| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS | , , ,

How to Avoid the Most Common Motorcycle Accidents

avoid motorcycle accidentsThe comedian Norm MacDonald does a routine about people worrying about death. A lot of people get on an airplane and immediately start to worry the plane will crash. Ridiculous, says Norm, and he’s right. Airplanes are extremely safe. He explains that some people obsess that they will be attacked and killed by terrorists! Also, highly unlikely. But, he asks, “what are the chances you will be attacked and killed by your own heart? About 100%.” The point is, if you take time to take care of your heart and your body you’ll surely live longer.

Motorcycles are obviously a lot of fun to ride for many people. I know many motorcycle enthusiasts who would never give up the experience no matter how dangerous it may or may not be. Being aware of the most common causes for motorcycle accidents and ways to avoid them is the key to enjoying motorcycles for many safe years. So what are the 10 most common causes for accidents? We’re going to cover 5 in this article, and 5 more later.

NOTE: These are tips. We are not motorcycle safety experts. We encourage all motorcyclists to take regular safety training from certified safety instructors. In south Florida contact the Safety Council of Palm Beach County or Motorcycle Safety of Florida.

Avoid Motorcycle Accidents

1 –  Someone Turns Left in Front of You.

How to avoid: You must see it coming and anticipate it. If there is a gap in traffic coming the other direction, watch carefully for someone who might try to turn left. Don’t count on a turn signal since most people just don’t use them. See if the person seems to have locked on to you with their eyes. Are they focusing on you or on the direction they want to go? Usually it’s the latter. Are their wheels turned left already? Is there someone behind you? What is the road surface? All this data streams into your brain as you have less than a millisecond to make a decision. It’s just a good idea to reduce speed and stay focused. Also, is your headlight on?

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| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS | , ,

Malfunctioning Tail Light a Possible Factor in Motorcycle Fatalities Near Tampa

florida motorcycle fatalitiesA tragic accident near Tampa on Saturday night killed two people from Ohio. Apparently the man and woman were riding a motorcycle on I-75 when they were hit from behind by a car. Early investigation information suggests that the rear tail light on the motorcycle was not operating and the two deceased persons were not wearing helmets.

Florida Ranks High for Motorcycle Fatalities

We stress so many safety-related guidelines for Florida drivers of cars, trucks, and motorcycles but we have not recently covered inspecting vehicles for working lights and other equipment. There was a time in Florida when safety inspections were mandatory prior to registering a vehicle but they were eliminated in 1981.

When you think of the brake and tail lights on the rear of a car, there are two built in to each rear light assembly and another higher up inside the rear window. Motorcycles have a much smaller warning for other drivers when they apply their brakes and if they are not functioning, the motorcycle may be practically invisible.

If the state is not inspecting your car, then it is up to you!

Have Your Vehicle Inspected

Each time you have your oil changed, make a point to ask the technician to check your all your lights. Brake lights, headlights, all of them. As you can see from the terrible incident above, it may save your life.

An article about the motorcycle accident is here, from the Columbus Dispatch.

Florida Accident AttorneysMotorcycle Accident Attorneys

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus works with people who have been seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents. We are committed to making sure that our clients receive compensation under the law for their injuries and all other damages incurred. Please call us at 954-356-0006 for a confidential consultation.

| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Prescription Errors | , , , ,

When are Pharmacy Errors Considered Malpractice?

Alexander Pope, an 18th century English poet, said “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” That may be true, but it’s difficult to forgive someone when their error causes serious damage.

pharmacy errorsIn the healthcare industry, human error has become one of the leading causes of death, and people in hospitals now refer to serious mistakes as “nevers” which means they are never supposed to happen. There are lots of checks and balances, and yet people are still harmed and killed by “nevers.”

With prescription medications, these mistakes can happen in the hospital, in your doctor’s office, and in your local pharmacy. When does a “never” mistake become malpractice? Malpractice is defined as improper, illegal, or negligent professional activity or treatment, especially by a medical practitioner, lawyer, or public official. These are people who are held to a higher standard by the legal system due to their level of education, training, and the vital nature of their work. If you order a steak medium-rare but they cook it until it’s black, that’s not malpractice. Just a mistake.

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| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | AUTO ACCIDENTS | , ,

Traffic Fatalities – The Most Dangerous States for Driving (We’re #12)

Most people who have lived in or traveled to several states have an opinion on the state with the worst drivers. “Boy, those New York drivers are the worst,” I’ve heard several people exclaim over the traffic fatalitiesyears. Or, “Don’t go to Florida, they are terrible” is another. Of course we live here, so we have to drive in Florida. What are the numbers on serious, fatal accidents?

Traffic Fatalities – The Numbers

Florida is number 12. That’s not the twelfth best, it’s the twelfth worst. The worst 12 states as far as fatal accidents for 2015 are listed in the table to the right. Overall, there were 35,092 traffic fatalities nationwide in 2015.

Why Wyoming has such a high rate of fatal accidents is hard to figure, so we Googled it and found this from the Casper Star Tribune – “Nearly twice as many people have died on Wyoming highways this year compared with 2013, and increases in oil field traffic and drunken driving may be to blame.”

Back to Florida. County-by-county, the rural counties in Florida have experienced higher rates of fatal accidents per person, and the worst 10 counties are:

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| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Florida Personal Injury | ,

Florida Legislature Update: Insurance, Personal Injury Cases, and More

The Constitution of the State of Florida, as revised in 1968 says that “a regular session of the legislature shall convene on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March.” That being today, it’s florida personal injurytime to convene! Most people don’t follow the Florida Legislature as closely as they do the Miami Heat or their favorite celebrity, but there are some issues before our lawmakers this session that may directly affect our lives as Floridians.

PIP Insurance

Everyone has to carry PIP insurance in Florida, right? Maybe not if lawmakers repeal mandatory PIP in this session. A Senate committee has discussed abandoning PIP in favor of a system whereby people injured in auto accidents can sue to recover against bodily injury policies held by drivers found at fault. It’s not clear exactly what effect this would have on victims and their ability to recover damages, but we will follow this closely.

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