Tampa Bay Personal Injury knowledgebase

What is a Drowsy Driver? There are no reliable statistics concerning drowsy driving. There is no test that can be administered to determine whether a driver is too drowsy to drive. No consistent data is kept from jurisdiction to jurisdiction regarding drowsy driving. Estimates from Europe where there are more uniform procedures at accident scenes […]

The “Radiology” Study[1] From 2005-2012 the Department of Radiology at the New York University School of Medicine conducted a study of persons with mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI). Concussions are widely classified as mild traumatic brain injuries. MTBI are typically caused by a blow to the head or a whiplash injury.[2] A whiplash injury can […]

What is an Accident Reconstruction Expert? Anyone who has been involved in an accident knows that the police come out, take statements, examine the scene and the cars involved. They may or may not measure skid marks and other physical evidence. At the conclusion of their investigation, they might cite one or more drivers for […]

Bicycling Without Proper Safety Clothes is Dangerous I just read a recent article about a bicyclist who was struck and killed while riding along a busy street in St. Petersburg.[1] The article stated that the man was riding along the shoulder of a busy road that did not have a bike lane. It was night […]

Gabby’s Law If Gabby’s Law passes the Florida Legislature, drivers that illegally pass a stopped school bus could wind up in jail. The bill is named for Gabby Mair who was hit and killed shortly after exiting a school bus in 2010. The bill proposes to raise the fines for illegally passing a stopped school […]

Some Police Departments Have Blamed Increased Speed on Waze Several police departments and national police associations have recently blamed the popular Google App Waze for encouraging drivers to speed and making the roads more dangerous for all.[1] First, Waze is a GPS Mapping/Social Media application that will allow those that are using the application to […]

Florida Laws Regarding Passengers on a Motorcycle Florida has very relaxed laws on the use of motorcycles. As far as passengers are concerned, they must occupy either a separate seat or a seat meant for two riders and they must have footrests dedicated solely to their use.[1] There is no minimum age requirement for passengers, […]

Notice to Owner Overview Contractors and material suppliers in Florida who do not have a direct contract with the owner of the property must properly serve a notice to owner within 45 days of the first date they provide labor, services or materials for the improvement of the property. This is generally a prerequisite to […]

What is Aggressive Driving? Did you know Florida has an aggressive driving statute?[1] Aggressive driving is defined as driving while committing any two of the following offenses: 1. Exceeding the posted speed limit;2. Improperly or unsafely changing lanes;3. Tailgating;4. Failure to yield the right of way;5. Improper or dangerous passing; or6. Failure to obey traffic […]

This is not my first blog about teenaged drivers, nor will it be my last. You may be the parent of the most well meaning, responsible teen alive. That teenager still has fairly high odds of being involved in a car accident before they turn 20. [1] Unfortunately, for the parents, the fault in such […]

So you are presented with a contract from a customer or vendor. It contains a provision in the contract concerning indemnity. It is written in lengthy legalize with multiple run on sentences that would make a high school English teacher have a conniption. You sense that it is important, but because it is hard to […]

Florida is one of the most dangerous states for pedestrians. Pedestrian fatality rates are nearly twice the national average. Additionally, I have, in the past, blogged on the dangers faced by bicyclists in Florida, where the fatality rate is four times the national average. I have heard, but not confirmed, Gulf Boulevard is the most […]