Pinellas County has the dubious distinction of leading all urban Florida counties in the number of car accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists. The latest "Traffic Crash Trends and Conditions Report" released late last fall showed Pinellas County has a pedestrian fatality rate that's 80% higher than the national average. It's a problem that gets worse during the winter months when we experience the influx of snowbirds, spring training fans, and spring break vacationers. So what are … [Read more...]
Pinellas County School Bus Driver Arrested for DUI
Pinellas County school bus driver Dorothy Burse, 56, has been arrested and charged with DUI after a mid-Pinellas County car accident. The school bus had been traveling westbound on 54th Avenue North and was stopped at a red light at the intersection of 66th Street when another vehicle collided with the rear of the bus, then drove off. At the time of the accident there were seven school children on board the bus. Sgt. Steve Gaskin, spokesman for FHP, said Burse appeared to be under the … [Read more...]
Car Accident in Florida- Who Determines Fault?
In Florida, there are 15 million drivers who could be on Florida's roadways at any given day or hour. That's a lot of people, especially when you consider the majority of those drivers are in the major population areas of the state such as Jacksonville, Orlando/Tampa, Palm Beach, and Miami. In Florida, you are required by law to contact a law enforcement agency if you've been in a car accident. The police are responsible for filling out an accident report and submitting it to the state. … [Read more...]
Beware of For Profit Lawyer Referral Services
411 Pain and 1-800-ASK-GARY are two of the most recognizable lawyer referral services in the Tampa Bay area. They run ads on television all day long promising help after a car accident. What they don't tell you is that they are also a medical referral service made up of primarily chiropractors who pay these companies (lawyers pay too) for clients. Local media outlets and the Florida Bar have investigated these referral services and have found them suspect at best. In a typical car accident … [Read more...]