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LEAD STORY AUTO ACCIDENTS Do I Need an Attorney After a Wreck? Managing injuries, emotions, and financial losses after a motor vehicle collision is overwhelming — and you pay nothing unless the claim succeeds. READ THE ARTICLE →

AUTO ACCIDENTS Florida Drunk Driving and Punitive Damages READ MORE →

INSURANCE / PIP Can I Be Denied PIP for Failing to List a Household Resident? READ MORE →

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01 HOW TO HANDLE YOUR FLORIDA AUTOMOBILE PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIM In Florida, property damage claims in motor vehicle cases follow a specific process, and the way they are handled can depend on whether you’re dealing with your own insurance company, another driver’s insurance company, or both. Here’s how the general process works: 1. Report the Accident Immediately after the accident, it’s important to call law […] SPINNER LAW FIRM February 26, 2025 02 FLORIDA GOLF CART INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS AND ACCIDENTS Golf cart ownership in the state of Florida is on the rise. With Florida’s warm and sunny climate, it’s not unusual to see golf carts zipping around everywhere. Golf carts aren’t just used on golf courses these days, as originally intended. In many gated and retirement communities, golf carts have become a popular means of […] SPINNER LAW FIRM January 28, 2025 03 Five Reasons to Hire Spinner Law Firm for Your Serious Injury Case After an accident, deciding on the right lawyer for your personal injury case can be overwhelming. At Spinner Law Firm, we provide the perfect blend of experience, care, and dedicated attention to maximize your compensation. Below are key reasons why we stand out as the best choice for your case: Specialized Expertise While larger law […] SPINNER LAW FIRM January 17, 2025 04 I’m often asked whether making an auto accident claim will cause an increase in my insurance premiums. Well, the answer is no. According to Florida law, your car insurance should not go up after a crash, unless you were “substantially at fault.” Florida Statute Section 626.9541 states that an insurer cannot raise your premiums for liability, personal injury protection (“PIP”), medical payments coverage, or collision coverage solely because you were involved in […] SPINNER LAW FIRM November 8, 2024 05 DOES FAILURE TO WEAR A SEATBELT TANK MY PERSONAL INJURY CASE? To prevail on the seatbelt defense in Florida, a defendant must prove three elements. First, that the plaintiff failed to use an available and operational seatbelt. Second, that the plaintiff’s failure to use the seatbelt was unreasonable under the circumstances. Third, that the plaintiff’s failure to use the seatbelt caused or contributed substantially to the […] SPINNER LAW FIRM November 6, 2024 06 Is the other driver personally liable for my injuries after a Florida car crash? Some people think that when you file a lawsuit or claim for personal injuries, you are going after the other individual, personally. This is not true. In almost every scenario, even though you must name the other person individually, their insurance company steps in on their behalf to do what is called “defend and indemnify” […] SPINNER LAW FIRM August 28, 2024 07 Dangers of Social Media on your Personal Injury Case People often ask, how does social media impact my personal injury case? Well, the fact is, that social media posts can hurt your case and cause you to lose valuable compensation. Even if your profile is set to private, social media postings are considered public statements in Florida and can be accessed by the insurance […] SPINNER LAW FIRM May 7, 2024 08 Dangers of Quick Settlement People ask me, should I accept an early settlement offer from the insurance company? Moments after a serious accident, the insurance company may be trying to offer you a quick settlement. They will say almost anything to convince you that they are trying to help you. Early and cheap settlement saves the insurance company money […] SPINNER LAW FIRM 09 FLORIDA REAR END CRASHES People often ask me, who is responsible for a rear end auto accident? In Florida, liability in a rear-end collision is generally placed on the driver who rear ends the other vehicle. Florida Courts have long recognized a presumption of negligence in the case of a rear end crash in Florida. However, this is just […] SPINNER LAW FIRM January 19, 2024 10 FLORIDA’S NEW MOVE OVER LAW People often ask us, how does Florida’s new move over law work? The truth is Florida already had a move over law that required you to move over a lane for first responders, and other emergency vehicles. The new law, that went into effect on January 1, is expanded to include all disabled vehicles. This […] SPINNER LAW FIRM 11 FLORIDA JURY DUTY People often ask us, how are jurors selected for service? The truth is prospective jurors are randomly selected from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle records. These records include residents eighteen years of age or older who are licensed drivers, and those who have a Florida Identification card. Jury service will last […] SPINNER LAW FIRM 12 Personal Injury Lawyer Thonotosassa Exploring the Nuances of Personal Injury Law in the South and North Personal injury law is one of the most popular fields of law around, and its application can vary based on geographic locations as the way cases are tried vary from region to region. In the United States, the South and the North present […] SPINNER LAW FIRM November 22, 2023 13 Understanding the basics of House Bill 837 Florida has recently enacted sweeping changes to its tort system. The tort reform bill (House Bill 837) was signed into law on March 24, 2023, and impacts many facets of tort law, including the following broad categories: Modified Comparative Negligence is the new standard. Florida replaced its pure comparative negligence system with a modified comparative […] SPINNER LAW FIRM April 10, 2023 14 Introduction of Medical Bills in Medicare Personal Injury Cases It is often asked whether a Plaintiff may introduce the gross amount of his or her past medical bills into evidence in a personal injury trial? The simple answer is it depends. In cases where past medical expenses were paid by private health insurance, the Court in Nationwide Mut. Fire Ins. V. Harrell held that […] SPINNER LAW FIRM November 15, 2022 15 What is a Durable Power of Attorney? A durable power of attorney is one of the legal documents generally included in a basic estate plan. It is the document wherein the person signing the document, commonly referred to as the “Principal”, appoints someone of legal age to be his or her “agent” or “attorney-in-fact” and grants certain delineated powers to that agent. […] SPINNER LAW FIRM August 17, 2022 16 What if you are hit by someone driving an Uber or Lyft? Florida law (Fla. Stat. 627.748) requires drivers for transportation network companies (e.g. Uber and Lyft) to carry personal automobile insurance coverage of at least $50,000 for death and bodily injury per person and $25,000 for property damage, while the driver is logged onto the digital network but NOT engaged in a prearranged ride. When the […] SPINNER LAW FIRM January 18, 2022 17 How does Florida UM subrogation law work in car accidents? If another driver’s negligence caused the accident, and that driver has insufficient liability insurance coverage, you may look to your own Underinsured Motorist (UM) coverage recover additional damages for your injuries. If you decide to settle your liability claim against the underinsured driver, you must follow the procedure set out in the Florida Statutes which […] SPINNER LAW FIRM November 4, 2020 18 WILL MY INSURANCE PREMIUMS INCREASE IF I USE MY PIP? A common questions we hear asked is about PIP insurance coverage. Many clients express concern that their insurance rates will go up or their policy will be cancelled if they use their PIP insurance benefits after a car accident. The general answer is that using your PIP insurance benefits should not cause your rates to […] PIP REFORM September 4, 2020 19 New Law Cracking Down On Texting While Driving Passed By Fl Senate Texting while driving is an epidemic on Florida’s roadways leading to countless accidents. Florida’s legislature is taking steps to end this practice. Under Florida’s existing law, enforcement of texting while driving is a secondary offense, meaning that law enforcement would have to pull you over for another reason besides texting. Senate Bill 76 says that […] SPINNER LAW FIRM May 24, 2019 20 How Social Media can affect your personal injury claim Social media has become a core part of everyday life. The statistics on usage are staggering. A snapshot of data compiled by Pew Research Center shows: Facebook remains the most widely used adult social media platform at 68% and spans across a wide range of demographic groups. Young adult usage of social media is even […] BRAIN INJURY February 19, 2019 21 Car Insurance for Snowbirds Winter is in full swing and while our neighbors up north are shoveling snow and defrosting their cars, Zephyrhills and the surrounding Pasco County communities are brimming with snowbirds. Just drive around Zephyrhills in January and you are bound to see license plates from everywhere, especially Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Ontario, Canada. In the winter […] BRAIN INJURY January 19, 2016 22 No Liability for Rental Car Companies A loophole in Florida law allows rental car drivers visiting from out-of-state to avoid providing proof of insurance when renting a vehicle. Rental car companies in the state have little incentive to require or even push for out of state renters to provide proof of insurance because of a federal law known as the Graves […] BRAIN INJURY September 26, 2015 23 I was hurt in an Uber Vehicle – Who will pay for my injuries? The popularity of ride share services such as Uber raise the question of who is responsible for injuries while traveling as a passenger in an Uber vehicle. If the Uber driver caused your damages, then you can make a claim with the James River Insurance company. They insure the ride-share for up to one million […] BRAIN INJURY September 3, 2015 24 Proposals for Settlement A legal tool known as a “proposal for settlement” is commonly utilized to put pressure on the other party to settle a lawsuit. This strategy concerns Florida Statute 768.79 and Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.442, and involves assessing attorneys’ fees and costs for a prevailing party or party that offered to settle a case […] BRAIN INJURY July 14, 2015 25 Probate Real Estate – Practical Considerations for Realtors In our legal representation of personal representatives through the probate of their loved ones’ estates we often encounter questions related to the ownership and transfer of real estate. The purpose of this article is to provide some practical information regarding what probate is, who is authorized to contract to list probate real estate for sale, […] BRAIN INJURY April 27, 2015 26 My Child Turns 18 and Now I Need a Power of Attorney Recently I traveled to North Carolina with my oldest daughter to attend an interview for college admission. As we were checking in at the airline ticketing counter and producing our IDs to the airline agent I suddenly realized that my daughter, my baby, is legally an adult. We celebrated her 18th birthday this past October, […] BRAIN INJURY January 21, 2015 27 Why you should wait to settle your personal injury case After an accident, the insurance company may be calling you encouraging you to settle your claim for injuries as quickly as possible. An accident can cause all kinds of financial strain on you and your family. Medical expenses can add up fast and you may be missing time from work due to your injuries. Insurance […] BRAIN INJURY January 15, 2015 28 PIP exemption questioned- from the Tampa Tribune An ordinance passed last year to crack down on fake-accident fraud has boiled up as a campaign issue in a Hillsborough County commission race because of a last-minute exemption given to a well-known company. The county ordinance set tough regulations for pain and chiropractic clinics that primarily treat accident victims covered by Personal Injury Protection, […] BRAIN INJURY December 15, 2014 29 Accident Reports – How Are They Used In Personal Injury Cases? Florida law requires that a Florida Traffic Crash Report, Long Form be completed and submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days after an automobile accident investigation is completed by law enforcement if the crash resulted in personal injury to, or any indication of complaints of pain or discomfort by any of the […] BRAIN INJURY October 9, 2014 30 Advanced Frontal Air Bags The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has determined that advanced frontal air bags save lives. Although air bags have been saving lives since the 1980’s, advanced frontal air bags hadn’t reached commercial production until 2004. They use sophisticated sensors to determine whether, when and how much to deploy. Since it’s not always advantageous for […] BRAIN INJURY August 1, 2014 31 Pedestrian Safety – Danger on the Florida Roadways According t to a 2014 nationwide study known as Dangerous By Design four Florida cities, Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami and our own Tampa are the most dangerous cities in the U.S. for pedestrians. To those familiar with our local roadways, sadly, the study should come as no surprise. The Dangerous by Design study evaluates America’s cities […] BRAIN INJURY July 11, 2014 32 Safety tips to help avoid boating accidents Pleasure boating is a popular pass time, especially in the summer months. Personal Injury Attorney Charles Spinner talks about the laws that effect Florida boaters and provides some tips to keep you and your passengers safe and avoid a serious watercraft injury. Get Trained Inexperience is a leading cause of boat related injuries and death. […] BRAIN INJURY June 19, 2014 33 Summer Roadway Safety The school year is ending and summer fun is coming in to full swing for Tampa Bay families. Summer is a time to enjoy the warmer months and make great memories with the people you love. Beaching, boating, and cooking out, nothing beats spending time with family and friends enjoying the summer season. With summer […] BRAIN INJURY June 4, 2014 34 How to Stay Safe at Dangerous Intersections Florida has some of the most dangerous intersections in the country. According to the State of Florida DOT, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk Counties are on its top ten list for vehicle crashes involving bicycles or pedestrians. Many of the crashes are deadly. Statewide, 500 people a year die in these kinds of crashes. Just this […] BRAIN INJURY May 21, 2014 35 Teen Driving Contracts Turning the car keys over to a teen driver can be one of the most difficult and scariest things a parent will face. Teen drivers are new to the roadways and often lack experience to properly deal with hazards on the roadway and avoid an accident. At Spinner Law Firm, Tampa Auto Accident Attorneys, we […] BRAIN INJURY May 12, 2014 36 Understanding Contingency Fees Only a limited number of attorneys accept cases on a contingency fee. Under this type of arrangement, the client pays no money out of pocket to hire a lawyer. Instead, the lawyer’s fee is solely dependant upon the successful handling of the case and paid directly from the settlement proceeds. Contingency fee agreements are most […] BRAIN INJURY March 11, 2014 37 Sports and Head Trauma We have all heard so much recently about traumatic brain injuries suffered by NFL players and the long term health effects of their injuries. An article in a recent edition of the New York Times covers the new developments in on field brain injury detection and treatment. Football is a violent game and injuries are […] BRAIN INJURY March 1, 2014 38 Insurance Industry Challenges Temporary PIP Injunction The 1st District Court of Appeal heard arguments last week from the Office of Insurance Regulation to remove a temporary injunction from a lower court against HB 119, passed in 2012. The law allegedly aimed at reducing personal injury protection (PIP) fraud and lowering auto insurance rates, effectively excludes the services of massage therapists and […] SPINNER LAW FIRM September 23, 2013 39 Understanding Health Insurance Subrogation Even though Florida’s PIP statute provides that the first $10,000 of your medical treatment is covered by your Personal Injury Protection coverage, there are many instances where the need for ongoing treatment results in the payment of medical bills by your health insurance carrier. Although your injuries may have resulted solely due to someone else’s […] SPINNER LAW FIRM August 13, 2013 40 DISTRACTED DRIVING Distracted or inattentive driving is when a driver engages in any activity that might distract them from the primary task of driving — and increases their risk of crashing. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Over 3,000 people are killed each year in accidents involving distracted driving and over 300,000 people are injured […] CAR ACCIDENTS July 29, 2013 41 Florida’s Dram Shop Act – Responsibility for Injuries Caused by a Drunk Driver Florida, like many other states, has enacted laws to shield furnishers of alcohol from liability arising from the alcohol they provide to customers except under very specific circumstances. Florida Statute §768.125 provides that any person who sells or furnishes alcohol to someone of legal age cannot be held liable in a civil lawsuit for injuries […] CAR ACCIDENTS July 10, 2013 42 Pool Safety and Injuries Summer is upon us and millions of children across the United States, and especially in sunny Florida, will be enjoying swimming in a pool. Unfortunately, a study released by the American Journal of Emergency Medicine in March, 2013 reveals that swimming pool injuries are on the rise. According to the study, there is a swimming […] SPINNER LAW FIRM June 4, 2013 43 The Importance of an Accident Report In most instances, the investigating police officer to the scene of an auto accident will interview the drivers, passengers, and any witnesses and ask them what happened. That information will be contained in an Accident Report. The purpose of this is to document the crash and determine whether anyone is at fault and should be […] SPINNER LAW FIRM May 31, 2013 44 Estate Planning Seminar May 20, 2013 10 Most Common Estate Planning Mistakes Hampton Inn and Suites 2740 Cypress Ridge Blvd. Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 Need a will or have a few questions regarding estate Planning? Please join us for a free Estate Planning Seminar by Anissa Morris, ESQ. Seating is limited, so please RSVP right away. Refreshments and light hors devours will be served. For more information: […] SPINNER LAW FIRM May 6, 2013 45 Texting while driving ban passes Florida Senate TALLAHASSEE – Texting while driving could soon be illegal in Florida. The state Senate unanimously approved a bill (SB 52) Tuesday that would make texting while driving a secondary offense. That means police have to first stop drivers for an offense like speeding. A first violation would be a $30 fine plus court costs. A […] CAR ACCIDENTS April 16, 2013 46 Article about Spinner Law Firm in New Tampa Neighborhood News by Kathleen Schiop It is never an easy task finding a professional to assist us with our needs. Even more difficult is finding an attorney, especially when you have been involved in a crisis situation, such as an auto accident. Do you pay attention to the advertising saturating television or radio? Or would you rather trust recommendations from […] SPINNER LAW FIRM April 2, 2013 47 Top five automobile safety features 2013 Safety is huge for drivers, but is never a guarantee. Even after every precaution is taken, accidents are still prone to happen. Auto makers are aware of this, and are going great lengths to make their cars safer for the driver and those around them. Here are some new technologies that are emerging in the […] CAR ACCIDENTS February 28, 2013 48 Law changes in rear-end accidents The Florida Supreme Court recently overturned fifty years of legal precedent by ruling that a driver who causes an automobile accident by running into another vehicle from behind can argue, and a jury may consider, that the driver who was struck was also at fault, or comparatively negligent. The Court felt that the legal doctrine of […] CAR ACCIDENTS January 29, 2013 49 Divorce or Dissolution – Spot the Difference Separation is often a difficult thing to do for all parties involved, and in some cases, it can also be confusing. Take the difference between divorce and dissolution for example, wherein both are sometimes equated to just mean the former with the latter being relatively unknown. So in the interest of helping those who might […] SPINNER LAW FIRM January 16, 2013 50 Expectations on Enforcing Child Support One major stress in any family law case or divorce is how to enforce child support.Child support is an issue that a lot of people have to deal with in family law, and this could not be more of a significant matter than with those who have to pay for it. But the subject that […] SPINNER LAW FIRM January 9, 2013 51 New Changes in Estate Tax Laws Within the past year or so there has been a lot of speculation as to the future of estate tax basic exclusion amount and how we should appropriately plan to minimize estate taxes. Now that January 1, 2013 has passed and Congress averted the “fiscal cliff”, at least somewhat, I hear little mentioned in the […] SPINNER LAW FIRM January 8, 2013 52 Changes in Florida Laws in 2013 The new year brings in a number of new laws and changes, ranging from a pay increase for minimum-wage workers to new specialty license plates and a measure aimed at reducing motor vehicle accident fraud. The minimum wage in Florida increased 12 cents, to $7.79 an hour Tuesday for the estimated 210,000 minimum wage workers […] PIP REFORM 53 When Does Child Support End? Child support is an aspect of family law that is definitely one of the more serious issues that parents who are separated have to deal with, and any information that pertains to it is crucial. This includes the timeline that is involved which dictates for how long child support could last and under what conditions […] SPINNER LAW FIRM January 2, 2013 54 5 Quallities to look for in a Family Law Attorney 5 Qualities to Look For in a Family Law Attorney Divorce cases need lawyers that are competent and trustworthy so as to make sure that as little hassle as possible comes up. So if a divorce/ family law attorney that can get things done is wanted, here are the top qualities that they should have. […] SPINNER LAW FIRM December 19, 2012 55 Truck Bed Dangers There are dangers in riding in pick-up truck beds, and as fun as riding in the back of a truck with a bunch of buddies sounds, it’s dangerous. Here are some of the dangers of riding in the bed of a pick-up truck: No seat belts – There are no seat belts in a pick-up […] CAR ACCIDENTS December 18, 2012 56 Wrong-Way Driving Crashes Claim Hundreds of Lives WASHINGTON (AP) — Hundreds of people are killed each a year when drivers turn the wrong-way into the face of oncoming traffic on high-speed highways, and a majority of the crashes involve drivers with blood alcohol levels more than twice the legal limit, a federal accident researcher said Tuesday. The National Transportation Safety Board was […] CAR ACCIDENTS December 11, 2012 57 Careful of Dangerous Toys Some toys on store shelves this holiday season could cause choking, have toxic components or damage children’s ears, according to the annual report of the Public Interest Research Group, a consumer advocacy organization. According to the group’s research, choking — on small toy parts, on small balls and on balloons — is the leading cause […] SPINNER LAW FIRM December 6, 2012 58 Should Florida ban texting while driving? U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today called for Florida to join 39 other states in enacting laws prohibiting motorists from texting while driving. “Florida needs to pass a distracted-driving law,” LaHood told nearly 300 people during the state’s first distracted-driving summit at the Tampa Convention Center, following similar sessions in Texas and Illinois. […] SPINNER LAW FIRM November 14, 2012 59 Top 5 Biggest Distractions When Driving Today more than ever, drivers face the temptation to be distracted while driving. It seems there is more than ever before to be distracted with, many of those distractions having to do with advances in technology. From children in the car, to music, to other drivers, it is not hard to be distracted while driving. […] SPINNER LAW FIRM November 10, 2012 60 Helmets Can Save You From A Serious Brain Injury Helmet laws are often a source of debate, and people argue about whether they should be mandatory for bicyclists and those who ride motorcycles. Regardless of where one stands on the debate, it is always wise to wear a helmet. The advantages clearly outweigh the annoyances, and helmets have saved many lives through the […] BRAIN INJURY November 2, 2012 61 Brain Injuries Will Effect Your Life Suffering a serious vehicle accident may result in brain injuries that take away a victims’ ability to earn a living, communicate adequately with others or even remain consistently aware of his or her environment. Coping with a devastating brain injury experienced by family member or loved one due to the negligence of another driver is […] SPINNER LAW FIRM October 29, 2012 62 Animal/Vehicle Collisions Staying safe during your commute can be a challenge, especially when it involves an unexpected deer or other animal runningacross the road. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that nearly one-quarter of all animal and vehicle crashes result in some form of bodily injury or vehicle damage. Whether driving in the country or […] SPINNER LAW FIRM October 18, 2012 63 5 Tips For Making An Injury Claim When you are making an injury claim with your Florida personal injury attorney, there are five steps that you must follow to ensure that your claim is processed quickly and fairly. 1. Tell Your Attorney Everything. You must disclose everything to your attorney, good or bad. Tell your attorney about the incident in complete detail, […] SPINNER LAW FIRM October 11, 2012 64 A tool that could save your life Every driver has a concern about being trapped in a vehicle in an accident. First, there is the worry about being unable to release a seat belt because it is jammed or if the release is inaccessible. Second, there are the difficulties of escaping a vehicle that has been submerged in water. Water pressure may […] CAR ACCIDENTS October 9, 2012 65 Anissa Morris “Thumbs up for Attorney Anissa Morris on her one year anniversary in partnership with Spinner Law Firm. A talented, hardworking and upbeat professional, Anissa is a valuable member of our team. Consider Anissa Morris for your Estate Planning needs, you’ll be happy you did.” SPINNER LAW FIRM October 4, 2012 66 Suffering in an Unthinkable Accident: How a Brain Injury Lawyer Can Help You Brain injury accidents can happen in a variety of ways. Maybe you are working with a large piece of equipment that hits you in the head. Maybe you slip and fall on the floor of your local grocery store. Whatever the case, it is important for you to find a zealous legal advocate for your […] SPINNER LAW FIRM September 28, 2012 67 A Brain Injury Attorney Can Help Ease Challenges for Victims and Families The chances of sustaining permanent brain damage increases whenever someone receives a blow to the head or neck area. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is the medical term to describe the effect that a sudden jolt or blow to the head can cause. Brain function becomes disrupted and the victim may lose consciousness immediately after the […] SPINNER LAW FIRM September 25, 2012 68 Cars with the highest injury rates Don’t get in a traffic accident in a tiny Toyota Yaris. It has the most injuries per crash of any vehicle, according to an insurance industry study. The Highway Loss Data Institute looked at insurance data for model year 2009 through 2011 vehicles and found Yaris occupants filed personal injury claims 28.5 times for every […] CAR ACCIDENTS 69 14 year old driver has fatal accident According to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, Florida residents are eligible for a driving permit at the age of 15. Residents must hold a permit for 12 months before getting a license. Drivers aged 16 in Florida may only drive between 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., if accompanied by an adult 21 years or older […] CAR ACCIDENTS September 18, 2012 70 What to do if you are a passenger in an automobile accident Do you know what to do if you are the passenger in an automobile involved in an accident? If you are the driver, you call your insurance company and file a claim. If you are a driver and its the other party’s fault, you call his insurance company. But what do you do if you […] CAR ACCIDENTS September 13, 2012 71 Florida Lawmakers, it’s time for texting while driving ban! Patience may be a virtue. However, it makes for tragic road safety policy.Last year, texting behind the wheel led to at least 180 crashes in Florida, distracted driving led to 25,156 crashes—surely a low-ball estimate from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. A fair share of those involved texting behind the wheel. But […] CAR ACCIDENTS September 11, 2012 72 Drowsy Driving Prevention Week Sept. 1-7, 2012 TALLAHASSEE, Fla.– A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found 37 percent of Americans admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel. Sleepiness slows reaction time, decreases awareness, impairs judgment and increases the risk of crashing. That is why the Florida Legislature designated the first week of September every year as Drowsy Driving Prevention […] CAR ACCIDENTS September 6, 2012 73 Brain Injury Attorney in Florida Everyday, hundreds of people end up in the hospital because of a brain injury. The results of a brain injury can be devastating. Millions of people have had been permanently disabled after suffering a head injury. People whose head injury was caused by another person’s negligence should call a brain injury attorney Florida. People who […] BRAIN INJURY August 27, 2012 74 Returning troops find new dangers on US roadways America’s military troops who are surviving the hazards of foreign battlefields are returning only to find new risks on domestic roadways. According to a just-released study by USAA, troops coming off deployment had 13% more at-fault auto accidents compared to their time before deployment. Losing control of the vehicle was the most common type of […] CAR ACCIDENTS May 30, 2012 75 Be Cautious of Pedestrians Spinner Law Firm understands that our local beaches are one of the areas hottest spots to visit. It can also be one of the most dangerous spots in the area. During this time of year we’ve got visitors from all over the country making this their vacation destination. We’ve also got all of the locals enjoying […] SPINNER LAW FIRM May 24, 2012 76 Parents should prepare teen drivers for summer months Parents of teenagers who drive should prepare them for summer driving by going over safety tips with these young drivers. The months between Memorial Day and Labor Day are extremely deadly for drivers aged 15 to 20 years old, according to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Wear Seatbelts: Tell teenagers that […] SPINNER LAW FIRM May 15, 2012 77 May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is here, arriving right on the heels of a sad string of fatal motorcycle accidents occurring all across Florida over the past few months- reminders of the harsh reality that compared to other motorists, motorcyclists face far greater risk of serious injury, and death. In fact, motorcycle accident victims are 25 […] MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS May 10, 2012 78 Couple perish in traffic accident A married couple were killed in a crash on Interstate 4 this morning when they were ejected from an SUV after being cut off, troopers said. The crash, which happened at 6:10 a.m., closed westbound I-4 near Plant City for several hours during the busy morning commute. The couple were traveling west in a 2004 […] CAR ACCIDENTS May 3, 2012 79 Car Accidents can be more dangerous for women Women have a higher risk of a serious injury in a car accident than men, a new study reports. Researchers said that’s because vehicle safety equipment isn’t made for women’s bodies, which tend to be lighter and shorter than men’s bodies. The study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, shows that women are 47 […] SPINNER LAW FIRM April 25, 2012 80 Tampa Bay Buccaneer awarded $3.4 million in civil suit A Florida jury awarded a former Tampa Bay Buccaneers fullback $3.4 million in connection with a 2009 car accident. B.J. Askew suffered neck injuries in a rear-end collision that forced the NFL franchise to place him on the team’s Non-Football Injured Reserve List. Askew’s car was rear-ended as he drove to practice on Oct. 12, […] CAR ACCIDENTS April 19, 2012 81 Additional PIP information… TALLAHASSEE — A Tampa company has sent fliers to chiropractors suggesting ways to capitalize on potential loopholes in new legislation aimed at denting the runaway fraud plaguing Florida’s mandatory motor vehicle no-fault law. The legislation (HB 119) — which hasn’t yet reached the governor’s desk — still requires all Florida drivers to carry $10,000 in […] SPINNER LAW FIRM April 17, 2012 82 Distracted Driving Awareness Month The National Safety Council promotes April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month and encourages everyone to take the NSC pledge to drive cell free at nsc.org/pledge. Thousands of fatal crashes each year involve drivers using cell phones. “It’s time to start changing the social acceptance of cell phone use while driving,” said Janet Froetscher, president and […] SPINNER LAW FIRM April 12, 2012 83 Precious Cargo Did you know? An estimated 8,959 lives were saved by child restraints from 1975 to 2008. According to the National Highway Safety and Traffic Administration, “Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for (children) ages 3 to 14 (based on 2006 figures, which are the latest mortality data currently available from the National […] SPINNER LAW FIRM April 10, 2012 84 Florida Dept. of Transportation will stop employees of public transit system from driving while distracted U.S. DOT’s Federal Transit Administration is working with the Florida Department of Transportation to stop employees of public transit systems from driving while distracted. The Federal Transit Administration said this week that it is partnering with the Florida Department of Transportation in an effort to reduce distracted driving among employees of public transit systems. The […] CAR ACCIDENTS March 28, 2012 85 National Transportation Safety Board will host forum on distracted driving The National Transportation Safety Board, an independent group that is the nation’s leading federal safety advocate, is hosting a forum in Washington later this month to discuss the topic and potential solutions. Last year the group called for a nationwide ban on cell phone use while driving. “Attentive Driving: Countermeasures for Distraction” is set for Tuesday, […] SPINNER LAW FIRM March 22, 2012 86 PIP REFORM IN FLORIDA If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That famous quote, a favorite of moms everywhere, may never have been so true as when applied to the multi-year effort to pass reforms to our state’s personal injury protection insurance law (PIP). Despite many unsuccessful attempts over the years, Gov. Rick Scott, Chief Financial Officer […] CAR ACCIDENTS March 21, 2012 87 Senate approves auto insurance fix with zero debate The Senate — mired in hours of contentious debate just a day earlier — quickly approved an auto insurance fix on Wednesday and sent it over to the House. The 39-1 vote came without debate. Before the vote was taken, the Senate took its version of the bill dealing with personal injury protection and placed […] CAR ACCIDENTS March 8, 2012 88 Distracted Driving can cost you and your employer Talking on a cell phone for company business is a common event for many employees. However, an employer may be liable if an employee causes an accident while on the phone in the scope of doing business. A personal injury victim may be able to file suit against a driver/employee involved in a cell phone […] SPINNER LAW FIRM March 2, 2012 89 What happens if my dog bites someone? In Florida, the answer is quite simple: according to Florida Statute § 767.04, “the owner of any dog that bites any person while such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place,including the property of the owner of the dog, is liable for damages suffered by persons […] SPINNER LAW FIRM February 29, 2012 90 Personal injury protection insurance fraud law reworked A Hillsborough County ordinance aimed at curbing the growing problem of staged-accident fraud is being reworked in the face of a lawsuit challenging the law’s constitutionality. County commissioners passed the ordinance in September in an effort to close down phony medical clinics that allow the financial payoff for staged accidents. “Victims” of these bogus fender-benders go […] SPINNER LAW FIRM February 18, 2012 91 Ban On Cell Phone Use by all Commercial Drivers As we all know, use of electronic devices while driving is dangerous and a major contributor to motor vehicle accidents. Distractions caused by cell phones and texting can take a driver’s attention away from the road and have catastrophic results. In a big step towards improving driver safety, the Federal Motorist Carrier Safety Administration imposed […] SPINNER LAW FIRM February 15, 2012 92 Tips for Photographing Personal Injuries If you are involved in a car accident—or any type of accident—you would be wise to take photographs of all injuries, even if they seem minor at the time. These will be helpful for any physicians, for filing police reports and possibly for insurance disputes or legal claims. Here are some pointers legal columnist Joyce […] SPINNER LAW FIRM January 31, 2012 93 Top 5 Ways To Stay Safe During Gasparilla And Super Bowl: Floridians will have no shortage of opportunities to celebrate in the upcoming weekends. With the Gasparilla Parade in Tampa Bay this weekend and the Super Bowl kickoff set for February 5th many will be planning parties and attending events. Most will be commuting to their destinations and increasing the chances of car accidents on the […] SPINNER LAW FIRM January 25, 2012 94 April 2012: National Distracted Driving Month Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types of distractions include: Texting Using a cell phone or smartphone Eating and drinking Talking to passengers Grooming Reading, including maps, Using a navigation system Watching a video […] CAR ACCIDENTS January 18, 2012 95 Personal Injury Protection Bill A bill that would force all accident victims to go to emergency rooms instead of their family doctor, even for minor injuries, cleared a House subcommittee today. The bill (HB 119) was approved 10-5 by the Florida House Banking and Insurance Subcommittee. It aims to cut down the fraud that is rampant in the state’s […] SPINNER LAW FIRM January 16, 2012

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