James O. Cunningham 
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Camp Lejeune LawsuitsOrlando Accident & Injury Blog
Altamonte Springs Man Killed in Orlando Motorcycle Accident
Florida Highway Patrol troopers report that an Altamonte Springs man was killed recently when his motorcycle was struck by a sport utility vehicle near Orlando. Troopers say that the 33-year-old victim was northbound on Rio Grande Avenue about 2:30 p.m. when a southbound Honda CRV driven by a 62-year-old Orlando woman turned onto 24th Street and struck the left side of the victim’s Suzuki motorcycle. The victim was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead from his injuries. Witnesses report that the rider may have been speeding before the accident occurred and that he and another motorcycle has just passed two other northbound vehicles before the accident occurred.
New Smyrna Beach Boy Critically Injured in Bicycle Accident
A New Smyrna boy is hospitalized in critical condition after he was struck by a car while riding his bike in New Smyrna Beach. Accident investigators report that the 11-year-old was riding westbound on Paige Avenue near the intersection with Corbin Park Road when he was struck by a 2002 Honda Civic driven by a 19-year-old New Smyrna Beach woman. They report that the woman was traveling south on Corbin Park Road when she collided with the boy as she traveled through the intersection. Paige Avenue has a stop sign at the intersection but Corbin Park Road does not. At this point in their investigation, Florida Highway Patrol troopers told reporters that they did not yet know whether or not the boy had stopped at the stop sign before entering the intersection.
Police Officer Injured in DUI Hit-and-Run Crash
A St. Cloud Police officer is recovering from injuries he suffered when a suspected drunken driver struck his patrol car and then fled the scene of the accident. Investigators report that the officer’s car was struck around 10:45 p.m. near Old Canoe Creek and Neptune Roads in Osceola County. They say that the injured officer was conducting a normal patrol when his car was struck by a 49-year-old man, address unknown, who also suffered injuries in the hit-and-run accident. He was arrested shortly after the incident and now faces charges of DUI with serious bodily injuring, DUI with property damage and aggravated fleeing and eluding. He in being treated for undisclosed injuries at an area hospital and will be taken to the Osceola County Jail on release from the hospital. The injured officer was treated for minor injuries and released from a local hospital.
Federal Judge Strikes Down Florida Medical Malpractice Consent Rule
In a move applauded by Orlando medical malpractice attorneys, a federal judge recently struck down a key Florida medical malpractice law that required a patient to allow a defending physician’s attorney to informally discuss the case with the patient’s other health care providers. The law allowed such discussions to occur without the patient or their legal representative present. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle said that the Florida law violates the patient consent provisions of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). [Murphy v. Dulay 4:113cv378].
Winter Springs Plans to Rebuild Dangerous Intersection
Orlando car accident lawyers caution readers to be extra wary while driving, walking or biking in Winter Springs for the next several months while city officials and road construction crews fix one of the most dangerous intersections in central Florida. Winter Springs Mayor Charles Lacey call the intersection of State Road 434 and Tuskawilla Road one of the most "confusing" and "awkward" intersections in the area and most local drivers would agree. This is especially true for anyone traveling south on Tuskawilla Road who needs to make a right turn to travel west on S.R. 434. For many years, they have been forced to travel down a side street and merge into S.R. 434, where drivers are traveling at highway speeds. It’s tricky and dangerous, but if drivers take the more direct route onto S.R. 434, they face getting ticket from Winter Springs Police officers.
Troopers Ask for Help Solving Fatal Orlando Pedestrian Accident
Florida Highway Patrol troopers are asking anyone who may have witnessed a deadly recent Orlando pedestrian accident to contact them as soon as possible. The accident occurred on South Orange Avenue near Landstreet Road about 10:03 p.m. one recent Sunday evening. Troopers report that a 36-year-old Orlando woman was struck and killed by a vehicle while attempting to cross Landstreet Road. They say the victim was walking west on South Orange Avenue and was trying to cross Landstreet when a southbound vehicle made a right turn and struck her. She was rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead from her injuries. Troopers say that they do not yet have a description of the vehicle or the driver, who fled the scene immediately after striking the victim. They are asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident or knows anything about the vehicle or driver involved in the accident to notify them or their local police department.
Mans who Lost Leg in Trucking Accident Awarded $7.1 Million by Osceola County Jury
An Osceola County jury recently awarded $7.1 million to a man who lost a leg in an auto accident and incurred $2.5 million in medical expenses. The accident occurred around 4:50 a.m. on March 6, 2012 south of Lake Wales in Polk County when a southbound tractor-trailer crossed the median on U.S. Highway 27 and struck a Northbound 2003 Ford Expedition driven by the victim. The jury found that the truck driver and his employer, Peninsula Logistics of Sorrento, 100 percent responsible for causing the accident. The jury awarded the man $498,000 for lost earnings and $4.1 million for pain and suffering. The man’s wife received $250,000 for loss of her husband’s "comfort, society and attention."
CPSC Orders Recall of Surge Protectors Due to Fire Hazard
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has ordered Schneider Electric to recall APC 7 and 8 series SurgeArrest surge protectors manufactured before 2003 due to a potential fire hazard. CPSC officials say that these surge protectors are prone to overheating and melting and have caused smoke and fire damage to homes and businesses throughout the U.S. Anyone owning an APC 7 and 8 series SurgeArrest surge protector is advised to disconnect the device immediately. The recall affects around 15 million units, which have the model and serial numbers on a label on the bottom of the device. The two numbers that follow the first letter or letters in the serial number sequence indicate the year the device was manufactured. A protector is affected by the recall if the numbers following the letters are 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 00, 01 or 02. Anyone owning an APC surge protector should also look for the words Personal, Professional, Performance or Network.
Teen Killed in Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident
Florida Highway Patrol troopers report that a 16-year-old bicyclist was struck and killed recently by up to two drivers, who both fled the scene of the accident. FHP spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Montes said the Apopka youth was struck around 8:20 p.m. one recent evening as he was attempting to cross State Road 436 east of Thompson Road. Sgt. Montes reported that witnesses saw a 2000 Ford Mustang and a 2008 Ford pickup drive away after the youth was hit. Acting on tips from witness descriptions, troopers were able to locate both vehicles shortly after the accident.
International Walk to School Day raises Awareness for Pedestrian Safety
Orlando personal injury attorneys would like to remind readers to be mindful of pedestrians, especially children, when they are driving in Central Florida. Students and student chaperones in Delray Beach recently observed International Walk to School Day to help area schoolchildren learn about pedestrian safety and how to look out for each other while they cross intersections and walk along busy roadways. One of the first things that the teenaged chaperones noticed as they escorted younger kids to school was that even when they had been warned to walk on the sidewalk, some of the elementary school students still wandered into the street.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.