March 2019

Multiple Vehicle Crash in Feather Sound Ends Tragically

A man driving a 2019 Nissan Sentra caused a multiple vehicle crash when he collided with a 2008 Honda Civic. Then he hit a 2017 Honda Accord killing the driver of the Nissan. The crash happened in Feather Sound at the intersection of Ulmerton and 34^th Street N. around 4 p.m., Sunday, March 10, 2019.

According to a Florida Highway Patrol trooper at the scene, the Nissan was traveling west on Ulmerton Road when it turned left into the path of the Civic. The Nissan then spun and hit the Accord that was waiting to take a left turn from Ulmerton onto 34^th Street.

Unfortunately, the driver of the Nissan died at the scene. Paramedics took his passenger, along with the occupants of the Civic to a local hospital with serious injuries.

Multi-Vehicle Crashes

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration considers a multi-vehicle crash any collision that involves three or more vehicles. When this happens, the risk of serious injury and fatalities go up considerably.

The reason for this is the dynamics of a multi-vehicle crash. In all types of multi-vehicle crashes, there are often multiple impacts to the same car. As a result, occupants suffer multiple hits. Each impact has the ability to injure someone worse or cause death.

There are two primary types of multi-car collisions. First, one being a chain-reaction crash. This is where one collision sets off events that cause the involvement of other cars. These often happen on busy and crowded highways and streets. In many cases, a car endures two or more impacts thus causing greater injuries.

Others are pileup crashes where motorists on a freeway or highway are unable to stop when going at high speeds. They then crash into whatever is in front of them, and sometimes it is a vehicle that has already been in a wreck.

What to do if Involved in a Multi-Car Crash

If you get in a multi-vehicle accident, experts say to stay in your car. This might seem counter-intuitive, as many feel that they should get out of their car in case someone else hits their car. However, this is the reason to stay in your car with the seatbelt on. Unlike, a pedestrian being hit by a 4,000 lb hunk of steel and plastic. A damaged car offers more protection.

This doesn’t mean you suspend common sense, if there is a fire or you see or smell leaking fuel, for example, then you need to get out of your car and to a safe place.

How is Fault Determined?

Determining fault in a multi-car crash is sometimes difficult, and in multi-car crashes, it’s even more problematic. However, it all boils down to which person was negligent. Accident investigators will do their best to see which car struck which other car and in what order, but at the end of the day, they do not determine fault.

Unfortunately, after any major accident involving injuries, many insurers are likely to blame you for your injuries.

Do I Need an Attorney?

It’s up to each injured person whether they get an attorney. However, in multi-car wrecks, there are typically several insurance companies covering the many vehicles, and each one is going to point the finger at the other where liability is concerned. So the best thing to do is to talk to an attorney who can evaluate your case and advise you of your options.

If you were involved in a crash similar to this one, contact our personal injury team today for a free consultation and case evaluation. RHINO Lawyers is the powerful, results-driven law firm, that takes Insurance Companies and Bullies “head-on!” We describe our bold modern approach to “Accident & Personal Injury Law” and “Our Personal Mission” to empower Florida’s families to “Take Charge!”

WHAT DO I DO AFTER AN ACCIDENT?

Driving for most people is a part of daily life. Car are all over the roadways, and almost everyone needs to get where they’re going immediately. With this, accidents in Florida are extremely high. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were a total of 388,032 car accidents in 2017. These are the reported accidents. In fact, due to not reporting accidents the number is likely higher.

The statistics also broke down the number of injuries related to the crashes (246,285 out of 388,032) and that March was the month with the highest accident rate. Most accidents were on Fridays, between 4 pm-5 pm, and involved someone in the range of 25-34 years of age. Many factors contribute to car accidents, such as:

• • Texting while driving
  • Driving under the influence
  • Adjusting the radio/sound system
  • Inclement weather conditions

These factors play an important role in the causes of auto accidents. Motorcycle accidents are also a high risk, with the injuries on motorcycles having the ability to be more severe in nature. After all this risk of being on the road, many people ask “what do I do after an accident?”

WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP?

Once you feel the impact of the other vehicle, adrenaline is running through your veins. You didn’t expect the accident, and now you must deal with the other driver. Immediately after the crash, make sure you are okay. This sounds standard, but this is a traumatic experience so take a second to breathe and make sure nothing on you is hit, cut or bleeding. If you are able, do the following steps:

• Call 911 or the local police.
• Collect the names, addresses and telephone numbers from everyone involved and around the scene (independent witnesses), and take the driver’s license number of the driver(s), license plate numbers of any vehicle involved, and any insurance information.
• Take photographs and/or video of any vehicle involved, injuries, accident location.
• If there is a chance you are or may be injured, seek medical attention immediately.
• Call our office at 844-RHINO-77 so we can begin our crash investigation and make sure the proper steps are taken to protect you.

HOW DO I GET MY CAR FIXED?

Once we come on your case, we are able to help you set up your property damage claim. The property damage is the most frustrating part because most people need their car to go to work, pick up their children, buy groceries, etc. Our office helps you get this set up by contacting all insurance companies and starting the process of getting the at-fault driver’s insurance to start fixing your car. We also look into getting you into a rental car so you can drive normally while your vehicle is getting repaired. Most law firms do not help their clients with the property damage, but we believe that making sure your car is getting repaired immediately is an important part of helping you.

I’M INJURED AND NEED TO HAVE TREATMENT, WHERE DO I GO?

Unfortunately, injuries are common in auto accidents. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles stated that out of the 388,032 accidents reported, 246,285 of them involved an injury. This equates to injuries in roughly 63% of accidents. Sometimes, injuries take some time before you start feeling the effects. In Florida, you have fourteen (14) days to see someone to preserve certain benefits that you may be entitled to.

Our office wants to get you the best treatment and we realize each injury is different. That is why it is important to seek qualified medical providers who are able to help you with getting better. We communicate with our clients to make sure they are getting the help they deserve.

HOW SOON SHOULD I CALL A LAWYER?

Calling a lawyer is a big decision. Once you complete the steps at the scene, give our personal injury team a call and at the very least we can walk you through how we can help you. If you have additional questions about an accident you were in and injuries suffered as a result, contact the Tampa auto accident attorneys at RHINO Lawyers. We will explore all options of the accident, including all insurance areas to make sure you are getting the help you deserve.

Public Contact Survey – Police

The most common reason for contact with the police is being a driver in a traffic stop. In 2008, an estimated 44% of face-to-face contacts that U.S. residents had with police occurred for this reason. About half of all traffic stops that year resulted in a traffic ticket. Police search approximately 5% of all drivers during a traffic stop.

These findings are based on the Police-Public Contact Survey (PPCS), a BJS survey that interviews U.S. residents about their contacts with police during the previous 12 months. They asked people who reported more than one instance of face-to-face contact during the year to describe their most recent occurrence. They conduct the PPCS about every three years since 1999.

Public Contact Survey Findings

An estimated 17.7 million persons age 16 or older indicated that their most recent contact with the police in 2008 was as a driver pulled over in a traffic stop. These drivers represented 8.4% of the nation’s 209 million drivers.

Stopped drivers reported speeding as the most common reason for being pulled over in 2008.

In 2008 about 5% of traffic stops led to a search of the driver, the vehicle, or both. Police were more likely to search for male drivers (7.4%) than female drivers (1.6%).

Contact RHINO Lawyers

In short, we will work with you to identify all the risks of your traffic ticket. Above all, we will find the critical information needed to counterbalance those risks. Then, we will charge ahead working directly with your prosecutor. Furthermore, we will demand your case get completely dropped or your charges drastically reduced.

Thus, if you receive a traffic ticket our criminal defense team can help. As a matter of fact, we have won hundreds of cases for our clients in similar circumstances. So, we know what it takes to fight on your behalf.

Lastly, receive your free consultation today. Then, learn more about how the RHINO Lawyers’ defense strategy can work for you.

Scooter Rider Injured Riding on I-75

Early Tuesday, March 4, 2019, a car hit a person riding a scooter in the far-right lane on I-75 near Fletcher Avenue. Severely injuring the scooter rider. The Florida Highway Patrol says that the 32-year-old scooter rider injured was driving slowly in the outside lane and was rear-ended by a 2011 Toyota Sienna.

The impact threw the rider several feet over the guardrail and on the grass. Paramedics took him to Tampa General Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Police cited both drivers, the scooter driver for impeding traffic and the Toyota driver for careless driving.

Tampa Bay Scooters

Electric scooters are becoming a popular alternative transportation in many of the nation’s cities. Companies like Bird, Lime, Skip, and Spin have cropped up over the last few years. They place scooters all over the city and riders can rent them and then drop them wherever they are when finished.

This has caused cities some problems and many detractors feel that the scooters are a nuisance and a safety hazard, while supporters say that it’s an inexpensive way for the city to provide transportation to thousands of people a day. Either way, it puts a lot of scooters on the streets.

As of March 1, 2019, Tampa Bay has not yet joined in the list of cities offering scooters as a means of transportation. There are expectations that scooters will be coming soon to Tampa Bay.

Scooter Rider Accidents

Regardless of whether or when Tampa Bay gets their scooter program, scooters are still being used by people as a cheap way to get around the city. Many of these are the motorized scooters, also called mopeds. Electric scooters are smaller and people ride them standing up.

Florida law prohibits electric scooter on the state’s roads but allows motorized scooters on the roadways and are treated as vehicles so long as they meet the minimum requirements for headlights, brake, tail and turn lights, etc. However, they are not allowed on the freeways unless the motor is 50 cc’s or more.

The problem with motor scooters is that they have a low profile and many times aren’t seen by drivers of cars. Some riders will zip around in and out of traffic while others will be going too slow and frustrate drivers.

This causes accidents, and when that happens, the law allows the injured person to seek compensation just like they would in a typical vehicle accident.

Common Scooter Rider Injuries

Scooters are small, lightweight, and they leave the rider fairly unprotected. The cars and other vehicles might outweigh a typical scooter as much as 20 times. This puts the scooter operator at a huge disadvantage when a car or truck and a scooter collide. Some of the common injuries of a scooter accident are:

• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Broken Bones (legs, wrists, and ribs most common)
• Road Rash
• Deep Bruises
• Deep Lacerations

Do I need an Attorney?

If you are injured in a scooter-motor vehicle accident, chances are you are seriously injured and are experiencing substantial financial losses. Many people wonder if they need an attorney or if the insurance company will take care of them.

Consult with our personal injury team. The insurance company doesn’t make money by paying out too much for their claims. So put someone on your side who knows the law and will use it to get the highest compensation allowed.

RHINO Lawyers is the powerful, results-driven law firm, that takes Insurance Companies and Bullies “head-on!” We describe our bold modern approach to “Accident & Personal Injury Law” and “Our Personal Mission” to empower Florida’s families to “Take Charge!”

Motorcycle Rider Severely Injured in Left Turn Crash

A car struck a motorcycle, ejecting the rider from his bike and causing severe injuries. The accident happened around 3:47, Tuesday, March 3, 2019, on Hillsborough Ave. just east of Webb Road.

The Florida Highway Patrol said that a 2001 Crown Victoria turned left in front of the motorcycle, causing the vehicles to collide. The motorcycle rider went to the pavement and sustained serious injuries.

Officials at the scene say that the injured motorcycle rider’s arm was partially severed. Paramedics took him to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where he underwent surgery. Consequently, the accident is still under investigation, and there is no word at this time if any charges will be filed. Sometimes drivers will be given a careless driving ticket for pulling into oncoming traffic.

Motorcycle Rider Injury

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), a rider of a motorcycle is 28 times more likely to die in a crash and five times more likely to suffer serious injuries compared to occupants in a typical passenger car.

Unfortunately, many people who take a left in front of a motorcyclist say “they never saw the motorcycle”. While, left-hand turn accidents are, by far, the most common type of crash. This occurs when a car pulls into the path of the motorcycle, leaving the motorcyclist no good options.

Almost every bike crash ends with the injured rider on the pavement. This adds to the likelihood of severe injury or death. Also, cars outweigh motorcycles by as much as 10 times. This weight disparity also contributes to the motorcyclist’s injuries.

Do I need an attorney?

If you sustain injuries riding your bike, you need to talk to an attorney. They can give you good advice and evaluate your claim. Don’t talk to the insurance company until you get the facts. Better yet, leave it all to the professionals and concentrate on recovering from your injuries. Unfortunately, many insurance companies will try to pay you as little as possible, or even blame you for your injuries.

Contact a Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

After any crash, if there is a serious injury or loss of a loved one, contact a motorcycle accident attorney.

RHINO Lawyers is the powerful, results-driven law firm that takes Insurance Companies and Bullies “head-on!”

Lastly, anyone injured due to the negligence of another driver in Florida should contact us for a free consultation. Our personal injury team will offer you advice to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Head-On Collision on US 301 in Florida Injures Four

The driver of a 2010 Toyota Tundra was driving in the wrong lanes of U.S. 301 when his car struck an oncoming vehicle injuring four. According to a Florida Highway Patrol officer at the scene, the driver of the Tundra was traveling north in the southbound lanes of the highway and that alcohol was a factor in the head-on collision.

The second car in the accident was also a Toyota Tundra but its year is 2015. The accident happened a little after midnight Sunday, March 3, 2019. Paramedics took all three occupants of the 2015 Tundra and the driver of the 2010 Tundra to a local hospital and listed in serious condition. FHP says that charges are pending against the driver of the 2010 Tundra.

Head-On Crashes

Head-on collisions are especially violent and cause significant property damage, injuries, and fatalities. In fact, head-on collisions are the leading type of crash for causing fatalities. According to a study from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, head-on crashes only make up 2 percent of all crashes in the U.S. but makeup over 10 percent of all fatalities.

The Danger of a Head-on Collision

The impact of a head-on collision is made of the mass and momentum of two vehicles both typically going at speeds higher than 50 miles an hour. Violent head-on collisions often cause cars to roll over, catch on fire or fly off the roadway. This increases the likelihood of more serious injuries. Also, with many head-on collisions, a car might drift over the centerline quickly giving the other driver no chance to take defensive actions.

Common Injuries

The violence of a head-on collision increases the chance that the injuries will be severe and the risk of death high. Because of this, head-on collisions have common injuries associated with it:

• Blunt Force Trauma
• Head Injuries/Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Broken Bones
• Internal Injuries/Bleeding
• Airbag injuries

Losses and Damages that Come from Head-On Crashes

In any accident, a person is entitled to certain monetary damages from the at-fault driver. This usually comes from an insurance company that is often reluctant to pay a reasonable amount for the losses sustained.

However, the law allows for an injured person to claim certain financial losses as damages. Under Florida law a person involved in a head-on collision, and injured, you are entitled to certain damages. They are:

• Medical Bills
• Lost wages, past, and future
• Permanent injuries/disabilities or disfigurement
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of quality of life/consortium
• Wrongful Death compensation
• Emotional distress

While money alone does not make the person whole again. Struggling with the physical and emotional aspects of a traumatic accident becomes more difficult as the financial losses add up creating more anxiety and stress. Many victims of these accidents wonder if they need to get an attorney. In most cases, the answer is yes. You need to understand your rights and what you are entitled to under the law so you can make the best decision.

Contact a Tampa Bay Area Car Accident Attorney Today

Even if you don’t hire an attorney, you need to speak to one that knows the law and can evaluate your case. Talk to an Attorney at RHINO Lawyers today. Our personal injury team is ready to start working for you to get you the compensation you deserve.

Car Crashed into a Home Sending Two to Hospital

A car crashed into a home interrupting a man’s breakfast early Friday morning, March 1, 2019.

According to Fox 13, the car entered a bedroom of the house after blowing through a stop sign and leaving the road. According to police, the driver of the car was showing off his car to a friend and failed to stop at a stop sign at 126th Ave North and Wild Acres Way.

Paramedics took two people to the hospital. And neighbors say that this has happened before under similar circumstances. Two years ago, a car blew through the same intersection and crashed into the home next door injuring a woman in her bed.

However, in the present crash, they charged the driver of the car with driving without a license and failing to stop at a stop sign.

Cars Crashing Into Buildings

According to a report from the Texas Traffic Institute at Texas A&M, cars crash into buildings over 60 times a day across the country. Homes make up a small percentage of those accidents with the most being retail stores such as restaurants and strip malls.

The report cited the greatest factor being the location of the building. Those buildings closest to parking lots have the highest risk of being struck. The driver mistaking the brake for the gas pedal is the most common reason for a building crash. Then the car is accidentally driven into the building.

Common Car Crash Injuries

When a car crashes into a building, there is a lot of flying debris that can act like shrapnel. Also, the impact itself can cause serious injury. A few other common injuries include deep lacerations, broken bones and head trauma. As many of the victims are sitting or standing in what they thought was a safe place. Another problem with these crashes is that people generally feel safe from car accidents inside a building and fail to take defensive measures thus putting them at further risk of injury.

What Should I do?

A person injured by a car while inside a building, will sometimes not consider seeking compensation from the driver. Because they don’t look at it as a typical auto accident. Or others feel that their injuries might not be severe enough to warrant seeking compensation. However, the best thing to do is to talk to an attorney who knows the law and can give you advice and a case evaluation. This attorney can also discuss your potential areas of compensation.

If you have been injured is a similar incident talk to a professional who can evaluate your claim to see what you are entitled to. The following are possible damages that come naturally from vehicle-building collisions:

• Medical Bills
• Pain and Suffering
• Emotional Distress/PTSD
• Lost Time From Work
• Property Damage (Cell phones, other personal items)
• Permanent Disability

Contact a Tampa Auto Accident Lawyer

Always speak to an attorney after an accident resulting in a serious injury.

If you were involved in a crash similar to this one, contact our personal injury team today for a free consultation and case evaluation.

RHINO Lawyers is the powerful, results-driven law firm, that takes Insurance Companies and Bullies “head-on!” We describe our bold modern approach to “Accident & Personal Injury Law” and “Our Personal Mission” to empower Florida’s families to “Take Charge!”

Teen Critical in Rollover Hit-and-Run in Sarasota

A KIA minivan allegedly turned in front of an Audi sedan. This caused the Audi to flip and roll over many times critically injuring its driver. The crash was caught on video. It showed the KIA taking a left turn off of U.S. 41 into the path of the Audi which then swerved attempting to avoid a collision. But the KIA clipped the driver’s side rear quarter panel of the Audi causing it to roll over several times.

The crash happened Thursday morning, February 28, 2019. And, could be seen on from a video captured by a hotel security camera. The crash ejected the driver of the Audi. Consequently, after waiting around for about seven seconds the driver of the KIA took off.

The dramatic video showed the contact between the vehicles and the Audi flipping several times hitting at least two parked cars before coming to a rest on its hood in the parking lot. Police are looking for the driver of a white KIA Sedona, and are asking anyone with information on the incident to call them at (941) 751-8350.

Hit-and-Run Crashes

Hit-and-run crashes are in the increase in the United States while the number of auto crashes per capita has been on the decline in the last decade. According to a study by the American Automobile Association, there were 2,049 hit-and-run fatalities in 2018, a 60 percent increase from 2009 while in the same decade, there was a 10 percent decrease in all vehicle accident fatalities.

There is an average of 682,000 hit-and-run crashes yearly making that one every 14 minutes or 102 a day. Per capita, Florida shares the top spot in hit-and-run fatalities with New Mexico and Louisiana.

Why Do People Leave the Scene?

Although it’s unclear why the driver in the above-mentioned accident left the scene after the crash. People leave the scene of crashes for several reasons:

• Not aware they hit someone: Although this is a common excuse, in some cases it turns out to be true. If the impact is slight enough, and the driver is distracted, he or she might not be aware.
• Impaired: Some drivers fell that getting in trouble for leaving the scene of an accident is less trouble than getting a DUI charge.
• No license/warrant for arrest: Many people run because they are driving without a license or have a warrant for their arrest, and they don’t want to get into further trouble.

Hit-and-Run Fatalities

When a person is a victim of a hit-and-run, their chances of death go up, according to statistics. At first blush this doesn’t seem to make sense as the accident itself doesn’t seem to be any different in a hit-and-run, just that the driver fled.

However, experts give a couple of reasons why there are higher fatalities with a hit-and-run. First, many times, help for the victim is delayed. This happens when no one is around to witness the accident, and the driver flees leaving the victim alone with no help. In many cases, it’s critical the victim receives immediate first aid like when the car is on fire or they have severe bleeding. It the other driver takes off, the victim is unable to receive that critical help.

Second, some hit-and-run drivers have stated that it was the seriousness of the accident that made them leave. They felt that they would be in great trouble, so they simply took off. Although it seems illogically when looking at it from hindsight, experts say that people don’t always act sensibly and logically when they are under great stress.

Hit-and-Run Liability

A person’s auto insurance usually covers the liability of an accident. Yet, an unknown driver can cause problems for the victim. This puts stress on the victim as they try to figure out how they are going to cover their bills. If law enforcement catches the driver, then that driver’s insurance will pay for the damages.

However, the injured have fewer options when they never find the at-fault driver. One thing might be to check their own policy for a “Medpay” or “personal injury policy” (PIP) which will pay the injured person no matter who was at fault. Typically, Medpay will only pay for medical bills, while PIP will pay for medical bills plus a few other losses like lost wages.

However, if the injured person’s insurance doesn’t cover that, then there may not be any coverage available. Some cities or states have victims’ funds that might cover some losses, but this, not a certainty.

Do I need an Attorney?

Always speak to an attorney after any hit-and-run or head-on collision accident resulting in a serious injury.

Involved in a crash similar to this one, contact our personal injury team today for a free consultation and case evaluation.

RHINO Lawyers is the powerful, results-driven law firm, that takes Insurance Companies and Bullies “head-on!” We describe our bold modern approach to “Accident & Personal Injury Law” and “Our Personal Mission” to empower Florida’s families to “Take Charge!