What Happens If You Are Partially To Blame For Your Injury?

Okay, so sometimes we as bipeds can be klutzy. Look, when you're standing on two feet you have that much further to fall than our four legged counterparts. Maybe something caught your eye and you forgot to look both ways before crossing the crosswalk not realizing the light said "Don't Walk."

Everything changes if you contributed to your own injuries. Florida has comparative negligence law, which means if you are partially responsible for the incident that caused your injuries, then your potential award at trial is reduced. But don't think because you are partially responsible that you aren't entitled to compensation.

So if you are partially to blame and another person is more than 10 but less than 25 percent at fault, you can only collect up to $200,000. If the other person is between 26 and 50 percent at fault, the most you can collect is $500,000. And if another person is more than 50 percent at fault - but you were also partially at fault - the most you can collect is $1 million.

If you or someone you know has sustained an injury and are uncertain about who's to blame, give us a call. Sometimes we chalk it up to clumsiness and move on not realizing it could very well be a combination of clumsiness and negligence. 

If you have been injured in an accident, contact Orlando Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey Sexton at 888-293-1144 or at sextonlaw.com to ensure that your rights are protected.

What Do I Do After A Car Accident?

If you have been involved in a car crash that was not your fault, contact our office. Jeff Sexton will personally evaluate the facts surrounding your case and help you navigate your way through the hassles of medical care and expense, lost income and vehicle repair. We will do everything in our power to help you obtain compensation for your injuries and the aggravation and loss of enjoyment of life that often accompanies motor vehicle accidents. Call or e-mail our office today for a free evaluation of your case.

If You Are In A Car Accident In Florida Take Plenty Of Photos

If you or someone you know is injured in a car accident, here are a few very important things to remember.

If your health allows, compile the following documentation:

Snap photos of your car's damage. Don't limit it to one or two shots. Take several pictures from every angle, making sure to snap close-ups and long distance shots. Get both landscape and upright photos. Get them with and without flash. Cover all bases.

Take pictures of the location of the accident, making sure to include stop signs and traffic lights, parking warnings, crosswalks, etc. Take photos of your own personal injuries, if possible. Also, gather recent photos of yourself before the injury for comparison.

Be sure to keep a journal about your injuries and medical attention required. Be precise about everything, including the daily extent of your pain. Whether your situation has worsened or improved. Be sure to jot down every detail. The most seemingly useless information can help your case.

Also be sure to file every form of correspondence with every involved medical person relating to your injury. This includes E-mails, bills, even phone records. Save ALL of your medical-related receipts. This also includes prescriptions, special equipment (crutches,wheelchairs,neck braces, walkers, canes), special foods, and co-payments. Keep track of travel expenses for medical appointments. Maintain precise documentation on how much income you've lost due to your injuries. The more information you have for your attorney, the better.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, contact Orlando Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey Sexton at 888-293-1144 or at sextonlaw.com.

Do Not Accept An Insurance Check Before Contacting An Attorney

Most often, a car accident is a traumatic and painful ordeal. In an effort to collect money for medical bills, lost wages, and car repairs, people are all too willing to accept a hastily written check from a claims adjuster. A check can be enticing, but don't be eager to settle. The claims adjuster you'll be dealing with will want immediate resolution and knows that offering a check will finalize the process, without looking out for what's right for you.

The best thing you can do is hire an attorney to help you through this process. As your medical expenses pile up you will quickly see the wisdom in waiting and hiring an attorney. Many times people may not be aware of how injured they actually are and will begin experiencing residual pain from car accident injuries later on. Before agreeing to any type of personal injury settlement be sure to consult with an attorney.

We are well versed in the laws and the accident injury claims process. Our experience allows to to resolve cases quickly. You are able to focus on healing after your accident, rather than negotiating. Meanwhile, we will be diligent about compiling information and bills so that your package is together the moment you are released from medical treatment.

Contact Orlando Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey Sexton at 888-293-1144 or at sextonlaw.com , as soon as possible if you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident.

Who Do I Contact If My Child Has Been Injured In A Pedestrian Accident?

Sadly, pedestrians are one of the few groups that continue to see an increase in fatalities each year. In 2011 alone, there were 4,432 pedestrian deaths. Since summer is winding down and kids are heading back to school there's no better time than now to teach your child to be a vigilant pedestrian.

If your child walks to school, make sure you know the route they take and affirm that it is a safe, well lit, pedestrian friendly route. Teach your children the basics such as looking both ways before crossing but also implement a few other safety steps such as:

• Always walk on the sidewalk. If there isn't a sidewalk and you must walk in the road, walk FACING traffic. 
• Wear brightly colored clothes, if possible. This makes it easier for drivers to see you.
• When crossing the road, always stop at the curb or edge of the road if there isn't a curb.
• Look left, then right, then left again before stepping into the street.
• If a car is coming, wait. Then start the process over until it's safe to cross.
• Continue to check left and right while crossing the street. 

It's important to teach children to not simply assume cars will see them and stop when walking in a crosswalk. While it is good practice to use a crosswalk when crossing the street, crosswalks can provide a false sense of safety. Scanning the road while simultaneously crossing should not stop just because of painted white or yellow lines on the street.

If your child has been injured, or worse, in a pedestrian accident, contact Orlando Pedestrian Attorney Jeffrey Sexton at 888-293-1144 immediately.

What Are The Causes Of Most Motorcycle Accidents?

Riding a motorcycle, you are far more likely to get in an accident and far more likely to get hurt than if you are driving a car. That's a fact.

According to The US Highway Safety Authority, in 2012 20.9 cars out of 100,000 ended up in fatal crashes. The rate for motorcycles is 66.7 per 100,000. That means that you are 209% more likely to be in a fatal crash on a motorcycle.

But, don't give your bike away. We are dedicated to providing you with resources and information to make your ride safer and more enjoyable. Explore all the information in this section to learn more about techniques and products that can help save your life.

Why do most motorcycle accidents happen?

It's a misconception that most motorcycle accidents are due to aggressive driving by motorcycle riders. In fact, most motorcycle accidents occur because car and truck drivers do not see bikers. Many motorcycle accidents occur because bikes are hidden in blind spots or because motorcycles are harder to detect at night or in poor weather conditions. These accidents can be prevented by taking an extra moment to check your blind spots and checking an intersection carefully before turning onto a road or merging.

Motorcycle safety tips:

• Wearing a high quality helmet that fits properly. Look for a helmet that has the DOT label, shows it's approved to meet federal safety standards. 
• Drive the speed limit. 
• Don't tailgate.
• Avoid weaving through traffic and driving on the shoulder. 
• Don't ride in blind spots. 
• Always use your headlights.
• Know your bike's limits. 

Stay safe on the road. If you or a loved on has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact Orlando Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey Sexton at 888-293-1144 immediately.

The Dangers Of Overloading A 15-Passenger Van

Summer time brings more people out on the roadways throughout Florida and the rest of the country, and many will be doing so in a 15-passenger van. This type of vehicle is a popular mode of transportation, especially for church groups, sports teams, and summer activity organizers. However, many are unaware that the risk of fatal rollover accidents is exceptionally high with these types of vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urges people to take proper precautions to "guard against the possibility of a tragic rollover crash."

15-passenger vans are incredibly sensitive to loading. Overloading the van makes the vehicle unstable and increases the risk of a rollover accident. Passengers are also under greater risk of an accident due to many drivers lacking experience handling a larger vehicle. Tire pressure is a major contributing factor in rollover crashes. In a recent NHTSA survey, it was estimated that 30 percent of 15-passenger vans have "at least one significantly under-inflated tire by 8 psi or more." Because tires degrade over time, many tire manufacturers advise that tires 10 years old or more not be used at all. Another facet of the high number of fatalities associated with 15-passenger van rollovers is the disproportionate amount of passengers not wearing seat belts, 88% of people killed were not wearing a seat belt.

If your summer plans include a ride in a 15-passenger van, here are some safety tips from the NHTSA to make sure your trip is a safe one:

• Never overload the vehicle. Agency research shows overloading not only increases rollover risk but makes the vehicle more unstable in any handling maneuvers. 
• Make sure the vehicle is regularly maintained, and that drivers are properly licensed and experienced in operating a 15-passenger van. 
• Have suspension and steering components inspected according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule and replace or repair these parts as necessary. 
• Ensure that vehicles are equipped with properly sized and load-rated tires. 
• Check the tires for proper inflation and signs of wear or damage. Correct tire size and inflation pressure information can be found in the owner's manual and on the door pillar. 

Contact Florida Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey Sexton at 888-293-1144 if you or a loved one has been injured or killed as a result of an accident in a 15-passenger van.

Drowning Is The Second Leading Cause Of Death For Children

Some of the most deadly accidents are those that involve water. Drowning and near-drowning accidents can occur in private residential pools, hotel pools, parks, water parks, and other places where there is a lack of supervision. Drownings can also occur because of faulty gates, pool drains, and other hazards.

Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children ages one to 14 years old. From 2005 to 2009, there were 3,533 fatal unintentional drownings in the United States. When a person survives a near-drowning accident, their lives are often forever changed as near-drownings often result in severe brain damage from the lack of oxygen. Brain damage may result in long term disabilities such as learning disabilities, memory problems, and permanent loss of basic functioning. Sadly, many of the horrible accidents that claim young children as victims are a result of negligence. The parents and families are left to suffer unimaginable grief and a lifetime of medical care and expenses.

Some factors that influence drowning risk are lack of swimming ability, lack of fencing, lack of supervision. Research has shown that taking formal swimming lessons reduces the risk of drowning among children 1 to 4 years old. Additionally, learning how to perform CPR has been shown to save lives and produce better outcomes for near-drowning victims.

Contact Florida Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey Sexton at 888-293-1144 if your loved one has suffered or lost their life as a result of a drowning or near drowning accident.

Florida's Anti-Hazing Law Is One Of The Most Severe In The Nation

Monday, March 4, twelve former university band members were charged with manslaughter in the 2011 hazing death of drum major Robert Champion Jr. Previously, 10 ex-students were charged with felony hazing resulting in death. Currently, the previous 10, plus two other former students will also be charged with manslaughter.

According to hazingprevention.org, 1.5 million high school students are hazed each year and more than 250,000 college students experienced some type of hazing to join an athletic team. Research has shown that 95 percent of hazing victims do not report the incident.

Florida's anti-hazing law is one of the most severe in the nation. As a result of the law passed in 2005, a student found guilty of hazing could be subject to jail time.

Sadly, 9 out of 10 students who have experienced hazing while in college do not consider themselves to have been hazed. The National Federation of State High School Associations defines hazing as any humiliating or dangerous activity expected of a student to belong to a group, regardless of their willingness to participate. Some practices associated with hazing result in serious bodily harm and even death. These practices include: tattooing, branding, head-shaving, piercing, physical punishment, sleep deprivation, consuming unreasonable foods, beverages, and drugs, kidnapping, personal hygiene deprivation, and inappropriate sexual behavior.

Hazing is not a harmless right of passage. It does not establish camaraderie. Hazing rituals often destroy self-esteem, create stress, and can aggravate or induce psychological illnesses. Contact Florida Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey Sexton if you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed through the acts of hazing.