Alcohol Suspected as Contributing Factor in Orlando Auto Accident
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.
Florida Governor Promotes National Driving Safety Campaign for Holiday Season
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.
Florida Driver Apprehended in Sanford Was Speeding at 117 MPH
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.
Florida Still Lags Behind Other States on Cell Phone Driving Bans
Regular readers of this blog are very familiar with our state’s lack of cell phone legislation for drivers. They are also very familiar with Orlando personal injury attorney James O. Cunningham’s stance on this issue. He prefers a zero tolerance policy on cell phone use of any kind while driving and encourages state lawmakers to take decisive action on this issue to save lives. Currently, there are no state laws against texting, surfing the internet or making calls on cell phones while driving. Further, Florida does not allow communities to enact legislation against distracted cell phone driving.
Fatal Florida Turnpike Crash Caused By Driver Changing CD
Accident investigators found that a recent fatal auto accident on the Florida Turnpike was caused by a driver who was changing the compact disc in her car. Florida Highway Patrol investigators say the recent accident occurred around 2:50 p.m. at Mile Marker 237, south of Kissimmee-St. Cloud and closed two lanes of the Turnpike for several hours. They say the 63-year-old victim was driving her 2000 Chevrolet SUV southbound on the Turnpike when a 2001 Pontiac Firebird driven by a 55-year-old West Palm Beach woman suddenly veered from the left lane into the right and struck the SUV. The impact caused the SUV to roll over onto its roof and skid a short distance. Although she was wearing a seatbelt, the SUV driver died from her injuries at the scene. Two passengers in the SUV were treated for minor injuries. Charges are pending against the driver of the Firebird, who suffered minor injuries in the crash.
FHP Requests Help From Public on Fatal Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident
Florida Highway Patrol officers are requesting that those who may have seen a recent fatal hit-and-run pedestrian accident come forward with any information they may have. Accident investigators say that the accident occurred near the intersection of Semoran and Old Cheney Highway in east Orange County. They say an adult male pedestrian was crossing Semoran east-to-west when he was struck and killed by a black Jeep Wrangler. They say that after the jeep struck the man, the driver immediately fled the scene to avoid taking responsibility.
Fatal Florida Trucking Accident Closes Two Lanes of Interstate 95
A trucking accident involving two tractor-trailers on Interstate 95 recently closed two lanes of the busy highway and claimed the life of one of the truck drivers. Florida Highway Patrol officers say the accident occurred around 5 a.m. at mile marker 189 south of the I-95 exchange with Wickham Road. Emergency responders from Brevard County Fire Rescue said one truck was hauling PVC piping and the other was carrying general merchandise when the driver of the truck carrying the PVC rear-ended the other truck, causing more than 70 gallons of diesel fuel to spill onto the road.
Florida Motorcyclist Killed in Rear-End Accident on S.R. 50
A rear-end accident on State Road 50 near the intersection with Remington Road has claimed the life of a 41-year-old motorcyclist, according to Florida Highway Patrol officers. They say that the victim was in the center westbound lane of Colonial Drive waiting for a red light to change when he was struck from behind by a Honda sport utility vehicle driven by an 18-year-old Clermont man. Accident investigators say the accident occurred around 12:03 a.m. Just as the light changed from red to green, the Honda SUV collided with the rear of the victim’s motorcycle, sending it across the intersection and ejecting the rider.
NHTSA Inspects Jeep Grand Cherokee Involved in Fatal Florida Accident
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating whether or not Jeep Grand Cherokees manufactured between 1993 and 2004 should be recalled due to gas tank ruptures in rear-end accidents. Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham is closely following developments in this case as the Jeep that NHTSA is investigating in the case belongs to an Orlando man who died in a recent accident after his Jeep was struck from behind.
NHTSA spokeswoman Karen Aldana recently wrote in an email that “As part of our open defect investigation, N.H.T.S.A. plans to inspect the Jeep Grand Cherokee that was involved in a recent Orlando area crash.”
Five Arrested for Staging Orlando Car Accident
Five Orlando residents were arrested recently for their roles in an organized insurance fraud ring that staged auto accidents. The Florida Department of Financial Services reports that the suspects solicited people and told them they would receive $1,000 each if they participated in a fake auto accident on July 10, 2010 and filed false medical claims for injuries they supposedly received in the accident. Orlando personal injury attorneys are growing increasingly alarmed about insurance fraud as it has caused insurance premiums in our area to soar and has made it more difficult for them to help clients who have been injured in auto accidents.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a vehicle accident, call at (386) 243-4994.
Verdicts & Settlements
- Rear End Car Accident:
$3.75 Million Recovery - Semi-Truck Accident:
$1.5 Million Recovery - Van Rollover:
$1.2 Million Wrongful Death Recovery - Rear End Bus Accident:
$775,000.00 Recovery - Truck Collides with Cow:
$500,000.00 Recovery