The post At What Age Can Kids Sit in the Front Seat of a Car in Destin, FL? appeared first on Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys.
]]>However, with guidelines that appear conflicting and fussy children who may not like the seat you purchase for them, knowing what safety device you should use for your child can be challenging.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that using an appropriate car seat for your child can reduce the risk of injury in a crash by as much as 82 percent. Similarly, booster seats can reduce the risk of injury to children who use them appropriately by 45 percent.
Knowing where and in what seat your child should sit while riding in your car is essential to their health and safety.
While your child may need different restraint systems as they grow depending on their height and weight, there is one bright-line rule that the CDC sets forth. No matter your child’s height or weight, they should remain in a rear seat until they turn 13 years old.
Even if your child can wear a standard seat belt before that age, keeping them in the rear of the vehicle will offer them the greatest amount of protection.
Florida’s seat belt laws specify the type of child seat or restraint that you should use with your young child. The recommended safety device or restraint changes as your child ages. In addition, your child’s height and weight can also impact the device you should use.
Ensure that whatever car seat or booster seat you use is federally approved and is certified for use on a child of your son or daughter’s age, weight, and height.
Very young children should be in a rear-facing car seat and should remain in such a seat until they outgrow it. This rear-facing seat should be installed in the rear seat of your vehicle. Do not place your young child in the front seat with a rear-facing car seat, as this can cause serious or fatal injuries to your child if your airbag deploys.
Once your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat, they should move to a forward-facing seat. As with rear-facing seats, forward-facing car seats should be installed in the rear of your vehicle, and your child should continue to use this seat until they outgrow it.
Next, your child should transition to a booster seat once they have fully outgrown their forward-facing car seat. Even though booster seats work in tandem with your car’s standard safety belts, your child is still too young to ride in the front of the car.
Once your child is big enough that a standard seat belt fits them correctly over the lap and shoulder, they may ride without a car seat. For maximum protection, keep your child in the rear of the car until they are 13 years old.
Using the appropriate child seat for your child can mean the difference between them escaping a car wreck uninjured and suffering injuries.
Children under 13 should never ride in the front and should transition from one car seat type to the next only when they outgrow the previous seat type. Begin with a rear-facing seat, and transition to a forward-facing seat and then a booster seat as your child ages and grows.
If you need legal assistance, contact the Destin car accident lawyers at Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We have two convenient locations in Northwest Florida:
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Destin Office
4507 Furling Ln Suite 214
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 790-0243
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Fort Walton Beach Office
975 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 863-5297
The post At What Age Can Kids Sit in the Front Seat of a Car in Destin, FL? appeared first on Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys.
]]>The post Can I Have Just One Drink and Be Safe To Drive in Fort Walton Beach? appeared first on Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys.
]]>Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), also known as Blood Alcohol Level, is measured in grams per deciliter (G/DL). In Florida, the legal blood alcohol concentration limit for operating a motor vehicle is 0.08.
This means that if your BAC is at or above 0.08, you are considered legally impaired and may face DUI (Driving Under the Influence) charges if caught driving.
Even if one’s BAC is under 0.08, they may still be impaired while driving. At as little as 0.02 BAC, one may experience a decline in one’s ability to track amoving target, difficulty performing two tasks simultaneously, and and a loss of judgment. At 0.05 BAC, individuals experience reduced coordination, difficulty steering, and a reduced response to emergency driving situations.
While some may believe that having just one drink will not impair their ability to drive, the reality is more complex. Alcohol affects individuals differently based on factors such as weight, metabolism, and tolerance levels.
Even a single drink can lead to impairment, affecting judgment, coordination, and reaction time. It’s important to understand that impairment is separate from BAC, and even a BAC below the legal limit can still impair driving abilities.
Driving under the influence is a form of negligence or potentially even recklessness. It constitutes a breach of one’s duty to drive safely. If you are caught driving under the influence, you may receive a range of severe penalties, including thousands of dollars of fines and imprisonment.
For the first conviction, the defendant may pay up to $2000 in fines, and they may be given a prison sentence of up to six months. For subsequent convictions, fines can increase to $5000 or more. In addition, in a subsequent conviction, if the BAC was over 0.15 or there was a minor in the vehicle, the fine is no less than $4000, and the prison sentence can be up to five years.
In addition, one can have one’s vehicle impounded or immobilized. At the first conviction, the vehicle is impounded for 10 days, at the second conviction for 30 days, and at the third conviction for 90 days. An exception to impoundment may be granted if the family of the defendant has no other transportation.
Aside from the legal consequences of driving under the influence, there are numerous other dangers associated with impaired driving. Impaired drivers are more likely to cause accidents, resulting in injuries or fatalities to themselves and others on the road.
Additionally, impaired driving can lead to significant financial and emotional costs, including medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, loss of earnings for the injured party, and loss of life.
To ensure the safety of yourself and others on the road, it’s essential to practice responsible drinking and avoid driving after consuming alcohol. Here are some best practices for road safety:
Keeping this advice in mind can help you stay safe on the road.
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a drunk driver in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, you may be due substantial compensation. Reach out to an experienced car accident attorney for a free consultation, at which time you can learn about your legal rights and options.
If you need legal assistance, contact the Fort Walton Beach car accident lawyers at Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We have two convenient locations in Northwest Florida:
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Fort Walton Beach Office
975 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 863-5297
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Destin Office
4507 Furling Ln Suite 214
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 790-0243
The post Can I Have Just One Drink and Be Safe To Drive in Fort Walton Beach? appeared first on Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys.
]]>The post What Does a Fort Walton Beach Car Accident Lawyer Do? appeared first on Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys.
]]>Fort Walton Beach car accident lawyers handle everything from communicating with insurance companies to preparing your case for court, if it comes to that.
Hiring a car accident lawyer in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, is crucial after an accident. A lawyer can greatly increase your chances of a fair resolution.
Here’s why hiring a Fort Walton Beach car accident lawyer is beneficial:
Choosing a lawyer in Fort Walton Beach means you have a partner. Someone who knows the local laws, understands what you’re going through, and fights for your rights and fair compensation.
Most of the time, car accident cases are settled outside of court. But when insurance companies refuse to offer the compensation you deserve, having a skilled trial attorney is essential. Your lawyer may be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver if negotiations fail.
Here’s how your lawyer prepares for trial:
Your lawyer’s readiness to go to trial can sometimes lead to better settlement offers, as defendants often become concerned about the strength of your case.
Estimating compensation from a car accident in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, means understanding that it varies widely. No lawyer can promise a precise amount, but knowing what affects your potential compensation is important.
Here are the factors to consider:
Every case is unique, so consulting with a Fort Walton Beach car accident lawyer is essential. Your attorney can assess your specific circumstances and provide insight into the potential value of your case.
If you need legal assistance, contact the Fort Walton Beach car accident lawyers at Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We have two convenient locations in Northwest Florida:
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Fort Walton Beach Office
975 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 863-5297
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Destin Office
4507 Furling Ln Suite 214
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 790-0243
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]]>The post At What Age Can Kids Sit in the Front Seat of a Car in Fort Walton Beach, FL? appeared first on Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys.
]]>Here is what you should know about Florida car seat laws and when your kids can safely sit in the front seat.
Florida is one of several states with no law mandating that children remain in the back seat until they reach a certain age or height. That means children can sit in the front seat in Florida at any age.
However, the Florida Department of Highway Safety recommends that children 12 and under remain in the backseat when possible.
The backseat is the safest place for children. Front airbags are designed for adults and can cause serious injury or death to young children, even if they are in a car seat. In fact, most fatal airbag injuries involve young children sitting in the passenger seat.
If a child needs to sit in the front seat before 13, make sure the seat is positioned as far away from the airbag as possible. If needed, the airbag should be disabled. Rear-facing car seats should never be installed in front of an active airbag.
The Florida Safety Belt Law requires that all front-seat passengers and children under 18 wear seat belts or a proper child restraint device. This law is a primary offense, which means drivers can be stopped and cited if they or their passengers are not wearing a seat belt.
Florida law only mandates car seats or booster seats for children five and under.
Florida Statutes § 316.613 covers child safety restraint laws. Requirements for child restraints are based on age:
Like many states, Florida’s law on child safety restraints does not reflect best practices.
Florida child restraint law falls short of recommended safety standards. The NHTSA, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and other national organizations recommend that children remain in the appropriate restraint system until they exceed the height or weight limit. This means progress from a rear-facing car seat to a forward-facing seat, then a booster seat.
Kids should not wear a regular seat belt without a booster seat until it fits comfortably across the hips and upper thighs. This happens when they are 4’9” and usually between 8 and 12 years old. The AAP recommends that kids under 13 should always sit in the back seat.
Traffic collisions are the leading cause of death for young children. About 37% of children killed in motor vehicle accidents were unrestrained. Car accidents are one of the leading causes of serious child injuries.
Child safety restraints are designed to spread the force of an accident to the strongest parts of the body, prevent ejection, and protect the delicate spine, neck, and head. Booster seats ensure that children are positioned so the seat belt spreads force across the strongest bones of the shoulders and hips. Rear-facing car seats spread crash forces across the back to reduce the risk of brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.
Booster seats and car seats only work to protect children when they are installed and used properly.
Unfortunately, many parents have a false sense of security. About 46% of car seats are installed or used incorrectly, according to the NHTSA. The National Digital Car Seat Check Form (NDCF) database shows that 65% of car seats brought in for inspection in Florida are not used or installed properly.
The most common types of misuse include:
The NDCF database showed that more than half of the safety seats checked had misuse of the harness, seat belt, or tether, but misuse involving the lower anchor, load leg, or recline angle was also common.
Fort Walton Beach families can attend a free Car Seat Safety Check to make sure their car seat is suitable and properly installed. The event occurs monthly at the Okaloosa County Department of Health, with checks performed by certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs).
Unfortunately, even properly installed safety seats can’t eliminate the risk of injury in a crash. If you or your child have been injured in a collision, a Fort Walton Beach personal injury lawyer can help you understand your options to recover compensation.
If you need legal assistance, contact the Fort Walton Beach personal injury lawyers at Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We have two convenient locations in Northwest Florida:
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Fort Walton Beach Office
975 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 863-5297
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Destin Office
4507 Furling Ln Suite 214
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 790-0243
The post At What Age Can Kids Sit in the Front Seat of a Car in Fort Walton Beach, FL? appeared first on Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys.
]]>The post Allstate Worst Insurance Company For Consumers appeared first on Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys.
]]>There are several reasons why Allstate remains the worst insurance company for consumers. Understanding more about their business practices can help you make informed decisions regarding car insurance.
Allstate is one of the largest insurance providers in the United States. Allstate administers over 30 million policies, including auto, home, and life insurance. Allstate has been under scrutiny for over 15 years for its claims-handling practices. Consumer losses and dissatisfaction with Allstate have increased since then.
Allstate has become infamous for its shady practices surrounding its policyholders’ claims. Policyholders pay premiums for years. They hope that the insurance company will protect them after an accident. Insurance companies often use underhanded tactics to avoid paying claims. Allstate’s practices go above and beyond this level of deception.
Allstate hired McKinsey & Company to design a program to cheat policyholders. Allstate’s program sought to reduce payouts and increase company profits. They allegedly undervalued claims, impacting the compensation received by consumers.
Recently, internal documents at Allstate have exposed Allstate’s guidance for insurance adjusters. Allstate encourages adjusters to use deceptive tactics and misinformation when handling claims. These tactics have likely affected the resolution of legitimate claims.
Critics accuse Allstate of employing a strategy called “delay, deny, and defend.” This means that Allstate denies claims, even when the policyholder is not at fault. Allstate intentionally prolonged the claims process. An 18-month CNN investigation revealed that Allstate often denied valid claims. Any offers made only provided a fraction of the compensation owed to policyholders.
Policyholders’ only recourse was to sue Allstate. However, many of the plaintiffs were financially impacted by their accidents. Allstate took advantage of their situation and dragged out court cases for years. Eventually, plaintiffs could no longer afford to fight. To add insult to injury, Allstate defended the practice by claiming that it was intended to fight insurance fraud.
Consumers have made many complaints about Allstate’s claims-handling practices. Consumer advocacy groups and government entities have shared these reports. Complaints range from delay tactics to unfair settlement offers. In the last few years, complaints around Allstate Insurance have grown.
Allstate operates under different names, which might not always be obvious to consumers. When dealing with insurance claims, knowing some of the many names of Allstate can be helpful.
Here are just a few of the names that Allstate and its subsidiaries have assumed:
There are also many variations of the Allstate name. These include Allstate Insurance Company, Allstate Indemnity Company, and Allstate Life Insurance Company.
Navigating the complex landscape of insurance claims can be challenging for consumers. Pursuing your compensation is even harder with a major provider like Allstate. Allstate has significant resources to design and defend shady practices that hurt policyholders. When going against a major corporation, it can help to have a lawyer in your corner.
Insurance companies often employ unfair practices to avoid paying claims. A skilled personal injury lawyer can help you stand up to these companies and pursue fair compensation. If you have faced difficulties with Allstate or any other insurance company, consult a personal injury lawyer.
If you need legal assistance, contact the Destin car accident lawyers at Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We have two convenient locations in Northwest Florida:
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Destin Office
4507 Furling Ln Suite 214
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 790-0243
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Fort Walton Beach Office
975 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 863-5297
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]]>The post What Are the Top 10 Disabilities? appeared first on Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys.
]]>In its 2022 Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, the Social Security Administration identifies the types of disabilities that most commonly result in disability benefits. This list includes:
The most common type of disability in the U.S. is a musculoskeletal or connective tissue disorder. About 34.9% of SSDI claimants have such a condition. This category encompasses conditions like arthritis, scoliosis, and degenerative disc disease. It can also include knee and shoulder issues as well as carpal tunnel syndrome.
About 13.6% of SSDI recipients receive benefits because of neoplasms. These are growths or tumors within the body that impact other organs and body parts. Some neoplasms develop into cancerous tumors.
The circulatory system encompasses the heart and blood vessels. Disorders that can lead to SSDI benefits include heart failure, stroke, and high blood pressure. About 11% of claimants have a disorder in this category.
Meningitis, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injuries are examples of injuries to the nervous system that can be disabling for some individuals. Approximately 9.5% of SSDI claimants have such a condition.
Approximately 3.9% of Americans claiming disability benefits have a condition that fits into this category, including conditions like bipolar I disorder and major depressive disorder.
Neurocognitive disorders are conditions that affect a person’s brain function and can lead to confusion and memory troubles. This includes conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. About 2.5% of disability claimants belong to this category.
This category includes not only schizophrenia but also other psychotic conditions that can result in hallucinations or delusions. Only about 1.7% of people who receive disability benefits do so in connection with a condition like this.
An intellectual disability impacts a person’s ability to acquire, use, and retain new information. Approximately 1% of disability claimants receive benefits because of these disorders. They include conditions like Down syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Autism spectrum disorder affects about 0.5% of SSDI recipients. It can impact someone of any age but generally develops within the first two years of a person’s life. It can affect how the person learns, behaves, and interacts with others.
The smallest category of disability benefits recipients is those who suffer from other types of developmental disorders. Only about 0.1% of SSDI beneficiaries have such a condition, which can include cerebral palsy or Tourette syndrome.
There is no data available from the Social Security Administration showing how people receive or develop these disabling conditions. Some, such as musculoskeletal and joint injuries, can be personal injuries that result from work or sports activities. Others, like autism or other developmental disorders, may be present in a person from birth.
Taken together, the available information from the Social Security Administration suggests that far more Americans suffer disabling limitations from physical conditions than emotional disturbances. Potentially catastrophic injuries to the bones and joints are the most common type of disability, while those impacting how a person processes information and learns are the least common.
If you need legal assistance, contact the Destin personal injury lawyers at Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We have two convenient locations in Northwest Florida:
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Destin Office
4507 Furling Ln Suite 214
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 790-0243
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Fort Walton Beach Office
975 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 863-5297
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]]>The post Symptoms of a Broken Tailbone appeared first on Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys.
]]>The remaining four fuse to form a single, short, conical structure known as the coccyx, also called the tailbone, which sits below the sacrum in your buttocks. True to its name, it looks like a small tail, but — given the fused vertebrae that form it — the pieces cannot move independently.
The spine protects the spinal cord, and at each vertebra, a pair of spinal nerves branches into a nerve root. These nerve roots innervate symmetrical body regions. For example, a pair of nerve roots in your neck innervate your right and left shoulders.
The lowest nerve root pair exits the tailbone and — along with the associated coccygeal plexus — innervates the area around it. In other words, these nerves do not radiate into the legs and instead remain in the buttocks.
As such, should you break your tailbone, you will experience symptoms such as pain and bruises in the immediate area.
If the bone fragments press on the coccygeal plexus, you can also experience symptoms of a compressed nerve, which may include the following:
Doctors will rarely treat a broken tailbone with anything other than anti-inflammatory drugs and pain medication. However, in the rare situations where the coccyx has shattered or dislocated, doctors may operate to remove it.
Given the location of the tailbone, it will typically fracture only from the force of a direct impact. Some situations in which that might occur are as follows:
If you fall backward, the resulting impact can fracture your tailbone. The risk is particularly high if you fall into a sitting position.
For example, in a slip and fall accident, your feet slip forward, but your body falls backward. If you bend at the waist, you will land on your buttocks and may fracture your tailbone. Likewise, you could also break your tailbone in a fall from a great height, such as from a ladder, as the impact of your buttocks on the ground could fracture your tailbone.
Car accidents are unlikely to cause a broken tailbone since your seat protects your tail area. But in a pedestrian accident, bicycle accident, or motorcycle accident, you are much more exposed to the risk of these types of injuries.
A car could hit your lower back and buttocks in a pedestrian accident. You could fall onto your bicycle frame after a car hits you in a bicycle accident, with the impact fracturing your coccyx, and falling onto the pavement after a crash could break your tailbone as well.
You could also suffer this injury when you get pushed backward. If a person assaults you and pushes you hard enough to make you fall backward, you could land on and break your coccyx.
A broken tailbone can cause considerable pain and may even cause you to miss work since you cannot sit comfortably. Fortunately, the law gives you a path for recovering compensation for the symptoms of a broken tailbone.
A broken tailbone caused by someone else’s negligent or intentional actions is grounds for legal action. To prove liability, you must show that the other person either intended to make harmful contact with you or that they failed to exercise reasonable care and injured you as a result. Once you do so, you can seek compensation for both your economic and non-economic losses.
If you need legal assistance, contact the Destin personal injury lawyers at Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We have two convenient locations in Northwest Florida:
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Destin Office
4507 Furling Ln Suite 214
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 790-0243
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Fort Walton Beach Office
975 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 863-5297
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]]>The post Are Lane Splitting & Filtering Legal in Fort Walton Beach, FL? appeared first on Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys.
]]>These often involve implementing the following measures:
These efforts are not only intended to help alleviate traffic congestion but also to reduce the risk of car accidents.
Most notably, some states, such as Florida, are also beginning to look into options like lane splitting and filtering. It’s important, though, that motorcyclists understand what these practices are, as well as the benefits they provide and whether they’re even allowed in Florida in the first place.
When traffic volume is high, drivers are often moving too slowly and too close together to switch lanes. However, motorcyclists may be able to safely maneuver between lanes given their vehicles’ smaller statures and the low-risk circumstances of slow-moving cars.
It is a practice known as lane splitting, and different states have distinct laws in place that either allow, restrict, or — most often — leave the choice of engaging in these practices up to the discretion of local law enforcement.
California is the first state with a law that explicitly permits lane splitting, which was passed back in 2016. The state defines lane splitting as the act of driving a motorcycle “between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane, including on both divided and undivided streets, roads, or highways.”
Lane filtering, which is a slightly different riding practice (though sometimes used interchangeably with lane splitting), became legal in Utah in 2019.
Defined as “the act of [a motorcycle] overtaking and passing another vehicle that is stopped in the same direction of travel in the same lane,” it generally involves a motorcyclist moving to the front of a line of traffic stopped at an intersection.
There are several potential benefits associated with both lane splitting and filtering. First and foremost, they incentivize the use of motorcycles, which, in turn, can help alleviate traffic congestion during high-volume times like the morning and evening rush hours.
Motorcycle riders can save time and fuel when allowed to split lanes or filter, and continuing to move instead of idling in dense traffic can help keep air-cooled motorcycles from overheating in hot weather conditions.
Finally, these practices can help to reduce the risk of accidents, particularly for motorcycle riders stuck between cars, who may be at higher risk for injury from rear-end crashes.
Even though motorcycle accidents entail a high risk of injury to riders, few states have enacted legislation allowing for lane splitting or filtering.
Florida, however, is one such state. According to Florida Statute 316.209 Section 2, “The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.” Section 3 further states, “No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.”
In other words, lane splitting and filtering are illegal in Fort Walton Beach and throughout the State of Florida.
While you might be tempted to save time and fuel by splitting lanes or filtering, you should never do so in a state where these behaviors are explicitly forbidden by law, as is the case in Florida. Not only will you be risking legal penalties by doing so, but if other drivers aren’t expecting it, you could put yourself and others at higher risk for an accident.
If you need legal assistance, contact the Fort Walton Beach motorcycle accident lawyers at Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We have two convenient locations in Northwest Florida:
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Destin Office
4507 Furling Ln Suite 214
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 790-0243
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Fort Walton Beach Office
975 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 863-5297
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]]>The post FAQs: Car Accident Reports in Destin, FL appeared first on Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys.
]]>Whether you are unclear on your insurance policy, medical bills, the accident report, or who is liable for your injuries, you should consult with an experienced Destin, Florida personal injury lawyer after a car accident.
If you are involved in a car accident in Destin, FL, you should notify law enforcement immediately. Doing so will allow you to obtain a police report and exchange accurate information with the other driver and witnesses.
Florida law states that drivers involved in car accidents resulting in injury, death, or property damage of at least $500 are required to notify the local police department of the crash.
You have 10 days to report a car accident in Florida. However, it is best to report the accident while at the scene.
Your car insurance company may also have a specific timeframe that you are required to report accidents.
In Florida, you have two years to bring a personal injury claim. If you fail to bring your claim before the statute of limitations expires, you will be barred from recovering damages.
Report your car accident to the local police department using the quickest means of communication. If your crash occurs outside of a municipality, report it to the office of the county sheriff or the nearest station of the Florida Highway Patrol.
If you are required to report an accident, and you fail to do so, it is illegal. Regardless of who is at fault for the accident, you must report it if there are injuries, death, or apparent property damage.
Failing to report a car accident can hinder your personal injury claim, cause you to pay a fine, and receive a citation. Filing a police report immediately following a car accident can help protect you.
You can obtain a copy of your Florida car accident report online for a $10 fee. Crash reports are made immediately available to those involved in the crash, their legal representatives, and insurance agents.
Accident reports provide crucial details about when and how the accident occurred, who was involved, and witness information.
If the accident report provides accurate information about what you claim occurred, it can help bolster your case. This makes it easier to negotiate for a fair settlement with insurance companies.
A car accident report may provide relevant details that indicate who was at fault for the crash. However, it will likely be an insurance company that assigns fault. It is also possible that multiple parties are at fault for the car accident.
Florida is a modified comparative negligence state. This means that if you are less than 51% at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages. However, the amount of compensation you receive will be diminished in proportion to your amount of fault.
It is essential to not admit fault at the accident scene or when speaking with an insurance adjuster. Multiple parties may have been at fault, and statements made after an accident can be used against you.
An experienced car accident lawyer will combat claims that you were at fault for the car accident and work to correct issues with the car accident report. Consulting with a knowledgeable Destin, FL car accident lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Florida law on negligent infliction of emotional distress is confusing and rapidly evolving. If you have a significant claim, or if you think you might have a significant claim, contact a Fort Walton Beach car accident lawyer to schedule a free initial consultation.
You are under no obligation to hire the lawyer just because you scheduled a consultation. If the lawyer offers to represent you, however, you can be fairly confident that they believe they can win your case. After all, under the contingency fee system, personal injury lawyers aren’t paid unless they secure compensation for you.
If you need legal assistance, contact a Destin Car Accident Lawyer at Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We have two convenient locations in Northwest Florida:
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Destin Office
4507 Furling Ln Suite 214
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 790-0243
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Fort Walton Beach Office
975 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 407-6635
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]]>The post Window Tint Laws in Florida appeared first on Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys.
]]>Window tinting laws can vary significantly from state to state. This blog post will focus on Florida’s window tint laws.
Window tint laws exist to strike a balance between personal privacy, driver safety, and law enforcement needs. Florida’s window tint laws provide drivers with guidance for tinting their car windows. By adhering to these regulations, you can avoid fines, tickets, and other legal complications.
VLT, or visible light transmission, measures the amount of visible light that can pass through your car’s windows. The lower the number, the less light the tint blocks out. For instance, a 10% tint would mean that 90% of the light is blocked out, and 10% of the light is allowed through. At 0% tint, 100% of the light would be blocked out, and the driver would not be able to see anything.
As of 2023, Florida’s window tinting laws provide that:
In addition to VLT, window tinting laws in Florida also regulate the reflectivity of window tints. While reflective tints can reduce glare and make it easier for drivers to see, the reflectivity of the tint must be regulated so that car tints are not blinding or distracting other drivers.
The law states that tints on the front side windows should not have more than 25% reflectivity, and rear windows should not have more than 35% reflectivity. No reflective tint may be placed on the front windshield.
Some individuals may require specific window tints for medical reasons. Florida law recognizes this and allows medical exemptions for darker tints. However, you must consult a doctor and provide proper documentation that the doctor has recommended such a tint.
Failure to follow window tinting guidelines can increase the likelihood of unwanted traffic stops and lead to fines and tickets. In Florida, the consequences of non-compliant window tinting may include fines and the possibility of a fix-it ticket. If you fail to correct your tint to comply with the law, you could face additional penalties, which could add up to hundreds of dollars in costs.
If your car tints are not compliant and the loss of visibility leads to a car accident, anyone injured may have a negligence claim against you. In particular, the failure to follow the law may be, in and of itself, considered to be a breach of duty. This is called negligence per se.
In order to avoid those consequences, you should follow these tips to ensure that your window tint is compliant with Florida law:
Window tint laws in Florida are in place to ensure road safety and maintain a balance between individual privacy and law enforcement needs. By understanding and adhering to these regulations, you can enjoy the benefits of window tinting without worrying about legal complications.
Florida law on negligent infliction of emotional distress is confusing and rapidly evolving. If you have a significant claim, or if you think you might have a significant claim, contact a Fort Walton Beach car accident lawyer to schedule a free initial consultation.
You are under no obligation to hire the lawyer just because you scheduled a consultation. If the lawyer offers to represent you, however, you can be fairly confident that they believe they can win your case. After all, under the contingency fee system, personal injury lawyers aren’t paid unless they secure compensation for you.
If you need legal assistance, contact a car accident lawyer at Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We have two convenient locations in Northwest Florida:
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Destin Office
4507 Furling Ln Suite 214
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 790-0243
Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys – Fort Walton Beach Office
975 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 407-6635
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