Tag Archives: tampa attorney

Tampa Bay DUI Check Points

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

Tampa Bay deputies and police officers are dedicated to values of integrity, professionalism and community involvement. As a result of their commitment the county’s overall crime rate dropped in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Blick Law Firm assists efforts by posting DUI checkpoints to help enforce safety amongst the community.

What are DUI checkpoints? DUI checkpoints consist of police roadblocks at busy thoroughfares at which motorists are randomly selected for screening.  These stops help keep all parties safe so they can continue on with their life, without any tragic or fatal interruptions.

Sobriety checkpoints reduce alcohol-related crashes by about 20 percent, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control report combining the results of 23 scientific studies.

Although they tend to be controversial, DUI checkpoints have survived most legal challenges; even in some states where statutes require an officer to have reasonable suspicion of intoxication before initiating a traffic stop. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1990 that sobriety checkpoints are legal under federal law (Michigan Dept. of State Police v. Sitz), leaving it up to the individual states to decide.

Should you find yourself unable to drive because of intoxication, please call a friend, cab driver or ask the bartender to call someone for you. Do not drink and drive.

If you have been arrested for a DUI or other related incident, call Blick Law Firm today to assist you and seek legal representation you deserve! Think quick, call Blick! 813-931-0840

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Florida Bankruptcy Alternatives

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

Attorney, Michael Blickensderfer, practices bankruptcy law. As a consumer who is in financial hardship, it is important to know the alternatives to filing bankruptcy… and we can help!

Florida Bankruptcy Alternatives:

Receiving late notices and phone calls from creditors? DON’T IGNORE THEM!

Talk with your creditors and attempt to work out a payment plan.  Explain your situation and the reason for the hardship.  Often the creditor is willing to co-operate.

  1. Possible options?  Debt consolidation loan  will allow you to pay off all your creditors and then you will just be left with the debt consolidation loan payment. 
  2. Another option is a Florida credit counseling plan where your creditors may be willing to lower your interest rates and accept a reduced payment if you enter a “Debt Repayment Plan.”  Your money is generally deposited to a service.
  3. A third option to Florida personal bankruptcy is a Florida credit counseling plan. Your creditors may be willing to lower your interest rates and accept reduced payments if you enter a debt repayment plan.

Generally, in these plans, you deposit money each month with the credit counseling service. Your deposits are used to pay your creditors according to a payment schedule developed by the counselor. As part of the repayment plan, you may have to agree not to apply for, or use, any additional credit while you’re participating in the program.

Contact Blick Law Firm today for more information regarding these programs, bankruptcy laws and changes in Florida. We are here to help you in your time of need, you are not alone! 813-931-0840.

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5 tips to avoid auto collisions this holiday season in Tampa Florida

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Blick Law Firm

Tis the season, and so is the season of crazed shoppers, party-goers and celebration. The hustle and bustle of each holiday season causes many to become distracted drivers. Risks for accidents tend to increase at this time due to busyness.

Here are a few tips to remember to keep you and your loved ones out of harms way:

1. Be mindful of Tampa Bay traffic. The interstate at this time is packed. Keep a safe distance to the car or motorcycle in front of you. Do not tailgate.

2. Be aware, especially at night, that other drivers may be impaired. Be on guard and pay attention to others’ driving abilities and be sure to avoid any unusual activity.

3. Do not text and drive. In recent news, Florida banned texting while driving. Be sure to follow the new law changes.

4. Do not speed. Excessive speed is a common result with accidents. Allow an extra fifteen to twenty minutes time for driving safely to and from your destinations.

5. Be in a constant defensive driving mode and be ready to react to sudden stops or changes in your surrounding environment.

This time of year is meant to be a celebration for many. Protect yourself and your loved ones as best you can. Read these precautions and alert.

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iPhone 4S violates laws on no texting while driving with new voice-activated assistance feature

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Blick Law Firm

Tampa- Apple’s iPhone 4S makes it possible to send text messages while driving, keeping both hands on the wheel.

How is this possible? New features for Apple iPhone makes it so the phone’s voice-activated personal assistant, nicknamed “Siri” can be used to dictate text messages without typing as well as read incoming texts aloud. Sounds perfect right?!

There is just one problem. Texting while driving is illegal in dozens of states. This new feature causes controversy if this is in violation of the law. Some states ban electronic communication while driving completely, while other states allow hand-free devises to be used behind the wheel.

Siri is not the first to offer voice-activated applications available to drivers.  Other applications such as Vlingo and Sensory can be downloaded to cell phones for the same purpose. Ford and BMW also have designed speech-to-text systems for some of their newest vehicles.

The new technologies developing are designed to make texting while driving safer, so to speak. States need to re-evaluate their law banning texting while driving as more and more motorists adopt new technologies like Siri.

Lawmakers need to review whether or not hands-free devices sending messages is any less distracting to drivers than thumbing out texts from the road. What do you think?

According to the TBT, 34 states have banned texting while driving; nine states have banned the use of handheld phones while driving. Florida still has no such restrictions on either cellphone use or texting while driving.

Know the risks to texting while driving. For further information regarding texting while driving laws, please call Blick Law Firm to assist with your legal needs. 813-931-0840.

Do not text and drive.

 

 

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