May is motorcycle awareness month.  This month serves as an important reminder for all motorists to use the appropriate precautionary measures in an effort to decrease the amount of motorcycle accidents that occur on the roadways.

As Tampa motorcycle accident attorneys, we have witnessed the frequency and severity with which motorcycle accidents occur. The statistics alone are alarming.  According to the National Highway Safety Administration, 4,502 motorcyclists were involved in fatal motorcycle accidents in 2010. Furthermore, bikers are 37 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a traffic accident and nine times more likely to be injured.

Vanguard Attorneys urges all bikers to ride safe. Below is a list of safety steps riders should follow to help make every motorcycle ride an enjoyable one.

Motorcycle Safety Tips

·         Always wear a helmet with a U.S. DOT label

·         Never drink and ride

·         Avoid other vehicles’ blind spots

·         Never ride in between lanes

·         Drive Defensively

·         Never Tailgate

·         Check tires before getting on the road

·         Always wear eye protection and gloves

·         Always wear durable jackets, long pants and boots that cover the ankles

·         Try to wear bright colored clothes

As Tampa motorcycle attorneys, our law firm understands that a motorcycle rider’s life can be altered in a matter of seconds. Our skilled attorneys are well prepared to represent you or your loved one and strive to have a positive impact on the current legal system.

While we handle all types of personal injury claims, we have extensive experience Tampa motorcycle accident injury cases. With our involvement in the Florida motorcycle community, we know this life changing event can happen when a rider least expects it. Often times, a motorcycle accident can drastically effect your ability to work, quality of life and emotional state.

Providing our injured clients with excellent and efficient legal service is our top priority. With this in mind, our Tampa motorcycle attorneys have been handpicked on the basis of skill and diversity. Our staff is client-oriented, bi-lingual, and skilled in assisting with all aspects of motorcycle accident injury claims.

Let us help you during what may be the most difficult time of your life. Our Tampa motorcycle accident law firm will work diligently to provide you with the highest quality representation while you focus on recovery.

The NBCSL’s mission is to develop and promote cutting edge research, education and training programs in an effort to enhance the effect its members have on legislative and public policy. Ms. Joyner currently serves on NBCSL’s Executive Committee and chairs the Telecommunications, Science, and Technology Policy Committee.

Ms. Joyner is committed to attaining justice, truth, and equal rights through her work with the organization and as Senator. Adhering to the organization’s goal to serve as a voice for black lawmakers throughout the nation, she is truly deserving of this award and Vanguard Attorneys could not be more proud of her achievement.

Trends show that the fastest growing population of riders are baby boomers, over the age of 45, who have been the rebel motorcycle riders of the 1960’s and 1970’s that are hitting the open road again as their kids have grown up and they now have the financial means to afford a motorcycle again.

The number of motorcycle crashes and injuries nearly doubled between 2000 and 2008, RideSmartFlorida.com, a website to promote motorcycle safety developed by the Florida Department of the Transportation’s Motorcycle Safety Program, shows. But from 2008 to 2010, data reflects a 22.2 percent reduction in crashes and a 21.5 percent reduction in injuries. Implementing Florida’s Motorcycle Safety Coalition and new rider training requirements significantly contributed to this decrease.

Still motorcyclists should wear approved helmets to reduce head injury-related mortality. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study found that the increase in fatalities that occurred after the Florida motorcycle helmet law was repealed in 2002 is due in part to the reduced use of helmets.

Furthermore, statistics show that even though motorcyclists account for 6 percent of Florida’s motoring public, 14.3 percent of all traffic fatalities are motorcyclists and their passengers.

A statewide poll of 2,771 people shows that 93 percent rated failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcyclists as the most dangerous aspect of riding a motorcycle, followed by roadway defects, 2 percent, weather conditions, 2 percent, other, 2 percent, and lack of protection, 1 percent.

A few contributing factors to motorcycle accidents include failure of motorists to identify motorcyclists presence, sun glare or dirty windshield, and driver inattention.  If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident due to the carelessness of another driver, a Tampa personal injury law firm  such as Vanguard Attorneys may assist you.  It is important to take photographs of all the vehicles involved, have your motorcycle stored for expert examination, and preserve all the gear worn at the time of the accident.

For more information, please contact a Florida personal injury attorney at (813) 471-4444, or visit www.vanguardattorneys.com.

“Health officials say as many as 14,000 people received the steroid injections, mostly for back pain,” the Associated Press reports. The fungal infection causes inflammation of the meninges – protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Anti-fungal medication is used for treatment. But even patients who receive treatment are still at risk of death, brain damage, hearing loss, learning disabilities, speech complications, seizures, and paralysis, according to theMeningitis Foundation of America.

On Nov. 14, a hearing of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee convened to examine the outbreak from the New England Compounding Center’s facility in Framingham, Massachusetts. According to the NECC website, the company has recalled all products shipped in 2012.

The AP article published Nov. 14 showed how the congressional committee charged with investigating the outbreak hammered regulators. “After a tragedy like this, the first question we all ask is: could this have been prevented?” asked Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Florida’s 6^th District, Republican chairman of the oversight and investigations panel. “After an examination of documents produced by the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the answer here appears to be yes.”

A Reuters Newswire article said that in response to these types of questions, Margaret Hamburg, commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “insisted that the FDA lacks clear authority to regulate compounding pharmacies due to conflicting court rulings and other regulatory ambiguities.”

Barry Cadden, co-owner of the NECC, is already exercising his Fifth Amendment rights. In an AP article, he said: “Under advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer under basis of my constitutional rights and privileges, including the Fifth Amendment,” he said.

An in-depth review of legal cases, published on Nov. 1, in a USA Today article, brought national attention to the lack of “harsh punishments” for mistakes at compounding pharmacies. “Through them all, there’s a pattern: When a compounding pharmacy commits serious transgressions — wrongs that endanger lives or involve large-scale criminal conspiracies — the regulatory sanctions often are minimal,” the article stated. “Tougher punishments frequently come in the form of personal injury lawsuits, which can elicit court-ordered penalties far more potent than, say, the suspension of a pharmacy’s license.”

For more information, please contact a Florida personal injury attorney at Vanguard Attorneys by calling (813) 471-4444. 

As we kick off the holidays with Thanksgiving, Mothers Against Drunk Driving is reminding adults to plan ahead for a safe way home if they’re planning to drink alcohol during the season’s festivities. Generally, .08 is the legal limit for blood alcohol level while driving. “During a time of year when some may choose to ‘tie one on’ in celebration of the holidays, MADD and Nationwide encourage drivers to ‘Tie One On For Safety’ by displaying a red ribbon as a visible reminder to keep our roads safe,” said Bill Windsor, Nationwide Insurance Associate Vice President of Consumer Safety, in the media release. “It’s about setting an example for your friends and family, co-workers and neighbors — if you drink, don’t drive.”

The MADD campaign release showed that while annual drunk driving deaths have decreased, the proportion of deaths from drunk driving around the holidays have increased. It also revealed an alarming trend of driving under the influence fatalities in the early morning hours of Thanksgiving, dubbed “Blackout Wednesday,” as some people choose to over indulge in spirits over the long weekend.

The proportion of people killed in drunken driving accidents over the Thanksgiving holiday spiked by 30 percent compared to the rest of the year in 2010, which is the most recent year for which there is data from the National Highway T

raffic Safety Administration.

In Florida, there is a zero tolerance policy for those under 21. There is also an “Implied Consent Law,” which means that by signing your driver’s license you have agreed to take the breath test upon request.

“Drunk driving is a complex problem, but the solution is simple: plan ahead for a sober designated driver if you’re going to drink alcohol,” said MADD National President Jan Withers.

The NHTSA kicked off an annual crackdown on drunk driving in 2010 after data from the year prior showed that 10,839 people were killed in drunken driving crashes, including 753 in December alone. Agency trend data have consistently shown an increase in fatalities during the holiday season.

If you have been injured as a result of a drunk driver’s negligence, please contact an attorney. If the negligent driver was over the legal limit, Florida law allows for punitive and compensatory damages. Also, if the establishment serving the individual knew that he or she was a habitual drunk or was obviously intoxicated, then it may also have liability under dram shop laws.

For more information, please contact a Florida Personal Injury Attorney at Vanguard Attorneys by calling (813) 471-4444.

Whether or not you decide to hire an attorney, don’t leave the scene of the accident. According to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, your license could be revoked if you do leave. Also, don’t block traffic. If you’re blocking traffic and you can’t move your car yourself, get help or call a tow truck. Be prepared ahead of time with a cell phone, a pen and paper for taking notes, a camera to take photos, and a card with information about medical allergies or conditions that might require special attention in case of injuries. Also, know what your insurance covers.

Any wreck that involves injuries or property damage over $500 must be reported. Call the local police, sheriff, or the Florida Highway Patrol. An officer will file a report if they investigate the accident. After the accident, you may be able to exchange information with the other driver including: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver license number, and license plate number. You may also write down the make, model, and color of each car in the collision, the exact location, and how it happened. Also, use your camera to document the damage to all the vehicles.

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Compensatory damages are the most common type of reward given to the injured party and are designed to recover what the plaintiff has lost as a result of the injury. Plaintiffs are awarded these damages to help them return to emotional and financial state they were in prior to the injury. Common compensatory damages awarded are:

Punitive damages, on the other hand, occur less often than compensatory damages. They are awarded if the presiding judge believes the defendant’s negligent act merits punishment. Punitive damages are intended to discourage the guilty party from committing the same act in the future. Common punitive damages awarded are:

• Court reporter fees
• Costs of exhibits
• Reproduction fee
• Fees charged by legal experts
• Miscellaneous expenses

With each case we handle, our legal team does extensive research to determine all the damages you are entitled to. If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, Vanguard Attorneys will work diligently to ensure that you are rewarded the compensation you rightfully deserve.

A settlement offer is an agreement between two parties to end a lawsuit through monetary payment prior to jurisdiction. More often than not, Tampa personal injury claims are settled before making it to the trial phase. Taking a case to the courtroom can result in added anxiety, uncertainty and expenses. So, an out-of-court settlement tends to works in the client’s favor because it eliminates the element of risk which is often daunting for clients who are going through an already difficult time as it is.

Vanguard Attorneys prides itself on providing the highest quality client services. When our legal team works on settling a case before trial we are committed to doing so in the best possible manner to help our clients receive the compensation they deserve. With any case that we handle, we understand that communication with our clients is crucial and we make sure to guide them through each step of the process.

Our legal team will begin by explaining everything that must be considered when assessing the value of a settlement offer. These factors include:

• Severity of injuries
• Treatment Required
• Medical Bills
• Extent of negligence or wrongdoing
• Lost Wages
• Insurance Coverage
• Other Damages

We also keep our clients informed when it comes time to make a decision regarding the settlement offer. This offer can come from the negligent party or as a demand from our law firm. Our legal team advises our clients as to whether the other party is offering to pay the amount necessary to recover from all of the damages caused.

In some instances, the opposing party is not willing to offer a client the compensation they are entitled to before jurisdiction. In these cases, it is important for clients to know that their attorney has experience and is confident in trial. Our team at Vanguard Attorneys is prepared represent our clients in the courtroom if necessary. With trial experience, we know the complexities that accompany litigation and we are prepared to fight until we receive just results.

Tampa City officials and all branches of our local law enforcement worked with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security to try to keep the balance between allowing folks to exercise their right of expression, with keeping convention goers safe. Tampa welcomed and managed over 100,000 guests. The convention was designated a National Special Security Event (NSSE) by the Department of Homeland Security, which means the Secret Service was actually in charge of overall security in Tampa.

The budget for the event was $50 million dollars, and while one could imagine a better use of some of the funds, other than to display ten-speed bicycles for cops, all-terrain vehicles and riot gear, it seems that all involved are calling the event a success for our city.

In addition to Mayor Buckhorn and Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor calling the event a success, protestors are also saying that despite low turnout, they were successful in getting their message out. Many, if not all of the protestors moved on to Charlotte, North Carolina for the Democratic National Convention held this week from September 4 through 6. The fundamental right to speak and be heard should be important to all of us, regardless of whether you are a registered Democrat, Independent, or self-proclaimed “Anarchist.” The largest march only had about 1,000 participants, but they hoped their voices were heard just the same as if the group had been larger. Hopefully, the protestors will similarly be permitted at the DNC in Charlotte to get their message out – no matter the content.

Interestingly, Tampa Police handed out a guide with tips for protestors during the RNC. The guide reportedly had not only official parade routes and designated protest areas, but information about where to use the restroom, get water and first aid. The week in Tampa concluded with little arrests and mostly peaceful protests. Perhaps it was because of Tropical Storm Isaac, perhaps it was because of the massive law enforcement presence, or maybe it was just the heat and humidity, but something kept large volumes of people from coming to Tampa –a ratio of 4-to-1 law enforcement to
civilians might just have done the trick.

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