According to the study which was published in the September 27 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, when a doctor advises a patient to stop driving or drive with extra caution the likelihood of that patient being injured in an accident is reduced by 45 percent. 

The study tracked more than 100,000 drivers who had been told by their doctor that they were potentially unfit to drive. The researchers looked at the number of car crashes these patients had in the three years before the warnings were given and in the year after. 

The participants included patients diagnosed with epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s disease, alcoholism, schizophrenia, and advanced diabetes as well as people who had previously suffered from dizzy spells and stroke.

• Number of crashes in three years prior to receiving doctor warning: 1,430
• Number of crashes in the year after a doctor's warning: 273
• Crashes were reduced by 45%

But the authors warn that this population was still more likely than the general population to be involved in a serious accident.

The warning also had an effect on the doctor-patient relationship. One-third of patients who were advised to stop driving made fewer visits to the doctor in the following year. Ten percent did not come back. The authors suggest that doctors recommend limiting driving, rather than stopping, whenever possible. They suggested that a graduated license program could help medically unfit patients drive safely under some conditions.

Palm Beach accident injury attorney David Glatthorn helps those injured in Florida car accidents. Learn what you can do to protect your Florida accident injury claim in David Glatthorn’s book,  The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim, or contact David Glatthorn at 866-413-5525.

Your Florida PIP insurance covers:

• You, when you are driving your car inside or outside of Florida state lines
• You, when you are a passenger in another car
• You, when you are riding a bike or walking
• Your child, when riding in your car or another vehicle
• Other passengers in your car without PIP insurance (who do not have a Florida vehicle)
• Some licensed drivers who are operating your car with your permission

Until recently, your $10,000 in PIP coverage could be used to pay for a wide range of medical costs and other losses. However, Florida lawmakers recently passed new PIP insurance coverage laws that will make it increasingly difficult to receive full benefits. For example, under the new auto insurance laws, car accident victims will need to prove that they suffer from an “emergency medical condition” within two weeks of the accident to secure more than $2,500 in benefits. Also under the new law, the medical professionals you may see for treatment and the treatments you receive for your injuries are limited.

It is more important than ever to fully understand your PIP insurance policy as well as the new PIP coverage reform laws—especially if you are ever injured in a Florida car accident. If you are seeking compensation for a car accident injury, or if you are having difficulty getting the full benefits you deserve from the insurance company, talk to West Palm Beach injury attorney David Glattorn today. Call toll-free: 866-413-5525. 

In an effort to reduce the amount of staged accidents and stop insurance fraud scammers, Florida lawmakers have changed the state’s PIP law. Because the law is in place to reduce PIP fraud, it is essential that you make sure you file a police report at the time of your accident. 

Police reports are now required to be filled out and filed in every traffic collision in Florida—no matter how minor or major the motor vehicle accident is. Part of Florida’s new PIP law that went into effect on July 1, 2012, made the following changes:

• Police officers are required to fill out an accident report in all collisions.
• Police officers have to fill out a long form accident report in each traffic accident that involves pain complaints, injury, death, if a tow truck is needed, or if the crash involved a commercial vehicle.
• Police officers are required to be more detailed in their police reports by listing all names and addresses of drivers and passengers involved in each crash.

In the event of a West Palm Beach auto accident, you can protect your future PIP claim and medical benefits by participating in the following immediately after an accident:

• Call 9-1-1 to have law enforcement come out to the accident scene.
• Make sure that the police report contains the necessary details, such as all the names and addresses of all drivers and passengers in the wreck.

Call an experienced Palm Beach accident injury attorney for help with your personal injury claim in order to get adequate compensation for your injuries. Attorney David Glatthorn can be reached at 561-659-1999 for a free case consultation today.

If you don’t go, you may not be eligible to receive your medical benefits down the line if/when your injury surfaces, according to the state’s new law.

Florida drivers have been required to purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage to make sure there is enough money to treat their injuries in the event of a crash. For years drivers have purchased a minimum of $10,000 of PIP coverage and had access to it if injured; however, the new Florida PIP law may now only give those insured access to 25% of this amount.

Florida’s PIP changes will limit those injured in accidents non-emergency care up to $2,500, and allow emergency care patients only identified as having an “emergency medical condition” full access to their $10,000 of medical benefits.

The Importance of Seeing a Doctor Immediately Following a West Palm Beach Car Crash

What these changes mean is that, as of January 1, 2013, you need to go to the doctor for medical care immediately following a traffic accident. If you do not go to a doctor within 14 days of your accident, you will not be eligible to receive any of your PIP medical benefits.

If you ignore your injuries, tough it out, or turn to over-the-counter pain medications to self-treat, you may pass the 14 day window and be left with medical expenses that your PIP policy will not cover.

If you are hurt in a Florida car accident, $2,500 will not be enough to cover your medical treatment. You will need an experienced West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer to represent you and make sure you get your full medical benefits. Call David Glatthorn at 561-659-1999 for a free case consultation today.

When do the PIP changes take effect? While some PIP laws have already gone into effect, most aspects of PIP reforms begin on January 1, 2013. Insurance companies are not required to tell customers about these changes or to redraft their policies to reflect the new laws.

What is the maximum payout amount? While all Florida residents are required to buy a $10,000 PIP policy, car accident victims now will only be guaranteed $2,500. The other $7,500 is accessible, though policyholders must prove they have emergency medical conditions and could be subjected to oral statements under oath.

What type of doctors can I see after my accident and injury? When being diagnosed with a so-called “emergency medical condition” (EMC), you must see an approved medical doctor, osteopath, dentist, physician's assistant or nurse administrator. You may not see a chiropractor. To access your full payout amount, you must be seen and diagnosed within 14 days of your accident.

While the PIP coverage reforms are meant to reduce premiums and litigation, it is becoming clear that the opposite might happen—and some PIP-related lawsuits have already been filed. If you are struggling to acquire the benefits and compensation you need after a serious car accident injury, we may be able to help. Call David Glatthorn Law today to speak with a West Palm Beach injury attorney about your case. 

In the past, Florida residents have known that they were entitled to $10,000 in medical care—a figure that can be quickly consumed during care for a number of types of injuries and severity levels. However, this $10,000 figure is being limited and restrictions that were put into effect July 1, 2012 mean less money given to help cover medical expenses for people who have been injured in a Florida car crash.

If you have been injured and still want to receive the full payout that was originally put in place, there are a few criteria you must meet to be eligible to receive the $10,000 amount.

• See your doctor within 14 days – Instead of trying to play tough, it is important to see your doctor within 14 days of the Florida auto collision. Even if you think your injuries are minor or you can recover from them on your own, seeing a doctor within 14 days will, at the very least, help ensure that you will stay eligible for the $10,000 medical care coverage should you have a need for it.
• Have an “emergency medical condition” – Under the new Florida PIP law, you will also need to have what is considered an “emergency medical condition.” This condition is defined as a serious injury that puts your health in jeopardy. Without an “emergency medical condition,” your coverage will be dropped down to only $2,500 for medical care.
• Be seen by a recognized doctor – If you have back pain, you may want to see a chiropractor, but this is not a doctor who can determine if you have an “emergency medical condition.” Under Florida law, you must be seen by a medical doctor, osteopath, dentist, physician's assistant, or nurse administrator.

If you have any questions regarding the changes to the PIP law in Florida, contact our offices for more details and help with your case.

These changes have left many of our clients with questions about what changes they can expect to see to their existing coverage. You may expect to see a decrease in your premium; however, this is not the case. Half of the early filings actually show increases of up to 26%, yet insured parties are may only be eligible to receive $2,500. 

While you may not notice any decrease in your monthly insurance payments, here are a few things you may be met with if you are ever in a Florida car crash.

• Existing policies affected – Some people are under the impression that the new PIP laws only go into effect for new policy holders. This is not the case. Your existing policy will also be affected, even if your insurance company does not tell you.
• Decreased coverage – Your monthly premiums may not change but the level of coverage you will receive following a car collision in Florida will. Under the new PIP laws, you cannot receive the $10,000 of medical coverage you were initially promised as easily. Now, you will only have rights to $2,500 in medical coverage unless you have been deemed to have an “emergency medical condition” by a doctor.
• Incentives for specific doctors – Because your condition must be considered an “emergency medical condition” by a doctor, your insurance company will give you incentives to go to a specific list of doctors. This can be because the doctor receives the majority of patients after Florida car accidents and, therefore, they are less likely to pronounce you with an “emergency medical condition.”

The new Florida PIP laws are tricky and can leave you uncertain of the coverage you are paying for. If you have any questions, please contact Florida car accident attorney David Glatthorn for help with your case. 

• Chevrolet Aveo
• Dodge Avenger
• Hyundai Accent
• Kia Rio
• Mitsubishi Galant
• Nissan Versa
• Nissan Sentra

Some of these cars, including the Toyota Yaris, have received high marks on crash tests. The Yaris was rated a 2012 "top safety pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Why the discrepancy?

Crash tests compare cars to similar sized cars under simulated conditions. They don’t provide the same real life data as actual injury claims records. The insurance industry rankings may give a better idea of how well your car will actually protect you in a Boca Raton car accident.

While it is not surprising that the vehicles with the highest rate of injury claims are small cars, sales of small cars are increasing. Cars like the Yaris accounted for 260,000 new car sales from January to August 2012. That’s a 32 percent increase over last year. Sales of the Yaris increased by 60 percent.

What are the best ranked cars?

The Porsche 911 had the lowest rate with 4.5 injury claims per 1,000 insured vehicles. Runner-ups included:

• Cadillac Escalade
• Chevrolet Corvette
• Chevrolet Silverado
• Ford F-150,
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Land Rover Range Rover
• Lexus LX 570
• Mercedes-Benz SL-Class convertible

Whatever car you drive, you don’t deserve to suffer because another driver chose to be reckless. If you were injured in a Florida car accident caused by another driver, you have rights. To learn more, request a free copy of The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim or contact Boca Raton injury lawyer David Glatthorn at 866-413-5525
 

Former studies have found a link between car accidents and antianxiety medications such as Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, and Avatan. This new study focused on drugs used to treat insomnia (Sonata, Ambien, Imovane, and Lunesta), antidepressants (Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft), and antipsychotics (including Abilify and other drugs used to treat ADHD).

The researchers looked at the medical records of 36,276 patients. The patients were divided into two groups, those who had been involved in motor vehicle accidents and those who had not. In general, the patients who had been involved in auto accidents were more likely to have been taking a psychotropic drug, particularly insomnia medications and antidepressants. The greater the dose, the higher were the risks of accidents. Antipsychotics were not associated with an increased accident risks, even among those taking larger doses.

If you are taking a psychotropic drug, do continue taking your medication, but also ask your doctor whether you should continue driving. If your doctor believes that your medication could increase your risk of causing a Boca Raton car accident, you may want to discuss other options.

Boca Raton accident attorney David Glatthorn represents victims of drugged-driving accidents in Palm Beach County and throughout Florida. To learn more about Florida accident injury claims, contact David Glatthorn at 866.413.5525 or request a free copy of his book, The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim.

When you are driving your car at 50 miles an hour, your brain is travelling at the same speed. When your car crashes, your brain also crashes – right into your skull. As the brain tissue smashes against the skull, blood vessels tear and release blood into the brain. When there is a large amount of blood or swelling, it can put pressure on areas of the brain and affect the way it works. Depending on the location, the pressure can affect vital functions like the heartbeat or breathing. An accident victim who was just fine immediately after the crash, may later begin to feel dizzy or confused. 

After the brain hits the front of the skull, it may bounce and hit the back of the skull causing bleeding, bruising, and swelling in other parts of the brain.  This is known as a "contra coup" injury. During the bounce, parts of the brain can tear. This can disrupt the nerves responsible for transmitting signals within the brain. The tears may be microscopic, but they are very serious.

Boca Raton car crash lawyer David Glatthorn suggests that all Florida car accident victims know the signs of traumatic brain injury and seek medical attention immediately if any of those signs are present. 

For more information about what to do after a Florida car accident, request a free copy of The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim. To discuss your Florida brain injury claim with a Boca Raton accident lawyer, contact David Glatthorn at 561-659-1999 or toll free at 866-413-5525.

• Stay calm. If you panic, you won’t be able to focus.
• Stay buckled in. You will have three to four minutes before your car is pulled into the water. This is the best time to escape. 
• Roll down the window. This may seem counterintuitive, but your door may only open while its electrical systems still operate. You need to roll down your window before the water can interfere with the electric systems in the door. Do not try to open the door yet. Water pressure will push against the door and you will not be able to open it.
• If you can’t get the window rolled down, you will need to wait until your car fills with water in order to get the door open. 
• If you can’t open a door, you may need to break a window. The front and rear windshield are made of tempered glass, so you will have to use a side window. This is easy to do if you have an escape hammer like LifeHammer or device like the ResQMe escape tool; otherwise, use your keys, knife, or another object.
• Unbuckle your seatbelt.
• Get out.
• Swim to the surface.
• Do not return to the car for any reason.

During hurricanes, pay attention to flood warnings and Do Not Enter signs. When traveling, try to avoid roads that frequently flood.

David Glatthorn is a personal injury lawyer in Boca Raton and the author of The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim. Click on the link to request your free copy. To discuss your own Boca Raton accident claim with David Glatthorn, call our office at 561-659-1999.  The initial consultation is free.

Carter pulled out of his parking spot at a discount supermarket across from the school. Instead of turning into the street, he backed his powder blue Cadillac onto the sidewalk trapping several children under his car. Several bystanders banged on his windows and yelled at him to stop. He did, but not before 14 people were injured, including 11 children. Four were in critical condition. 

Carter blamed the crash on brake failure, but brakes did not cause him to back in the wrong direction. The tragic accident brings up question, how old is too old to drive?

In Florida, drivers over 80 must pass a vision test to renew their license, but there are no other requirements. A health exam is required only if a family member or friend makes a request using Form #72190 and sends it to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. But if no request is made and the driver can pass an eye exam, he or she may drive indefinitely—even if the driver has caused several Florida car crashes.

Many seniors are safe drivers, but Boca Raton accident lawyer David Glatthorn suggests considering giving up driving if any of the following apply:

• You have a condition like cataracts or glaucoma that affects your vision.
• You have a medical condition like Alzheimer’s that can impair memory or judgment.
• You have a medical condition that may physically affect your driving. For example, you have diabetes and are at risk of a coma.
• You take medication that impairs driving ability.
• You cannot see over the steering wheel or dashboard.
• You do not have the strength to handle your car.
• You have had numerous small accidents.

September 17 through 22 is Child Passenger Safety Week in Florida. During this week and on Seat Check Saturday (September 22), parents can visit a local child car seat inspection station to have their seat inspected and properly installed at no charge.

Locations in and around Palm Beach County, include:

• Boynton Beach Fire Rescue: Call 561-742-6343 and leave a message.
• Palm Beach County Fire Rescue: Call 561-616-7033 to schedule an appointment at a location near you. If you are in Boca Raton, call 561-347-3931.
• Port St. Lucie Police Department: Call 772-878-5879 for an appointment.

When you go to your appointment, you will need to bring your child, the car seat, and the following information:

• Your child’s age, height, and weight 
• Make, model, and year of your vehicle
• If available, the user manuals for both your vehicle and the car seat.

Are you worried that you need a new car seat but can’t one? The Safety Council of Palm Beach County, Inc., offers free car seats to families in need. You must have an appointment. For more information contact the Safety Council at 561-845-8233 x12.

A properly installed car seat is the best way to protect your child from death and serious injury in a Boca Raton accident. However, even a good car seat can’t prevent every injury. To learn what to do if your child is injured in a Florida car crash, request a free copy of The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim or contact Boca Raton accident attorney David Glatthorn at 866-413-5525.

Eleven 2012 model-year luxury cars were given the new small overlap frontal crash test. This test measures the impact that occurs when the front corner of the car hits a fixed object like a tree or a pole while traveling at 40 miles per hour. Only three of the eleven cars tested received good or acceptable ratings. Four of the autos received marginal ratings and four received poor ratings. Marginal or poor ratings are given when cars would not provide protection adequate to prevent serious injury or death in an accident.

In most cases, the cars that received low ratings had problems with the airbags. The airbags either did not inflate quickly enough to prevent injury or they didn’t extend far enough into the cabin to protect the driver and passengers.

Cars with good/acceptable ratings:

• Acura TL
• Volvo S60 
• Infiniti G

Cars with marginal ratings: 

• Acura TSX
• BMW 3 Series
• Lincoln MKZ 
• Volkswagen CC

Cars with poor ratings: 

• Mercedes C-Class
• Lexus IS 250
• Audi A4
• Lexus ES 350

The new safety tests will be taken into account when IIHS makes its 2013 Top Safety Picks.  It is likely that car manufacturers will make design improvements to their vehicles so that they will do well on the new test.

Car safety features can prevent serious injuries in a Boca Raton car crash, but they can’t stop accidents from happening. Only drivers can do that.

If you or a loved one was injured by a negligent or reckless driver, you can get accountability. Request your free copy of The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim to get the facts about Florida personal injury claims, or call Boca Raton accident lawyer David Glatthorn at 866-413-5525.

Check to see if anyone is injured. Call 9-1-1 if there are injuries.

Collect information. Get the name, address, license plate number, insurance information and contact information for the other driver.

Use your cell phone to capture photographs. Take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and the damage to the vehicle.

File a report with the police. If emergency personnel are sent to the scene of the accident, a report will be automatically filed. Ask the officer how you can get a copy. You will need to give a report to the insurance company.

Call the rental car company. The number is usually in the glove box. Ask the company the following:

• Is there a form I need to fill out?
• Do you need additional information?
• How should I document the damage to the vehicle?
• How do I get a replacement car?

Call your insurance agent. Your own insurance may provide backup coverage if the other motorist lacks insurance, or is underinsured.

Remember give only the facts and don’t sign anything until you’ve discussed your case with a Boca Raton car crash attorney.

A Florida auto accident lawyer can help you deal with the insurance companies and car rental company while you get back on your feet. To learn more, request a free copy of The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim when you contact Boca Raton accident lawyer David Glatthorn at 866-413-5525.

• Make sure your child wears his helmet. Helmets may not be cool, but if every child wore a helmet, we could prevent about 45,000 brain injuries a year.
• Make sure your child’s bike is safe. It’s hard to properly control a bike if it is too small or too big. Check to make sure that your child still fits his bike and adjust the seat if necessary. While you’re checking the seat, give the bike a tune-up. Test the brakes, make sure the wheels are aligned, inflate the tires, and check the chain.
• Ride with a friend. If you can’t ride to school with your child, suggest that a friend or older sibling go with him. Always ride single file. Don’t carry passengers.
• Choose a smart route. Find the safest route to school. If there are no bike paths, look for a route that avoids busy roads. Remind your child to walk the bike across intersections. Younger children can ride on the sidewalk.
• Follow the rules. Bicyclists should go in the same direction as traffic and use hand signals to let others know if they are turning or stopping. They must obey stop signs, yield signs, and other traffic signals.
• Be seen. Make sure your child’s bike has reflectors and encourage him to wear bright colors when riding to school.

If your child is injured in a Florida car-bicycle accident, you may be able to seek compensation from the at-fault driver. To learn more, contact Boca Raton car accident attorney David Glatthorn at 866-413-5525.

Tow truck drivers listen to police scanners for reports of Boca Raton car accidents. When an accident occurs, they speed to the scene hoping to get there before the police. If a police officer orders a tow, the tow truck company or repair shop must charge a preset fee. If the accident victim signs for the tow, the company can charge whatever they like. Even if a price is quoted, the tow truck driver can backfill the form and add additional charges and administrative fees. So, getting the victim away from the police is the tow truck driver’s first priority. Be suspicious if a tow driver asks you to come away from an accident scene to complete paperwork.

Once the vehicle is hitched to his tow truck, the driver may try to convince the victim to use his repair shop or storage yard. This leads to additional overcharging. If the victim doesn’t pay, he doesn’t get his car back.

Consumer Affairs and The National Insurance Crime Bureau report that claims of inflated towing or storage charges are increasing. For help with an insurance claim, contact Boca Raton car accident attorney David Glatthorn at 866-413-5525.

1. Call your insurance company. Report the accident to your own car insurance provider. When you call, ask for the name and number of the representative and a claim number. Write down the date and time of the call. Give only the facts and don’t discuss your injuries. Anything you say can be used against you. If you have traveler’s insurance, rental car insurance, or insurance through a credit card, call those companies.
2. Call the car rental company to report the accident. Again, get the name and phone number of the representative and stick to the facts.
3. Take pictures of your injuries. You may not want to share these memories, but the pictures will provide evidence of the severity of your injuries and the impact they have on your life.
4. Keep receipts. If your accident caused you to change travel arrangements or extend your stay, you may be able to get compensation for the extra expense. Save your receipts, medical bills and any paperwork associated with the accident.
5. Find a local attorney. You may be tempted to wait until you get home to hire a lawyer, but it is important that your attorney be familiar with Florida traffic and insurance law and be licensed to practice in Florida. Make sure your Palm Beach car accident attorney is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer who is licensed by the Florida State Bar.
6. Request a free copy of The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim. Palm Beach accident attorney David Glatthorn wrote this book to provide all Florida accident victims with the information they need after a car crash.

After your accident, your first thought may be that you are ready to go home. But, before you pack your suitcase, it is a good idea to call a Palm Beach accident injury attorney. If the accident was not your fault, you may be eligible for compensation for:

• Medical expenses including hospital bills, follow-up appointments, medication, medical equipment and physical therapy or rehabilitation
• Lost wages while you are recovering from your injuries
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage to your vehicle
• Damage to your personal possessions
• Compensation for any travel or hotel charges that you incurred because of your injury
• Damages for your ruined vacation

You may want to wait until you get home to contact an attorney. However, you will need a lawyer who is licensed in Florida and is familiar with local laws and regulations. Contacting a Palm Beach accident injury lawyer as soon as possible after your car crash ensures that the attorney will be able to act quickly to protect the evidence needed to support your claim.

If you were injured while visiting Florida, Palm Beach accident attorney David Glatthorn is here to help.  He has written a book with valuable information for Florida accident victims. Request your free copy of The Florida Accident Workbook: Tools, Tips & Tactics to Resolve Your Injury Claim or contact David Glatthorn at 866-413-5525.

The next day, you wake up sore. You decide that you are having a delayed reaction to the crash, so you take it easy. You can get your car fixed tomorrow.

Tomorrow comes. Your neck, shoulders and upper back are in so much pain that you can’t get out of bed. What happened?

Not all injuries show symptoms immediately. Boca Raton accident lawyer David Glatthorn explains that several serious injuries that can occur after a car accident don’t manifest symptoms until a few days after the crash. The most common are:

1. Whiplash
2. Concussion
3. Soft tissue injuries
4. Bruised, cracked or broken bones

Whiplash

Whiplash is the most common Florida car accident injury. It occurs when the neck is wrenched out of alignment due to the force of the accident. Whiplash can cause severe head, shoulder, neck, or back pain, but symptoms may not appear until the days or weeks after the accident.

Concussion

A concussion is a disruption in brain function caused by an injury to the brain. You can have a concussion even if you didn’t hit your head during the accident. The force of a car accident is often enough to send the brain crashing into the skull. Concussion symptoms can include memory loss, confusion, or personality changes.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injury refers to damage to the ligaments or muscles.

Bruised/Broken Bones

Bruised ribs and broken or fractured bones, especially ribs, may not show symptoms right away. If you have any unexplained pain after a Boca Raton accident, contact your doctor immediately.