Car Accidents

Accident investigators with the Florida Highway Patrol suspect that alcohol was a contributing factor in a recent early morning Orlando auto accident that claimed the life of a local man. Investigators say that the victim was a 27-year-old Orlando man who crashed and overturned his vehicle on North Powers Drive near Balboa Drive. Accident reconstruction specialists say the man was driving on the wrong side of the road and nearly hit a church van when his car jumped the curb and struck a telephone pole, which fell on top of the car. The victim’s car came to rest on its top in the middle of North Powers Drive, and the victim was pronounced dead from his injuries at the scene. The driver of the church van had to veer sharply to avoid being struck head-on by the oncoming car.

FHP Trooper Montague Haight said that the accident investigation would determine whether or not the victim had been drinking before the crash but admitted that preliminary signs indicated that drunk driving was a strong possibility.

“If you’re going to come out and drive your vehicle and you’re going to be out drinking make sure you have a designated driver. There’s no reason to get behind the wheel after you have had anything to drink. But if this accident was alcohol related again that’s going to be pending the investigation,” he said.

Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham and other Central Florida auto accident attorneys take a very dim view of drunk drivers and for very good reasons. Drunk drivers caused auto accidents that killed 66 people in 2009 and injured dozens more, and driving while under the influence of alcohol is the very definition of negligence.

If you were injured in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, you have a right to seek damages against the driver and his or her insurance company. In many cases, injured people will be contacted by the at-fault driver’s insurance company and offered a modest sum in exchange for a signature on some documents. What these unfortunate folks don’t realize until it is too late that they are signing away their rights to seek damages. Before you sign anything, have it reviewed by an experienced Orlando personal injury attorney such as Mr. Cunningham. To schedule a free consultation, call 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000 today.

In a move that Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham fully supports, Florida Governor Rick Scott recently designated December as National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month in our state. Taking part in the national campaign, the governor instructed the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to enhance public awareness about safer driving habits during the holiday season. Drivers intoxicated by alcohol and/or drugs caused nearly 19,000 auto accidents across the country in 2010, leading to more than 13,000 injuries and hundreds of deaths.

To make Florida roadways safer this holiday season, the governor, the DHSMV, law enforcement agencies and safety advocates are joining forces to educate drivers and enforce impaired driving laws. To illustrate the importance of the issue, Governor Scott recently issued a proclamation to recognize 3D Prevention Month in Florida.

“This is the season to celebrate with friends and family,” he said. “My administration and all of our safety partners across the state of Florida are dedicated to making sure this season is celebrated safely. We plan to lead by example by practicing safe driving habits that include buckling up, driving sober and avoiding distractions while behind the wheel.”

“We encourage everyone to plan ahead this holiday season to avoid drinking or drugged driving,” said Florida Highway Patrol Director, Colonel David Brierton. “The Florida Highway Patrol will participate in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over national crackdown this month. We are encouraging all drivers to make good decisions.”

Mr. Cunningham and other Orlando personal injury attorneys fully endorse these efforts and any others that will make our roadways safer this holiday season as law enforcement officials usually see a spike in accidents caused by impaired drivers during this time. The grim statistics for the 2010 holiday season include the following:

• During the New Year’s holiday travel period, 32 people died on Florida’s roadways. Of those, 12 deaths were alcohol-related.
• During the four-day Christmas holiday travel period, 24 people died on Florida’s roadways. Of those, eight deaths were alcohol-related.

Mr. Cunningham wishes all Floridians and visitors a very safe and happy holiday season. Anyone who wishes to schedule a free consultation at one of his many law offices throughout Central Florida can call 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000. Happy Holidays!

Sanford police recently arrested a 22-year-old Sanford man on multiple reckless driving charges after a very high-speed chase through town where the man was caught on radar traveling at 117 miles per hour. After receiving numerous complaints about a man traveling at excessive speeds, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office dispatched a helicopter, which spotted the man running red lights at the intersections of 13th Street and French Avenue and U.S. Highway 17-92 and Lake Mary Boulevard around 2:15 a.m.

Officers on board the helicopter alerted officers on the ground, who deployed spiked sticks to flatten the man’s tires so that his vehicle could be disabled and he could be apprehended. The man faces multiple charges including reckless driving, fleeing and eluding officers at high speeds, disobeying multiple traffic signals and others. He is being held in the Seminole County Jail in Sanford with bail set at $2,050. Officers placed the spiked sticks at Country Club Road and Airport Boulevard and were finally able to apprehend the subject at County Club and Southwest roads.

Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham was quite relieved to hear that no one was injured or killed by this man’s recklessness. Given the exceptionally high rates of speed and the number of red lights the man ran, it is somewhat miraculous that no one was in the wrong place at the wrong time and struck by this man’s vehicle.

As you know, many Floridians are not so lucky. Reckless drivers kill and severely injure many people in our state every day. Through no fault of their own, their lives are changed forever, and their physical injuries are compounded by the psychological turmoil of skyrocketing medical bills and the inability to provide for their families.

That is why many people in Central Florida rely on Orlando personal injury attorney James O. Cunningham for experienced legal counsel and help through this difficult period of their lives. Mr. Cunningham has a proven record of helping injured people receive the fair and just compensation they deserve since 1977. He gives each client and case the individual attention they deserve and answers all questions in plain, easy-to-understand language. To schedule a consultation at one of his many Central Florida law offices, call 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000 today.

An article published in the Orlando Sentinel describes a chain reaction accident that occurred in July 2009 when a semi truck’s improperly secured cargo caused cars to collide while drivers attempted to avoid the debris. Among the more unusual aspects of the accident was a car bumper with a 15-inch kitchen knife embedded in it that was part of the truck’s cargo. According to law enforcement officials investigating the car accidents, the chain reaction crash occurred on S.R. 520 near Bellevue Way.

Washington State Troopers said the accident began when a semi truck traveling westbound began losing its cargo and caused the chain reaction accident when cars, trucks and at least one motorcycle tried to avoid hitting the debris flying out of the back of the truck.

Read more…