Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer. Families and friends gather together for a picnic or barbecue. However, it’s important to celebrate safely, alcohol has become very common at most occasions as a tool to celebrate. Thus please remember, blood alcohol level of 0.08% or more is the qualifier for drunk driving. Much smaller levels can still put people at an increased risk of accidents. Alcohol is a substance that reduces the function of the brain, impairing thinking, reasoning and muscle coordination. One-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk driving and one person is killed every 51 minutes by a drunk driver on our Nation’s roadways. Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive, even if you’ve had one alcoholic beverage. Have a designated driver, call a taxi, a rideshare provider or plan to use public transportation to get home safely. DUI can set you back thousands of dollars in attorney fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, repairs, and more. So do yourself – and those around you – a major favor: if…Read More
If you or a loved one has been the victim of an automobile accident or injury as a result of someone driving under the influence of alcohol, there are four basic steps you must take to make sure you get the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering. First and foremost, you should obtain a copy of the police report. This will provide relevant information about who was deemed at fault for the accident, the drunk driver’s blood alcohol content, and any other contributing factors that will prove the driver’s negligence in court. Second, visit a doctor as soon as possible, regardless how minor any injuries may appear – this will provide the necessary documentation to prove that your injuries are real, and are a direct result of the accident. It is important to note that some injuries that may initially seem minor could prove more significant once a physician provides an examination. Third, report the accident to your insurance company with the utmost expediency. And fourth, understand and exercise your legal rights. If you believe that you or a loved one has been…Read More
If you or a loved one have suffered a personal injury in South Florida due to ignorance and carelessness of others, your choice of a Personal Injury Attorney may be the most important decision you can make to protect both yourself and your loved ones’ legal rights. How do you know you have found the right Personal Injury Attorney to handle your case? Whether you have been injured in a car accident or you are having complications after surgery or procedure, you need a lawyer who has extensive experience, knows the rules, is strong at negotiating and is able to put up a good fight with insurance companies. The Accident and Injury Lawyers of Fenstersheib Law Group, P.A., have been helping people for over three decades with compassion, integrity, and tenacity, to achieve positive results in the legal system. They will provide a free initial consultation to determine your legal options, and if you have a case, they will work on a contingency fee basis, advancing all the expenses and fees necessary to build your lawsuit. Any Personal Injury lawyers refusing to work on a…Read More
Personal ijury lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis. This means that compensation for their legal services gets recovered only after they have managed to obtain a favorable settlement or verdict for their client. Normally, contingency fee plans are based on a percentage of the money that has been recovered in the case, and since the attorney is only entitled to receive payment in the event of a favorable outcome. These plans are extremely beneficial for victims of personal injuries or cases where money damages are expected, as all legal expenses to file the case are borne by the attorney. The Florida Supreme Court establishes the percentages for contingency fees in our State, and these fees typically range between 33.3% and 40% (whether pre-suit or litigation) of the total compensation that has been awarded to the client. It is very important to note that a reputable personal injury attorney will always explain, fully and clearly – before he takes on a case – his specific contingency fee percentage to the client, and whether the fee is based on the net or gross amount of the compensation.…Read More
The United States is one of the busiest countries in terms of road traffic with over 5 million auto accidents happening annually, resulting in injuries (many with permanent disabilities) to more than 3 million people, and over 40,000 fatalities. Unfortunately, car accidents will continue to happen as long as people continue to drive, but we can all use some common sense behavior to decrease the odds of being involved in a collision. First and foremost, understand that driving a vehicle requires your full, undivided attention. You really need to concentrate – playing with the radio or CD dials, talking on the phone or texting while driving can be a recipe for disaster. Just as important, never drive under the influence of alcohol, and please be aware that as little as just one drink can affect your overall awareness and reaction time. If you feel sleepy or fatigued, no matter what time of day, avoid driving – and if you are already on the road, get to a safe place and rest as long as necessary. And lastly, because even the best precautions can’t completely stop…Read More
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving as “the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner which endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property.” It is equally dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists as well as a motorist. As reported by NHTSA, approximately one-third of motor vehicle accidents resulting in deaths are caused by road rage. Examples of aggressive driving are improper overtaking or passing, disregarding traffic control devices, excessive speeding, disobeying the traffic signals, abrupt change of lanes, not stopping for an ambulance or school bus, not slowing down at a school or pedestrian crossings and not keeping sufficient distance between the vehicle in front. South Florida’s population is on the rise and there are too many people trying to get somewhere too fast and someone else is in their way, thus drivers are zig-zagging between lanes, speeding or disobeying safe driving laws. We can all be safe on the roads if we avoid aggressive driving, share the road, do not speed and exercise caution. Road rage can be a frightening and perilous experience for any driver. If you or a…Read More
A bill that would let law enforcement pull over Florida drivers they see texting and driving is moving closer to becoming law. House Bill 107, filed by state Rep. Jackie Toledo, R-Tampa, was passed unanimously by the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. The bill will now go to the House Appropriations Committee. The new proposed bill would shift texting while driving from a “secondary” offense to a “primary” offense. The Senate proposal would begin with a public-awareness campaign, with warnings being handed out to violators from Oct. 1 through the end of the year, at which time citations would start to be issued.Read More
When head injuries are suspected after an accident, immediate medical treatment is of utmost importance. Although signs of head trauma can be readily apparent immediately after a car accident, mild head injuries may not result in any major symptoms and may even be confused with symptoms of other types of medical conditions. But symptoms may indeed show up well after the fact that could indeed be a delayed result of the accident. These may include blurred vision, confusion and disorientation, loss of memory and lack of concentration, headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. If you or a loved one have been involved in an automobile or slip and fall accident, and the extent of the injuries was not fully apparent at the time of the accident, please be aware that you still have legal recourses available, and the skilled and experienced attorneys at Fenstersheib Law Group, P.A., have been helping accident victims for more than three decades. Let us put that experience to work for you – we stand by our long history of compassion, integrity, and tenacity in bringing justice for the injured. Call us…Read More
Every year more and more motorcycle enthusiasts will take to the roads. If you are one of them, make sure you are safe. According to 2018 reports from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), a nonprofit organization representing state highway safety offices, nearly 5,000 people were killed on motorcycles in 2017. That’s significantly higher than passenger vehicle occupant fatalities. One of the most logical steps to reduce the risk of serious injuries while riding a motorcycle is to always wear appropriate safety gear. While a helmet is the most important piece of equipment you can wear to reduce the risks of death and traumatic brain injuries, there are other additional pieces of gear that will help you be safer when riding. A good pair of gloves will allow you to grip the handlebar more efficiently, and also protect your fingers and hands in the event of an accident. Wearing a reinforced motorcycle jacket will not just make you look better while riding, but also help protect your upper body from severe injuries. A sturdy neck collar will lend additional stability to your neck area, and…Read More
When someone has suffered personal injuries resulting from the negligence of others, the amount of compensation is largely determined by the nature and extent of the injuries. Most accidents yield only minor bumps and bruises, but severe accidents can have catastrophic consequences for the victim and their loved ones. Whatever the extent of the injuries, the actual amount of pain or physical discomfort that the injured party experiences is the most compelling factor in determining damages to be awarded. It’s important to note that injuries affect everyone differently, and the same type of injury that can result in minor surgery and prompt recovery in one individual can cause permanent disabilities in another. When severe injuries are incurred, the medical costs will be exponentially higher, and more lost income is to be expected due to time missed from work along with quality of life. Therefore, more economic damages would be awarded. Serious injuries are typically defined by various criteria, including the type of injury, need for and length of hospitalization, inability to resume employment and common daily activities, and length of recovery and rehabilitation. The mental…Read More
