Category Archives: Personal Injury

Tips to avoid boating under the influence

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Blick Law

Tips to avoid boating under the influence, according to the Boating Safety Resource Center of the U.S. Coast Guard.

* An alcoholic beverage is only to be consumed by those of the legal age of 21 and older.

Consider these alternatives to using alcohol while afloat:

  • Keep stock of plenty of water and non-alcoholic beverages for hydration.
  • Bring snacks and other food items to reinforce energy as needed.
  • Avoid fatigue. Limit your trip to a reasonable time. Drinking alcohol on the water may accelerate fatigue possibly resulting in an accident or injury.
  • Be cautious to party ashore, at the dock, boating club, etc. Allot drinking time to these and not behind the wheel of your boat.
  • Wait a reasonable time after drinking an alcoholic beverage before operating your boat.
  • Having no alcohol on board is the safest way to enjoy the water. Intoxicated passengers may be at risk of injury or falling overboard.
  • Spread the word. Boating under the influence is just as serious as drinking and driving, if not more. *A boat is still a vehicle.

Boating, fishing and other water sports are fun in their own right. These water sports are meant for enjoyment but may turn in the course of an accident, as a result of drinking alcohol.

Take these initiatives to follow for a safe and fun summer on the water. Do not drink and boat. If you however find yourself in this unfortunate accident, please give a Tampa boating accident attorney a call today to assist you in your claim. Call 813-931-0840 today!

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May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Blick Law

May means school is out and flowers are in bloom. But May also welcomes more motorcycles on the road as a result of Florida’s sunshine weather.

On May 1, 2012 many on two wheels began a very important awareness. Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

Due to the increase in the amount of motorcycles on the road, this causes a new set of safety concerns, which launched this nation-wide campaign.

This national awareness month aims to bring attention for motorists to be mindful and cautious of motorcycles on the road. Not only does this month hope to bring a general awareness but it also sends a message of comradery for all to “share the road” with one another, safely.

This national initiative lasts the whole month of May and is being promoted from state to state.

As a motorist remember:

-       Be mindful on the road
-       Look twice before changing lanes
-       Remember to look for the one-eyed headlight on a motorcycle
-       Drive defensively
-       Blow your horn

As a motorcycle rider remember:

-       Be mindful on the road
-       Drive defensively
-       Wear your helmet for further protection
-       If you are riding in a group, stay close with one another –no gaps for motorists to intrude

At Blick Law Firm we encourage Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, celebrated the month of May. As a Tampa personal injury law firm, we see serious injuries or even lives taken all too often due to serious motorcycle accidents.

How to prevent this? It starts with awareness.  Take time to share with others this month and what it represents for your safety and those you ride with.

Look Twice. Save a life. Call 813-931-0840 for more information regarding motorcycle safety tips and how to stay safe on the road. If you find yourself in an unfortunate motorcycle accident, call Attorney Michael Blickensderfer today to assist you with your claim due to others’ negligence.

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What is a Personal Injury Case?

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

A personal injury case is a legal contest between private parties where one side is seeking money damages from the other side as compensation for injuries. A person or group of persons who bring a personal injury case are alleging that they were emotionally or physically harmed due to the negligence or intentional conduct of the other party.

The most common types of personal injury cases are those based on claims of negligence and typically involve car accidents, slip-and-falls and medical malpractice. Other personal injury claims may include trespass, defamation of character, battery and assault and theft of trade secrets or copyrights.

Under the law of negligence, a plaintiff must prove that:

1) The defendant owed him or her a duty to act reasonably and safely.
2) The defendant breached that duty.
3) The plaintiff suffered harm as a result of the defendant’s negligence.

Negligence under the law means acting in a way that fails to conform with a specific standard of conduct, thereby putting others at risk for injury. Some examples include firing a gun recklessly, speeding on an icy roadway or failing to caution customers that your store floor is wet.

If your case is tried in court and you win, a judge or jury could award you damages to compensate you for lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering and, in some cases, additional damages as a way of punishing the defendant for their flagrantly negligent conduct. *Most states now have caps on the amount of damages plaintiffs can receive.

What is the cost to retain a Tampa personal injury firm?

Lawyers do not charge clients up front for legal fees associated with bringing a personal injury case. They get paid a portion of whatever the client wins, plus any additional legal expenses.

If you are seeking a possible personal injury claim or you are unsure of the ways in which hiring a personal injury lawyer may help, call Blick Law Firm today to receive your free consultation. Call us at 813-931-0840.

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Common soft tissue injuries from an auto accident

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

The most common result of personal injury from an auto accident are neck and back injuries. Because muscles and ligaments in the back and neck go into shock during the accident there is unnecessary pain creating the necessity for continuous medical expenses including doctor visits, prescriptions and physical therapy.

The frequent treatments and remedies needed to recover from these injuries will take place over six to eight week period. In addition, there are numerous side effects the patient will endure including:

  • chronic pain
  • sleepless nights
  • headaches
  • diminished sex life
  • inability to lift heavy things
  • depression

Failure to seek treatment for such injuries will result in symptoms persisting. Accident victims have legal rights including the right to pursue compensation for medical expenses. 

Also recent legislative news, the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) law was recently changed to ensure auto accident victims seek medical treatment quickly to qualify for full insurance coverage.

Florida’s PIP insurance law as adopted by House Bill 119 now requires those injured from an auto accident to seek medical assistance within 14 days of their injury.

With current soft tissue injuries resulting from an auto accident and these new changes in the law it is imperative to seek legal council after an auto accident to maximize your recovery and receive protection from insurance companies.

Call Attorney Michael Blickensderfer who has over 25 years legal experience. As a former prosecutor and a former Marine, he will fight for your rights and defend your claim. call 813-931-0840 today!

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Personal Injury? Watch out for ambulance chasers

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

Contrary to popular belief that personal injury attorneys chase ambulances and prey on victims, Florida law prohibits such action.

Furthermore, attorney Michael Blickensderfer does not practice such marketing techniques.  Our personal injury clients retain us because of current or previous satisfied clients who have used Blick Law Firm for their own legal matters.

A Personal injury is defined as any incident that causes physical harm or bodily damage due to the actions or negligence of others.

While injuries can be sustained in almost infinite ways, car accidents are a major cause of personal injury in the United States. Many car accidents and most motorcycle injuries can be severe and life-altering, even resulting in death.

Attorney, Michael has over 25 years’ legal experience. He is a former prosecutor, former Marine and will take your personal injury claim to court if necessary.

If the injury to yourself or a loved one was not your fault, you may be eligible for financial compensation for hospital bills, time out of work, and pain and suffering. To protect your rights and get what you deserve, contact Blick Law Firm today.

Forthcoming laws to prevent insurance fraud mandate that a victim is required to receive emergency care within 72 hours of the incident.  Also, immediate contact with us will ensure that information is still fresh in your mind and the minds of other involved parties.  If you are prevented from coming to us, we will come to you.

You or a family member or close friend should also gather as much documentation regarding your accident as you can. Bring records of accident reports, insurance forms, medical bills, and personal contact information of the other people involved in the accident to your free consultation with Michael.

Call us today and speak with an experienced Tampa personal injury attorney you can trust. Think quick, call Blick. 813-931-0840

 

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Daytona Bike Week Recap 2012

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

Congratulations to 3 runner ups from Florida of the Official Bike Week Motorcycle:

Donnie Helms placed 3rd, Margaret Smith 5th & Melissa Penland placed 10th

The first weekend was sprinkled with showers, keeping Main Street quieter than usual.   However, shops and bars were still big business as bikers sought shelter from the rain.  The Bike Week parade reappeared after a 6 year hiatus.   This year, bikes led by the Daytona Beach Police Department Motorcycle Unit, strung nearly 5.25 miles.

It seemed that Spring Break coinciding with Bike Week may have been a factor in the attendance being slightly higher.  While most businesses did well, some did not quite earn their yearly income on which they thrive.

Seven motorcyclists lost their lives at Bike Week this year.   While many would argue the helmet law as being at fault, it bears no weight at all.  Some were wearing helmets, some were not.  Attorney Michael Blickensderfer wishes to express his sincerest sympathy to these families as they pick up the pieces, cope and move on with their lives.  He encourages those of us who still have the privilege of riding to be aware of others on the road that may not be paying attention.  For those who drive automobiles, drive cautiously.  Your second of unintentional carelessness could cost a life and change a family forever.

Legal counsel is not something we think about every day.   Crisis comes without any warning. Blick Law Firm is here to help, whether it is personal injury, traffic ticket, facing foreclosure or bankruptcy.  Attorney Michael Blickensderfer is a trustworthy attorney who will advocate for your rights.

Call us today, if we can be of assistance to you in your time of need. Blick Law Firm, helping the hurting. 813-931-0840.

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