Car Accidents

Why UM Coverage and Stacking of Insurance Policies are Crucial for Drivers in Florida

Published on: March 4, 2023 | By Roger P. Foley

As a driver in Florida, it’s important to protect yourself and your family in case of an accident. One of the most important things you can do is to have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage and stacking of insurance policies.

It’s important to note that over 51% of the drivers on Florida’s roads do not carry bodily injury protection policies. This means that if one of these drivers causes an accident that results in your injury, there may not be any insurance money available to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, or other damages.

What Is A CAT Scan and How Are They Used In Florida Personal Injury Cases?

Published on: January 10, 2023 | By Roger P. Foley

What Exactly Is A CAT Scan?

Written by West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyer, Roger P. Foley

Testing in Cat scan machine
A CAT scan, also referred to as computed tomography (CT) is a technique wherein they use x-rays to create detailed cross sectional images of the body. CT scans can be used to diagnose many medical conditions including but not limited to: cancer, heart disease, and other internal injuries. Additionally, they can also be used to guide surgeons when removing tissue for biopsy purposes. They can also be used to monitor whether specific treatments are effective in fighting disease.

Driving Like a Race Car Driver On Florida Streets, Roads and Highways Can Have Consequences

Published on: December 7, 2022 | By Roger P. Foley

Race Car Driver
Your car’s black box is recording all your trips, so you need to always be aware that driving recklessly can lead to serious consequences. Whether it is a denied insurance claim or even an arrest for reckless driving, the potential repercussions of putting yourself and others at risk are too great to ignore. Many drivers drive at high rates of speed when on 1-95 or Florida’s Turnpike but did you know that driving 25 mph or more over the posted speed limit is considered per se evidence. If reckless driving results in the death of another person, vehicular homicide charges will likely follow. If you are injured, your insurance company can deny your insurance claim.

It’s important to remember that reckless driving doesn’t just hurt the reckless driver, it can have devastating impacts on other people’s lives as well. Reckless driving can lead to death and destruction. Be responsible behind the wheel and always adhere to traffic laws.

The Black Box In Your Car or Truck

Fatigued Truck Drivers Are A Major Cause of Highway Accidents In Florida

Published on: December 1, 2022 | By Roger P. Foley

Recently, I was driving South on I-95 from Daytona Beach to Palm Beach County and encountered a tractor trailer that nearly sideswiped my vehicle. Luckily, I swerved and braked to avoid the accident. I was behind the 18-wheeler and noticed that the big rig failed to maintain a single lane, he was going onto the right shoulder then back over to the middle lane continuously. At one point he drove the center of the big truck down the shoulder lane nearly colliding with an emergency road vehicle that was helping a stranded motorist.

My passenger, Mario, happens to be a cinematographer with The Media Kraken, and began videoing the near catastrophic consequences of when a semi-trailer crashes. During this time, I called Florida Highway Patrol to have the vehicle stopped. FHP located us and followed the truck momentarily, making their own observations, and two FHP vehicles activated their overheadlights and the trucker pulled over. We later learned it was not a dui or a medical condition but a fatigued driver. Accordingly, it led me to write this blog. After all, I am a personal injury lawyer that represents victims of truck driving accidents.

https://youtu.be/XZm_cMnvnYY

Florida Auto Insurance: Understand The Basics and Protect Yourself In The Event Of Injury

Published on: August 7, 2022 | By Roger P. Foley

No one ever plans on being in an auto accident, but the fact is that they happen all the time. You never know when or where it will happen, so it’s important to be prepared. Being prepared is understanding your available insurance coverages. Having the proper coverage will protect you financially if you are injured in an accident and your car is damaged. This blog is brought to you by the Law Office of Roger P. Foley in an effort to educate drivers about the types of insurance coverage they should have in case an accident occurs.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Is Not Sufficient To Protect Drivers that Are Injured In An Auto Accident

Most Florida drivers are only required to carry the minimum amount of auto insurance coverage, which is $10,000 for personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 for property damage liability (PDL). This is considered full coverage. However, this may not be enough to cover all the costs if you are involved in a serious car accident. That’s why it’s important to have bodily injury coverage, uninsured motorist coverage and stacking of coverages.

Distracted Driving In Florida Is Increasing In 2022

Published on: August 7, 2022 | By Roger P. Foley

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In Florida, as in many other states, drivers have a legal duty to use reasonable care anytime they are engaged in something that might foreseeably cause harm. This includes avoiding distractions while driving. Unfortunately, many drivers do not take this responsibility seriously and engage in activities that could jeopardize their safety and the safety of others on the road. If someone your safety by causing you to be injured in a car accident then contacting a car accident lawyer may be necessary.

Distracted driving is a serious problem in Florida. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, an average of 370,000 crashes happen in this state each year. A large percentage of these accidents are caused by distracted drivers.

There are many things that can distract a driver, but one of the most common distractions is cell phone use. Many drivers think they can safely text or email while driving, but this is simply not the case. Texting or emailing requires a driver to take their eyes off the road and their hands off the wheel, which increases the risk of an accident. In addition, most would argue that any cognitive distraction that changes the driver’s focus from driving can cause an accident.

What Is Accident Report Privilege In Florida And What Does It Mean For You As A Driver Or Passenger Involved In A Car Accident?

Published on: August 4, 2022 | By Roger P. Foley

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Accident report privilege is a law in Florida that protects drivers and passengers that are involved in a car accident from having their statements used against them in court. This means that if you are involved in an accident, the information that you provide to law enforcement can not be used against you in a civil or criminal court.

Florida Statute 316.062 provides that the driver of any vehicle that is involved in a motor vehicle crash resulting in injury or death SHALL provide:

Name, address and registration of vehicle they were driving; and

Driving In The Rain In West Palm Beach (Helpful Tips To Avoid A Car Crash)

Published on: July 20, 2022 | By Roger P. Foley

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The rainy season in West Palm Beach typically lasts from May until October. During this time the area experiences an average of 12 inches of rainfall per month. The rains usually come in the form of thunderstorms, which can sometimes be severe.

While the weather can be a bit unpredictable during this time of year, it’s also one of the most beautiful times to be in West Palm Beach. The area is lush and green, and the rains help to cool off the hot summer temperatures.

However, the rainy season can also be a dangerous time to be on the roads. Due to the increased rainfall, the roads can become slick and slippery. This can lead to a higher number of car accidents. As a West Palm Beach Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyer, my office understands that: