• Tailgating
• Distracted driving
• Impaired driving
• Drowsy driving
• Failure to properly maintain a vehicle

1. Get to the bus stop early, so you don’t have to run to catch the bus. Many accidents occur when a running child slips and the driver can’t see him.
2. Wait for the bus in a safe place away from the road. Never sit, stand or play in or next to the road.
3. Never speak to strangers at the bus stop. If a stranger asks you to get in a car, tell an adult immediately.
4. Don’t get on the bus until the driver says it is safe to do so.
5. Wait till the driver says it’s safe to cross the street. Look both ways and cross at least 12 feet in front of the bus. Never cross behind the school bus. If you drop something, don’t try to pick it up. Ask an adult for help.
6. Use the handrail when getting on or off the school bus.
7. Stay seated while the bus is moving. Don’t change seats.
8. Wear your seatbelt.
9. Follow any instructions given by the driver.

1. Avoid distracted driving. It is easier to place the blame on the innocent driver if the driver appears to be distracted.
2. Avoid tailgating. Many staged accidents occur when the driver in front suddenly slams on his breaks.
3. Always call the police to report an accident. This will make it harder for a stager to intentionally damage his car in order to collect a larger insurance settlement.
4. Use your cell phone camera to document the accident scene. Photograph both vehicles and everyone at the scene.
5. Never use a tow-truck or repair service that just happens to arrive at the scene.

• In 2009, 5,474 people died in car crashes that involved a distracted driver.
• Eleven percent of fatal crashes in 2009 involved distracted driving. In 2005, only seven percent of fatal crashes involved distracted drivers.
• It is estimated 448,000 people were injured in 2009 distracted driving crashes.
• One-fifth of injury crashes in 2009 involved distracted driving.

• Eating
• Drinking
• Talking or arguing with other passengers
• Reading a map
• Programming a GPS
• Changing radio stations
• Children
• Pets
• Looking at scenery
• Looking at another accident

CAR ACCIDENT CHECKLIST FOR WEST PALM BEACH DRIVERS

A West Palm Beach Truck Accident Lawyer Discusses Four New Technologies That May Prevent Florida Truck Accidents

1. Side View Assist: Trucks have large blind spots. The blind spot of a semi-truck extends 200 feet. Many Florida semi-truck accidents occur because a truck driver simply did not see the other vehicle. Side View Assist technology uses side cameras to alert truck drivers of vehicles in their blind spots.
2. Forward Collision Warning/Mitigation: The forward blind spot on an 18-wheeler extends 10 to 20 feet in front of the vehicle. A driver can’t see cars or pedestrians in this space. Forward collision warning systems use cameras to see front blind spots.
3. Lane Departure Warning/Prevention: Many Florida commercial truck accidents occur when a distracted or drowsy driver inadvertently moves out of his lane and sideswipes another car.  Lane departure warning systems use cameras to detect when a truck is about to cross a lane and they alert the driver by muting the radio and playing a rumble strip sound or other alert. The system is able to recognize intentional lane changes and does not sound the alarm in those cases.
4. Vehicle Stability Control: Stability control technology helps prevent rollover and jackknife accidents by detecting when a truck is becoming unstable and applying individual brakes to each wheel.

Your West Palm Beach auto accident attorney may have told you that you are eligible for compensation for your lost wages. However, receiving these lost wages requires proof that the injury caused you to miss work. 

Here are three pieces of evidence that are generally needed to claim lost income:

• A statement from your employer: The statement from your employer should include the amount of time you missed from work due to your injury and the amount you would have earned if you had you been working. Your employer should also note if you went back to work but are working fewer hours, or if you are working in a position that pays you less than before the accident.
• A medical evaluation: The medical evaluation must be written by your doctor. It should include a report of your injuries, the details of any past or on-going treatment, and a discussion of your ability to work. The doctor should note for how long you were unable to work after the accident and when (if ever) you will be able to return to your previous employment.
• A wage report: Your West Palm Beach auto accident attorney can help you use your past earnings to calculate a fair amount to report for lost wages. This may be challenging, if you have irregular income, work for tips, or are self-employed.

To learn more about compensation for West Palm Beach accident injuries, request a free copy of Palm Beach car accident lawyer David Glatthorn’s book, The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim, or contact David Glatthorn at 888-340-2620.

If you have lost a loved one to an accident or crime, then you know in your heart that the death was wrong. But how do you know if you have a Florida wrongful death claim?

In Florida, the term “wrongful death” is used to refer to any death that is the result of a person or business acting wrongfully, negligently, recklessly, or with complete disregard for other people’s safety. Examples of wrongful deaths include deaths due to any of the following situations:

• Car accidents involving a reckless driver
• Commercial truck accidents
• Florida drunk driving deaths
• Medical malpractice
• Nursing home abuse
• Negligent security
• Crime
• Defective consumer products
• Workplace accidents

West Palm Beach personal injury attorney David Glatthorn helps families of wrongful death victims to get accountability and compensation for their losses. A Florida wrongful death lawsuit is different than a criminal lawsuit in that it holds the liable party responsible for his or her actions and provides monetary compensation for a family’s pain and suffering and other losses.

Money can never replace a loved one, but it can make it easier for your family to deal with the pain of the loss. Wrongful death damages can cover the loss of the loved one’s income and support. You can learn more by requesting a free copy of David Glatthorn’s book, The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim. To discuss your situation with a West Palm Beach personal injury attorney, contact David Glatthorn at 888-340-2620. The initial consultation is free.

After eight years of declines, the number of teen drivers killed in U.S. car crashes is increasing. On February 16, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) released a report showing that teen deaths increased by 11 percent during the first six months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. 

• Teen driving deaths January-June 2010: 190
• Teen driving deaths January-June 2011: 211

The author of the GHSA report believes that the increase does not signify a new trend. He attributed the recent declines in teen auto fatalities to stricter teen driving restrictions in many states and hypothesized that the fatality increase in 2011 may be an effect of the leveling off of those restrictions. 

However, he also speculated that the increase might be due to an improving economy. A better economy means that more teens are on the road. 

Regardless of the cause, every Florida teen driving death is one too many. Parents should discuss safe driving habits with their teens. It is especially important to discuss risky behaviors such as distracted driving, driving while impaired, and driving with multiple friends in the car. For more information about safe teen driving see our article, “Ten Things Every Teen Driver Should Know.”

If you or your teen is ever injured in a Florida car crash, Palm Beach car crash lawyer David Glatthorn is here to help. To learn more, download a free copy of The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim or contact David Glatthorn at 888-340-2620.

Marijuana is the most widely used drug in the world. Many people believe it is harmless and can even improve focus and concentration, but a recent study from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada has found that those who use the drug before driving are twice as likely as drivers who are not under the influence to cause a West Palm Beach car crash.

The researchers reviewed nine studies that included more than 49,000 motor vehicle accident victims. Use of marijuana was confirmed either by blood tests or self-reporting. The results showed that drivers who had used marijuana within three hours of getting behind the wheel had almost twice the risk of causing a motor vehicle accident. The risk was also greater for severe and fatal accidents.

Effects of marijuana that affect driving include slowed reaction time, impaired judgment, paranoia, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating. Yet many drivers believe it is risk free. 

Experts believe that campaigns like those used to educate about the dangers of drunk driving are needed to warn teens and others about the risks of driving while high. Critics disagree. They believe that roadside drug testing would be a greater deterrent to driving high.

Were you injured by a driver under the influence of marijuana in Florida? You have rights. You may be able to claim Florida accident compensation for your medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To learn more, request a free copy of The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim, or contact Palm Beach car accident attorney David Glatthorn at 888-340-2620.

Last year, 11 people in five incidents were hit and killed after leaving their cars on South Florida highways. Some of the victims had been in minor crashes; others were good Samaritans who stopped to help.

Just last month, a similar accident took place in Broward County. Cheresa Nave of Fort Lauderdale and Megan Kea of Sunrise were involved in a single-car accident. Andrew Edmond of Plantation stopped to help. While the three were examining the damage to the vehicle, they were struck by a passing car. Ms. Kea died at the scene; the other two died from their injuries.

What should you do after a West Palm Beach highway accident? Palm Beach car accident lawyer David Glatthorn suggests: 

• If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road or to the nearest exit. 
• If it is not possible, turn on your vehicle’s hazard lights.
• Only leave your car if it is safe to do so.
• If you can exit, get as far away from traffic as possible. Try to get behind a guard rail.
• Never stand in front of your car facing traffic. If your car is hit, it will roll on top of you.

For more car accident tips, contact us to request your free copy of The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim. To discuss your Florida accident claim with a Palm Beach car accident lawyer, contact David Glatthorn at 888-340-2620.

Spring is on its way, which means there is a good chance of more rain. You may not be able to avoid driving in the rain, but these safety tips from Palm Beach auto accident attorney David Glatthorn can help you avoid becoming a Florida accident victim.

Florida Rainy Weather Driving Tips

• Combine your trips to reduce the amount of time you spend on the road.
• Before leaving home, check traffic and weather reports for any delays, road closures, or flooding along your route.
• Bring your cell phone, but don’t use it while driving.
• Slow down. Travelling at high speeds increases your risk of hydroplaning.
• Use your headlights. Not only will they help you see, but they will help other drivers to see you.
• Increase your following distance. When roads are wet, it takes more time to stop.
• While on the highway, stay in the center lane. Water often pools in the outside lanes.
• Always drive slowly when going through puddles. This will allow you to back out if the puddle suddenly gets deeper. Never drive through a puddle with moving water.

Palm Beach auto accident attorney David Glatthorn has written a book to help Florida injury victims. Request your free copy of The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim. If you would like to discuss an accident claim with a South Florida personal injury lawyer, contact David Glatthorn at 888-340-2620.

A recent study found that pedestrian accidents are increasing in urban areas. Victims aren’t children or the elderly— the groups traditionally at the highest risk of a Florida pedestrian accident injury. Instead, the victims are young men under the age of 30. These men have one thing in common: they are wearing headphones. The number of pedestrian accident injuries and deaths where the victim was wearing headphones has more than tripled since 2004.

The study was conducted by researchers at University of Maryland School of Medicine and was published in the January 16^th online issue of the journal, Injury Prevention. The authors conducted the study because while much is known about the effects of distraction on drivers, there has been little research carried out about distracted pedestrians. 

The study focused on 116 reports of death or injury of pedestrians using headphones. In about one-third of the crashes, the vehicle sounded a warning before the accident occurred. However, the pedestrian likely didn’t hear the warning. Researchers concluded that pedestrians who use headphones put themselves at risk. These researchers urged that more studies focus on the role of pedestrian distraction.

While Florida pedestrians have a responsibility to be careful around traffic, drivers also have a duty to watch for pedestrians. Victims of Florida pedestrian accidents may be eligible for injury compensation even if they are partly at fault for the crash. To learn more, contact a West Palm Beach personal injury attorney.

Learn more about the rights of Florida injury victims in West Palm Beach personal injury attorney David Glatthorn’s book, The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim. To discuss your claim with David Glatthorn, call 888-340-2620.

The government recognizes the danger that big rigs pose to the average driver, so truck drivers must abide by both state and federal regulations that are designed to protect the public. These laws regulate training, truck maintenance, and even the amount of sleep a driver must receive.

West Palm Beach truck accident lawyers know that many trucking companies are more focused on profits than on safety. These companies take short-cuts on vehicle maintenance or on driver training. They may require a driver to travel more miles than is possible in the hours that he is allowed to work. Here are the most common causes of Florida trucking accidents:

• Faulty truck brakes
• Faulty truck tires
• Poor truck maintenance
• Improper loading
• Speeding 
• Unfamiliarity with the highway
• Drug use 
• Driver inexperience
• Driver fatigue
• Illegal maneuvers 
• Aggressive driving

West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer David Glatthorn has the experience to take on big trucking companies. If the trucking company or truck driver is at fault for your Florida truck accident injury, David Glatthorn will fight to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. To learn more, download David Glatthorn’s book, The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim or contact David Glatthorn at 888-340-2620.

The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Virginia and was published in the October 2011 edition of the American Journal of Public Health. Investigators examined National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) accident data collected over ten years. They found that women wearing seatbelts are 47 percent more likely to suffer injuries in a Florida car crash than male drivers wearing seatbelts. Women were also more likely to suffer spine and chest injuries and injuries to the lower extremities. 

Researchers believe women are more vulnerable to car accident injuries because safety features are designed for men. The female drivers in the study were an average of 35 pounds lighter and five-and-a-half inches shorter than the male drivers. Women’s bodies are also shaped differently. Although this seems obvious, differences in neck strength and muscle structure may also account for the difference in injury rates. The University of Virginia researchers suggested that federal regulations should focus on making vehicles safe for both men and women. 

If you were injured in a West Palm Beach car crash, it is important that you discuss your wreck with a Palm Beach car accident attorney. A Florida accident lawyer can determine who is liable for your injuries. To learn more, request a free copy of The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim or contact Palm Beach car accident attorney David Glatthorn at 888-340-2620.

• Improper tire inflation
  
• Driving on worn or poorly maintained tires
  
• Potholes or road damage
  
• Punctures or gashes from debris in the road
  
• Small punctures that allow air to leak unnoticeably
  
• Vehicle overloading
  
• Manufacturer and design defects
  

1. Children are small. It is difficult for drivers to see children, especially if they are standing between parked cars.
   
2. Children are not able to judge distance or speed and may make unsafe decisions.
   
3. Children are unfamiliar with Florida traffic rules. They may assume that drivers will yield to them.