“After an accident, your dash cam footage can be worth a million dollars,” Jonathan Perazzo of the Perazzo Law Firm in Miami-Dade.
Nan Little Havana, Little Haiti, Doral ak lòt vil nan zòn Miami-Dade, aksidan pyeton kontinye monte dapre etid resan yo. Anpil rezidan pran pou mache kòm yon fòm ki pi ekonomikman modès ak pratik nan navetaj. Sepandan, ak mache vini chans yo tonbe viktim nan chofè neglijan, anpil nan yo ki sèvi ak telefòn selilè yo pandan y ap dèyè volan an, ak voye tèks mesaj ak kondwi kòm kòz ki mennen nan telefòn selilè ki gen rapò ak aksidan ki enplike pyeton. Malerezman, pyeton nan vil tankou Little Havana, Little Ayiti, Doral, Kendall, ak Miami Gardens yo te frape ak touye prèske chak jou kòm yon rezilta nan neglijans sou tou de pati yo. Causeways tankou MacAuthor la ak wout tankou Bird Road yo se jis kèk nan kote ki resan kote pyeton te pèdi lavi yo akòz yon aksidan pyeton ki enplike yon machin k ap deplase. Menm si li pa toujou chofè a nan fòt yon veyikil motorize, neglijan itilizasyon telefòn selilè ak entoksikasyon dèyè volan an jwe yon pi gwo pati nan pifò aksidan pyeton nan Miami. Malerezman, pyeton yo tou pafwa yo blame pou aksidan nan kote yo fini-up blese oswa soufri blesi fatal. Itilizasyon selilè neglijan pandan wap mache nan tout lari, avni, ak wout ka lakòz distraksyon lè wap antre nan sikilasyon trafik la. Pyeton kap pase nan lari lannwit, espesyalman sa yo ki gen rad ki gen koulè nwa oswa travèse nan zòn mal limen, kouri pi gwo risk pou yo te frape pa yon machin k ap deplase. Malerezman, pyeton trè souvan tonbe viktim nan frape & kouri aksidan ak pèsonn yo dwe kenbe responsab pou blesi, domaj oswa pèt. Lè yon aksidan ki te frape ak kouri rive nan vil tankou Little Havana, Little Ayiti, Doral oswa lòt zòn ki gen anpil peple, temwayaj je temwen se fondamantal pou jwenn pati a koupab. Apre yon pyeton frape epi kouri aksidan, li toujou itil yo tcheke pou kamera siveyans ki tou pre ki gen rapò ak biznis lokal yo oswa otorite yo kòm sa yo ta ka itil nan swiv otomobilis la neglijan ak pote l ‘/ li nan jistis.
En Little Havana, Little Haiti, Doral y otras ciudades en el área de Miami-Dade, los accidentes de peatones continúan aumentando según estudios recientes. Muchos residentes toman la caminata como una forma más económica y práctica de desplazarse. Sin embargo, al caminar se presentan las posibilidades de ser víctimas de automovilistas negligentes, muchos de los cuales usan sus teléfonos celulares mientras están detrás del volante, y los mensajes de texto y la conducción son la causa principal de accidentes relacionados con teléfonos celulares que involucran a peatones. Lamentablemente, los peatones en ciudades como Little Havana, Little Haiti, Doral, Kendall y Miami Gardens son golpeados y asesinados casi todos los días como resultado de negligencia en ambas partes. Calzadas como MacAuthor y carreteras como Bird Road son solo algunas de las ubicaciones recientes donde los peatones han perdido la vida debido a un accidente peatonal que involucra un vehículo en movimiento. Aunque no siempre es el culpable del conductor de un vehículo motorizado, el uso negligente del teléfono celular y la intoxicación al volante juegan un papel importante en la mayoría de los accidentes de peatones en Miami. Desafortunadamente, los peatones a veces también tienen la culpa de los accidentes en los que terminan heridos o sufren lesiones fatales. El uso negligente del teléfono celular al caminar por calles, avenidas y caminos puede causar distracción al pisar el flujo del tráfico. Los peatones que salen a las calles por la noche, especialmente aquellos que usan ropa de color oscuro o cruzan en áreas poco iluminadas, corren un mayor riesgo de ser atropellados por un vehículo en movimiento. Lamentablemente, los peatones a menudo son víctimas de accidentes de golpe y carrera sin que nadie sea responsable de lesiones, daños o pérdidas. Cuando se producen accidentes de atropello y fuga en ciudades como Little Havana, Little Haiti, Doral u otras áreas densamente pobladas, el testimonio de testigos oculares es fundamental para encontrar a la parte culpable. Después de un accidente de atropello y fuga de peatones, siempre es útil verificar las cámaras de vigilancia cercanas relacionadas con las empresas locales o las autoridades, ya que pueden ser útiles para rastrear al automovilista negligente y llevarlo ante la justicia.
In Little Havana, Little Haiti, Doral and other cities in the Miami-Dade area, pedestrian accidents continue to rise according to recent studies. Many residents take to walking as a more economically modest and practical form of commuting. However, with walking comes the chances of falling victim to negligent motorists, many of whom use their cellphones while behind the wheel, with texting and driving as the leading cause of cell phone related accidents involving pedestrians. Sadly, pedestrians in cities such as Little Havana, Little Haiti, Doral, Kendall, and Miami Gardens are struck and killed almost everyday as a result of negligence on both parts. Causeways like the MacAuthor and roadways like Bird Road are just a few of the recent locations where pedestrians have lost their lives due to a pedestrian accident involving a moving vehicle. Though it isn’t always the driver of a motor vehicle’s fault, negligent cell phone use and intoxication behind the wheel play a major part in most pedestrian accidents in Miami. Unfortunately, pedestrians are also sometimes to blame for accidents in which they end-up injured or suffer fatal injuries. Negligent cellphone use while walking across streets, avenues, and roadways may cause distraction when stepping into the flow of traffic. Pedestrians taking to streets at night, especially those wearing dark colored clothing or crossing in poorly lit areas, run higher risks of being hit by a moving vehicle. Sadly, pedestrians very often fall victim to hit & run accidents with nobody to be held liable for injuries, damages or losses. When a hit and run accidents occurs in cities such as Little Havana, Little Haiti, Doral or other densely populated areas, eye witness testimony is fundamental for finding the guilty party. After a pedestrian hit and run accident, it is always useful to check for nearby surveillance cameras pertaining to local businesses or the authorities as these might be useful in tracking the negligent motorist and bringing him/her to justice.
Over 1,000 licensed drivers ages 18+ took part in a nationwide online survey to find out if smart cars are making drivers dumb through modern automotive gadgets like driver assistance Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA). According to the survey and its results, motorists behind the wheel of modernly equipped vehicles are taking more risks, especially when coupled with negligent cellphone use such as texting and driving. In fact, the results of the survey reveal that smart car drivers confess to using their cellphone negligently through video chatting and/or using apps while they drive. Texting and driving accounts for over 60% of drivers with ACC and/or LKA, with social media interaction accounting for over 50% of drivers. Obviously, this negligent use of cellphones while driving has led to distraction behind the wheel, which according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has resulted in 3,166 fatalities in 2017 nationwide and some 50,000 accident reports in Florida alone, which ranks 2nd nationwide behind Louisiana in terms of distracted drivers. According to EverQuote, just under 92% of all motorists in the U.S. use their cellphone while operating a motor-vehicle. In an interesting statement by the assistant vice-president in the Enterprise Research department at State Farm; “Innovations such as Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Assist are designed to make our roadways safer and meant to assist drivers, not replace them.” It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the constant construction works being carried in and around the Miami metropolitan area and the absurd traffic decisions taken by city officials, places motorists and pedestrians in ever-growing danger. Thus, and ironically enough, smartphones and smart cars seem to be making people dumber through neglect and overall distraction behind the wheel of a moving vehicle. Drive safe and let your cellphone ride shotgun and nothing more.
If you, a loved-one or friend has been in a car accident involving negligent cellphone use by a motorist in Miami, or in any of the Cities We Serve in Miami-Dade or Broward, Perazzo Law recommends contacting us ONLINE or CALL (786) LAWS-411 for a FREE initial consultation. Perazzo Law offers its personal injury clients ZERO-OUT-OF-POCKET fees.
TEXTING & DRIVING WILL SOON GET YOU PULLED OVER & TICKETED
Florida: Texting & Driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents today, with thousands of accidents taking place everyday on Florida avenues, streets and highways. The Governor of Florida has recently signed a bill that will allow the authorities to stop motorists spotted texting & driving while behind the wheel and in motion. Nevertheless, drivers will be able to use their mobile device while their car, SUV, or truck are not in movement. Even though texting & driving has been illegal for many years now, cops have done little since they aren’t allowed to pull drivers over even if spotted texting & driving. In fact, there were only 1700 citations throughout 2018 to those caught texting & driving. Though the bill focuses on reducing the number of accidents caused as a result of distracted motorists using their cell phone to send & read text messages, it also aims to educate motorists on the grave consequences that come from texting & driving accidents in Miami & other cities where texting & driving accidents are more common. Motorists will not be allowed to text & drive but they will be allowed to use the cell phones to talk, use GPS services, check weather forecasts, and read emergency messages. As of January 1st, 2020, motorists caught with their fingers on the keypad will be issued tickets of $30 plus court fees. Repeat offenders will lose points & their licenses.
Miami motorists have an incredibly hard time putting down their cellphones while driving. Motorists distracted by texting, voice messaging, talking and using GPS services also seem to add to the potentials of suffering an accident that may result in bodily injury to pedestrians, joggers, bike riders, etc. Florida ranks 2nd in the USA when it comes to accidents resulting from negligent use of cellphones behind the wheel, and despite cellphone use being worthy of a moving violation, it is not. Nevertheless, negligent cell-phone-use related accidents are on the rise on Miami streets and highways, with many of them leading to serious personal injury and even wrongful death. Using a cell phone behind the wheel can distract a driver enough to run over a pedestrian or rear-end a stopped vehicle. Though the driver may not suffer any injury, the victim may require medical attention, which can lead to medical costs and an insurance claim for compensation. The Perazzo Law Firm is vastly experienced in representing those that have fallen victim to motorist negligence as a result of cellphone use while driving in Miami. We strive to make sure our car accident victims and clients get the compensation they deserve for their injuries, damages, or losses.
TEXTING AND DRIVING COULD BECOME LAW
Just because law enforcement agencies in Florida aren’t pulling drivers over for it, texting while driving is actually illegal. But why exactly don’t they pull you over? Because the House has yet to decide whether or not to turn it into a law. This Thursday, the Florida Senate passed the bill that will give police officers the green light to stop and fine motorists caught texting while driving in Florida. Though not yet a full-blown law, it might soon be if the House approves turning the bill into law. According to the bill sponsor, the House will most likely accept the Senate’s proposal to allow police officers to stop drivers who are caught red-handed with their fingers tapping away at their smartphone screens. Though the bill doesn’t include reading off a cell-phone or using other devices while driving, it does prohibit drivers from actual texting. If passed by the House, motorists would have time to adjust to the new law by only citing a warning to motorists caught texting. Sadly, as of December 31st, 2019, drivers would be stopped and ticketed. According to the would-be law, drivers would get three points on their record, a $30 fine, plus fees to the costs of the court. Fortunately, loopholes exits. If a driver buys a Bluetooth hands-free phone, he/she can take a course on driver safety. Furthermore, the first offence would go unscathed. When passed, those in favor of the law expect accidents related to texting and driving to go down significantly. At present, a great number of pedestrian, bicycle, and motor vehicle accidents are the direct result of texting and driving. The bill, which last year only made it as far as the House, was denied due to concerns that police officers would have the legal right to invade the cell-phone owners privacy and raise concerns over racism or general prejudice with regards who police choose to pull over for allegedly texting while driving.
PERAZZO LAW SERVES THOSE INJURED IN ACCIDENTS DUE TO NEGLIGENT CELL PHONE USE IN MIAMI
PERAZZO LAW SERVES PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT VICTIMS AND COMPENSATION CLAIMS IN MIAMIFLORIDA: Today’s streets are no duck walk for Florida residents in cities such as Miami and Orlando; just two of the nine most dangerous places for pedestrians in the U.S., this according to the “Dangerous by Design’ report published by Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition. According to the report, Florida pedestrians run a high risk of suffering severe personal injuries and even wrongful death by being run-over in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area, which ranks 14th among the most dangerous places in America for walking. According to figures, there was a 35.7% increase in the number of pedestrian-related deaths in the ten-year period from 2008 to 2017, with over 49,000 reported fatalities across the U.S.A. With regards to Florida, close to 5.500 pedestrians died during that same time period. Ironically, traffic accidents declined by just over 6% over the same ten years and can lead people to believe that driving is becoming safer than walking in Florida. Orlando ranks at the top in terms of Florida cities where pedestrian fatalities were reported, with 656 reported deaths from 2008-2017. Daytona Beach ranked 2nd, with Melbourne-Titusville and Sarasota-Bradenton ranking 3rd and 4th respectively. The report aims to shed light on a truly terrifying trend for Florida pedestrians as the reasons for the increase in death rates can be attributed to social factors that combine with flaws in city infrastructure designs, which favored vehicles and not pedestrians. In other words, streets were originally designed for cars and not people, with the elderly ranking at the top when it comes to those killed in pedestrian accidents in Florida. It’s worth pointing out that most pedestrian accidents occur at intersections, at night, or within the minority communities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the rise in SUV and light truck use has led to more pedestrian deaths simply because being struck by these vehicles is more likely to cause fatal injuries. In order to revert this growing trend, experts believe that redesigning outdated urban streets is necessary to make cars and trucks less hazardous to Florida pedestrians. Experts believe pedestrian deaths can be averted by implementing intelligent solutions at urban crosswalks and intersections. Till then, pedestrians will have to keep their eyes peeled to the ever-growing traffic zipping through Florida’s urban areas like there’s no tomorrow.
PERAZZO LAW SHARES INSIGHT INTO PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS
Florida Injury Lawyer Blog