Tallahassee Personal Injury Lawyer - Automobile Accidents

Tallahassee Man Loses Control Of His Car, Hits Telephone Pole

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:52:00 GMT

A man lost control of his vehicle on Wednesday morning and struck a telephone pole and then slammed into a gas station sign. He was taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.

When emergency officials arrived at the scene he was unresponsive. No other injuries have been reported. Police have not released new details on the condition or the identity of the man involved in the car accident.

The accident occurred on Tharpe Street and Old Bainbridge Road.

The investigation is ongoing.

Later the same day, Tallahassee Police were investigating another car crash at the intersection of Bronough and Gaines Street. Four vehicles were involved in the crash, but none suffered serious injuries.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Crawfordville Crash Seriously Injures Two

Brian W. Smith — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:01:25 GMT

A 17-year-old from Crawfordville was in serious condition after a traffic crash in Wakulla County Tuesday morning, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report.

The unnamed teenager was driving a 1997 Dodge south on County 365 at about 10 a.m., when the car left the roadway and drove onto the west shoulder. The teen overcorrected, which caused the car to rotate counter-clockwise and re-enter the roadway, according to the report.

The Dodge crossed over the southound lane of County 365 and into the northbound lane, into the path of a 1993 Toyota pickup driven by Hugh M. Taylor, 62, also of Crawfordville. The right side of the Dodge collided with the front of the Toyota, the report said.

Both drivers were taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Taylor was listed in serious condition following the accident. No update on the drivers' current condition is available.

Taylor was wearing a seatbelt, according to the report, but the teenager was not.

For information on what to do after a serious accident, please feel free to contact our office at (866) 735-1102 Ext 515 or visit our web page at http://www.injuryboard.com/firms/Florida/Tallahassee/Smith--Vanture-LLP/

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Tallahassee Accident Leaves Two in Critical Condition

Brian W. Smith — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:01:56 GMT

Six people were taken to a local hospital on Saturday night, after a crash in west Tallahassee, according to the Tallahassee Police Department. Two of the six are in critical but stable condition, said Officer Danny Jeter.

The crash happened about 8 p.m. A Nissan was going east on West Pensacola Street and turned left into the entrance of a shopping center, 2020 W. Pensacola St. At that point, a Jeep heading west on the street crashed into it. The Jeep rolled over and came to rest on its side, Jeter said.

Police are investigating the crash. Jeter said speed may have played a factor. Charges may be filed after the investigation is completed. Police are not releasing the names of those involved in the crash.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Seat Belts in Golf Carts?

Charlie Vanture — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 18:02:24 GMT

I stumbled across an article today about a retirement community in Sun City AZ offereing free seat belts for golf carts. "The Retirement Community Association of Sun City will distribute 200 golf car seat belts for free at 8 a.m. Thursday at South Golf Course."

The article states:

"The accidents that occur in golf cars are dangerous, and there's nothing to hold onto if you get into a wreck," said Lucky Marr, organizer of the event and president of the retirement association.

I've noticed a growing use of golf carts in neighborhoods and communities around the country. They are a lot of fun and even in my neighborhood I see adults and children occasionally driving around in golf carts. While they appear harmless they are anything but. Often people believe that there is very little risk with a golf cart because they don't go very fast and are really "harmless." They think nothing of letting kids who don't have driver's licenses operate these things "on the safe roads in our small neighborhood." The reality is that golf carts can be very dangerous.

"It's important for these seat belts to be installed," he said. "There can be life-threatening injuries and deaths from golf cars that collide with automobiles."

This is a quote by the local Sheriff from the article. While Golf carts can be a lot of fun to drive, they also carry an enormous risk of injury or death if not used properly. If you own a golf cart you need to make sure you are very careful in how it is used and be aware of who is using it. You also need to make sure that you have proper insurance to cover you in case there is an accident. Don't automatically assume that your auto or homeowners insurance will cover you.

And if you are injured because of the careless or negligent use of a golf cart contact a lawyer to fully understand your rights. And in the meantime, be careful out there and if you are using a golf cart on your neighborhood roads... well, you might want to give some thought to installing seat belts. Even if they are not free.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Charlie Vanture

Two Tallahassee School Children Injured in Separate Accidents

Brian W. Smith — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:59:15 GMT

Two children were injured in separate accidents in Tallahassee this morning. Both were on their way to school when they were struck by vehicles.

Around 7:30 a.m., the Tallahassee Police Department responded to a traffic crash near the intersection of Laura Lee Avenue and South Monroe Street. A black 2005 Chevrolet Impala, driven by 50-year-old Elmer Cassidy, was traveling northbound on South Monroe Street and struck the child. The pedestrian, third-grader Trayver Johnson, was struck as he darted across the street. According to news reports, the child was not seriously injured and he was transported to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital for further evaluation

In the second accident, which occurred about 8:40 a.m., a Deerlake Middle School boy was walking to the bus stop on Conservancy Drive near Shady Grove Way. As a Leon County school bus approached the bus stop, the boy crossed the street and was struck by a 2002 Honda Odyssey van, which was heading west on Conservancy. The child was thrown onto the hood of the van and suffered a possible head injury, along with minor scrapes and cuts, said Sgt. Tony Drzewiecki, spokesman for the Sheriff's Office. The injuries don't appear to be life-threatening, Drzewiecki said. He was taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital for observation and treatment.

Pedestrian accidents make up approximately 11% of the total causalities caused by all car accidents. Each year, nearly 5,000 people are killed in pedestrian accidents and another 70,000 pedestrians are injured. Statistics show that pedestrians are at a greater risk for death and injury than all other non-occupant groups involved in motor vehicle accidents, such as bicyclists, skate-boarders and roller-bladders.

For more information regarding car accidents and other types of accidents, you can call our office at 866-735-1102 ext. 515 or visit our firm's web site. We will be glad to answer any questions that you might have.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Tallahassee Family Suffers Second Deadly Car Accident in Two Weeks

Brian W. Smith — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:51:04 GMT

Tallahassee Police say that 45 year old Steven Riles died after his pick-up truck veered off the road and struck a utility pole early this morning. A Tallahassee Police Department spokesman says it appears Riles suffered some sort of medical emergency before the crash, but they are still investigating.

Riles is the father of 18 year old Taylor Riles, who was buried just last week after he and his fiance were killed in a collision with a semi-truck on Mahan Drive.

For more information regarding car accidents and other types of accidents, you can call our office at 866-735-1102 ext. 515 or visit our firm's website. We will be glad to answer any questions that you might have.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Florida State Quarterback Uninjured in Serious Car Accident

Brian W. Smith — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:41:14 GMT

Florida State University quarterback Christian Ponder and punter Graham Gano were returning from a speaking engagement at a Tallahassee middle school Wednesday, when another driver swerved into their lane at a busy intersection. Ponder's SUV was nearly totaled, but he and Gano were not injured. Both players practiced at full speed Thursday.

''I'm fine,'' said Ponder, who was not cited in the accident. ``It was a pretty bad wreck, actually.''

Car accidents happen every day. If you are ever involved in one, hopefully it won't be a serious one like the one that Ponder and Gano were involved in. They were fortunate, in that they are in excellent physical shape and were not seriously injured in this accident. The average person is not in the physical condition that football players are and serious injuries can occur, even in minor accidents.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident, you should seek immediate medical attention to make sure that you haven't been injured in the accident. Some injuries are obvious, but other soft tissue injuries are often undetectable at the time of the accident, showing up as stiffness, numbness, soreness, severe or chronic headaches, and even mild brain injury days or weeks after the event. Because there is such a wide range of medical issues possible with an auto accident, it’s important to seek the best medical treatment related to your particular injury or condition.

For more information, you can call our office at 866-735-1102 ext. 515 or visit our firm's website. We will be glad to answer any questions that you might have.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Tragic Acccident in Franklin County, Florida Kills Mother

Brian W. Smith — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:19:27 GMT

A woman traveling with her young son was involved in a fatal accident late Saturday night in Franklin County, Florida. 44-year-old Debra Smith and her three-year-old son were traveling on Lake Morality Road in Franklin County, when Smith ran off the road and hit a tree around 11 pm Saturday night.

The car was discovered by a resident around 7:55 am. Smith was still alive at the time with major bleeding from extremities. Her son was unharmed. Relatives picked the boy up from the scene and Smith was airlifted to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead around 9:21 am.

The accident is still under investigation .

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Jury Finds Sheriff's Deputy Not Liable for Accident

Brian W. Smith — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:13:37 GMT

A Leon County jury returned a verdict on Wednesday, finding that a Leon County sheriff's deputy was not negligent in a crash with a bicyclist two years ago that left the 22-year-old man fatally injured. Timothy Conn died July 3, 2006, after his bike collided with Deputy Charles McClure's patrol car on State Road 20.

Expert witnesses called by each party differed in their opinions on how the accident happened. The three-day trial consisted of testimony from witnesses, Conn's family and friends, law-enforcement officers and accident-reconstruction experts.

The jury deliberated for more than an hour before returning the verdict.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brian W. Smith

Credit Crunch prompts insurance fraud concern?

Charles Vanture — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:04:18 GMT

I just saw an article from the International Travel Insurance Journal where they state that the company Absolute Fraud Management is warning insurance companies that the credit crunch is causing an increase in fraudulent claims. Credit crunch prompts fraud concern

While this article addresses concerns over insurance travel fraud you can see that your local 'good neighbor' with his 'good hands' is already using this excuse as yet another reason why a claim should be denied or at least questioned.

The article stated: "A recent study that showed a 13-per-cent rise in suspicious motor claims in the past three months has served as a warning to travel insurers to be on the lookout for more fraudulent claims as consumers try to claw back some of their hard-earned cash in an effort to beat the credit crunch."

For years insurance companies have convinced us as to the importance of insurance - which it very much is - but then also warned us about making claims against our policies as this could adversely effect our rates and god-forbid our insurability. Did anyone consider that maybe with money being so tight consumers have decided not to let the insurance company slide on the smaller claims anymore because they can't afford not to? Probably not because that wouldn't fit into the companies never ending cry that they are being abused by 'greedy fraudulent claimants' with the help of their 'greedy trial lawyers'. It is a never ending battle for the consumer to constantly be questioned by insurance companies when making claims.

Ironically, if the insurance companies treated claimants fairly they would drive the 'greedy trial lawyers' out of business. But I don't see that happening anytime soon. Do you?

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Charles Vanture