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Camp Lejeune LawsuitsCar Accident | Orlando Accident & Injury Blog - Part 18
Two Killed in Rear-End Accident Caused By Drunken Driver
A recent rear-end auto accident that claimed the lives of an Orlando man and woman was caused by an impaired driver, according to Orlando Police. They say that the victims were the driver and passenger of a car that was struck from the rear as they slowed down to stop at a red light. Police officers report that the accident occurred on World Center Drive near the intersection with State Road 535. They say that the driver of a 2007 Toyota Corolla and his passenger were fatally injured when they were rear-ended by a 2010 Dodge Charger driven by a 20-year-old man, address unknown.
Florida Lawmakers Finally Pass Texting Ban for Drivers
In a move applauded by James O. Cunningham and other Orlando distracted driving accident lawyers, Governor Rick Scott is expected to sign a law banning drivers from sending texts later this month. After many false starts and attempts at passing legislation, state lawmakers finally got a bill through committee and onto the governor’s desk. SB 52 isn’t nearly as comprehensive as texting bans in other states are, as drivers will still be able to text while stopped at red lights or otherwise stopped in traffic and violations will be treated as a “secondary” offense. A secondary offense means that in order for drivers to be ticketed for texting while driving, they will first have to be cited for another violation such as speeding, improper lane usage, etc.
Two-Car Accident Killed Man, Critically Injured Three Children
According to accident investigators, a recent two-car accident in Poinciana killed a 19-year-old man and critically injured three children after a car crossed the center line and collided head-on with another vehicle. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said that a 23-year-old St. Cloud woman was driving a 2002 Dodge Neon east on Cypress Parkway near Laurel Avenue about 10:45 a.m. when she drifted over the center line and collided with an oncoming 2008 Suzuki SX4. The collision caused both drivers to lose control of their vehicles, which came to a rest on the north shoulder of the Parkway.
Florida State Senator Strikes Two Deer While Texting and Driving
Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, sponsor of SB 52, the Florida legislature’s latest attempt to ban sending and reading text messages while driving, decided to illustrate the dangers of texting while driving herself recently. She attempted to text while driving in the Capitol and struck two deer in the process. Working with the American Automotive Association, the Senator texted while she operated a driving simulator at the Capitol to show other lawmakers that it was time to take such legislation seriously.
Survey Finds That Laws Against Cell Phone Use While Driving Are Largely Ineffective
Although Orlando personal injury lawyers such as James O. Cunningham and other attorneys throughout Florida have strongly supported a ban on cell phone use while driving, Florida remains one of the few states in the country without laws banning the practice. However, according to a recent survey conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), cell phone use by drivers is common whether a state has laws preventing it or not.
Stuntman Faces DUI Charges After Series of Accidents
A Seminole County man who is a famous movie stuntman may now be infamous after a series of hit-and-run incidents on Feb 13. Orlando police say that Grady Allen Bishop, 51, of Winter Springs, caused more than $10,000 worth of damage to several parked cars, a parking meter and lamppost in downtown Orlando. He faces several charges including driving while under the influence with property damage and three counts of leaving the scene of an accident with property damage.
Highway Safety Official Says Distracted Driving Data Is Unreliable
In a statement that shocked distracted driving attorneys in Orlando, a Florida highway safety official recently told lawmakers that data on how distracted driving affects Florida auto accidents is unreliable. Matthew Montgomery, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, recently told legislators that 2011 distracted driving crash data is flawed due to the way that data is collected after accidents. He said that law enforcement officials have the option to include what type of distraction caused an accident in their reports but are not required to do so. He went on to say that it is impossible to determine whether or not a driver was talking or texting while driving if he or she is killed in an accident.
Hit-and-Run Driver Who Injured Four-Year-Old Boy Arrested
Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested a man they say is responsible for a hit-and-run accident that injured a four-year-old boy early this month. Deputies say that the 19-year-old suspect has been charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving injury, operating a vehicle with a suspended or revoked license and burglary of an unoccupied structure. He is being held without bond in the Volusia County jail. Investigating officers say that the suspect lost control of his vehicle in a road rage incident with the driver of a green pickup truck. Deputies are still looking for the driver of the truck, as they want to interview him for additional details about the accident. Deputies told local reporters that the driver of the truck would not face any charges in connection with this hit-and-run accident.
Florida Bill to Ban Red Light Cameras Advances in the House
Red light cameras in Florida municipalities have been controversial from the beginning. Opponents say that these devices invade drivers’ privacy and are strictly for generating revenue, among other complaints. Proponents of red light cameras say that these devices makes Florida roadways safer by discouraging drivers from disobeying traffic signals and preventing deadly T-bone accidents. It appears that these devices have polarized Florida lawmakers as well, as a panel in the Florida House recently passed a bill that would ban red light cameras across the state.
Lake County Teacher Arrested for Third DUI
Jason Gross, 37, a second grade teacher at Groveland Elementary School, was recently arrested for his third driving under the influence charge. Florida Highway Patrol troopers recently arrested the man on University Boulevard in Orlando after he did an illegal U-turn. When the trooper asked Gross for his driver’s license after pulling him over, the trooper reported that Gross handed him a gift card from his billfold and a "business only" driver’s permit from DHSMV.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.