Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys

Ten Things to do After a Car Accident – Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys Lazarus and Lazarus

Fort Lauderdale Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Click Here to Download an Accident Checklist

There are some things we don’t like to think about, like having an accident. We think that accidents only happen to “someone else” and we go about our day. The truth is that the car insurance industry statistics say that a driver will file a claim for a collision every 17.9 years. It’s true that careless drivers are likely to be involved in more accidents and careful drivers will probably have less, but some day a careless driver may crash into you while you’re sitting at a stop sign. What will you do?

Steps to Take After a South Florida Car Accident

You should keep this list where you can get to it quickly because we are all likely to be a bit flustered after an accident and forget.

  1. Stop! Never leave the scene of an accident, even a minor one. You can be charged with leaving the scene of an accident if you do.
  2. Call for Emergency Help. If anyone seems to be injured, even slightly, call for paramedics. Internal injuries can be serious even though they can’t be seen. The best thing is to get people medically checked out right away.
  3. Protect the Scene. Make sure one accident doesn’t turn to two by trying to get out of the way of other traffic, turn on flashers, and use road flares if you have them.
  4. Call the Police. Often people will try to exchange insurance information and deal with the situation later but this has often proved to beFort Lauderdale Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Accident Attorneys a bad decision. Have the police document the incident and it may help in the future.
  5. Take Notes. Observe everything around the accident and write down the details. License plates, the address, names of witnesses. Anything you see that might help later should be recorded right after the accident.
  6. Take Pictures. If you are able to take pictures, take many. Get views of damage to vehicles and damage to you if you are injured.
  7. Exchange Information and Cooperate with the Police. Answer the questions you are asked, but do not admit any fault. Never speculate about things that may or may not have contributed to the accident.
  8. Keep a File. Keep all information related to the accident in a central location like a file folder or an envelope. All your notes, police reports, everything. Documentation is important and people often tell us “I threw that out, didn’t think it was important.” Everything is important.
  9. Report the Accident. Call your insurance company and tell them what happened. Sometimes an insurance company will offer to “cut you a check” soon after an accident but that may preclude any further claims. Speak with an attorney first.
  10. Protect Your Rights. An automobile, motorcycle, or truck accident is an unfortunate and sometimes tragic event that hopefully you never have to deal with. If you do it’s very important to follow a course of action that protects your rights to compensation for your injuries, damages, and pain and suffering. Have the phone number of an experienced accident attorney stored in your phone and call.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been advising clients about accidents in south Florida for over 20 years. Every step you take should be thought out and planned to protect your rights, and we’ll help you if that time comes. Call us at 954-356-0006 and we’ll respond to your questions and concerns immediately.

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

Maximizing the Value of Your Auto Accident Insurance Claim

Personal Injury Attorneys in Fort Lauderdale and Weston, Florida

 

You May Only Have One Shot to Get What You Deserve

Many motor vehicle accident claims follow a pattern like this:

The victim calls the insurance company and reports the incident. The insurance company responds with their assessment of the damage to the vehicle, offers a check, and says they’ll pay the medical bills later when they are final.

That process often results in a completely unacceptable settlement and people later have regrets.

Most drivers shop for insurance based on cost. They read the benefits like collision and injury coverage as bullet points but don’t understand the details. They may see that the company will allow for a rental car during repairs but they don’t know for how long.

We have two tips at this point:

Before an Accident

Be meticulous when shopping for car, truck, or motorcycle insurance. Read the fine print and ask questions – then consider costs. Always read the entire policy first and buy the best insurance you can afford.Weston Florida Injury Attorneys

 After an Accident

Once again, read the fine print or better, have an experienced personal injury attorney help you. This is where you will want to maximize the value of your settlement. Insurance companies don’t enjoy paying large claims and they’ll avoid it.

We always caution people not to rush into a fast settlement because once a case is “settled” you may never have the chance to go back and obtain compensation for

  • Future Medical Complications
  • Inadequate Repairs
  • Delayed Actions from Other Parties
  • Hidden Damages
  • Expenses that Were Paid but not Reimbursed

We know how to conduct an extensive review of every insurance policy to make sure our clients receive every dollar that is due to them. We also make sure others involved in an accident pay what they are responsible for and if necessary we go to court to get justice.

We’re here to answer your questions with a free consultation in person or online. Just call 954-356-0006 and you’ll connect directly with Gary or Arleen Lazarus.

Impaired Driver Accident Attorneys
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys, Fort Lauderdale Injury Attorneys, Personal Injury Attorney | , ,

What to Do If You Are in an Accident Involving a Drunk Driver

Impaired Driver Accident Attorneys

New Infrastructure Bill Hopes to Prevent Drunk Driving Accidents and Injuries

Serious accidents are always difficult to investigate, but when an impaired driver is involved they are an even larger challenge because that means there is a criminal element to deal with and often the offender leaves the scene.

It’s important to understand what you should and should not do if you are involved in an accident and you believe another driver is impaired. Police recommend you do not try to detain a drunk driver from leaving the scene but call 911 and give the best description of the car and the driver you can. They will search for and hopefully find the driver.

Personal Injury Attorneys Fort LauderdaleDrivers who run afoul of the Florida Statutes covering impaired driving have for years found themselves ordered to install special equipment in their cars as a condition if they want to drive. It is a system that screens them with a breathalyzer-type device to make sure they don’t have alcohol in their system.

This year the U.S. Congress is attempting to pass a large infrastructure law that will include a requirement for U.S. automakers to install special equipment to sense if the driver is impaired. Read Car & Driver Article – Known as the Drunk Driving Prevention Technology Provision, it would not be the type of system known previously which involves blowing into a tube, but would involve some type of sensory technology. We can only hope it cuts down on drunk driving accidents.

Fact: In every state, it’s illegal to drive drunk, yet one person was killed in a drunk-driving crash every 52 minutes in the United States in 2019.  

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been helping drivers who are injured by impaired drivers since 1992. We work with the police and with insurance companies to make sure the rights of our clients are protected and that they receive the maximum compensation allowed by law for their damages and injuries.

If you are involved in any type of accident it is smart to seek the advice of an experienced Personal Injury Attorney. Our consultations are free and completely confidential. We’re available 7 days a week at 954-356-0006.

Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Attorneys Lazarus and Lazarus | 954-356-0006 | Offices in Fort Lauderdale and Weston

Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys |

What to do After an Uber or Lyft Accident – Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorney

Protect Your Right to Compensation for Injuries

People who use one of the popular rideshare services like Lyft and Uber are usually traveling for business, on vacation, or out for a night on the town so they aren’t thinking about getting in an accident.

The laws that cover insurance for all drivers, including rideshare services are always evolving state-by-state. Uber and Lyft provide insurance to their drivers and riders when the drivers are logged into the app, but some drivers who may give rides “off the clock” may not be covered. It’s always prudent to make sure you book your ride through the app and that your driver is legitimate.

Uber’s U.S. Safety Report includes information about

  • Motor Vehicle Fatalities
  • Fatal Physical Assaults
  • Sexual Assaults

The report does not have information about accidents involving injuries and this data is difficult to track down but through news reports we know they do happen.

A horrible accident that occurred on July 24, 2021 caused 5 fatalities and was reported by the New York Times. One victim was an Uber driver, and 3 passengers were also killed as well as another driver. One passenger was injured, and at this time it’s too early to know who or what caused the crash.

Any person, involved and injured in any accident should, after attending to all injuries, immediately contact an experienced and qualified personal injury attorney. Accidents must be thoroughly investigated as soon as possible so it can be determined the cause and extent of injuries and damages. Victims should be examined by physicians to make sure there are no hidden injuries which may manifest later and cause pain and problems.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has extensive experience dealing with rideshare accidents and we understand how to recover compensation from those at fault so our clients can recover physically, emotionally, and financially.

We’re available at 954-356-0006 for a free consultation to answer your questions confidentially.

Fort Lauderdale Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys Lazarus and Lazarus – 954-356-0006

Personal Injury Lawsuits in Florida
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Personal Injury Lawsuits in Florida |

The Five Most Common Personal Injury Lawsuits in Florida – Lazarus Law Firm

Personal Injury Lawsuits in Florida – Lazarus Law Firm

Florida Law Allows Victims to Recover Compensation for Medical Expenses and Other Damages

Emergency departments were flooded last year with individuals suffering from COVID-19 symptoms while they continued to deal with personal injuries caused by everything from traffic crashes to animal bites.

It’s not surprising that there is a national shortage of nurses, and in Florida nursing schools are working to boost enrollment.

When someone receives an unintentional injury and it’s not their fault, they can try to recover money to pay for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.

The Five Most Common Personal Injury Cases in Florida

Personal Injury Medical ExpensesMotor Vehicle Crashes happen over 200,000 times per year in Florida which works out to about 550 per day. Injuries range from minor to critical and many people are killed. Many crashes happen because drivers are not focused on the road and other vehicles around them, often distracted driving. Never text and drive.

Medical Malpractice results in thousands of deaths every year in Florida. While our hospitals and doctors are among the best in the world, they still make mistakes and when they do it’s important that victims and their families have an avenue for recovering damages.

Slip and Fall Injuries in Florida lead to more than a million emergency room visits each year. Many people get up and walk away from a hard fall, thinking they’ll feel better in morning, but instead they feel worse. Falls often cause hidden but serious injuries and they should never be taken lightly.

Product Liability injuries include (1) defective manufacture; (2) defective design; or (3) failure to provide adequate warnings or instructions concerning the proper use of the product. Types of injuries include burns, cuts, and even loss of limbs and are far too frequent. Often people are injured by faulty auto parts, landscaping equipment, children’s toys, medications (pharmacy or drug company errors) and household appliances.

Animal Bites are not uncommon in Florida and usually involve dogs. Hospital visits due to dog bites sometimes involve anti-biotics and stitches and are expensive. Some large breeds of dogs can cause serious injuries, especially to children.

All injuries should be considered serious until they have been fully evaluated by a physician. Never ignore any injury and it is smart to call an experienced personal injury attorney to protect your rights.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus have been helping victims of every type of personal injury and we’ve had significant success gaining substantial settlements for our clients. See our reviews at AVVO.com and Google for testimonials and call us at 954-356-0006 if you have any questions.

Fort Lauderdale Injury Attorneys
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Fort Lauderdale Injury Attorneys |

The Importance of Choosing a Thorough Attorney for Your Personal Injury Case

One Missed Detail Can Doom a Fair and Substantial Settlement

When someone is injured in an automobile, truck, or motorcycle accident the trauma, pain, and loss of income combine to make dealing with life a challenge. While victims try to heal they often look for help from an attorney to handle the details necessary to try to return to normal physically, financially, and emotionally.

This is where being thorough is crucial.

Believe it or not, some law firms and insurance companies will look at a case and agree to a quick settlement based on the first facts available. This is rarely a smart course of action.

Something very important we have learned in 22 years of experience handling south Florida personal injury cases is that we must completely understand all facets of every case. The urge for an immediate resolution must be retrained in order to consider potential significant future complications.

“Never neglect details. When everyone’s mind is dulled or distracted the leader must be doubly vigilant.”    Colin PowellInjury Attorneys in Fort Lauderdale

For example, in addition to medical bills incurred immediately after an injury there may be subsequent medical bills for follow-up care. There is often a need for physical and occupational therapy to return to work and that may be necessary for months or even years.

If a person is injured in any accident, they may later return to work and find that they can’t perform at the same level they did before the accident. That may cause them to lose income, known as future earning power, and if it lasts for an extended period of time it could be many thousands of dollars.

Thoroughness also includes knowledge of the law. Every day there are new rules, procedures, and statutes pertaining to personal injury cases. Your attorneys must be up to date and aware of everything that could prove your case and win.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus always conducts an extensive investigation into every case and we give our clients only reasonable expectations as to the outcome. We consider all options, focus on the details, and communicate constantly with our clients so they understand everything that happens.

We can be reached 7 days a week at (954) 356-0006 – You will speak directly with Attorney Gary Lazarus or Attorney Arleen Lazarus.

Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Attorneys • Lazarus and Lazarus

Highway Safety Facts and Statistics – Insurance Information Institute

Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys |

Uber, Lyft, and Other Ride Share Accidents – Lazarus and Lazarus Law Firm

We Help Rideshare Accident Victims Get the Compensation They Need to Recover

Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys

Young people might think Uber has been around forever but they were actually founded in March 2009 in San Francisco. Today the name Uber is synonymous with needing a ride. People “Uber” it home from the bar, to the airport, or any time they just need a lift. And speaking of a lift, Lyft is the biggest competitor for Uber and the two companies dominate the rideshare industry with billions of dollars in revenue, and millions of rides worldwide.

If you are injured in an accident while traveling in any ride share vehicle, you should reach out to a personal injury attorney who has experience dealing with these situations. Lyft and Uber spend millions of dollars each yearUber and Lyft Accident Attorneys on their own attorneys and they often resist paying out what they should. They may even fight paying anything, so it’s not wise to get into a fight like that without help.

Shortly after an accident you may be contacted by someone from the ride share company or their insurance representatives about a fast settlement. We caution against that because it is in their best interest to offer less than you may deserve. We fight for every client to obtain the maximum amount to pay for their medical bills, damages, and pain & suffering.

If you have used one of the ride share services you may have noticed the drivers are constantly looking at their phones to monitor the app for directions and future rides. This may or may not contribute to accidents but studies are underway to learn more about the causes of Uber and Lyft accidents.

The top causes of accidents in the U.S. are:

  • Distracted Driving. Distracted drivers are the top cause of car accidents in the U.S. today.
  • Speeding.
  • Drunk Driving.
  • Reckless Driving.
  • Rain.
  • Running Red Lights.
  • Running Stop Signs.

What if you are involved in an accident but you don’t seem to be seriously injured?

Many people feel a little bumped around and bruised after an accident but don’t bother to go to the hospital. Later, they sometimes realize they have back or neck pain and don’t know what to do.

If you’re involved in any accident it’s best to be examined by a doctor immediately for injuries that might be unnoticeable at first but manifest later with severe pain. A doctor understands these types of injuries.

What happens when you call the Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus?

You speak directly with Gary or Arleen Lazarus – attorneys with over 50 years of experience as successful personal injury attorneys in south Florida. We will explain your options moving forward and what the reasonable expectations are for your case.

We are available 7 days a week to anyone who calls us at (954) 356-0006.

South Florida Injury Lawyers
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Personal Injury Attorney | ,

The Most Dangerous State • South Florida Personal Injury Attorneys

Florida Leads Other Large States in Injury-Related Fatality Rates

It’s good to be ranked number one in several different categories like Clean Air and Education, but states and communities shy away from being recognized as top banana in crime, car accidents, and poisonings.

Unfortunately, Florida ranks very high in several categories of unintentional injuries. In fact, unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death among Florida residents ages 1-44.

What are these categories?

According to the Florida Department of Health, Florida ranks higher for injury-related fatality rates than Texas, California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois in the following categories:

  • Drownings
  • Falls
  • Poisonings
  • Auto Accidents
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Suicides
  • Violence-Related Injuries
  • Bicycle Accidents

Compensation for InjuriesThe key to staying safe not only in Florida but anywhere is prevention. A little research, education, and training can put you and your family on the road to avoiding dangerous situations where injuries can happen.

For drivers, the Broward-Dade Safety Council offers tips and training to keep you safe. For motorcyclists the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Department can point you to skill training courses.

The Broward County Health Department offer Drowning Prevention programs.

2-1-1 Broward serves people in crisis by providing 24-hour telephone counseling, emotional support, suicide prevention and intervention, and links to community resources. Call 211 or 954-537-0211 now for help!

Often, unintentional injuries are caused because of someone else’s carelessness, recklessness, or negligence and that’s where the Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus can help. We have been working for victims of injuries caused by others since 1992 and our experience covers a wide range of serious circumstances.

Our primary goal is to restore our clients to the life they had before their injuries physically and financially so they can go on living productively. If you or someone you know has been injured please reach out to us at (954) 356-0006 seven days a week. Our consultations are free and confidential.

South Florida Prescription Error Attorneys
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Covid-19 Pharmacy Errors | , ,

Understaffed Pharmacies and Overworked Pharmacists Endanger Patients

Pharmacy Error Risks are Increased During Covid-19 Crisis

South Florida Prescription Error Attorneys

Pharmacy Negligence AttorneysYou may have noticed your local pharmacy is busier than ever since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many patients have felt it necessary to stock up on medications and some have started buying more supplements and other products related to abating the virus.

Operational changes at pharmacies have included new procedures for patient contact and the handling of medications and many pharmacies have taken on the responsibility of administering vaccines. These changes can only serve to add stress to already-overworked pharmacists and technicians.

Trying to get some one-on-one time with a pharmacist to discuss possible interactions with other drugs and supplements or pain medications is difficult if not impossible.

Prescription mistakes are among the most common of all medical errors.

Some common reasons for prescription errors are:

  • Prescriptions are transmitted orally and different drug names sound alike.
  • Prescription is not transmitted or is transmitted erroneously from prescriber to pharmacy.
  • Entering incorrect information into a computer during the prescribing and dispensing process.
  • Patient given the wrong medication.
  • Patient given the wrong dose of the right medication.
  • Filling a prescription incorrectly.
  • Patient given medication they are allergic to.
  • Patient given medication that dangerously interacts with their existing medications.
  • Failing to provide a patient with sufficient information so they can understand the effects of the medication they are taking.

Many people are opting to have their medications delivered to their homes and that rules out the opportunity for an in-person consult with the pharmacist so we encourage patients to at least call and try to speak with their doctor to verify the medications, dosages, and directions are correct.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been helping people who are harmed because of the mistakes, negligence, or malpractice of pharmacists, technicians, and pharmacies since 1992. We are committed to helping our clients recover from any and all damage done by medical errors.

We are available 7 days a week by calling (954) 356-0006

South Florida Prescription Error Attorneys

Truck Accident Attorneys
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Truck Accident Attorney |

The Complexities of Truck Accidents • The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus

Tractor Trailer Collisions Can Cause Extensive Damage and Injuries

If it seems to you there are more trucks than ever on the road, you’re right. More people are staying home and ordering online instead of going to the store so more trucks are needed to bring products from the factories to individual homes.

Estimates by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration say there are about 282 million vehicles on U.S. roads and over 15 million of them are trucks.

Just by their sheer weight and large size, trucks have the potential to cause very serious damage to persons and property when they are involved in a collision and thousands of people are seriously injured in accidents involving trucks every year. Often it is difficult determining who or what is at fault in an accident and with trucks it is also difficult to immediately know who even owns the truck.

There are approximately 500,000 accidents involving trucks each year with about 5,000 of them resulting in fatal injuries.

When a driver is injured in an accident with a truck there are a number of facts that need to be discovered quickly:

  • Who Owns the Truck?
  • Was the Truck Maintained Properly?
  • Was the Driver of the Truck Properly Licensed?
  • Does the Owner of the Truck Follow Rules about Driver Rest Periods?
  • What actually Caused the Accident?
  • Is there Sufficient Insurance on the Truck and Driver?

All these questions must be answered promptly and accurately so the victims can pursue whatever legal options are available to help them pay for injuries and damages.

Our experience dealing with complex accident cases in south Florida extends from 1992 through today and we are committed to an attorney-client relationship that puts our client first.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus is available for free consultation by video or in person seven days a week and you can reach us at (954) 356-0006.

South Florida Truck Accident Attorneys