Florida takes every DUI offense seriously, but the crime of DUI manslaughter is usually taken more seriously. DUI manslaughter is loosely defined as killing someone in an auto accident while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Penalties include up to fifteen years in prison, up to fifteen years on probation, up to $10,000 in…
Aggressive Driver Rolls Vehicle With Children Inside
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines road rage as an incident in which a driver commits moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property, an assault with a motor vehicle or other weapon by the driver or passenger in one vehicle on the operator or passengers of another moving vehicle. The…
Plane Full of Passengers Falls Into River in Jacksonville
Many people have been told again and again that flying is safer than driving. Statistically, the numbers add up to agree with this adage. 2017 was a year which saw no commercial jet-powered passenger planes crash. In fact, airliner accidents have been on the decline since 1992. New technology, as well as changes to pilot…
Man Arrested After Leaving the Scene of an Accident to Stash Drugs
Florida has laws regarding what a driver must do following an accident. One of those laws requires a person to remain at the scene of the accident until the police arrive. Leaving the scene of an accident that involves only property damage can be charged as misdemeanor hit-and-run. If the accident involves injuries, then leaving…
2020 Might See Citations Issued For Texting While Driving
Anything that takes a person’s attention away from the road is considered distracted driving. Today, most cases of distracted driving involve talking or texting on a cell phone. However, changing radio stations, eating and drinking, or even talking to other people in the vehicle could be considered distracted driving. Distracted driving is deadly. According to…
Serious Rollover Crash Leaves 3 Teenagers Injured
Half of all fatalities in rollover crashes are the result of victims being ejected from the vehicle during the crash. Seatbelt use greatly decreases the chances of an ejection, with twenty percent of ejections occurring to those belted in and occurring in less than 1% of crashes where the person was wearing a seatbelt. The…
Car Crashes Into Gate At Campaign Speech
Statistics regarding cars slamming into buildings are not usually tracked by local, state, or federal agencies, but there are statistics available as to causes. A great many of these crashes take place when a driver has the car in the wrong gear or mistakes the gas pedal for the brake. The remaining crashes are caused…
Faulty Liftgate On 18-Wheeler Strikes Bicyclists
Nationally, Florida ranks first in bicycle accident fatalities at 5.7 per million while the national average per million is 2.3. Florida annually sees 110 cyclist deaths. Alcohol has been found to be a major contributing factor in many of these accidents, accounting for nearly 100 accidents between 2013 and 2016. 64% of these accidents occur…
Suspected DUI Driver Crashes Car And Seriously Injures Child
Florida rate of alcohol-related car accidents is higher than the national average. The implied consent laws require drivers to submit to either blood, urine, or breath testing if a police officer suspects a DUI. Those injured in a DUI accident in Florida may seek out punitive damages against the driver. This is thanks to a…
Improperly Restrained Children Lead to Heartbreak After Fatal Crash
The correct use and installation of child safety seats and restraints can reduce the risk of harm or death to children by 70%. For children under 12 in 2015, car crashes accounted for 663 deaths. For older children, booster seat use can reduce the risk of injury by 45%. It is estimated that up to…
Man Who Fled the County in 2003 Arrested and Brought Back to Miami
Florida courts take DUI manslaughter very seriously. The Florida legislature approved a 4-year-minimum “mandatory” sentence on all such charges. DUI manslaughter is a second-degree felony in Florida with the punishment for conviction being up to 15-years in Florida’s prison system. In addition to jail time, there is a mandatory license suspension for life. In many…
Deadly Crash Revealed to be Caused By DUI
In Florida, if an accident results from a person’s decision to drive while intoxicated, the justice system allows for two different types of compensation. An injured party may be entitled to both compensatory and punitive damages. Compensatory damages are intended to cover specific losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and…
Teen Hit and Killed While Skateboarding to Work
When it comes to bicycle and pedestrian safety on roadways, both motorists and the bicyclists/pedestrians need to play their respected roles. Motorists can play their part by keeping an active eye out for pedestrians and bicyclists. Giving plenty of room and obeying traffic laws can keep accidents from happening. On the part of the bicyclists…
Motorcycle Officer Suffers From Injury After Accident
Motorcycle crashes are one of the most dangerous types of collisions a person can be involved in. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show that 80% of all motorcycle crashes involve injury or death to the rider. Most of the accidents involving injury also included the rider being ejected from the motorcycle. Most motorcycle-vehicle collisions…
One Person Still Missing After Boating Accident Which Killed 2 Others
Boating is a fun way that many Floridians and tourists spend recreational time doing. From fishing to pleasure boating, it’s a popular past time, but it can also be very dangerous. In 2017, Florida had a total of 766 boating accidents, 52 more accidents than 2016. 261 of these accidents involved collisions where inattention by…
Teen Arrested For a Marijuana Charge Following Fatal Crash
Although Florida has taken steps towards legalizing medical marijuana, it is still illegal to drive while under its influence. If caught, a person can face a driving under the influence charge, even if they have been legal prescription. Unfortunately, it can be difficult determining when a person last smoked cannabis and whether they are still…
Florida Man Facing Several Charges after Fatal Rear-End Collision
Florida takes drunken driving very seriously. When a drunken driver accidentally kills someone, the Florida legislature decided to add a 4-year mandatory/minimum sentence for DUI manslaughter. In Florida, DUI manslaughter is a 2nd-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. After conviction, there is also a mandatory lifetime driver license revocation. If others…
Trampoline Parks See a Heavy Increase in Emergency Room Visits
A trip to a trampoline park can be a fun way to spend an afternoon with children of any age. After all, going to a place where you can run and bounce around on trampolines is a good time for anyone. Unfortunately, trips to the trampoline park can often end in injury. People have experienced…
Man Stops Vehicle in The Middle of the Highway With Fatal Results
Florida has some of the toughest DUI penalties in the nation. A first time DUI comes with the penalties of a fine that is not less than $500 nor more than $1,000. If a person’s blood-alcohol level is more than 0.15, the fine is increased to $1,000 to $2,000. Imprisonment can range from 8 hours…
Woman Sues Lyft For Causing Her Traumatic Brain Injury
For people without their own vehicles, Uber and Lyft provide a safe and affordable way to get to and from places and it helps those who are intoxicated get home safely rather than driving themselves. Many people have become Uber and Lyft drivers to bring in extra income, while others have turned into full-time rideshare…