an automobile accident can be a complicated affair — especially when a defendant has vast resources at their disposal. The Orlando auto accident attorneys at Farah & Farah even the playing field by making a pledge that we don’t collect a fee until you win your case. Call us for a no-obligation consultation at (800) 533-3555. We have the years of experience you need to obtain a successful case result.
Source: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-john-goodman-criminal-trial-day3-20120308,0,7780332.story
A man convicted of vehicular homicide in the death of a teenage pedestrian during a street racing accident faces a minimum of nine years behind bars. Prosecutors contended that the 25-year-old man lost control of his Dodge Neon while street racing against a Chevy Camaro driven by a friend, hitting and killing the innocent bystander.
The defense argued that the January 1, 2008 accident was not its client’s fault in the first place — claiming that the driver of the Neon had to swerve to avoid hitting another vehicle that had turned into his lane and then stopped. A witness who confirmed that version of the story happened to be the man who was driving the Camaro — the same Camaro that some witnesses claimed was speeding down the road side-by-side with the Neon.
The driver of the Camaro, who has known the convicted man for ten years, also testified that he was driving behind his friend, who was helping him get his car to a garage. An accident reconstruction witness called by the defense claimed that the vehicles had only been going between 52 or 62 mph in the 35 mph zone — an assertion the Florida Highway patrol disputed as being below their estimate.
Regardless of the defense arguments, the jury didn’t buy it and, according to wtv.com, the family of the victim felt that justice had been served.
Street racing poses a danger for everybody on the road — from those actually involved in the illegal activity to innocent bystanders who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you or a family member has been harmed due to the reckless and negligent driving of another person, a Florida car crash lawyer at Farah & Farah would like to discuss your legal options with you. Call us at (800) 533-3555 for a free consultation today.
Sources: http://www.nhtsa.gov/Bicycles;http://www.theledger.com/article/20120301/NEWS/120309985/1338/news00?Title=Two-Bicyclists-Hurt-in-Accident-With-Truck-
A 22-year-old woman, who had 11 previous speeding violations, was arrested in connection with an accident that killed a youth pastor on September of 2011. She has been charged with reckless driving and driving on a suspended or revoked license.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the woman caused the crash when she sideswiped the car driven by a youth pastor on I-10 near the Chaffee Road interchange. The man’s car spun out of control and overturned, partially ejecting him and pinning him under the car. His wife, who was also in the car, survived the crash.
The woman who caused the accident was not hurt.
FHP said that the arrest was delayed for so long because investigators were waiting for toxicology test results and the woman was not considered a flight risk. The results of the test were negative for drugs or alcohol. The suspect, who voluntarily turned herself in, posted $25,000 bail and was released.
According to DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) records, the woman was once clocked going 93 mph in a 60 mph zone and had already been cited once for careless driving and driving with a suspended license before the accident.
The wife of the victim stated that the accident should serve as a reminder that the decision to drive when you aren’t supposed to can affect many lives. “She made the choice to drive and drive recklessly. And in result, my husband lost his life,” she stated.
Unfortunately, some careless and reckless drivers still get behind the wheel even after their licenses have been suspended or revoked. If you have been injured on Florida’s roads because of somebody’s recklessness or disregard for the law, please contact the Jacksonville automobile accident attorneys at Farah & Farah today by calling (800) 533-3555.
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46467777/ns/local_news-jacksonville_fl/
One woman was seriously injured when she was thrown on the highway and another man was thrown into the St. Johns River and rescued after a three-vehicle crash on the Buckman Bridge in Jacksonville. The two had been passengers traveling in the same SUV, along with the driver and a two-year-old child. The toddler, who remained strapped in a car seat, was also seriously injured. The woman driving the SUV also sustained injuries. None of the adults were wearing a seat belt, according to the Florida Times-Union.
A plumber, who arrived at the scene just after the accident, pulled a ladder from his truck and lowered it to the river with the help of another motorist. The male victim, who had been clinging to a bridge piling, was then helped out of the water.
The SUV had been struck by another car that had swerved to avoid a pickup truck coming into its lane. The SUV overturned several times.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, some 125,000 vehicles cross the Buckman Bridge on any given day. The bridge’s barrier railings are built to federal standards and are designed to keep vehicles from plunging into the river. Only two cars have gone in since the mid-1990’s.
Due to the constrained nature of traffic on a bridge, it is vitally important that all motorists watch where they are going and execute lane changes safely. If you have been the victim of a car crash where you have been injured, the experienced Jacksonville car accident attorneys at Farah & Farah can determine the at-fault party and work to get you compensation to help get you back on your feet. Call us at (800) 533-3555.
Sources:http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2012-02-13/story/plumber-rescues-man-st-johns-river-after-buckman-crash
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