Articulos - Page 2

Pedestrian accidents on highways are more common than most people might think. Almost 10% of all pedestrian fatalities occur on interstate highways. There are many reasons that a pedestrian might be on a highway. The most common reason is that a pedestrian is attempting to cross the highway. More than 90 percent of crashes involving…

While a driver suffering from a medical episode happens in only a fraction of all accident, it occurs with enough frequency that there are laws regarding liability if this were to happen. In many states, if a driver is suffering from a medical episode or emergency that causes them to lose consciousness or lose control…

A crash generally becomes a chain reaction accident when there are three or more vehicles involved. Because there are multiple vehicles involved, determining fault can be a complex issue. Generally, the person who caused the initial accident is determined to be at fault for the entire chain reaction, though that becomes a more complex issue…

There may only be a one-word difference in the terms DUI and DUI manslaughter, but the legal differences can be vast. While a typical DUI is usually just a misdemeanor, Florida has made DUI manslaughter a second-degree felony with up to a 15-year prison sentence. More recently, the Florida legislature changed the penalty to include…

There are many reasons that a person can lose control of their vehicle. The most common reason is that they veer out of their lane and end up overcorrecting. Overcorrecting can also happen when a person slides on ice or hydroplanes on wet asphalt. Another reason that they may have been driving while distracted. When…

Imagine driving over a soda can. How easily a vehicle can crush that can of soda. This is roughly the equivalent of the force a train traveling at 30 m.p.h. will hit a vehicle on the tracks. A majority of train versus car accidents occur at crossings where a driver attempts to beat the train…

Police chases have been a controversial aspect of police duty in recent years. Since 1979, there have been more than 5,000 bystanders and passengers killed in police chases. Many times, these chases are initiated for minor traffic infractions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, between 1979 and 2013, at least 11,506 people were…

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2018, 89.6% of people wore seat belts. In 2017, the use of seat belts saved 14,955 lives. In 2017, there were 37,133 deaths in auto accidents. 47% of those killed were not wearing seat belts. It is estimated that if seat belts had been used in…

Billionaire innovator Elon Musk brought us PayPal and SpaceX, but he is also the genius behind Tesla Motors. Tesla’s electric vehicles are sporty and environmentally friendly and come with a host of innovative features. One of those features may be causing accidents. Known as the autopilot feature, it is available on many of their models…

In Florida, a person operating a motor vehicle is expected to know the rules of the road, which include knowing when to yield. For example, all vehicles must yield to a pedestrian, as pedestrians always have the right of way. A vehicle that is attempting to make a left-hand turn must yield to traffic traveling…

Going go-karting may be a fun way to spend some time during a visit to an amusement park, but for parents who are considering buying their child a personal go-kart should be aware that go-kart injuries are serious. Children who are hospitalized for go-kart injuries require an average stay of about five days. More than…

Florida, like many states, allows teens who are at least 15 years of age to get a learner’s permit license. To get a valid driver’s license, the teen must be 16 years old and have had a learner’s permit for at least a year or reach 18 years of age, whichever comes first. Once they…

The Tampa Bay Times reports that a couple who ran a red light and killed a motorcyclist then carjacked another vehicle, leading police on a manhunt.  According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 31-year-old Cody Bearry and his passenger, 23-year-old Breanna Lynn Wright were the suspected occupants in a 2000 Dodge Dakota which allegedly blew through…

According to Florida law, a person commits the crime of DUI manslaughter when they drive a vehicle or are found to be in control of a vehicle, have a breath or blood-alcohol level of 0.08% or higher, and causes the death of another person either directly or indirectly. DUI manslaughter is a second-degree felony. If…

Typically, a lot of factors culminate in a car accident. However, some factors are more prevalent than others when considered as an overall factor in fatal auto collisions. One of those major factors is speed. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speed was a factor in just over a quarter of all traffic…

There are many situations that may lead to a driver or a passenger to being ejected from a vehicle. Of course, the major reason is the failure to wear a safety belt. Another reason people may be ejected is the speed at the time of an accident. High speeds can cause even a restrained passenger…

In Florida, DUI manslaughter is a charge that is always a felony. If the driver who was intoxicated knew that a victim was hurt or dying and did not give aid, then it is a first-degree felony. All other DUI manslaughter charges are a second-degree felony. It should also be noted that Florida allows for…

It is suggested that on any given day, 660,000 people are attempting to use their smartphones while driving. According to the National Safety Council, cell phone use while driving leads to about 1.6 million crashes every year. These crashes lead to approximately 390,000 injuries. Texting while driving is 6 times more likely to lead to…

Leaving the scene of an accident, also known as hit-and-run is a serious offense, especially when it involves death. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, three of every five road fatalities involved a pedestrian hit by a hit-and-run driver. Hit-and-run involving a fatality could be charged as a felony. The penalties for being convicted of…

There are many reasons why a vehicle may ignite during or immediately after a crash. One of the primary reasons is that the fuel tank ruptures and sparks from the crash ignite the fuel, causing the fire. Poor maintenance can also lead to a car fire. Design defects may also lead to a car catching…