South Florida Accident Attorneys
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Auto Accident Attorneys

Hidden Auto Crash Injuries

Some Injuries are Immediately Evident, Some are Hidden – Get Professional Advice Immediately

If you live in Florida and you drive in Florida you probably already know that insurance rates are very high here. One of the reasons insurance is so expensive is because there are a lot of crashes in Florida and therefor a lot of claims for injuries and damages that are paid out.

One statistic that is very alarming is the number of fatal crashes and also the number of deaths per 100,000 population. Very disturbing.

STATE                    POPULATION               FATAL CRASHES                   DEATHS                DEATHS PER 100,000 POPULATION

California            39,499,738                           3,558                                                3,847                                      9.7

Texas                     29,217,653                            3,520                                                3,874                                    13.3

Florida                  21,569,932                           3,098                                                3,331                                     15.4

There are an average of 1100 crashes every day in Florida and many involve serious injuries to drivers, passenger, and pedestrians. Some of these injuries are serious and some are minor but many are not immediately diagnosed.

The most common injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes include:

  • Bone Fractures
  • Lacerations
  • Internal Bleeding
  • Bruising
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Whiplash
  • Concussions
  • Burns
  • Knee and Ankle Injuries

Each of these injuries or conditions need to be carefully diagnosed and treated by a qualified physician immediately after a crash.

Whiplash is unique in that it is often hidden in that the victim may not feel any problems right away, in fact the associated pain may not manifest until sometime after the crash.

According to the Cleveland Clinic: “Whiplash is an injury that happens when sudden force or movement strains your neck and spine, damaging bone, muscle, ligaments and nerves. It’s most common in motor vehicle crashes, but can also happen for other reasons. It’s usually treatable and short-lived. However, some people experience chronic effects such as pain for months or even years.”

It’s very important that anyone involved in a motor vehicle crash get serious injuries treated immediately. It’s also important to make a call for legal assistance, even if you don’t feel you may be injured.

Since 1992 we have helped thousands of motor vehicle crash victims get compensation to pay for medical bills, time lost from work, pain & suffering, and damage to property. We would be happy to answer questions if you call us (7 Days a Week) at 954-356-0006

Accident Attorneys Fort Lauderdale
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Auto Accident Attorneys | ,

Glove Compartment Check-Up and Checklist – Lazarus & Lazarus Law Firm – Auto Accident Attorneys

Motor Vehicle Accident Checklist

What do you have in your glove compartment? Probably not gloves because we’re in Florida!

How often have you gone to the grocery store without a list and then realized later you forgot something? Probably about two thousand times. Imagine being in an accident and then trying to remember what to do when you’re completely stressed out. You’ll likely forget several important things.

Automobile accidents are among the most stressful things that happen and fortunately they are pretty rare. The average driver will be involved in an accident every 17 years. If you’re a careless driver probably more often, if you’re a very careful driver, less.

If and when you do have an accident, a little preparation now will make things much better, in fact a little information now may save you time and money later.

Check your glove compartment to make sure you the have the basics:

Evidence of Insurance. If you have it on your phone you still may want a copy in your glove compartment in case Auto Accident Checklistyour phone dies.

A copy of your vehicle registration.

A checklist of things to do after an accident. Where can you get such a checklist? Right here!

We have put together a checklist that covers things that might not jump into your head immediately after an accident because you’re anxious and confused. Click Here to download the checklist.

Remember that everyone’s safety is the top priority immediately after an accident. Your actions subsequent to those first moments are also very important, and in a state of confusion you want a clear headed person to guide you. The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been helping people injured in car, truck, and motorcycle accidents for nearly 30 years and we are proud of our record of success and our reputation as experts in our field. Call us at (954) 3556-0006 if you have any questions.

Accident Checklist Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Auto Accident Attorneys

Is Your Insurance Company Really Your Friend? Lazarus Law Firm – Weston Personal Injury Attorneys

Weston Personal Injury Attorneys

Do you know what companies match to these slogans?

  1. Just do it.
  2. What’s in Your Wallet?
  3. Finger Lickin’ Good.
  4. Breakfast of Champions.
  5. You’re in Good Hands.

The answers are below, but most people know the answers right away. Slogans are a big part of branding and they are designed to get a response in consumers, sometimes an emotional one. Insurance companies want people to feel safe and protected when they pay their premiums every month and it works. State Farm Insurance says they are “Like a Good Neighbor” and everyone likes to have a good neighbor looking out for them.

All big corporations offer products and services that hopefully benefit the consumer who buys them but their primary goal is to make a profit which means they need to take in more money than they pay out. Insurance companies differ from others in that they only pay out benefits after a loss by their customer so they are very meticulous about trying to minimize money going out. That’s not to say they cheat people, but if they can offer a low settlement to the victim of an auto accident, for example, and the person accepts it….that’s a good day for them.

Insurance companies have employees called claim adjusters who review circumstances of a claim and determine what benefits their company should pay. They often ask a victim to sign a settlement agreement which may or may not be the best outcome available. Insurance companies and their adjusters are not “bad” but they will usually put their financial interests first, and that’s not good for a person who has just been injured in a car accident.

Is There a Solution?

Working with a personal injury attorney means you’ll have someone working for you who wants to see you obtain the best financial out come possible. Experienced attorneys have dealt with insurance companies for years and they know when  it’s time to settle and when it’s time to negotiate for more.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has represented victims of other’s negligence and won substantial outcomes since 1992. A free consultation is available by calling 954-356-0006.

The Answers are:

  1. Nike
  2. Capital One
  3. Kentucky Fried Chicken
  4. Wheaties
  5. Allstate Insurance

Weston Personal Injury Attorneys

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.

No reader, user, or browser of this site should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this site without first seeking legal advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.

Use of, and access to, this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader, user, or browser and the Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus.

| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Auto Accident Attorneys |

What to Say and What not to Say After a Traffic Crash – Lazarus and Lazarus

Fort Lauderdale and Weston, Florida Personal Injury Attorneys

“Words are free. It’s how you use them that may cost you.” – Anonymous

How often have we said things that we regretted later? Probably too many times.

In our world today every word we say, or Tweet, or include in a social media post, or email, may be used later to cause us problems. Phone calls are often recorded and there are video monitors practically everywhere we go.

If you are injured in any type of incident that was caused by someone else’s carelessness or negligence you have rights to compensation for your medical bills, your pain and suffering, and lost time from work. These rights may be jeopardized by statements made by you or by others which could be used to incriminate you or present a distorted picture of facts related to the event. Therefore, it’s a good idea to follow these basic guidelines regarding what you and don’t say after being involved in an accident:

  • Always cooperate with the police and answer their questions truthfully, however you should never offer information which may be self-incriminating. You do not need to admit anything was your fault to anyone.
  • After you are away from the scene of the accident you may be contacted by others including representatives of insurance companies. You are not required to talk with these people and at this point you will have already contacted a personal injury attorney. That attorney becomes the person to handle all communication going forward.
  • Do not give a statement, recorded or written, to anyone without approval from your attorney.
  • Never post statements or photographs about your accident on social media or anywhere else.
  • Do not make statements about your physical condition. Injuries should be diagnosed by a physician and that information is strictly confidential and should remain that way.
  • Speculation about what caused the accident, what contributed to the accident, the condition of other driver(s) or anything else is unnecessary can be harmful. Let your attorney conduct an investigation into the facts because only the facts are important.

The goal of every experienced personal injury attorney is to protect the rights of their client and gain the best possible outcome. We always work hard to see that our clients have the opportunity to recover financially, physically, and emotionally from their injuries.

If you have questions about any accident involving yourself, a friend, or a relative, feel free to call us 7 days a week at 954-356-0006.

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.

No reader, user, or browser of this site should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this site without first seeking legal advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.

Use of, and access to, this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader, user, or browser and the Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus.

 

 

Auto Accident Attorneys
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Auto Accident Attorneys

Let’s be Careful Out There – Traffic Fatalities Highest in Years

Fort Lauderdale and Weston, Florida Personal Injury Attorneys

A character on the 1980s television police drama “Hill Street Blues” had a great catchphrase: “Let’s Be Careful Out There.” On the show, Sgt. Phillip Esterhaus was imparting these words of caution to officers policing the streets.

Police Officers face dangers every day, but so does everyone who drives a car, truck or motorcycle, especially after recent data reveals this, according to CNN: Washington, DC (CNN Business)Traffic deaths in the United States continue to spike, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated Tuesday that there were 42,915 such fatalities in 2021. That would be the most traffic deaths in 16 years, NHTSA said.

Many experts believe the added stress of the Covid-19 pandemic has caused many drivers to be less careful when driving but it’s difficult to make a solid claim about the true cause of the increase in 2021 fatalities.Personal Injury Attorneys

We do know that each driver has choices about habits and precautions behind the wheel. People who obey traffic laws, wear seat belts, and do not drive while impaired are far less likely to be involved in a serious accident. But all the safety measures in the world cannot protect a driver from someone else who is careless.

What can you do if involved in an accident?

Being in an accident is a very stressful time, and it’s hard to keep focused on making the right decisions in the moments following the crash. We developed a checklist for people to print and keep in their glove compartment in case of a traffic accident. Please click here to see our post from 2020 which includes a link to download the .pdf.

If you have questions related to any personal injury situation we’re available 7 days a week to speak with you. Call 954-356-0006 to set up a free and confidential meeting, in-person, or virtual.

And Let’s be Careful Out There.

Auto Accident Attorneys
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Auto Accident Attorneys, Automobile Safety | , , ,

Protect Yourself, Your Family, and Your Dog | Fort Lauderdale and Weston Personal Injury Attorneys

Dogs can be Injured in Car Accidents Just Like Humans

For years people in America have jumped in the car and taken off on road trips without any thought to buckling up with seat belts. People even routinely put kids in the car without car seats and the family dog would also go along and sit wherever there was room.

Fortunately we have grown in knowledge and experience about the importance of safety restrains in passenger vehicles and set belts, air bags, and child car seats have greatly reduced the number of serious injuries on the road.

Fast Facts:

(1) Car seat use reduces the risk for injury in a crash by 71–82% for children, when compared with seat belt use alone. Source: CDC.gov Website

It is important to note that safety seats for children only work if people use them, and often when adults don’t buckle up, they also fail to secure their children:

(2) Restraint use among young children often depends on the driver’s seat belt use. In 2019, 67% of fatally injured children riding with unbelted drivers were also unrestrained (based on known restraint use). Source: CDC.gov Website

Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury AttorneysAs for dogs, a recent item in the news demonstrates how your canine best friend is at risk while in the car: Two people, dog killed in Prince George wrong-way crash on I-95 late Sunday night. In this incident one of the deceased people was not wearing a seat belt.

If you believe you’re all set with safety precautions for the human passengers in your car but you have some doubts about your dog, here is a good source of information “How to Keep Your Dog Safe in the Car” from the American Kennel Club.

As experienced automobile, motorcycle, and truck accident attorneys in South Florida since 1992 we know that a few minutes spent securing everyone in your vehicle can prevent very serious injuries or worse, with associated injuries or worse extending several years out.

If you’re involved in an accident you will like ly require professional assistance to make sure your rights are protected and you recover compensation for medical bills, expenses, and damages. Call our office 7 days a week at 954-356-0006 for a free consultation.

Weston and Fort Lauderdale Florida Personal Injury Attorneys

| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Auto Accident Attorneys | ,

Keeping Children Safe in Your Car – South Florida Accident Attorneys

We have worked with hundreds of people injured in car, motorcycle, and truck accidents over the past 27 years and it is always difficult to see people suffer from serious injuries. It’s even moreChildren Safety in Cars Fort Lauderdale difficult when children are involved, and often they are too young to even understand what has happened. Over 1000 children die in traffic accidents in the U.S. each year and many more are seriously injured.

Child Safety in Motor Vehicles

Many injuries to children are preventable with proper safety precautions, including using the proper car seat, installed according to directions. Another important thing to consider is that many people are injured by objects inside their own car. When a car impacts another vehicle or a stationary object like a tree, everything inside the car becomes an airborne danger. Please keep yourself and your child safely buckled in, but also keep loose objects stored in compartments or in the trunk.

We’re including an excellent video about child safety in the car at the bottom of this article.

Another danger to children is being left alone in a parked car. We see these incidents turn into tragedies every year and we can’t understand how it could happen. In south Florida the temperature inside a parked car can reach lethal temperatures.

At 70 degrees on a sunny day, after a half hour, the temperature inside a car is 104 degrees. After an hour, it can reach 113 degrees. When temperatures outside range from 80 degrees to 100 degrees, the temperature inside a car parked in direct sunlight can quickly climb to between 130 to 172.

Please click here to read an article that describes 8 options for gadgets and apps that can help prevent these terrible incidents from happening.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus is dedicated to helping keep our roads safe, but when crashed happen we then dedicate ourselves to protect the rights of victims who have been injured. We will fight to see every client is compensated for their injuries, medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We are proud of our reputation as compassionate, yet tenacious advocates for our clients. Please call us at 954-356-0006 if you have any questions. We will be happy to meet you at one of our offices or at a location convenient for you.

 

 

Florida Auto Accident Attorneys
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Auto Accident Attorneys

Types of Auto Insurance Coverage – Florida Auto Accident Attorneys

Insurance! Thank goodness for insurance, many people have said when they experience a fire, flood, accident, or sickness. It is good to have insurance, but it can be expensive! And how do you know if you have enough? Or maybe you have too much? I remember the scene in “Groundhog Day” when Bill Murray buys every kind of insurance their is from his old classmate, including “optional death and dismemberment” coverage. One of those things you don’t want to think about.

Getting a handle on your insurance situation begins with understanding all the different coverage and policy options are, and we’re going to deal only with motor-vehicle-related insurance in this article. In the future we will provide some information for boats.

First, what is required? This is from the State of Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles:  “The Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law, requires all owner/registrants of a motor vehicle with four wheels or more to carry a minimum of $10,000 of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 of property damage liability (PDL) if you own a motor vehicle in Florida. Florida law requires you to maintain PIP/PDL insurance continuously throughout the licensing and registration period.” More information here.

So, that being said, get it and keep it, as a minimum. Now, anything else beyond that, we cannot advise you about because we are not licensed insurance agents. We are accident attorneys. However, we can share a very interesting info-graphic from the Insurance Information Institute:

Florida Auto Accident Attorneys

Find an insurance agent you can trust, someone who is recommended by a friend or family member. We live in an online world, but we suggest meeting with an agent in person, much the way we like to sit down and talk with our clients. It’s easier to ask questions and have complicated subjects explained. Buy the coverage that’s right for you.

If you are involved in an accident, and you have been injured, please reach out to us at 954-356-0006 and we will be happy to arrange a confidential consultation. You rights are our primary concern.

Florida Accident Attorneys
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Auto Accident Attorneys

Is Your License Suspended? You Better Check – Auto Accident Attorneys

Most  law enforcement agencies in south Florida will place you under arrest and take you to jail if you are driving with a suspended or revokedFlorida Auto Accident Attorneys driver’s license. “Well, that certainly doesn’t apply to me,” you say. Really? Are you sure? There are many things that can pop up to cause a suspension, and you may not be aware of it.

We received a frantic call a few years ago from a friend who forgot to pay some tickets and his license was suspended. He went to jail! So what can you do if you’re just not sure if you’re in the clear or you have an issue? Go online!

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has a page on their website where you can check your license. All you have to do is click here and enter your DL number. If it shows as suspended, or if there are any other problems, you’ll want to resolve them immediately. For a general resolution page, click here.

We are not traffic ticket attorneys, but we like to provide information to help people stay safe and on the right side of the law. Our area involves people who been involved in accidents that resulted in serious injuries and/or damage to property. We have been helping victims receive compensation from negligent persons or entities for over 25 years and we have developed a track record for getting results. Please call us at 954-356-0006 if you have been involved in an car, truck, motorcycle, or public transportation accident. W are here to help.