Panama City Legal Blog

Florida crash results in personal injury to 4 people

On behalf of Bryant & Higby, Chtd. posted in Personal Injury on Tuesday, April 30, 2019.

Drivers in Florida and across the country must be alert and constantly aware of their surroundings, including traffic moving in the opposite direction. Even the most cautious, diligent drivers, however, are not always able to avoid collisions, especially if a nearby motorist is negligent or reckless. One person's driving error often results in personal injury to drivers and passengers in other vehicles, as well as others in or near the roadway.

A recent collision involved three cars. Just after 5 p.m. on a recent Sunday an eastbound vehicle rear-ended a car going in the same direction. As is common in such collisions, the sudden force of the impact sent the front car barreling into the lane of traffic headed in the opposite direction.

Hurt in an accident while on a tour bus? Know your options

On behalf of Bryant & Higby, Chtd. on Friday, April 26, 2019.

When you are on vacation in Florida, you are probably not thinking about the likelihood of suffering injuries in an accident. This is especially true if you are traveling with a tour company. One of the many benefits of going with a group is that you do not have to worry about how to get from place to place or plan an itinerary.

What happens if you are traveling with one of these groups, and the bus you are on is in an accident? Who is to blame? You may not be certain who is to blame or what you should do next, but you do not have to try to pick up the pieces alone. It may be in your interests to seek help and explore the legal options that could be available to you.

Florida nursing home residents at risk for medical malpractice

On behalf of Bryant & Higby, Chtd. posted in Medical Malpractice on Tuesday, April 23, 2019.

If care providers in a Florida nursing home fail to adhere to industry protocol or act according to accepted safety standards, patients are usually the ones to suffer. Medical malpractice often leads to serious personal injury in nursing facilities in this state and elsewhere. In worst cases, lawsuits have been filed, accusing nursing home officials of misconduct or negligence that directly caused patient fatalities.

A current case in another state involves a patient who was admitted to a nursing home for rehabilitation and for daily living assistance. Sadly, she died, and the person in charge of her estate claims her death was preventable and only occurred because of substandard care. In a civil lawsuit, the plaintiff alleges that the decedent suffered malnutrition, dehydration and sepsis, which ultimately led to her death.

Sarasota residents at risk for personal injury re DUI

On behalf of Bryant & Higby, Chtd. posted in Personal Injury on Wednesday, April 17, 2019.

Florida attracts many permanent residents, retirees and tourists every year. As a southern, coastal state, its scenic features and amenities make for a desirable vacation location or year-round residence choice. Sarasota, in fact, was recently voted one of the best places to live in the United States. However, it was also voted as a high-risk area for fatal personal injury involving drunk driving collisions.

Lakeland is another city that reportedly ranks high for DUI deaths, although Sarasota has had twice as many fatalities as Lakeland. In fact, over the past three years, on average, there have been approximately 12 DUI deaths per 100,000 residents in Sarasota. Travelers will certainly want to do what they can to reduce the risk of becoming involved in an alcohol-related collision.

Tourist personal injury: A cruise from Florida gone wrong

On behalf of Bryant & Higby, Chtd. posted in Tourist Personal Injury on Sunday, April 7, 2019.

Tens of thousands of Florida residents and others take cruises every year. Many find it is a luxurious yet affordable way to travel. There is always a risk of tourist personal injury when vacationers leave the safety of their own homes and venture out to beaches or on the high seas. However, hotel management, cruise ship companies and others are obligated to keep their patrons as safe as possible.

A cruise ship based out of Port Canaveral recently returned from a tour but not before eight people on board suffered injuries. The incident occurred while the ship was docked for maintenance. It reportedly involved a massive crane that slammed into the ship.

Tire safety and road hazards are often factors in collisions

On behalf of Bryant & Higby, Chtd. posted in Personal Injury on Monday, April 1, 2019.

As many Florida car owners understand, proper upkeep and maintenance can help extend the life of a vehicle, as well as improve safety. On the contrary, if a car owner neglects vehicle maintenance, it can have disastrous results. For instance, lack of proper tire maintenance can cause a blowout, which is among frequently reported factors in collisions.

Many people underestimate the value of proper vehicle maintenance when it comes to tire safety. Design or manufacturing defects are not responsible for most tire failures. In reality, approximately 99 percent of blowouts are not related to such factors at all and are later found to have been entirely avoidable had it not been for poor vehicle maintenance.

Who pays for expenses resulting from injuries at a business?

On behalf of Bryant & Higby, Chtd. on Wednesday, March 27, 2019.

Like most Florida residents or even tourists, you likely go out to shop, dine or find entertainment at various establishments. Though your main goal for the outing is likely to enjoy yourself and pick up any items you may have on your list, you should also remember to keep your safety in mind.

It may seem odd to you and others to consider shopping or eating out as a dangerous activity, but in reality, hazards are everywhere. As a result, you could trip, slip, fall, get hit by a falling object or experience any number of events that lead to your injury. In some cases, these incidents could result in serious injuries, and you may face a number of difficulties and expenses stemming from the accident.

There are drunk drivers in Florida: Know how to recognize them

On behalf of Bryant & Higby, Chtd. posted in Personal Injury on Monday, March 25, 2019.

Any number of urgent situations can arise while traveling on Florida roadways. If a car breaks down, a driver might have to wait on the side of the road until a tow truck arrives or someone comes to provide support. There's not much one can do in such situations except try to find a ride home if the car is no longer drivable.

Some driving emergencies happen so suddenly, there isn't time to safely react to avoid an accident. Such incidents often occur when there are drunk drivers on the road. Knowing the potential signs of driver intoxication might help increase the chances of arriving safely to a destination. Drunk drivers cause many deaths in Florida and other states every year. When that happens, victims have recourse through the civil justice system to seek restitution.

Personal injury: 2 fatalities resulted from Florida crash

On behalf of Bryant & Higby, Chtd. posted in Personal Injury on Tuesday, March 19, 2019.

While one might logically assume that the wee hours of the morning would mean less traffic and quieter roadways, in reality, that's not always the case. Many Florida travelers begin their journeys before the sun has risen. This often places drivers who are sleepy at risk, as well as other motorists or pedestrians who happen to be sharing the road at such times. Sadly, fatal personal injury occurred when a recent collision took the lives of two people.

One of the people involved in the crash was a 23-year-old woman. She is said to have been traveling eastbound when she lost control of her steering. Her vehicle crossed into the path of a westbound vehicle and the two cars hit head-on.

Banning distracted driving may reduce personal injury accidents

On behalf of Bryant & Higby, Chtd. posted in Personal Injury on Tuesday, March 12, 2019.

Florida readers know distracted driving has long been a serious concern for state lawmakers and residents. Distraction significantly increases the chance of an accident, and it is now one of the leading causes for personal injury accidents on the road. Because of the increase in cellphone use and the continued safety concerns over drivers using their phones, lawmakers are considering a complete ban on all forms of distracted driving.

As of right now, texting and driving is a secondary offense in Florida. This means that law enforcement can only pull drivers over and ticket them if they are also committing another offense, such as speeding. A new bill was recently proposed that would make texting a primary offense. The new law would allow for drivers to use hands-free devices and check their phones while their vehicle is not in motion.