Tag Archives: blick law firm

Tampa Bay Red Light Traffic Camera Fines

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Blick Law

In 2010, the legislature passed the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act, named after a Bradenton man who was killed by a red-light runner in 2003. The Act authorized the use of Red Light Cameras to record footage of motorists running red lights and then issuing violators a traffic citation accordingly.

Conflicting studies on the effectiveness of the Red Light Cameras have produced inconclusive results, but proponents of the cameras insist that the legislation saves lives. However, Florida drivers across the state have fought against the constitutional validity and overall effectiveness of the cameras asserting that the purpose of the cameras is solely to increase government revenue.

Nonetheless, Courts across the state have upheld the validity of the legislation and are enforcing the fines against drivers found in violation. Each ticket is a hefty $158, but no points are assigned to the driver’s record.

If you have been issued a citation for violating a photo enforced red light and have questions concerning your rights, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840 to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer.

*** For your reference: the following link is a map of all red light camera locations in the Tampa Bay Area, provided by my Fox Tampa Bay.

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Foreclosure Auctions and Short Sales: Common Buyer Mistakes

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Blick Law

During the growth of the foreclosure problem in Florida, homebuyers across the State have been abundantly utilizing Foreclosure Auctions and Short Sales to purchase homes and property for costs well below market value.

When purchasing a home, especially in short sale or auction, it is important to inspect the premises and discover any defects or structural deficiencies prior to closing on the home. Many times, homebuyers who purchase a short sale ignore defects and property deficiencies because the bargain is too good to pass up. Often, this creates problems that end up costing more than the bargain is worth.

Homebuyers tend to become so passionate about purchasing the real estate at such a lower cost that they refuse to accept the risks that can arise. Common mistakes include:

  • Ignoring property problems – Severe problems with the property may exist due to neglect, mold exposure, termites, and even vandals. Structurally, these homes may be in severe disrepair and even uninhabitable.
  • Ignoring legal and Insurance Information- Information that identifies any flood exposure or renovations and repairs made on the home is available to homebuyers and should be utilized to identify possible flaws and dangers that may exist on the property.
  • Failing to have the home inspected – Many buyers are so anxious to proceed with the acquisition of the property that they fail to have an adequate inspection of the premises conducted. Later, latent defects can become huge problems and the homeowner may incur exorbitant costs to repair the damages.

If you or your family are purchasing a home and have concerns regarding short sales or foreclosure auctions, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840 and schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer.

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Burn Victims: Recovery for Pain and Suffering

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Blick Law

Every year, innocent victims of fires incur life altering burns, pain, and disfigurement and are forced into a life of constant rehabilitation. The pain and suffering that results are an unfortunate and devastating aspect of the severity of injuries that can occur due to exposure to fire; and most times the burn victims themselves are not even at fault.

If another party is responsible for the fire, you are entitled to seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, and pain and suffering. Compensation for pain and suffering includes any pain, disfigurement, emotional distress, disability, and even embarrassment attributable to the burn injury sustained; and the recovery for these damages includes both present and future losses.

Cases involving burn victims vary in their severity, but ultimately are traumatizing no matter how severe; and the pain involved in treating these injuries is overwhelming. Many factors are considered when assessing the amount of recovery available to burn victims, beginning with liability, the severity of the burns, the amount of rehabilitation and treatment required, the extent of the disability incurred, disfigurement, and the extent of emotional distress. These factors are difficult to quantify in terms of recovery, but  can result in substantial awards for damage.

If you or a loved has been injured in a fire, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840. Call today to schedule a free 15 minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer. Think quick, call Blick.

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Republican National Convention 2012

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Blick Law

As host to the Republican National Convention, Tampa Bay has the national spotlight shining brightly throughout the city. Reports suggest that with the mass influx of people, crime rates have actually gone down considerably. This trend is being attributed to both the added force of 4,000 law enforcement officers that were brought in to maintain the peace and the recent downpour of rain brought by Hurricane Isaac.

Nonetheless, people have taken to the streets to voice their opinions and protest various issues. Protestors have reportedly been peaceful and though only a few arrests have been made, it is only midweek and it is important to be aware of the potential violence that can occur.

Originally, city officials worried that the riots that took place last year in St. Paul, Minnesota, at the Convention would repeat themselves here in Florida. Last year in St. Paul, thousands of protesters packed the city and hundreds were arrested during the Convention’s first day and hundreds more on its last. Some smashed cars, punctured tires and threw bottles in a confrontation with police. Fortunately, violence has not tainted the peaceful assembly of concerned citizens here in Tampa.

Ultimately, protesters can say and do whatever they want as long as they don’t cross the line into criminal behavior. Behavior such as: carrying weapons, fighting, physically opposing police officers and/or concealing your identity is illegal and may lead to arrest and other criminal consequences.

If you have questions about your Constitutional rights or are concerned about the potential dangers of protesting and getting arrested, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840. Schedule a free 15 minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer today. Think quick, call Blick!

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Florida Hurricane Safety

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Blick Law

Weather conditions in Florida frequently cause safety concerns on the roadways, and it is important to be aware of potential dangers and take safety precautions to avoid them.

Inclement weather causes tricky road conditions like standing water or flooding. These road conditions often times conceal dangerous debris, tree branches, and even power lines that are not visible. Many drivers attempt to drive through flooded areas and risk encountering hazards to save time or to avoid an inconvenient detour; drivers should always consider the safety risks and take necessary precautions by avoiding flooded areas.

Many times, weather conditions cause traffic lights to become inoperative, creating confusion on the roadways that can lead to deadly collisions. When encountering a downed traffic light, every driver approaching the intersection should come to a complete stop and yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection.

Be cautious, and consider that the roads are wet and cars are more prone to skidding and loss of control.

In the event Hurricane conditions cause the need to evacuate, have a plan ready, know where you will go, and research several alternate routes in the event of closed roads and severe traffic congestion.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of dangerous roadway conditions, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840 to schedule a free 15 minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer.

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Short Sale Common Questions

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Blick Law

Homeowners are often unsure of what options are available when they reach financial hardship. A short sale is an agreement by a mortgage lender to sell property for an amount lower than the balance owed in order to relieve the buyer of the mortgage obligation.

A short sale can be a helpful tool when trying to avoid foreclosure. Depending on the negotiated amount of the sale and the timeliness of past mortgage payments, a short sale may help avoid the huge hit to your credit score that foreclosure causes. Additionally, short sale participants can later purchase a home in a shorter time than those who foreclose on their property.

A short sale can be completed by finding a buyer to purchase the home who is willing to pay current market value, and having the mortgage provider agree to the sale. Any shortage after the sale will then either be written off by the lender and an IRS 1099 is issued to the seller, or a deficiency remains which the lender may pursue to collect against the seller.

The short sale process can be complicated, and the lender may not be willing to negotiate. It is important to know that a real estate attorney can help negotiate the sale and terms with the mortgage lender and provide you peace of mind that your sale is being handled by an accountable professional.

If you have legal questions regarding your short sale or you are considering your options, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840 to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer.

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