South Florida Personal Injury Blog

The city of Pembroke Pines in Broward County is facing a class action lawsuit due the red light cameras installed by the local government, says Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney Andrew Alitowski. Although the city claims that the cameras save lives, many remain skeptical of both that assertion and the municipality’s reliance on public safety as the real reason the cameras were installed to track motorist’s violations.

The red light cameras purport to snap photos of the license plate of any car that goes through the intersection after the light has turned red, says Broward injury lawyer Alitowski. The system then generates a traffic citation, which is sent by mail to the registered owner of the vehicle – and does not take into account who may have been driving the motor vehicle. The possibilities for trouble here are not hard to spot: although parents of a teenaged driver might want to know that their child is not driving as safely as he claims, there are times when a non-primary driver – like a friend who borrowed the car or even a thief if the vehicle has been stolen – will trip the red light cameras. Still, the registered owner of the car is expected to foot the bill for the violation. If he or she disagrees with the citation, it is taken up before the special magistrate, who is employed by the city.

According to Broward car accident lawyer Alitowski, the lights may catch those drivers who run a red light by very little time – perhaps even less than a second. Although the city of Pembroke Pines maintains that the installation of the cameras has prevented car accidents, the city admits that it did not maintain statistics before and after installation of the cameras in order to prove the assertion. Motor vehicle accidents caused by running stop lights often occur several seconds or more after the light has changed.

The fines generate significant amounts of revenue: the city expects to make about $1 million annually from them, although it has held off installing the last few cameras due to the pending litigation. Pembroke Pines has issued over 1500 citations based on the photos since the cameras were installed in March of this year. Motorists in some other states have been successful in their lawsuits over the cameras, so there is hope for the litigants.

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Car accidents are among the most devastating sudden problems a family can have, says Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney Andrew Alitowski. The psychological, emotional, physical, and financial impact can be tremendous, he says, noting that the sudden nature of car accidents means that they are disasters for which many people find themselves entirely unprepared. An experienced car accident attorney or motor vehicle accident lawyer can guide you through the process.

Psychologically, some motor vehicle accident survivors find themselves reliving the smashing of metal on metal or the sound of shattering glass while they try to concentrate on work or school matters. Others have sleep disturbances, says Fort Lauderdale accident lawyer Alitowski. The worst psychological consequences can include symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which is brought upon by a serious, traumatizing event.

Financially, families are often pulled too tight to have the savings to immediately handle the medical bills, the cost of replacing a much-needed car, and other expenses out of pocket. In an ideal situation, auto insurance and medical insurance can cover the up front costs to help a family stay afloat, but for the underinsured and uninsured, the costs can soar to insurmountable levels in the hours after the collision, according to Broward accident attorney Alitowski.

The physical damage from a car accident can last a lifetime. Unfortunately, the most horrific car accidents can result in the death of loved ones, which may give rise to lawsuits on that basis. Although no amount of money can replace a family member’s presence, funds can cover children’s expenses, help with mortgage payments a newly-single parent will be unable to cover herself, and other costs that are difficult to manage when circumstances change dramatically.

In other instances, Fort Lauderdale motor vehicle accident lawyer Alitowski says that the types of injuries often sustained in car accidents are painful and difficult to treat and cure. Whiplash, head injuries, torn rotary cuffs, internal injuries, and other problems are among the types that our clients may manifest after the car accident.

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One day, on your way home from work, you found yourself in stop-and-go traffic (again) on one of highways in Broward County. Maybe there was an accident or traffic was just heavy as usual. It let up a bit and you accelerated, only to see brake lights in front of you, and you came to a stop again. Unfortunately, the driver behind you wasn’t so quick to realize that traffic had not really improved, and hit you from behind. Both of your cars were a little banged up, although her hood looks worse than your rear bumper. She’s a nice enough lady and you can tell she feels bad about the accident.

You felt all right in the blur after the accident, but the following day, you began to feel stiff. By nightfall, the stiffness has turned to pain – whiplash from the sudden jerking in the accident that seemed minor. You see a doctor and begin treatment, and also contact the insurance company, but are unsure how to proceed from there.

The next step after obtaining medical treatment is to contact an experienced Fort Lauderdale accident attorney. Even if your injuries are “minor,” it is difficult to go up against an insurance company on your own. They have a large legal staff and many years of experience in trying to figure out how not to pay for claims. The insurance company is full of experts, all of whom have their best interest – saving money – as their top priority.

Broward personal injury lawyer Andrew Alitowski says that many people injured in "small-time" car accidents are reluctant to hire an attorney for several reasons. First, although recovering for any serious injury is important, many victims believe that they do not need a lawyer’s help or that they cannot afford one. Studies show that people injured in these types of situations usually recover more for their injuries when they are represented by a car accident attorney – even after their legal fees are paid. Most accident and injury claims are paid for on a contingency basis, meaning that the attorney collects a percentage of the total recovery, and that you do not pay legal fees up front.

In addition to likely recovering more money, you are less likely to make a negotiating error, like accidentally saying something that the insurance company may use against you. Also, if your attorney handles your case, you will be saved a lot of time and a huge headache.

Continue reading "The Importance of Hiring a Car Accident Attorney, Even for “Small” Accidents" »

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When a person suffers an injury and seeks to recover damages, he or she must prove his claim, says Fort Lauderdale accident lawyer Andrew Alitowski. This is true regardless of the type of claim – slip and fall, trip and fall, swimming pool accidents, and especially motor vehicle accidents. The person or entity responsible for your injuries will be unwilling to pay monetary damages without proof that you are actually injured.

One way this issue might present itself as a driver who suffers a torn rotator cuff in a car accident. The rotator cuff is a collection of important tendons and muscles grouped together on the shoulder. The rotator cuff is extremely important for mobility and, if damaged, it can be exceptionally painful, says Broward car accident lawyer Alitowski. However, the driver of the other vehicle, or his insurance company, may claim that you had that injury before the car accident. Their assertion may stick if there is other evidence that you previously sought treatment for neck or shoulder ailments. This is why your medical records can be important. If you have never had treatment for any injuries in that area, or better yet, if you have had an MRI or x-ray of that part of your body (showing it healthy) on an earlier occasion, the insurance company may abandon its efforts to claim that you were injured in some other way.

Medical records are also of the utmost importance in proving the type and severity of your injuries, as well as the kind of treatment that is indicated. The emergency room physician’s notes or the x-ray taken when you went to see the doctor can provide valuable evidence that serves as a timeline to link your injuries to the accident. They will also show what kind of injuries your doctor has diagnosed and how severe they are. Your doctor’s recommended treatment, including pain management, is relevant, as well.

Fort Lauderdale accident attorney Alitowski says that seeing a doctor as soon as possible after the accident or after you show symptoms of your injury is important. If you need assistance locating a doctor, contact Alitowski & Moore, P.A. for guidance.

Continue reading "The Importance of Medical Records in a Personal Injury Claim" »

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A car accident in New York garnered national news in recent days, says Broward accident lawyer Andrew Alitowski. Diane Schuler was driving her car with several children inside when, according to law enforcement authorities, she plowed into another vehicle – while driving the wrong way. Schuler was killed in the accident, as were the other three adults in the vehicle she hit. Schuler’s daughter and three nieces, who were riding in her minivan, were killed in the accident, as well. Fort Lauderdale injury attorney Alitowski says that of the passengers in Schuler’s vehicle, her son was the sole survivor. In total, eight people were killed in the accident.

A very public police investigation concluded that Schuler was operating her vehicle while she was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana (DUI). Recently release toxicology reports show that Schuler’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.19 percent, far higher than the “legal limit” of 0.08 percent level at which the law presumes a driver is impaired. The tests also showed that she had marijuana in her system, although Broward accident lawyer Alitowski says it is unclear whether there is evidence that Schuler was under the influence of marijuana at the time the accident occurred (as opposed to evidence that traces remained in her system from smoking or ingesting the substance days or weeks prior to the deadly accident).

At this point in time, family members of the occupants of the vehicle that Schuler’s collided with are planning a personal injury lawsuit. They are likely to sue her estate to recover compensatory damages for their relatives’ deaths. This scenario is fairly common in cases like these, in which one person’s gross negligence or even criminal behavior causes the death of another individual.

Meanwhile, Schuler’s husband, Daniel Schuler, has maintained that there is something else wrong. He even contests that toxicology report, saying that he had never during the time he knew her seen her intoxicated. Her sister backed that claim. Law enforcement officials, however, allegedly found a broken vodka bottle in the backseat of the vehicle, which could have been the source of the 0.19 percent BAC – if her family’s claims are correct. They contend that others present at the picnic Schuler was returning from with her children did not see her consume any alcohol at all. Schuler’s family may seek another autopsy to rebut the claim that Diane Schuler was heavily intoxicated at the time of the accident and to fend of wrongful death lawsuits. Daniel Schuler’s attorney has publicly speculated that Diane, who had health problems including diabetes, had a stroke while driving.

Continue reading "Lawsuit Expected in Alleged DUI Accident " »

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Derry Brown, who is 64 years old, used to drive a truck for a living, says Broward accident lawyer Andrew Alitowski. In 2007, he was driving his truck in on State Road 80 in Broward County when he was involved in an accident involving another vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign and, seeing that a collision was imminent, Brown made a split-second decision: to swerve fast, in a move that would overturn his truck. Brown made the decision with the knowledge that the driver of the other vehicle would surely be killed in a collision with an 18-wheel truck.

As a result of his decision, Brown was seriously injured, Fort Lauderdale accident attorney Alitowski has learned. Although he continues with rehabilitative treatments and therapy, Brown is paralyzed as a result of the injuries he sustained during the accident when his truck went off of the road and turned over.

After the accident, however, the insurance company refused to pay for Brown’s medical bills. He sued and, not long before the trial, the Broward County judge ruled that he was entitled to uninsured motorist benefits. Later, Brown won his lawsuit and was awarded almost $14 million.

Brown is in ongoing treatment; he and medical staff were transported by helicopter to the trial in order for him to testify. During the rest of the trial, he was represented by his granddaughter and his wife.

Brown’s case is a good example of the need for personal injury attorneys. Injured individuals often face awful situations, in which their medical bills continue piling up and an insurance company or the person who caused their injuries refuses to pay for the treatment. In this case, Brown suffered injuries due to his own courageous decision in the face of another person’s error. He was also legally entitled to receive benefits to defray the high cost of years of medical bills.

Continue reading "Broward Accident Lawyer – Injured Trucker Gets Day in Court" »

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Often, people who are injured in traffic accidents assume that the expenses they will incur will be covered by someone, says Broward personal injury attorney Andrew Alitowski. This belief is frequently, and fortunately, correct. For example, your medical expenses and other costs you incur may be covered by the motor vehicle insurance of the driver who caused the accident in which you were injured. If they are not covered by that driver’s insurance – perhaps they are uninsured or do not carry sufficient coverage for your injuries – you may carry coverage on your plan to protect you against uninsured or underinsured motorists. In some instances, there is insufficient coverage from any source.

The number of uninsured and underinsured drivers on the road is increasing. A study that came out earlier this year predicts that about 16 percent of drivers – or about one in six of the cars on the road – will be insured by next year. According to Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer Andrew Alitowski, the rate of uninsured drivers has traditionally been closely associated with the rate of unemployment. When more Americans lose their jobs, fewer of them purchase or maintain their car insurance coverage. Although car insurance is mandatory in the state of Florida, this may be one of the first expenses an individual stops keeping up with during financial difficulties. With record numbers of Floridians struggling to keep their homes and avoid foreclosure, especially in Broward County, the relative importance of maintaining current car insurance may drop to a lower priority for some drivers. Uninsured drivers may be able to purchase low-cost car insurance policies with higher deductibles in order to comply with the law.

A motor vehicle accident can cause many expenses: medical bills, rehabilitation and physical therapy, lost wages, alternative transportation costs, and the cost to replace your motor vehicle, in addition to other costs which can crop up. An experienced motor vehicle accident attorney can advise you of your rights and negotiate on your behalf with insurance companies. If an insurance company seeks to have you make a statement under oath – such as signing a statement with a notary – always seek the advice of an attorney. This is especially true if you are continuing to receive medical treatment or if you have not yet had a full battery of tests to determine the extent of your injuries. Whether negotiating with your own insurance company or the motor vehicle insurance of a different driver, it is important to have an experienced Broward injury lawyer on your side.

Continue reading "The Dangers of Uninsured Drivers" »

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Broward personal injury lawyer Andrew Alitowski finds that motorists are often surprised to hear that bicycles are subject to the same rules of the road that motor vehicles are. Many people think that bicyclists can “do their own thing,” or are afforded special rules because cyclists are more vulnerable than people in vehicles. Although a bicycle collision with a motor vehicle can be truly devastating, it is important to remember that the bicyclist must follow the Florida traffic safety laws, just as a motorcycle or car must.

Bicyclists and passengers on bikes must wear helmets if they are under 16 years of age, according to the Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys Alitowski & Moore, P.A. Bicycle riders must stop for red lights and obey all other traffic signals and signs. They should not ride on major highways and in some areas, they are not permitted to ride on the sidewalk – just the street. For nighttime riding, a cyclist should remember to properly equip his bike with reflective devices and lights. Additionally, the bicycle must yield to pedestrians who are crossing at a crosswalk. In general, if you are riding a bicycle on the street, remember to obey traffic laws just like if you were driving. Many cyclists forget to do so, or perhaps believe they are exempt from traffic laws. For example, a cyclist might cross at a red light because he or she does not see any oncoming traffic. This practice remains dangerous – and the cyclist could receive a citation from a local law enforcement officer. More importantly, the bicycle could be involved in an accident with a motor vehicle, which could cause serious or even fatal injuries to the cyclist.

Of course, Broward accident attorney Alitowski represents clients who have been injured inbicycle accidents. Many cyclists are injured due to the negligent driving of motorists, many of whom forget that bikes are on the road, as well, do not properly check their mirror, or are otherwise negligent in their driving. Also, a bicycle rider who is injured, but not actually hit, by a motor vehicle may be able to recover damages in some instances. For instance, if the cyclist was able to evade the motor vehicle in time – by swerving, for example, or jumping off of the bike – to avoid collision, but was nonetheless injured by the evasive action, he or she may have a valid personal injury claim against the negligent driver of the car.

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Head trauma is one of the scariest injuries a person can incur. Fort Lauderdale accident attorney Andrew Alitowski knows that families are often devastated to hear that a loved one has suffered a head injury, especially a traumatic brain injury, which can occur in motor vehicle collisions and other accidents.

Head injuries are one of the most common reasons why children are hospitalized. About 0.3 percent of the general population will experience a head injury in any given year. Serious head injuries appear to be significantly more common in North America, where approximately 25 out of every 100,000 people die every year of head injuries, compared to just nine of every 100,000 in the United Kingdom. Motor vehicle accidents, falls, accidents in the home or workplace, and even intentional attacks by another person are the most common causes of head injuries.

Concussions are one of the most well-known types of head injuries, according to Broward accident lawyer William Moore. A moderately bad concussion can cause some degree of amnesia, in which the affected person experiences some degree of memory loss regarding the events before or after the injury or the events culminating in the injury. A concussion can also cause other symptoms, such as making the victim feel tired, dizzy, depressed, or ill.

Certain types of head trauma can lead to hematomas, which involve bleeding. An epidural hematoma is rapid bleeding out between the tissue surrounding the brain and the skull itself. Generally, patients will have lost consciousness and regained it, only to lose it again later. This is a serious condition that can develop even just moments after the head trauma occurs. A subdural hematoma is caused by a torn vein near the cerebral cortex. Subdural hematomas can cause death or serious, long-lasting complications and should be treated urgently.

Other types of head injuries people who have been in motor vehicle accidents may experience include cerebral contusions and diffuse axonal injury. A cerebral contusion occurs when the brain is actually bruised due to head trauma. These injuries are considered relatively severe head injuries and the prognosis varies significantly depending on the area of the brain affected. Diffuse axonal injuries, like cerebral contusions, vary from injury to injury.

Skull fractures are a fairly uncommon, but problematic injury seen with motor vehicle accidents. Skull fractures are often associated with bleeding on the brain. It can also lead to brain infections in some cases.

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Broward motor vehicle accident attorney Andrew Alitowski provides outstanding legal representation to people who have been hurt in car accidents. Unfortunately, dozens of motorists and their passengers are injured in traffic accidents in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metropolitan area every week – often in accidents that are in no way their own fault. Even if the injured person was somewhat at fault, he may still be able to recover monetary damages for his injuries.

Florida law requires drivers to purchase minimum amounts of car insurance to protect themselves and others in the event of an accident. Every driver must have $10,000 of personal injury protection and $10,000 of property damage liability. The latter covers damage to the vehicles while the former protects the driver. Specifically, personal injury protection provides payments for the medical care of the driver and family members who reside with the driver, if they were passengers.

Unfortunately, Broward car accident lawyers Alitowski & Moore know all too well that many motorists drive without car insurance, which they are required to have. Many drivers opt to purchase insurance to cover their own injuries or damages if they are hit by an uninsured or underinsured motorist. Although such insurance is not required by Florida law, many insurers recommend it as an extra precaution.

Other frequently recommended insurance includes bodily injury coverage. This add-on provides for the medical expenses and other associated costs in the event that you injure another person on the roads. Likewise, if you are seriously injured and sue the other driver to cover the costs of your injuries, these will likely be paid from their bodily injury insurance coverage if the other motorist had elected to purchase that coverage.

The Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys of Alitowski & Moore understand the complex nature of insurance claims and litigation. Some motorists who are injured are inadequately reimbursed by their own or the other driver’s insurance, or are perhaps not paid any compensation for their injuries at all. Motorists are frequently injured on the south Florida roadways due to the negligent driving behaviors of others, such as speeding, careless or reckless driving, and even drunk driving. These dangerous behaviors hurt innocent people who deserve to be compensated for the medical bills and other expenses. Each year there are approximately six million car accidents in the United States, which cause about three million injuries. Although these injuries range in severity from the very minor to critical, they can be tremendously expensive. Even a simple injury, such as a broken arm, can cost well over $10,000 when the x-rays, follow-up visits, and even surgery or an ambulance ride are factored in.

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Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers Andrew Alitowski and William Moore represent clients who have suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents. Although individual client experiences vary, there are several common injuries that victims of car accidents sustain. Upon impact, the body moves in the direction of the blow, a somewhat counterintuitive process. If your car is involved in a frontal collision, you will be thrust forward; if it is hit from the side, you will be pulled in the direction of the impact. Broward car accident attorneys Alitowski and Moore are familiar with the science behind your injuries.

The passengers of vehicles that are hit from behind often suffer painful neck and cervical spine injuries. Although a vehicle’s head rest is designed to absorb some of the shock, the impact from behind can cause long-term neck problems in addition to other injuries. In a collision on the front side of the car, the passengers may sustain injuries affecting their legs and ankles. Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer Andrew Alitowski is also knowledgeable about injuries to the neck, head, and other body parts resulting from a frontal collision. Pelvic injuries sustained in a car accident, which are often indicative of severe trauma to the body in general, can cause significant pain and may be related to internal injuries.

Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident attorneys Alitowski and Moore also advise clients that motorcyclists who are involved in a motor vehicle accident often sustain very severe injuries. In fact, motorcyclists are about 35 times more likely to die in an accident than people in a car. For that reason, the Broward car accident lawyers encourage safety measures such as wearing helmets. Even if you are a safe motorcyclist, the cars around you may not be operated by good drivers. Taking safety precautions could save your life.

Broward motor vehicle accident lawyers Alitowski and Moore also represent pedestrians who have been struck by cars. The elderly and young children are among the people most likely to sustain an injury as a pedestrian. You may have suffered leg injuries as a result of being hit with the front of the vehicle. Worse, a pedestrian who is hit from the front may be swept onto the car, hitting the windshield. These types of accidents result in particularly dangerous injuries, especially to the torso and the head of the pedestrian.

Motor vehicle accidents can cause painful, long-lasting, even permanent injuries. These injuries severely affect quality of life and may cause continuing psychological distress. The mental anguish in the aftermath of a car accident should not be treated lightly. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a possible consequence. Feelings of anxiety, anger, and even guilt may occur in addition to the physical symptoms of injury. The Fort Lauderdale motor vehicle accident lawyers believe that people who have experienced the stress and trauma of a serious car accident should always seek counseling and other assistance whenever necessary to cope with the aftermath of the accident.

Continue reading "Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney: Common Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries" »

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Broward car accident attorneys Andrew Alitowski and William Moore represent clients who suffer serious injuries in auto accidents. When another person’s bad driving or negligent decisions leave you in the hospital, you deserve to recover monetary damages from your injuries. Our Palm Beach car accident lawyers know that the injuries received during a car crash can have a lasting impact. Pain management is an issue for many of our clients who have been injured in car accidents. The ongoing pain and long-lasting or permanent injuries can cause difficulties in retaining employment. For example, if you can no longer perform your duties at work because of an injury, you will probably be unable to stay at that position. It can be difficult to provide for your family. Consistent pain management problems add a tremendous amount of stress to your day-to-day life. A Broward car accident lawyer can provide legal representation so that you can pay your medical expenses, care for your family, and have some peace of mind after the auto accident.

The laws of the state of Florida allow people who have been hurt in car accidents to recover for their damages. The amount you are eligible to recover will depend on the determination a civil court or jury makes with regard to the fault of each party. For example, imagine that Betty was driving her compact car late one night when she came upon a deserted red light. After momentarily slowing down, Betty decided to go ahead and make her left turn through the red light figuring that she was anxious to get home and no one was around anyway. Because she failed to stop, she did not spot George, who had a green light at the same intersection. George was driving his sport utility vehicle without his headlights on, despite the near-complete darkness. The two vehicles collide. George received a broken arm and some minor bruising, while Betty sustained far more serious injuries. Betty’s injuries required surgery and a lengthy stay in the hospital.

Betty can sue George for her injuries. George might file a counterclaim for the medical expenses from his broken arm. In this case, a Broward court might feasibly determine that each driver was 50 percent at fault, because both were negligent and failed to obey traffic laws. The court will award Betty half of the total cost of her medical expenses plus any other damages she is eligible for, minus half of George’s medical expenses. That way, each is responsible for half of the total injuries.

Palm Beach car accident lawyer Andrew Alitowski encourages you to contact his office to discuss the details of your specific case. If another driver was entirely or even just partially responsible for causing your injuries, he will be responsible for damages. This is true even if the court believes you were more at fault than the other driver, although the extent of the damages to each party is an important consideration when determining whether a personal injury lawsuit is the next appropriate step. Palm Beach car accident attorney Alitowski will be happy to meet with you to discuss your legal options after an auto accident.

Below is a video of a real car accident that shows the danger of running red lights late at night:

Continue reading "Broward/Palm Beach Car Accident Lawyer – Injuries Sustained in Auto Accidents" »

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Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer Andrew Alitowski provides legal representation for people who suffer injuries due to another person’s actions. In particular, he represents a number of clients who were injured in automobile accidents. In those cases, the driver of the other vehicle was usually negligent in his driving and caused an accident that seriously injured another person. The most tragic of these cases are wrongful death suits, in which the family or estate of a person killed in a car accident sues the driver.

Although a car accident lawsuit cannot relieve your pain or bring back a deceased family member, monetary damages can improve your quality of life. For instance, you may be able to cover medical bills or support yourself if you can no longer work. The monetary damages won in a wrongful death suit will go toward the support of family left behind, such as a widowed spouse or children. It may also be put toward the medical costs incurred after the car accident, but prior to the death of the family member.

As a Broward car accident attorney, Andrew Alitowski also assists families who seek to sue government entities and businesses for the negligent driving of their employees. If the negligent driver was working during the accident, the business or government agency for whom he works may be financially responsible for the damages he caused.

For example, the city of Fort Lauderdale settled a wrongful death suit related to an automobile accident late last month. In March 2007, Fort Lauderdale police detective Christopher Young-Tem was driving on Sistrunk Boulevard when he hit pedestrian Donald Perry, who was 49. Young-Tem was driving to Lincoln Park to investigate a report of gunshots in the area at the time of the accident. Perry died at the scene due to his grievous injuries. The incident angered Perry’s local community, although the police department determined that Detective Young-Tem did not act wrongly in the events leading to Perry’s death. Detective Young-Tem had been involved in a similar pedestrian auto accident only a month prior to the car accident that killed Perry. In that case, he struck a woman who was crossing I-595 with his police car. She survived the accident and the detective was also cleared of wrongdoing in that accident. The Fort Lauderdale detective did not face criminal charges in either case.

The Fort Lauderdale city commissioners voted to settle the lawsuit with the victim’s family for $65,000 and to avoid a civil trial on the matter. The victim’s family or estate administrator would have agreed to that sum after negotiations with the city.

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If you have been injured in a car accident, contact Broward car accident lawyer Andrew Alitowski as soon as possible after the accident. Our experienced auto accident attorneys will evaluate the facts of your case thoroughly, because you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. The negligence of another driver can cause wrongful deaths and permanent injury.

In some cases, it is not easy to determine all of the causes of the car accident. We will evaluate factors such as weather conditions. Heavy rain and wind are the most common inclement weather conditions. As you can see in this video, a driver’s inexperience in driving in hazardous conditions may make it negligent for him to undertake the task:

Of course, snowy or icy roads are unheard of in Broward County, but the video provides insight into how negligent driving and bad conditions can wreak havoc on the roads. Rain can cause slick driving conditions, as well, which results in significant damage to vehicles and passengers:

A court will examine the degree to which each driver is at fault and award damages accordingly. For example, if you are in a car accident that was 20 percent your own fault and 80 percent the fault of the other driver, you will be awarded 80 percent of your damages.
Florida auto accident lawyers Alitowski and Moore are also accustomed to handling cases involving Florida’s dangerous instrumentality law. If another person drives your car with your permission and hurts someone, you will be responsible for the damages. For the law to apply, you must actually be an owner of the car. For example, a car that you purchased for your child will not apply if you do not truly maintain an ownership interest and your child is over the age of 18. Also, permission to drive is construed fairly broadly. For example, a court might determine that your permission was implied based on previous actions, like regularly allowing your co-worker to use your car to pick up coffee. If your co-worker drives your car negligently and injures another person, you can be held liable for the damages.

If you have been injured in a car accident in Broward, Palm Beach, or Miami-Dade Counties, contact the experienced south Florida auto accident lawyers at Alitowski & Moore.

Continue reading "Broward Car Accident Attorney – Holding the Owner Liable for Damages" »

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