James O. Cunningham 
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Camp Lejeune LawsuitsOrlando Accident & Injury Blog
New Florida PIP Law Could Make it Tougher for Injured People to Receive Compensation
Revisions to a current law scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2013, have James O. Cunningham and other Orlando personal injury lawyers very concerned about the impact they could have on injured people getting the fair and just compensation they deserve from negligent drivers. Under the current law, all drivers are required to purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, which helps ensure that anyone injured in an auto accident will have some coverage for medical bills whether they were at fault for causing the accident or not. Under Florida law (Title XXXVII, 627.736), PIP insurance covers up to 80 percent of medical bills up to a maximum of $10,000, 60 percent of the injured party’s lost wages, as well as a $10,000 death benefit in the case of a fatal accident.
Florida Man at Bus Stop Killed When Driver Loses Control of Car
A man was killed recently when a driver lost control of his car and plowed into the bus stop where the victim was waiting. The Florida Highway Patrol reports that the accident occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 22 just outside the University of Central Florida campus. Troopers say that the driver is a 26-year-old Chuluota man and are still trying to determine how and why he lost control of his vehicle while driving on State Road 434.
December a Deadly Month for Motorcycle Accidents in Central Florida
A motorcyclist was killed on Saturday, Dec. 22, when a driver turned into his path. Regular readers of this blog will know this is a distressingly common scenario in motorcycle accidents in and around the Orlando metropolitan area. We urge riders and drivers alike to exercise extra care when they are on area roadways, as this rider is the eighth motorcyclist killed in the last few weeks alone. Drivers need to take an extra moment before pulling out into traffic or changing lanes to make extra sure that the path is clear. You should ride defensively and anticipate that drivers may not be able to see them well, especially at night.
Sanford May Allow Golf Carts on City Streets
Sanford may be the latest Florida city to allow golf carts on city streets in the downtown district. Orlando golf cart accident attorney James O. Cunningham is monitoring developments in this decision very closely, as with each new city that allows golf carts, there has been a corresponding rise in golf cart accidents. During a recent meeting, Sanford officials agreed to vote on the proposed golf cart ordinance at the next meeting in January. The ordinance would designate where golf carts can and cannot be driven on city streets and specify restrictions on the vehicles.
Orlando Personal Injury Lawyer Advises Everyone to Practice SAFE Driving This Holiday Season
Orlando personal injury attorney James O. Cunningham would like to remind readers to exercise extra care while driving during the upcoming holiday season and heed the advice given recently by two Orlando firefighter paramedics. Paramedics Joe McCluan and Scott Neusch recently presented a Stay Alive From Education (SAFE) program to Air Force cadets, where they showed graphic photos and grisly videos from auto accidents and had cadets participate in role-playing exercises to illustrate the poor choices that some drivers make that lead to accidents.
Four Workers Injured in Orlando Construction Accident
Four workers were injured while working at a construction site near the University of Central Florida in Orlando. The workers were injured as a concrete floor was being lowered into place by a large crane at the site of an apartment building that is slated to become a dormitory for UCF students. Little information has been released about the circumstances surrounding the accident, but witnesses say that a total of four workers were sent to area hospitals for treatment. Two of the injured are listed in serious condition and the other two are listed in stable condition. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been contacted and an investigation into the accident is expected in the coming weeks.
Florida Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident Kills Two Elderly Women
Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) troopers are asking for information in connection with a hit-and-run pedestrian accident in Orange County that killed two elderly women. Troopers are asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident or has any information about it to contact them at 407-737-2213 as soon as possible. FHP spokesperson Sgt. Kim Montes says that the law enforcement community is looking for a white Honda with a spoiler on the back and halogen or blue-tinted headlights in connection with the accident.
Judge Asked to Dismiss Florida Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Hazing Death
Attorneys representing Florida A & M University have asked a judge to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the institution in connection with the hazing death of marching band drum major Robert Champion in 2011. FAMU lawyer Richard Mitchell requested Judge Walter Komanski to throw out the lawsuit filed by the victim’s family on the grounds that the victim willfully submitted to and participated in the hazing ritual that caused the injuries that led to his death. Orlando wrongful death attorney James O. Cunningham is monitoring developments in this case very closely, as the judge’s ruling could have far-reaching implications in Florida wrongful death lawsuits.
DUI Manslaughter Conviction Overturned in Connection With Fatal Orlando Motorcycle Accident
An appeals court has issued a ruling overturning a conviction in a case involving a driver who was sentenced to 12 years in prison on a DUI manslaughter charge in connection with a fatal motorcycle accident in 2007. An Orange County jury found that the man had been driving drunk around 2:30 a.m. on his way home to Apopka when he pulled out in front of a motorcyclist and caused a fatal accident. However, in the recent ruling, the Fifth District Court of Appeal overturned the conviction, saying that while the defendant was intoxicated that morning when he caused the accident, the 29-year-old victim was also at fault. Evidence suggested that the victim had “popped a wheelie” at the time of the accident, causing his headlight to point skyward, effectively making him invisible to the driver.
Florida Mother Files Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Citing Birth Injury
A Florida mother whose son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly after he was born has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against her obstetrician and the hospital where the birth took place. The suit alleges that her son’s condition was caused by a birth injury and that her doctor’s negligence during birth and delivery caused the injuries that led to cerebral palsy. The suit cites numerous examples of medical malpractice and negligence, including her doctor’s failure to notice and correct the baby’s elevated heart rate prior to delivery.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.