Homestead Personal Injury Lawyer » Auto Accident

SUV Rollover Crash Leaves Six People Injured

Jack Bernstein — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:37:21 +0000

SUV’s were for years the highest-selling type of car in the United States. There were many reasons for this status, including the marketing that centered on increased safety while still providing drivers with a smooth ride that was much like that of a sedan. Unfortunately, all of these SUV’s on the road have also led to some unfortunate discoveries, including the tendency for SUV’s to roll over unexpectedly.

Sadly, that appears to be what happened recently in Homestead, where six people were injured in an SUV rollover crash. According to the Sun-Sentinel:

“Homestead - Six people were hurt when their SUV went out of control and rolled over on the Florida Turnpike in southern Miami-Dade County, fire-rescue officials say.

The accident happened shortly before 8 p.m. Tuesday in the turnpike’s northbound lanes near Campbell Dr.

According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, the driver of a Toyota SUV apparently lost control and rolled over before crashing through the center highway barrier.

Three adults and three children were injured in the crash, according to fire-rescue.”

While ‘the driver losing control’ is not specific in terms of how the accident actually occurred, what will surely be investigated is whether the SUV handled properly based on the maneuvers the driver attempted. If not, there could be a liability issue that arises based on the rollover.

Regardless, if you or someone you love has been injured in an SUV rollover crash, you need the help of a Homestead auto accident lawyer who understands what it takes to hold large corporations accountable. Contact Bernstein & Maryanoff today to schedule a free initial consultation.

Damages Caused by Auto Accidents

Jack Bernstein — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:27:30 +0000

Auto accidents occur at an alarming rate in Florida, as we discussed in our previous post. What we did not get into, as we felt that it deserved its own post, was the issue of damages that tend to result from these crashes. In short, they are numerous in nature, but they can be extremely expensive and stressful to encounter. One of the many reasons for this is that the majority of these expenses and losses are unforeseen, leaving victims of crashes to find a way to handle the bills absent the pursuit of a legal claim.

Below are just a few examples of the types of damages that can arise after an auto accident:

1. Property damage - Obviously, a crash that causes damages will involve damage to your vehicle. While your insurance will help deal with these repair/replacement costs, your policy may not cover every dollar.

2. Medical bills - If you were injured in the crash, you’ll likely encounter medical bills for your after-crash care. Most people who do have health insurance do not have policies that pay for every expense, leaving some of it to be covered by the individual.

3. Lost income - If you’re unable to work for a time after the accident, you may run out of paid time off and absorb some time without income.

4. Pain and suffering - While there is no direct expense that comes from the pockets of the injured person, pain is real and does substantially affect a person’s quality of life.

Overall, there are many other damages that could arise, but rather than attempt to handle this complicated legal and financial situation yourself, seek the help of a Homestead auto accident lawyer who has 25 years of experience in helping clients like you obtain justice. Contact Bernstein & Maryanoff today to schedule a free initial consultation.

Florida Auto Accidents - Why You Should be Aware

Jack Bernstein — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:41:34 +0000

When we watch or read the news, we often see stories regarding terrible auto accidents that leave people either seriously injured or dead. While most of us have at least a thought of sympathy for those who have been affected by such a situation, few of us think that it could ever happen to us. That’s basic human nature, and one of the problems with auto accidents - people are generally not driving in a defensive enough manner such that the chance for an accident occurring is minimized.

However, recent searches of statistics available from the Florida state government suggest that everyone should be prepared to deal with the aftermath of an accident. Consider the following numbers from 2007:

Drivers involved in accidents – 366,917
Traffic deaths – 3,221
Fatal traffic accidents – 2,947
Injuries from traffic crashes – 212,149
Alcohol-related accidents – 22,823
Drug-related accidents – 1,252
Pedestrian accidents – 8,129
Bicycle accidents – 4,847

As you see, a high number of people must live with the aftermath of auto accidents in Florida every year, and these numbers do not appear to be in decline as the population of the state grows and the number of drives continues to rise. As such, you need to take every precaution when you drive, including:

Making sure your insurance is current
Carrying a cell phone with you in the car
Making sure the safety features of your car are in working order
Never impacting your own ability to drive in a negative manner

If you take these steps, you could wind up avoiding a horrible auto accident. However, if you have been injured in an accident, you need the help of Homestead auto accident lawyers who have 25 years of experience in helping those who have been harmed by such a circumstance. Contact Bernstein & Maryanoff today to schedule a free initial consultation.

Police Cruiser Hits, Kills Pedestrian

Jack Bernstein — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:06:09 +0000

A 67 year old man was killed recently by a police cruiser while crossing the street. The officer driving was on his way to the precinct to begin his day of duty when the accident occurred, and the cruiser was marked. According to a report filed by the Miami Herald:

“Authorities say a Miami-Dade police officer struck and killed a pedestrian as the man crossed a street with his wife.

The accident happened on Saturday in Florida City, just south of Homestead. The victim is identified as 67-year-old Jose Munoz. The name of the officer has not been released.

In a statement released Tuesday, the Miami-Dade Police Department said the officer was reporting to duty in a marked police vehicle at the time of the crash, but speed was not a factor.

Witnesses told police they advised Munoz not to cross the street because there was a car approaching. Munoz was walking ahead of his family when he was struck by the police cruiser.”

There are at least two different ways to look at this situation from a legal standpoint. One is that Munoz was clearly warned and ignored those warnings, thereby assuming the risk of the situation. Another is that the driver of the police cruiser should have driven more defensively and avoided Munoz. Finally, both of these possibilities could be true, meaning that a jury would have to decide which party was more negligent.

Additionally, filing a legal claim against a public entity such as a city or county is quite complicated for someone who does not have an extensive legal background. If you need the help of a Homestead auto accident attorney, contact the firm of Bernstein & Maryanoff to schedule a free initial consultation, as the attorneys at the firm have decades of collective experience.

Homestead Personal Injury Lawyer

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:21:22 +0000

Bernstein & Maryanoff is a well-established personal injury law firm with offices in Homestead and across Florida. With a staff of approximately 40 people, including six lawyers and 34 support personnel, we have the legal resources to handle catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases. Our firm has substantial financial resources, enabling us to invest the amount of money it takes to help you get the maximum recovery for your losses.

Our firm handles every type of injury and accident case, using negotiation and litigation tactics effectively. Our auto accidents lawyers have handled cases throughout Florida as well as other states such as Georgia, Nevada, and Tennessee. As a rule, our personal injury lawyers try our own cases rather than refer them to other law firms. Approximately a third of our cases come to us as referrals from prior satisfied clients. We look forward to your returning our client satisfaction survey at the conclusion of your motor vehicle accidents case.

One of the differences between our law firm and other personal injury law firms is our depth of trial experience. Our legal staff includes lawyers who have trained under some of the best litigators in South Florida. Our lawyers have obtained numerous multimillion dollar verdicts and settlements.

Attorney Jack Bernstein is the strategist behind every personal injury case we litigate. Mr. Bernstein works closely with each of our attorneys to hire the right investigators and ensure that all evidence is preserved. We hire experts, as needed, to properly present your case in pre-trial settlement conferences and, if necessary, in jury trials. Mr. Bernstein also participates in many of the mediation and settlement conferences as your case progresses toward trial.