Limousine Accidents: Who is Liable?
When you retain the services of a limousine company for purposes of business or pleasure, you have a reasonable expectation of getting from your point of origin to your destination safely and securely. Sadly, safety was apparently ignored near Albany, New York, recently when 20 people perished in a limousine accident. The operator of Prestige Limousine allegedly had a driver behind the wheel who wasn’t licensed to drive that type of vehicle, and state inspectors had determined a month earlier that the same vehicle was unserviceable due to mechanical issues.
Vicarious Liability
There is no question that the cause of the subject crash was the limo driver’s failure to stop at a stop sign. Based on the facts of the case as it presently stands, the personal injury attorneys in Tampa at Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore regard this tragedy as an example of vicarious liability. Under the legal principle of vicarious liability, an employer is held liable for the negligent act, or negligent failure to act, of its employee. As an experienced Tampa wrongful death attorney at Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore could also explain, there is a duty incumbent on the limo company to properly maintain the vehicles that it puts on the road. It appears that this duty was breached in the Albany case — and, sadly, in too many other cases as well.
If you were injured in a limousine accident, or if your family member perished in such an accident in Florida, contact an accident attorney Tampa Florida without delay. We’ll arrange for a free consultation and case review with you. Our commitment is to listen to you carefully, answer your questions as best we can, and advise you of your full range of legal options. Our attorneys are experienced and effective Tampa motor vehicle accident attorneys. We work on a contingent-fee basis, which means that no legal fees are due unless and until we obtain a settlement or verdict on your behalf.
Golf carts are both fun and functional, and the use of them is spreading throughout Florida’s neighborhoods and communities. Under Florida law (Chapter 320, section 320.01, of the Florida Statutes), a golf cart is “a motor vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 miles per hour.” Golf carts can weigh well over 500 pounds, and they are often used in retirement communities. Legal issues can arise when people use the carts privately – especially if they don’t take their driving responsibilities as seriously as they do when they drive their own cars on the public roadways.
Negligence Laws Still Apply
As the Tampa golf cart accident attorneys at Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore can attest, the fact that a golf cart driver isn’t on a public roadway doesn’t free him or her from the law of negligence. Although these vehicles are much smaller than an automobile or SUV, a person can still be severely injured or even die in a golf cart accident. If a driver of a golf cart negligently injures a passenger on it, a person on another golf cart, or a bicyclist or pedestrian, that careless golf cart driver and the golf cart’s owner may be held liable for the victim’s injuries.
Golf Cart Accident Injuries
As with automobiles, Florida law regards golf carts as dangerous instrumentalities. Although some of them might have a roof, they don’t have doors, air bags, or seat belts. People are often ejected from golf carts during accidents. Injuries can include neck and back strains and sprains, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord bruising or tearing, multiple fractures, injuries to vertebrae and spinal nerves and organ damage.
If you or your family members have been injured in a golf cart accident, you’ll want to speak with a golf cart accident attorney Tampa Florida here at Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore. Do not hesitate to contact us as immediately as possible after being injured in any golf cart accident. We are standing by to offer a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers in Tampa.
Legal Assistance for the Victims of Motorcycle Crashes in Florida
Florida’s generally good weather and its long stretches of straight pavement make the state popular for motorcyclists, but greater ridership has come at a price. In 2015, Florida experienced the highest number of motorcycle fatalities of any state in the nation. In addition to the 606 deaths that year, more than 9,000 other bikers suffered significant injuries in the state. The victims of such accidents and their families may be eligible for financial compensation, but they could benefit from the help of a Tampa personal injury attorney to ensure that damages are received and are sufficient. This type of assistance can be obtained from the law firm of Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore. Our lawyers have years of experience handling this type of litigation.
The Key to Riding Safely
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has attributed the increase in fatalities to the repeal in 2000 of Florida’s motorcycle helmet requirement. According to a study conducted by the American Automobile Association, fewer than half of the motorcyclists who ride in Florida wear a helmet. There are some common-sense steps bikers can take on their own to protect themselves when riding, including:
•Wear protective clothing, in addition to a helmet and proper eyewear
•In order to be visible to others, wear bright clothing and make sure
the motorcycle has proper lighting
•Stay outside the “blind” spots of automobile and truck drivers
•Avoid riding between lanes
Seeking Compensation After an Accident
Even the safest riders may not be able to avoid accidents that are caused by inattentive, reckless, or intoxicated drivers, or by hazards that are beyond their control. Those who suffer injuries or who lose family members in crashes will need the services of a motorcycle accident lawyer in Tampa. They can find this help at the law firm of Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore.
Do not hesitate to call us today for a free consultation.
