Personal Injury

Evidence of Impairment in Miami DUI Accidents

Published on: May 17, 2024 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Drunk driving remains a problem in Florida and throughout the US, and many times, offenders are arrested for DUI. However, there are many tragic situations where an impaired driver causes an accident that leads to injuries or death. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there are almost 5,000 traffic collisions every year that are linked to alcohol intoxication. Of these, around 720 drunk driving crashes occur in South Florida. Up to 40 people lose their lives in DUI accidents, while more than 400 victims are injured in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties.

When alcohol is a factor in a crash, a victim may need more than just proof of fault, injuries, and losses. It is also crucial to show that the at-fault driver was intoxicated, which requires evidence of drunk driving. Your Miami DUI accident lawyer will assist with issues of proof, but some details will help you know some of the information you will need.

Overview of Negligence

Factors to Consider When Settling a Florida Child Accident Claim

Published on: April 26, 2024 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

It is horrific to think about your child being injured in an accident, but the statistics indicate that these incidents are common among infants, toddlers, and older kids. The National Safety Council (NSC) lists multiple risks, including traffic crashes that are the leading cause of death for children 17 years old and under. Plus, every three minutes, a child suffers a sports-related concussion or other traumatic brain injury (TBI). Kids are not even completely safe at school and while playing, as 80% of playground injuries are caused by falls.

For parents, the first priority is getting their child the necessary medical treatment and working on recovery from accident injuries. However, you may soon realize that it is also important to pursue your legal remedies against the at-fault party. A Miami child injuries lawyer will assist with the legal process, but there are some factors you need to consider.

Liability for Accidents

Answers to FAQs About Mediation in Florida Personal Injury Cases

Published on: April 12, 2024 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Many Florida accident claims will be settled by agreement of the parties without going to court, while some must go through the litigation and trial process. Still other cases are in between these stages. The parties are close to settlement and have resolved some issues, but they remain apart in other disputes. In such a case, mediation may enter the picture. In fact, under Florida’s statute on mediation, you may be required to participate.

The good news is that there are many benefits to mediation, because you have certainty knowing the outcome of the case. You also save time, since it is often possible to complete mediation within a day. Still, there are some factors to consider when conducting mediation, and a Miami personal injury lawyer can provide useful advice. Plus, you can review some answers to common questions about mediation in Florida accident claims.

Who will attend a mediation proceeding? The parties and their attorneys will be present, so your lawyer will be at the mediation along with counsel for the defendant. For an accident claim, the defendant will usually be an insurance company on behalf of the at-fault party. The insurer will have their own attorney as well.

Potential Parties a Florida Crime Victim Can Pursue for Damages

Published on: March 1, 2024 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Florida is the third largest state in the US by population, so it stands to reason that crime rates are rather high in both urban and rural areas. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), more than 124,600 people are arrested for violent crimes every year. This data covers such offenses as simple and aggravated assault, murder, and rape, as well as violent theft offenses like burglary and robbery. For victims injured in these crimes, the losses can be considerable.

Fortunately, Florida law allows you to seek compensation from the parties at fault for your injuries. There are multiple individuals and entities that may be liable, so you cover all your bases by pursuing as many as possible. It is important to rely on a Miami crime victims lawyer for assistance when you attempt to recover monetary damages from:

Criminal Offender

Garbage Truck Accidents

Published on: February 16, 2024 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

What are the most dangerous vehicles on the road? Most people would choose 18-wheeler trucks since they are notorious for causing multi-vehicle pile-ups that close down long stretches of I-95 for hours on end. Others would choose motorcycles since they go so fast, playing into their riders’ cravings for adventure, and because, when a motorcycle crashes, there is very little between you and the road.

Most people do not think of garbage trucks as especially dangerous. Sure, they are annoying, lumbering down your street as the sun is rising on days when you would sleep late if it were up to you. Garbage trucks stop so frequently that they do not have time to build up much speed, and while that means that they are unlikely to cause the kind of devastation you would expect from a truck barreling down the highway at 70 miles per hour, it also means that their movements are harder to predict, even when you can clearly see which garbage cans they still have to empty. If you have been injured in a garbage truck accident, contact a Miami truck accident lawyer.

A Garbage Truck in Traffic is Just as Dangerous as Any Other Truck

The Florida Tort Reform Act of 2023

Published on: February 2, 2024 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Blaming all of your problems on lawyers has been a popular recreational activity in Florida, and lawmakers finally found a way to capitalize on this sentiment in order to get votes. The Tort Reform Act of 2023 places new restrictions on the situations in which injured people may sue the parties legally responsible for their injuries, the amounts of money plaintiffs can recover in personal injury lawsuits, and the deadlines for initiating such lawsuits.

The ostensible purpose of the law is to reduce liability insurance costs for business owners, who are defendants in the majority of personal injury lawsuits with large damages awards. Injured people still have the right to receive compensation from the parties that caused their injuries or which failed to prevent the injuries when they had a responsibility to do so; it only means that plaintiffs and their lawyers must work more quickly and more thoroughly to build an airtight case. All of this means that if you have suffered a preventable injury, it is not too soon to contact a Miami personal injury lawyer.

The Deadline to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit Is Two Years After the Date of the Injury

Civil Lawsuits Filed After Sexual Assault on Miami Cruise Ship

Published on: January 5, 2024 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Cruise vacations deliver memories for a lifetime, but once in a while, stories hit the headlines regarding onboard incidents that are truly shocking. In a recent news report, two women have filed lawsuits alleging sexual assault by a Margaritaville at Sea cruise ship bartender who had been serving them. The crew member stole one victim’s room key that she had used to charge drinks. Later, he entered the cabin after the two victims were asleep, raping both of them. One of the women became pregnant because of the encounter.

The crew member pled guilty to criminal charges following the incident, while the recently filed civil lawsuits seek damages against the Margaritaville cruise line. A Miami cruise ship accident lawyer can provide details on passengers’ rights, as this horrific incident raises questions about liability for the cruise line in light of criminal activity.

Criminal Charges for Sexual Assault

Tips for Depositions in Miami Personal Injury Cases

Published on: December 8, 2023 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

If you were injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault, you will need to participate in discovery to establish and narrow down the important facts in the case. As part of the process, it is likely that you will be called for a deposition by the legal counsel for the at-fault party. Florida civil procedure rules allow for depositions of parties, and these sessions are essentially an in-person interview where the opposing counsel will ask questions about the accident.

A deposition might seem intimidating when you have never been through one, so it is helpful to know what to expect. Your testimony, given under oath, could have a major impact on your case. Fortunately, your Miami personal injury attorney will prepare you for the process and ensure you feel confident going in. Plus, some tips on appearing for your deposition should be helpful.

Understand Your Oath

Should I Settle a Miami Cruise Accident Claim?

Published on: November 17, 2023 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

When the unthinkable happens, and you are injured on a Miami cruise vacation, the consequences for your trip are just the beginning. In the aftermath, you could suffer significant physical, emotional, and financial losses due to your injuries. The good news is that you have legal remedies, including filing an injury claim and suing in court. As part of the process, you may have the opportunity to settle your claim without litigation. A look at the latest statistics on personal injury claims reveals that this is a common outcome. Up to 95% of all accident cases are resolved via settlement rather than a trial.

Cruise ship accidents are a unique type of personal injury claim, but the principles of settlement still apply. The benefits are significant, so it is smart to carefully consider working out your case by agreement. You can count on a Miami cruise ship accident attorney to guide you in negotiations, and some information on the advantages will be helpful.

Benefits of Settling Cruise Ship Accident Claims

What Do the Criminal Courts Have to Do With Your Personal Injury Case?

Published on: October 27, 2023 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Drunk driving is a crime, but not every person who causes a car accident while under the influence of alcohol gets criminal penalties. The civil courts and criminal courts operate independently of each other, so a Miami car accident lawyer can help you seek compensation if the drunk driver who caused your injuries was never convicted of DUI in criminal court.

How are Civil and Criminal Cases Different?

Most of the court cases you hear about on the news or see dramatized in movies are criminal cases, but most of the ones in which you or people you know well have been directly involved are civil cases. If you have ever gotten divorced, settled a deceased family member’s estate, or faced a lawsuit about an unpaid debt, the legal proceedings took place in civil court. Personal injury lawsuits are civil cases. As in many civil matters, the plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit is asking the court to order the defendant to pay monetary compensation to the plaintiff to compensate the plaintiff for financial losses caused by the defendant’s negligence. The plaintiff can win the case if they can persuade that a preponderance of the evidence shows that the defendant’s negligence directly caused the plaintiff’s financial losses.