Apparently the woman had just passed West Memorial Boulevard where the tractor-trailer then entered the westerly I-4 traffic flow.
The fatal accident shut down traffic for about an hour while firefighters battled flames from the truck accident. A witness from a nearby frontage-road business apparently saw the car on fire as it was dragged while lodged under the front of the tractor.
The 35-year-old truck driver involved in the accident reportedly brought the vehicles to a stop on the side of the interstate, but the intensity of the car fire kept him from being able to help the woman, who died at the scene of the crash.
]]> The sad incident is a reminder for drivers of smaller motor vehicles to proceed with extra caution when driving in the vicinity of semi traffic. The sheer size and weight of a fully loaded tractor-trailer traveling at highway speed is a serious and potentially fatal danger to those in cars, vans, SUVs and smaller trucks. It can be difficult to judge how long it can take for such a massive moving vehicle to slow down or stop when necessary, so operators of smaller vehicles should stay alert to semis around them and give them plenty of extra room in case of a dangerous, sudden development.Source: TheLedger.com, "Woman Is Killed in Collision with Tractor-Trailer on Interstate 4," Matthew Pleasant, April 17, 2012
]]>According to witnesses, the accident happened because the driver had to brake suddenly when he came upon a slower-moving vehicle. Witnesses noted that the semi had been traveling faster than the prevailing speed on that stretch of road. The driver was cited for careless driving. As commonly is the case when accidents occur on the Fairbanks Curve, the road was closed for hours while the wreckage was cleared.
]]> I-4 UpgradesGiven the high accident count in this area, the Florida Department of Transportation has taken steps to make the Fairbanks Curve safer. Because many of the accidents happened when the road was wet, the DOT decided to improve drainage, thus improving vehicle traction on the curve. In a project costing over $200,000, construction workers have been cutting grooves into the road's surface so that water can more readily drain away.
Construction work required temporary highway closures and detours that were probably a headache for motorists - who hope that eventually they'll lose less time if the work results in fewer accidents. Residents of the area patiently put up with noisy machinery working overnight.
More improvements are in store for a larger section of I-4, including the Fairbanks Curve. A major redesign over the next few years will expand the highway to 10 lanes through Orlando and should further enhance safety on the Curve.
Source: WESH, "I-4 Reopens After Semi Crash At Fairbanks Curve," Mar. 19, 2012
]]>In the moments before the car accident, the Deputy had accelerated from 24 to 87 mph to assist another officer with a traffic stop. However, the traffic stop was hardly an emergency, as it was for a burned-out tag light. The price of the Deputy's haste was the life of Meyer's 14-year-old stepsister, who was thrown 37 feet from the wreckage.
The Deputy was subsequently fired for his part in the accident and charges are pending against him for vehicular homicide and reckless driving.
Meyer's tragedy is the latest in a string of incidents where speeding Florida law enforcement officers have killed or maimed civilians. According to an investigation by the Sun Sentinel, although most officers are law-abiding and observe the law, the minority of scofflaws has killed at least 21 people since 2004.
]]> The Sun Sentinel's analysis of the crashes involving high-speed law enforcement vehicles revealed some shocking facts. It was found that many of the crashes, the law enforcement officer had no valid reason to be speeding. In several of the accidents, the officers were responding to routine calls, speeding without a reason or were merely late for work.The analysis also discovered that the speeding officers often were punished with a slap on the wrist. It was found that the punishment ranged from no criminal charges to a maximum of 60 days in jail.
Finally, the analysis uncovered that many law enforcement agencies do not take the problem of officer speeding seriously unless someone is killed. Even in those cases, most officers keep their jobs.
Police departments in Miami and Fort Lauderdale have started to crack down on the problem by doing undercover stings of their officers and using GPS to monitor the speed of police vehicles. Officers caught speeding are issued written reprimands and disciplined.
Blog: "21 people killed or maimed by speeding cops in Florida since 2004," Sun Sentinel, 2/12/12
]]>The iconic motorcycle race coincides with the Daytona Bike Week, a 10-day festival that draws hundreds of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts each year to Daytona International Speedway. This year's event is scheduled for March 9-18 to allow event organizers the two weeks they need after the end of the Daytona 500 to convert the racetrack from auto to motorcycle racing.
While racing of any kind, be it auto or motorcycle, is inherently dangerous, the Florida Department of Transportation aims to keep the focus on safety as Bike Week nears. In 2008 the department, along with safety stakeholders throughout Florida, developed the Motorcycle Safety Strategic Plan.
The five-year plan, due for renewal next year, aims to increase awareness of safe riding practices by promoting the use of helmets and other protective gear, proper licensing, rider training, auto motorist awareness and by discouraging impaired riding.
]]> Motorcyclists account for six percent of Florida's motorists, yet accidents involving motorcyclists and their passengers account for almost 18 percent of all traffic fatalities. Florida has seen a steady decrease in fatalities since the plan was implemented. Last year's numbers should be available in April from the Governors Highway Safety Association.To help promote its safety plan, Florida formed a Motorcycle Safety Coalition that includes the FDOT, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Florida Department of Health and other state and local law enforcement, emergency management, safety interest groups and motorcycle dealers. All programs are funded by grants and must be evaluated to determine how successful they are in reducing fatalities and injuries.
]]>The pileup occurred in the very early morning hours; and, sadly, this was not the first accident to occur that night on this stretch of road. Earlier in the overnight hours limited visibility caused a smaller accident that resulted in the authorities shutting down a stretch of the highway. After a few hours the road was reopened.
Yet, after the road was reopened, the visibility began to worsen, causing the pileup. One person involved in the accident told the Orlando television station WKMG that the road was clear until he "suddenly" ran into a "thick wall of smoke."
This accident is eerily reminiscent of a 70 car pileup accident on Florida's Interstate 4 (I-4) in January of 2008. After the 2008 accident, the Florida Department of Transportation began making improvements to I-4 in order to increase safety for all drivers and passengers.
]]> According to MyFoxTampaBay.com, improvements to I-4 include:The pileup accident in January of 2012 shows that more needs to be done to improve the safety of Florida's roads and highways. The safety improvements to I-4 are a step in the right direction, but these steps also need to be taken on the rest of Florida's well traveled roadways.
Source: WKMG Orlando News, "FHP identifies 11th victim in fatal I-75 crash," Jan. 30, 2012
]]>When compiling the study, CarInsuranceComparison.com took into account:
Because Florida drivers fare poorly in their ability to drive, Florida drivers pay some of the highest insurance rates in the U.S.
]]> Safe Driving TipsTo avoid car accidents and injuries in Florida, follow these basic safety tips:
Even though Florida drivers rank poorly, it is still possible to avoid accidents by being vigilant, watching out for careless drivers and taking steps to prevent being careless drivers themselves.
Pay attention. Be safe. And maybe next time Florida will drop in the rankings, which would be a good thing in this poll.
]]>MADD gives Florida four out of five stars for its work to fight drunk driving. This, of course, leaves room for improvement. One suggestion offered by MADD is to make ignition interlock devices mandatory for all drunk driving offenders - whether it is their first time or they are repeat offenders, whether their blood-alcohol level was 0.08 or much higher.
Florida lost hundreds of people to drunk driving last year. In the state alone, 774 people were killed by drunk drivers. Nationally, 11,000 people died because of drunk driving.
Many more are injured in drunk driving accidents. The severe injuries victims can sustain include amputations, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones and spinal cord injuries.
]]> Drunk Driving During the Holiday SeasonThe rates of drunk driving rise during the holidays. The stresses and celebrations can lead some drivers to choose to drive under the influence. Drivers who are intoxicated have poorer response times, coordination and judgment.
Florida will focus its anti-drunk driving efforts during the holidays. Due to the season's increase in drunk driving, the Florida Highway Patrol plans to use saturation techniques to catch more drunk drivers, in addition to drivers who are speeding.
Drivers who get behind the wheel when they are intoxicated are making a choice. It is hoped that they will decline to drive, whether it is because of MADD's input, law-enforcement patrols, an ignition interlock device or just a friend who takes the keys.
]]>The 2010 study released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that drowsy drivers are responsible for one in six traffic fatalities and one in eight traffic accidents that result in serious injuries. And, men are most likely to be involved in an accident involving a tired driver, accounting for two in three accidents involving drowsy drivers.
As reported by an NBC affiliate, a follow up study found that 32 percent of drivers admitted to driving when they struggled to keep their eyes open; with two in ten drivers admitting to falling asleep while behind the wheel (one in ten said they had done so in the past year).
]]> Drivers that experience any of the signs of fatigued driving (tired eyes, trouble keeping head up, swerving or drifting from lane, yawning, or inattention while driving) should pull over and take a break. The AAA Foundation offers the following safety tips for preventing fatigue-related accidents:In a written statement Peter Kissinger, president and CEO of AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, stated: "Drivers have a tendency to underestimate the impact being tired has on their driving ability, which puts themselves and others at risk."
The statistics released by the AAA Foundation should give all drivers pause, especially when drivers find themselves slouched and tired behind the wheel.
Source: Drowsy driving common, survey shows: Guess who does it most
]]>Because Legoland will have 1,000 or more employees, it qualifies for an exemption from state inspection and permitting requirements under a law specifically created for large amusement parks in the state and Orlando area. However, the law also requires the amusement parks to employ full-time safety inspectors of their own.
Under the law, amusement parks' safety inspectors must inspect every ride at least once a year and provide information to the state about their inspections. The Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer services also reviews parks' inspection procedures to ensure they meet industry safety standards. If an accident occurs that results in overnight hospitalization, the accident must be documented in quarterly reports given state safety officials.
]]> A Legoland spokesperson said its safety inspectors will inspect every ride every morning, and they also will be on standby throughout the day should anything happen. "We are completely confident that our ride maintenance team has the experience and the knowledge to ensure the safety" of the park's guests, spokesperson Jackie Wallace asserted.While one may question the reliability of self-inspections for ride safety, the threat of the tragic injures, negative publicity and possible personal-injury lawsuits that can follow amusement park accidents hopefully will be enough to ensure the safety of all guests at amusement parks in the Orlando area.
]]>According to Police, the recent accident occurred when the driver of a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse drove the wrong way down South John Young Parkway near L.B. McLeod Road, when he ran into another car. After the accident, police stated the driver got out of his car and fled the scene, running towards the eastbound Interstate 4 entrance ramp.
Police acknowledged that they pursued the driver and found him lying in the grass approximately 100 yards up the entrance ramp, between the guardrail and the highway fence. Police used a police dog to subdue the driver; then arrested him.
The woman driving the other car was trapped inside her car until a rescue crew was able to get her out of her vehicle and transport her to the hospital for treatment of injuries.
]]> Suspect Faces ChargesThe driver faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident with injuries and resisting arrest. Police also reported that the driver did not have a valid driver's license at the time of the accident, so he faces additional charges of driving without a valid driver's license.
This hit and run accident highlights the dangers that people face when on the road. No matter how cautious a driver tries to be, they cannot make everyone else follow all the rules of the road, and car accidents unfortunately happen. An experienced attorney can advise you of your rights and the possible compensation to which you may be entitled if injured by a negligent driver.
]]>The motorcycle struck the Honda's passenger side in the intersection, according to the police. Investigators said the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2009, 4,462 motorcyclists were killed and an additional 90,000 motorcyclists were injured throughout the nation.
Florida, with its large population and congested highways, is particularly deadly for motorcyclists, with 431 motorcyclist fatalities in 2009 according to the NHTSA.
As this crash demonstrates, and NHTSA studies show, when motorcycles and other vehicles collide, it is usually the driver of a car or truck who violates the motorcyclist's right-of-way.
The National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety created by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation contains motorcycle safety concerns for both motorcyclists and automobile drivers.
]]> For Drivers of Automobiles:Automobiles have obstructions and blind spots that can obscure or hide a motorcycle and rider.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle wreck, or a family member has been killed in a crash, you should contact an experienced Orlando personal injury attorney.
]]>The majority of these injuries occur as a result of a collision with another vehicle, according to Safetyresource.org, an organization dedicated to teaching about safer ways to navigate the world.
In Kingston's case, his injuries resulted from a collision with a bridge piling after he lost control while speeding, according to media reports. Kingston's passenger was also injured, although not as severely.
]]> Inexperience seems to lead to may Jet Ski crashes, according to Safetyresource.org. In many cases, injured riders are using a borrowed or rented machine at the time of their crash. Many people also don't realize that, just like a car, a Jet Ski requires a certain stopping distance. Additionally, the Jet Ski's power steering only functions when the motor is on. If the vehicle gets swamped, or something else happens that cuts power, the rider will not be able to steer.In other cases, injuries can happen to swimmers who are hit by Jet Ski operators, or who are sucked into the powerful water intake jets on the front of the machine.
Many jurisdictions have laws regarding speed and prohibiting certain "tricks" with a Jet Ski, such as wake jumping or spinning u-turns.
Of course, combining alcohol or drugs with any type of water activity is dangerous and illegal, as well.
To remain safe while using any personal watercraft, riders should wear a tight-fitting life jacket that doesn't impede arm movement. In addition, they should make sure they familiarize themselves with how the vehicle works. Most importantly, they should stay sober and obey all safety rules.
]]>The ranking was calculated by using the number of fatal accidents divided by the number of miles of interstate highway located within that state. I-95 in Florida won the number-one spot, with 662 fatal accidents between 2004 and 2008, leaving it with the dubious distinction of America's deadliest highway. The third spot also went to a Florida highway, I-4, probably the most congested interstate in central and northern Florida.
According to the Daily Beast, I-4 covers 132.30 miles in Florida and had 209 fatal car accidents in the four-year period studied; that's 1.58 accidents per mile and a total fatality count of 234.
]]> The accidents on I-4 are diverse. In January, 2008, a mixture of smoke and fog on the highway caused a 70-car pileup, resulting in five deaths and 38 injuries. Last August, a UPS semi-truck caught fire after colliding with an SUV near Orlando. More recently, in February, a man was killed in a truck accident when he overturned his semi after losing control of the 18-wheeler. And this past March, a four-vehicle collision resulted in the death of a motorcyclist, while a single-car accident left a man dead after his SUV crashed into a guardrail. In April, one person died after being ejected from a car, with three others injured in the same accident.I-4 connects Tampa to Orlando and Daytona, which might account in part for the high number of accidents. While speed plays a role in many of the crashes, I-4 is unique in the variety of it drivers, including speeding college students; tourists and vacationers who are unfamiliar with the road; and retired seniors, who often drive more slowly than drivers in the rest of the traffic. This combination makes for a potential driving nightmare.
Additionally, parts of the highway do not drain properly, including a dangerous stretch at a curve in Fairbanks that has recently seen a tractor-trailer crash, a semi-truck jack-knife and a truck hit a guardrail.
While dangerous highways and careless drivers are a fact of life, you should not have to suffer financially because of them. If you have been injured in a car wreck, contact an attorney who is experienced in handling motor vehicle accidents to learn your rights and explore your legal options.
]]>Beth Robertson, a spokesperson for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, said that, because the CPSC does not investigate amusement park incidents that result in injuries or deaths, there is no data available on how many people are hurt in amusement park accidents. However, the CPSC has stated that thousands of people are injured every year at fixed-ride and traveling-ride amusement parks in the U.S.
]]> According to Robertson, the probability of receiving an amusement-park injury that requires overnight hospitalization is one in 10 million, and the likelihood of being fatally injured is one in 790 million. But, with Robertson reporting that 300 million people take more than 1.5 billion rides on fixed-site amusement park rides each year, the question is not if an amusement-park accident will occur but when it will happen. And sadly, even though the odds of an amusement-park accident are low, the resulting harm is often tragic, such as paralysis or death.One of the most terrible amusement-park accidents occurred on Disney World's monorail in the summer of 2009. In the Disney monorail accident, a monorail pilot, 21-year-old Austin Wuennenberg, was fatally injured when another train backed into his and crushed him.
Wuennenberg's mother sued Disney over the crash in January, 2010. During the lawsuit, the monorail manager on duty admitted that he was actually at a nearby Perkin's restaurant phoning in monorail traffic orders as though he were in the control tower.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration originally fined Disney $44,000 for safety violations it discovered after the crash, but the fine was later lowered to $35,200. In August, 2010, Disney also announced it would make major monorail staffing changes in the wake of the accident.
Wuennenberg's mother and Disney recently agreed to settle the case, but the terms of the settlement agreement are confidential.
If you have been hurt at an amusement park or injured on a theme-park ride, contact a personal injury attorney with experience in amusement park cases to discuss any legal claims you may have.
Source: Roller Coaster Rides Getting Bigger, Faster and More Dangerous, Say Experts, Lawsuit Against Disney Has Been Dismissed
]]>At The Law Office of Scott M. Miller, we demand understand the importance of staying current with both legal and medical issues. Staying abreast of new laws affecting potential settlements and verdicts in medical malpractice and motor vehicle accident cases demands our keen attention and diligence. We aim to be ready to move quickly on the next serious or catastrophic injury case that comes our way.
You may be considering contacting our law firm after a truck injury, a construction injury or a motor vehicle accident in the Orlando area or beyond. If you select The Law Office of Scott M. Miller, and we pledge to keep you informed about every phase of your case and the relevant legal processes. Our goal is to empower our clients to make the best decisions they can about their own cases.
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