Jacksonville Injury Attorney Blog

A woman driving on State Road A1A and Palm Valley Road Friday morning hit a bicycle, a scooter and three other vehicles including a St. John's County Sheriff's cruiser. The series of car accidents occurred in Ponte Vedra, which is just south of Jacksonville, Florida. Five people, including the driver, were hospitalized with personal injuries.

The bicyclist and driver of one vehicle were airlifted to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center with serious personal injuries. It is unknown at this time whether alcohol played a factor.

Situations such as this remind one of the importance of uninsured motorist insurance coverage. Often irresponsible drivers are irresponsible in other areas of their life, having little or no insurance. Even if the driver at fault had insurance covering personal injuries she might cause in a car accident, her policy limits will, in all likelihood not be enough to cover everyones' medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.

Continue reading " Driver in Ponte Vedra Strikes Three Vehicles, a Scooter and a Bicycle " »

A man operating a scooter was seriously injured this morning when he was struck from behind by a woman driving a car. The man was westbound on Beach Boulevard near Forest Boulevard in Jacksonville, Florida, when he slowed down or stopped. The car then struck the scooter and dragged it some distance before stopping. The woman driving the car got out, checked on the victim, then left the scene. She later returned to the scene voluntarily.

The driver of the scooter was not wearing a helmet. Although he remained conscious, he suffered serious personal injuries and was taken to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center. It is currently unknown why the scooter slowed or came to a stop in the roadway or whether its lights were operational.

Numerous different types of vehicles share our roadways including cars, trucks, motorcycles, scooters, mopeds and bicycles. Often there are accidents with scooters, mopeds, bicycles and motorcycles because they are much smaller and harder to see. Of course, with the great size and weight disparity, vehicle collisions with such smaller conveyances commonly result in serious personal injuries.

Continue reading " Car Hits Scooter on Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville " »

The United States' Federal Health and Human Services Department issued a troubling 2009 quality report on the rates of hospital-acquired infections. The report requested "urgent attention" to address the problem.

It is estimated that approximately 98,000 people a year die from medical errors or malpractice, including preventable infections.

The report outlines that rates of bloodstream infections following surgery increased 8%, urinary infections from the use of a catheter following surgery increased 3.6%, and the incidence for a series of other common infections increased 1.6%.

As Jacksonville nursing home negligence and medical malpractice attorneys, we review cases involving many such infections, particularly clostridium difficile infections (C. diff.), staph infections, and sepsis. Many of these infections can be prevented. According Dr. Carolyn Clancy, head of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, "We know that focused attention to eliminating health care acquired infections can reduce them dramatically."

The result of such infections, especially if sepsis sets in, can be death or serious permanent injuries. Perhaps the cry to reduce patients' ability to bring medical malpractice claims is misplaced. Would our roadways be safer if car manufacturers were protected from being sued for defects?

Continue reading " Hosptial Infections On the Rise " »

A seven year old girl was killed in an ATV accident that happened last night in Putnam County, Florida. Putnam County is approximately one hour south of Jacksonville.

The all terrain vehicle was being driven by a man who braked suddenly to avoid hitting two dogs. The sudden braking caused the ATV to overturn. The girl was wearing a helmet; however, she died from her injuries after being airlifted to Shands Medical in Center in Gainesville.

ATVs are commonly involved in accidents with very serious injuries. ATVs have a high center of gravity, a sharp turning radius, quick speeds, and sudden stops making them very susceptible to rolling over. Couple these factors with an uneven off road terrain and accidents are all too common. In an ATV rollover, the presence of a helmet may do little good if the ATV lands on a person.

Continue reading " Putnam County Girl Dies in ATV Accident " »

On Friday, April 2, six people died in a three car accident on U.S. Highway 1, north of Callahan, Florida. Callahan is approximately 20 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida. Another person suffered personal injuries.

One of the victims was taken to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, where she died. All of the victims were traveling in the same vehicle.

Witnesses said a Chevrolet Camaro was traveling southbound at a high rate of speed and attempted to pass the vehicle the victims were riding in. Apparently, the Camaro sideswiped the victims' car, causing the car to lose control. Both vehicles then crossed the median into oncoming traffic where the victims' car was struck by a pickup truck.

Continue reading " Six People Die in an Automobile Accident in Nassau County Florida " »