Tag Archives: car accident attorney

Seat Belt Safety Florida

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Blick Law

Each year, automobile and motorcycle accidents are a major cause of fatalities nationwide. As a result, it is important to employ all necessary safety measures available to avoid or reduce the risk of serious injury while operating an automobile or motorcycle.

Studies indicate that the use of a safety belt greatly reduces the chance of harm or serious injury when involved in an auto accident, especially when an automobile operator is thrown from the vehicle as a result of impact. In an effort to combat this risk and encourage the use of safety belts, Florida has mandatory safety belt requirements. In Florida:

  • Seat belt laws apply to all cars, pickup trucks, and vans operated on Florida roads.
  • All passengers in the front seat must wear a seat belt.
  • All passengers under 18 must wear a seat belt.

Florida also has mandatory child restraint laws that hold drivers responsible for buckling up children. Specifically, Florida law requires that children 3 years old and younger must be secured in a federally approved child-restraint seat; and children 4 through 5 years old must be secured by either a federally approved child restraint seat or safety belt.

Motorcyclists have even more safety concerns as motorcycle accidents tend to involve more serious injuries and incur a higher rate of fatalities. Additionally, with the rising costs of health care, insurance companies have begun to include exclusion clauses to insurance policies that can deny coverage for risky behavior such as motorcycling. While Florida law does not require the use of motorcycle helmets, research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that motorcyclists without a helmet are three times more likely to suffer brain injuries, and that helmets reduce the risk of death by nearly 30 percent when involved in a motorcycle accident.

If you or a loved have been injured in an accident and you have questions or concerns about your rights to recovery, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer. Think quick, call Blick!

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Halloween Safety Tips

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Blick Law

The holiday season is quickly approaching, and while preparing to celebrate with close friends and family it is always important to take extra precaution to ensure your safety, and the safety of others. Halloween can be a particularly dangerous holiday, and many times injuries can be prevented by taking simple precautions.

Statistically, Halloween contributes annually to an increased rate of accidental injury, especially to pedestrians and children. In an effort to reduce the risk of potential injury, everyone should be aware of helpful Costume Safety tips, including:

  • Make sure your costume is visible at night by including bright clothing or reflective tape.
  • Ensure that masks do not obstruct breathing or impair vision; and that the Costume allows you or your child to move around freely.
  • Ensure that the costume material is fire resistant; in the event the costume comes in contact with fire, you can reduce the risk of severe burn injury
  • Avoid costumes that include sharp objects; and for children especially, avoid accessories that are easily swallowed.

Remember, reducing the risk of injury does not always prevent accidents from happening, but it is always better to employ precautionary safety measures.

If you or a loved one is injured during the holidays and you have questions or concerns regarding your rights, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer. Think quick, call Blick!

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Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Law Changes Florida

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Blick Law

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is a mandatory coverage on Florida car insurance policies that covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. The original purpose of PIP coverage was to make sure that anyone injured in an auto accident would quickly receive money to treat their injuries. In Florida, all drivers are obligated to obtain a minimum of $10,000 PIP coverage for medical bills and lost wages following an auto accident.

Due to rampant fraud and misappropriation of PIP coverage in Florida, insurance companies have lobbied to pass PIP insurance reform to limit the types of treatment available to crash victims covered by PIP, and limit the amount of coverage in order to avoid abuse and fraud.

In 2012, the Florida legislature passed into law PIP reform that bans the use of PIP dollars to pay for massage or acupuncture treatments and will limit the payout for non-emergency treatment of accident-related injuries to $2,500.00. A widespread concern is that accident victims with serious injuries won’t be able to get the care they need if they sustain an injury such as a whiplash or herniated disc because these injuries may not qualify as an emergency.

Nonetheless, supporters of the bill insist that the reform will contribute to overall lower insurance premiums and provide much needed relief to Florida drivers.

If you or a loved one have been a victim of an auto accident 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. Think quick, call Blick! 813-931-0840.

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Florida Firework displays may lead to personal injury lawsuits

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Blick Law

Fireworks are not all fun and games. They can result in severe injuries and in turn, pursuing a personal injury claim.

Independence Day is celebrated in recognition of the Declaration of Independence being approved by the Continental Congress in 1776, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom and liberty. Today, this most American of holidays, is celebrated by parades, fireworks and barbecues across the country.

Fireworks have become an iconic symbol in the commemoration of our independence on the 4th of July and they play a major role in American’s celebration of this day. Seeing fireworks shoot off in the sky brings fond moments, as bright lights flash in a glittery display for all to see. But if not used with safety and caution, fireworks can cause harmful situations, resulting in serious damages.

In Florida, it is illegal to buy, sell, or explode consumer fireworks.  You can do so, however, if you have a city permit.  Be aware that if you are shooting off fireworks without a warrant, you are breaking the law, which may result in unnecessary fines and a possible police investigation. If law enforcement decides to crack down and you’re caught buying or shooting off illegal fireworks, it is a first-degree misdemeanor.

Fireworks may be banned in certain locations to prevent property damages. For example, if there has been a recent drought, fireworks may be banned in nearby fields to prevent the cause or spread of wildfires.

Fireworks not only have damaging effects on property, but also heighten the risk for injury; this is especially true under the influence of alcohol. Firework personal injury claims are especially high in the month of July. Florida fireworks are not only illegal but may result in severe hand, body, arm and/or leg injuries, or even worse, it can result in death.

As a personal injury law firm, it is important to understand the risks associated with the use of fireworks, and to be aware that they are explosives and should be handled with extreme caution.

Take safety measures this holiday season and be mindful of your surroundings. If you have been injured due to a recent firework accident, please contact a Tampa personal injury attorney today to represent you and assist you with your damages.

For a FREE consultation, contact Blick Law Firm today at 813-931-0840.

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Attorney Michael Blickensderfer has a big heart for the Tampa Bay Area

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Blick Law

Recent article posted by Laws and Settlement, A quiet spoken attorney with a very loud and clear commitment to the community around him, Michael Blickensderfer made a decision to open his wallet and open it wide. Although the Blick Law Firm may do a bit of legal work for free from time to time in the classic pro bono definition, Blickensderfer, a former prosecutor and public defender in New York and Florida, decided he’d step to the plate with cold, hard cash.

The firm contributes up to 10 percent of its annual income to charity. “It varies,” says the very modest Blickensderfer, “a tithe is 10 percent, we are not always faithful to that amount, but we try to be consistent.”

After 25 years in public service and a brief turn at private practice in three other Florida firms, Blickensderfer went out on his on own two years ago. Together with his wife as the office administrator and his daughter as the marketing and community liaison, the Blickensderfers have established their own very personal way doing things.

After 25 years in public service and a brief turn at private practice in three other Florida firms, Blickensderfer went out on his on own two years ago. Together with his wife as the office administrator and his daughter as the marketing and community liaison, the Blickensderfers have established their own very personal way doing things.

The Blick Law Firm has established relationships with about a dozen organizations, from the St. Jude’s Hospital for Children to a Christian motorcycle riders association to a suicide prevention organization.

Read More.

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