NOYES LEGAL NEWS

Largo Pedestrian Suffers Head Trauma After Being Hit by Car

Another pedestrian is critically injured after being hit by a car in Largo.

As reported by Bay News 9, the pedestrian was walking with a group of friends along the south shoulder of Ulmerton Road near 38th Street. The pedestrian attempted to cross the road but then doubled back. As a result, a Porsche driven by B Gray Gibbs hit the pedestrian.

It makes sense that when it comes to pedestrian vs. car, the pedestrian always loses. Walkers need to be smart when walking on busy roads. Pedestrians need to cross at crosswalks or at intersections. In the same respect, drivers of cars need to be on high alert for pedestrians. When a driver sees a pedestrian or a group of people walking, the driver should slow down, switch lanes if possible, and use added caution until they pass the pedestrians. This way, serious injuries may be avoided.

Drive and walk safely and watch out for those who don't. Before talking to the insurance companies after your car accident, pedestrian accident, motorcycle accident or other personal injury matter, talk to a lawyer about your rights. Remember, insurance companies have lawyers protecting their best interest after your accident, so should you. For a free case consultation about your rights after a Florida car accident, click here to arrange a conference with Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes.

School Bus Accident Sends 11 Students to Hospital

It’s one of a parent's worst nightmares. You see your child off to school, she gets on the bus and you go off to run your busy day. Your morning is interrupted by a call from the school advising that your child was taken to the hospital after her school bus was involved in a car accident. That is what happened to 11 parents this morning in Ruskin.

According to deputies, the school bus was headed to Beth Shields Middle School when it crashed into a Terminix truck at an intersection on 21st Avenue South East. Deputies say the driver of the bus violated the right of way and turned into the path of the truck driver. 39 children were on the bus and 11 of them are being taken to area hospitals.

If your child is injured in a car accident (whether on a school bus or in a car), it is crucial that you get him or her checked out by a doctor. If he or she is complaining of belly pain, there may be internal bleeding from the seat belt that could result in death if not caught. It is always better to err on the side of caution.

Drive safely and watch out for those who don't. For answers to questions after a car accident, click here to schedule a free case consultation with Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes. Insurance companies have attorneys working for them, so should you!

Have Your Voice Be Heard on Health Care Reform

Only because I feel it is too important NOT to blog about--that is why today's article has nothing to do with my personal injury practice, but everything to do with you. I am not a political guy and I will never preach to someone about their views--they are their views to own and do as they wish with them. However, our America may forever be changed this week.

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives may be voting on Speaker Nancy Pelosi's health care reform bill. We need to tell our Representatives what we feel about it. Although I am a Democrat, I will be instructing my Representatives to vote against it. Here is why:

* 1.055 trillion dollars. That is what the Congressional Budget Office figures the House program will cost over a decade. We Americans can simply not afford that. Just last night, my wife and I were talking about buying this and that and we decided that we couldn't do it because we simply couldn't afford to do it. Americans has to have the same talk with their Representatives.

• Robbing Peter to pay Paul. Medicare may not be the best system, but people are getting health care under it. The House bill wants to take $426 billion from future Medicare spending to pay for other care.

* States will be called to contribute as well. Governors will be asked to take on $34 billion in new burdens. This will affect state programs and state taxes.

* Businesses will have to pay. Under the plan, businesses would have to surrender 8% of their payroll to government if they don't offer insurance or pay at least 72.5% of their workers' premiums, which eat into wages. This will result in lower wage increases and less jobs--two things that built America.

• I don't want anyone telling me or my family what "essential benefits" are. If I want to have a procedure performed--no matter how old or how sick I am be--I have the right to do it. Under the House bill, the "health choices commissioner" will decide what counts as "essential benefits."

These are the reasons I am against it. Honestly, with so much propaganda on both sides, I cannot tell you that my reasons are correct. But, I don't want to take the risk. I don't want my kids and grandkids paying for something that we simply cannot afford.

Tell your elected Representatives what YOU think--whether you are for it or against it. You as an American have great power to be heard--don't waste it. Click here to determine the name of your U.S. Representative and then go to their web site to send an email and share your thoughts.

Whew! I am done being political. Now, let's talk Halloween costumes, brain tumors from cell phones, car accident prevention--anything but politics!

Where You Wear Your Cell Phone Could Result in Future Problems

We know that using the cell phone while driving can cause car accident. Now, a study shows that how you wear your cell phone may lead to complications from neck or back surgery needed because of that car accident. According to a study in the September issue of The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, wearing a cell phone on your hip area may lead to decreased bone density in the area of the pelvis that is commonly used for bone grafts.

 

The researchers measured bone density at the upper rims of the pelvis (iliac wings) in 150 men who were cell phone users and carried their phones on their belts. Bone density was compared on the side where the men wore their phones (the right side in 122 men and the left side in 28) versus the opposite side. The men carried their phones for an average of 15 hours per day, and had used cell phones for an average of 6 years.

 

The results showed a slight reduction in iliac wing bone density on the side where the men carried their phones. The difference was not statistically significant, and did not approach the reductions seen in osteoporosis. However, the researchers point out that the men were relatively young average 32 years and that further bone weakening may occur with longer follow-up.

 

The researchers emphasize that their findings are preliminary. Coming generations of mobile technology may lead to the development of new cell phones with lower exposure to electromagnetic fields. Meanwhile, Dr. Atay and colleagues conclude, "It would be better to keep mobile phones as far as possible from our body during our daily lives."

 

Personally, in order to prevent someone causing a car accident with someone I care about, I would rather drivers keep the cell phone on their hip while driving than on their ear. I don't know what about using a cell phone makes someone drive slower and keeps them from staying in their lane, but you can spot the cell phone users on the roads.

 

Drive safely and watch out for those who don't. If you or a loved one is injured in a Florida car accident, click here to contact Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes. Remember, insurance companies have lawyers looking out for their best interest after your automobile accident, so should you!

Turning Your Clocks Back Results in More Accidents

Remember, after all the trick-or-treaters are gone and the Halloween parties are over, you have one more thing to do Halloween night--turn your clocks back an hour because daylight saving time ends.

As we move the clocks back an hour, car accidents, pedestrian accidents and other personal injury claims are more likely to occur on the roads. According to CNN.com, researchers at Stanford and Johns Hopkins universities analyzed a 21-year period and found a significant spike in traffic accidents on the Sunday that ended daylight-saving time.

The sudden loss of daylight in the evenings sends a pedestrian's risk skyrocketing, according to a seven-year study by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University. They found that after daylight-saving time ended in a typical October, the risk of pedestrian fatalities (per mile walked) jumped 186 percent. The researchers chalked this up not just to darker roadways, but also to drivers having a difficult time adjusting to the end of daylight-saving time.

So, enjoy the extra hour sleep, but on Sunday and days thereafter, keep an extra eye out for pedestrians. Also, be prepared for the change of sunlight glare on your way to work and home.

If you or a family member is injured in a Florida car accident, it is important that you talk with an attorney before talking with the insurance companies.Insurance companies have attorneys working for them--so should you! Click here to schedule a free case consultation with Personal Injury Lawyer Matthew Noyes. Attorney Noyes' personal injury law firm has been caring for clients for over 54 years.

Now You Can Blame Your Bad Driving on Your Parents. Really?

Can we really blame bad driving on genetics? A recent study published in the journal Cerebral Cortex says we can. 

Researcher Steven Cramer, a neurology professor at the University of California Irvine, found that people with a certain gene variant performed more than 30 percent worse on a driving test than people without it. Apparently, about 30 percent of Americans have the variant.

The research looked at a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) that is secreted to the area of the brain that is associated with particular activity. The protein helps facilitate communication among brain cells and helps retain memory.

In Cramer's study, people who have the gene variation he focused on have limited BDNF secretion. "These people make more errors from the get-go, and they forget more of what they learned after time away," Cramer said in a statement.

Cramer and his team of researchers brought their research to the road by recruiting 29 people to drive 15 laps on a simulated course with difficult curves and turns. Twenty-two of the participants did not have the gene variant; seven did. The researchers wanted to see how effectively the participants learned to navigate the twists and turns in each subsequent lap.

Four days later, they repeated the test. The participants with the variant did worse both times. They also retained less the second go-round. The researchers concluded that these poor results were because of the limited BDNF secretion.

I don't know if I buy into this or not. There must be a lot of limited-secreted-BDNF-drivers on U.S. Highway 19 every morning. Let's hope that we don't see this as a defense to fight a traffic ticket!

If you or your friend has been injured because of a bad driver (despite their BDNF secretion level), you should talk with an attorney before talking with the insurance companies. Insurance companies have lawyers working for them-so should you!

Click here to schedule a free case consultation with Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes. With offices throughout Tampa Bay, Attorney Noyes can easily accommodate your schedule after your car accident, motorcycle crash, or other personal injury matter.

Lucky 13 Halloween Tips

Ghouls and goblins will take over the night. Halloween's greatest hazards aren't vampires and villains, but falls, costume mishaps and automobile crashes. Because Halloween falls on a weekend, there is even more risk of injuries from car accidents and more drunk drivers on the roads.

Scary creatures need to be safe and celebrate Halloween right. The Red Cross wants
your family to have a safe Halloween so we're providing these "Lucky 13" tips:

1. Map out the route that you plan to roam, so adults are assured you will find your way home!
2. From the bravest of superheroes to the noblest of knights, everyone should remember to bring their flashlights!
3. If you visit a house where a stranger resides, accept treats at the door and, please, don't go inside.
4. When you get ready to put on your disguise, use face paint instead of masks, which will cover your eyes.
5. Always remember, before you embark, to wear light-colored clothing to be seen in the dark! (And remember to use reflective tape, even on bikes, and brooms and the edges of your cape!)
6. Whether you walk, slither or sneak, do it on the sidewalks and not in the street.
7. As you roam through the neighborhood collecting your treats, please look both ways before crossing the street! (And speaking of streets, the corners are the place for trick or treaters to cross no matter their pace.)
8. Wigs, capes and costumes are flammable attire, so avoid open flames to prevent a fire!
9. Use a glow stick instead of a candle so your jack-o-lantern isn't a safety gamble!
10. You may fly on a broom or a space ship from Mars, but please be on the lookout for drivers in cars! (Between parked cars is no place to hide, be sure that you’re seen whether you’re a clown or a bride.)
11. Monsters and zombies should stay off the lawn, and only visit homes with their porch lights turned on!
12. You may be dressed as a werewolf, a cat or a frog, but be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.

Planning now by using these tips could prevent an injury this Saturday. No one wants to spend Halloween night in the emergency room with their child.

Have You Seen the Truck Involved in this Fatal Hit-and-Run?

We know that Tony Allen Sorenson of Fort Myers was killed after being hit by a truck as he walked north across Ulmerton shortly after 8 p.m. on Thursday. We don't know who killed.

The driver of a silver Ford F-150 continued westbound on Ulmerton and fled the scene. Mr. Sorenson was pronounced dead at Largo Medical Center. Officials are still searching for the driver of the truck. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or contact the FHP at (813) 631-4020.

Maybe you travel down Ulmerton Road regularly or its surrounding roads. Look for a silver Ford F-150 pick-up truck with front end property damage, get the license tag number and call 911.

It is beyond me to know how someone can hit a pedestrian and then speed away. Any guilt? Any internal need to see if the person you hit will be ok? Any desire to give answers to the family of the pedestrian?

I hope they find the driver of the truck that killed this man. If you are ever in the situation, pull over and check on the pedestrian and stay. The consequences of fleeing the scene--both legally and morally--are too great to simply leave.

Seven Ways a Teenage Driver Can Lose Their Florida Driver's License

We are right in the middle of National Teen Driver Safety Week. We can spit out stats that should scare any teenage driver, but most teenagers will never consider that they could be a statistics. So, maybe the consequences of the bad driving may make them think twice. Here are a few of the consequences under Florida law:

1. Too many points for bad driving will result in a license suspension. For teen drivers, Florida law statues that six points in twelve months will result in a restriction to driving to work and school only.

2. Under Florida law, teenage racing will result in their license being suspended for one year.

3. Anyone under the age of 21 driving with a BAC of .02 (not the adult's .08 level) or greater will get an automatic six months suspension of the license.

Other ways a teenager can lose their driver's license in Florida include:

1. Under Florida law, if a teenager skips 15 days of school in a 90-day period, he loses his license.

2. A third conviction (or two within twelve weeks) for possessing tobacco products like cigarettes, chewing tobacco or snuff, will result in a suspension of their license.

3. Using a fake ID to obtain alcohol results in losing a license for six months.

4. A conviction of possessing drugs will result in a minimum suspension of six months.

Now for the statistics that teenage drivers seem to ignore:

• In Florida in 2008, 68.3% of children ages 0-17 killed in vehicle crashes were not using either a child passenger seat or a safety belt.
• In 2008, 18-year-old drivers in Florida had the highest rate of crash involvement in all car accidents, while 19-year-old drivers had the highest rate of fatal car accidents.
• Nationwide in 2008, 37% of 15-20 year old drivers involved in fatal car accidents were speeding.
• Nationwide in 2008, 4,054 teens between the ages of 13-19 years of age died in car accidents.
• In the United States, teens account for only 6.3 percent of the population but are involved in 14 percent of the total number of traffic fatalities.
• Distractions are deadly for teen drivers. Distractions are the No. 1 reason new drivers’ crash.
• While all teens are at a high-risk of experiencing a fatal crash, young males, pickup truck drivers and passengers, as well as people living in rural areas are among those least likely to buckle up.
• 60% of teens know inexperience heavily influences safety, but only 15% correctly view their peers as inexperienced drivers.

Knowledge--whether it be the law or the statistics--can prevent some teenage car accident. With this knowledge, teenage drivers can be safer on the road this National Teen Driver Safety Week and throughout the year.

Drive safely and watch out for those (not matter what age they are) that don't! If you or a friend is injured in a Florida car accident, click here to schedule a free case consultation with Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes. Insurance companies have attorneys fighting for their best interest after your automobile accident, so should you!

Wanna Be Able to Control a Teenager's (or a Spouse's) Driving?

Should parents have control over their teenager's driving? With car accidents being the leading cause of death among teens, I think so. In fact, since 200 drivers ages 15 to 19 died last year in Florida car accident, it is almost a must. Ford Motor Company agrees and is unveiling its MyKey Technology in an effort to curb teen road fatalities.

Ford's MyKey technology will limit the car’s maximum speed and stereo volume when a teen is behind the wheel. Using the technology, parents are able to give their teens a special car key that caps the car’s maximum speed at 80. The MyKey technology can also limit the stereo’s volume to 65 percent. In fact, the radio won't even play if the driver isn't wearing a seat belt.

The MyKey cars also display messages on a dashboard screen, signaling to drive safely or buckle up. Cars with the MyKey technology are available at Ford dealers throughout the state. It is considered a standard feature in most 2010 Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles.

Ford can only do so much though. Ultimately, educating teenage drivers is the key to keeping them safe. Parents have a responsibility to spend time with their teenager to show them the safe way to drive. Teenage friends also have a responsibility to tell their driving counterparts not to drive carelessly. Teenage friends should get out of the car when their friends are driving recklessly. I am sure their parents wouldn't be angry about having to pick them out somewhere for this reason.

Through technology and education, we may be able to reduce the number of teenage car accidents. Remember, teenager drivers don't only crash into other teenage drivers. All drivers (and their families) are at risk if a teenager is driving recklessly.

Drive safely and watch out for those who don't. If you or a friend is injured in a Florida auto accident, click here to contact Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes. Remember, insurance companies have lawyers looking out for their best interest-so should you!

Can YOU Beat This Record?

I tip my hat to Virginia "Ginny" Odom! This UPS tractor-trailer driver has logged more than 3.5 million accident-free miles and she recently marked her 35th year of safe driving – tops among female UPS drivers worldwide.

“Ginny is a classic example of how dedicated our drivers are to safety,” said Don Gately, Central Florida District Manager. “Her achievement is something that should inspire both veteran and new drivers.”

According to the press release, this 59-year-old Winter Park resident began her career with UPS in 1973 delivering packages. She delivered packages for her first nine years before switching to the big rigs. Since 2000, Ms. Odom has driven a tandem tractor-trailer rig on a daily 600-mile round trip hauling thousands of packages between Orlando and Cordele, Ga. Ms. Odom starts her day at 4 a.m.

Driving in the Orlando area makes it even more challenging because according to a survey by the Texas Transportation Institute, the Orlando metro area is tied for sixth worst in the nation for traffic gridlock.

Ginny Odom is the top female driver in UPS’s Circle of Honor, an elite organization honoring current drivers with 25 years or more without an accident. Nationwide, more than 4,600 active UPS drivers are members; collectively they’ve racked up more than 5 billion miles of safe driving. Way to go, UPS for acknowledging these good drivers

It feels good to write about safe drivers. I am sure that some of the readers can also attest for years of being accident-free. I salute you too! Continue to drive safely and watch out for those who don't.

If you or a friend has questions after being involved in a car accident, you should consult with a lawyer before talking to the insurance companies. Insurance companies have teams of attorneys working for them, so should you. Click here to schedule a free case consultation with Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes.

Are the Police Looking for You This Week?

Yesterday the Florida Department of Transportation kicked off a week long effort to crack down on unsafe driving in an attempt to make the roads a little safer. The Florida Department of Transportation says last year alone more than 200,000 people were injured in car accidents in Florida. Many of those automobile accidents were specifically caused by unsafe or aggressive driving and that's exactly why officers are going to spend this week targeting those drivers.

"The last thing you want to do is lose your loved one in a traffic crash because someone did not take the time to be responsible in their vehicles," says Sgt. Larry Kraus with Florida Highway Patrol.

Law enforcement will also be looking for people who violate Florida's "Move Over Law". The law requires drivers to move out of the way when they see a stopped emergency vehicle on the road. Because one driver failed to follow this law, Trooper Rhonda Hendree nearly lost her life after being hit during a traffic stop last year. "It still bothers me today. I don't have a day that I don't have pain. Basically, it's totally changed my life," explained Hendree.

The campaign started yesterday and will run through next Saturday. The FDOT says officers will be in both marked and unmarked cars. Tickets for a moving violation start at about $165 and go up from there depending on what county you live in and what the violation is.

Drive safely and not aggressively--not because you can avoid a ticket, but because you can save a life. Also, watch out for those who still drive aggressively. Many good drivers get in bad car accidents because of other aggressive drivers.

If you or a friend is injured because of the actions of an aggressive driver, talk to an attorney before talking to the insurance company. Remember, insurance companies have attorneys looking out for their best interest after your automobile accident, so should you!

For a free case consultation with a lawyer who cares, click here to contact Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes. Attorney Noyes and his team will fight for you after your car accident, motorcycle accident, or other personal injury matter.

What About the Injured Workers?

They want you to think it is a good thing, but is it?

Although Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty has approved a proposed rate decrease of 6.8 percent for all new and renewal workers' compensation insurance, the injured worker is still left out of the calculation.

Don't get me wrong--I am glad that employers are getting a reduction in their work comp premiums. I simply think that Florida's present workers' compensation system is broken and the workers' comp carriers have too much power over the lives of injured workers and their families.

The workers compensation carrier dictates what doctor the injured worker has to treat with. In almost all situations, the injured worker cannot see a doctor of his choosing without having to pay approximately $1,000 for the visit. The work comp carrier decides if and when to pay wage benefit with little penalty for delay. Although the workers' compensation law says the carrier shall "pay and investigate" if there is a question as to whether there is a compensable accident, most carriers have decided to "deny and starve out the injured worker" instead. If the general public only knew what some injured workers have to go through to simply get the few workers' compensation benefits they are entitled to!!!

So, legislators and the Insurance Commissioner can throw a party that workers' comp rates are reduced for a 7th year and keep on ignoring the plight of the injured worker. Ignore how benefits have been ripped away from the injured workers for the past 7 years. Ignore how the injured worker cannot be on a level playing field with the insurance company with litigation is required. As for me, I will continue to fight to be a voice of the injured worker in a system that simply doesn't want to hear from them.

If you or a friend are battling the workers' compensation carrier, don't try to do it alone. Click here to schedule a free case consultation with Workers' Compensation Attorney Matthew Noyes.

Yet Another Pedestrian Being Killed After Being Hit By a Car

It seems lately there is a story every day about a pedestrian getting hit by a car. The latest resulted in a death of a New Port Richey man last night.

Authorities say Thomas Legg stepped was walking on U.S. Highway 19 and was hit by a Port Richey driver just before 8 p.m. Mr. Legg was taken to Community Hospital where he died from his injuries.

This story follows a Seffner woman who faces charges after she fled the scene of a deadly crash in Tampa Friday night after she hit a pedestrian, 53-year-old Edward Gigler, who was crossing Fletcher.

Another driver ran over a pedestrian late Saturday night on Martin Luther King Street in St. Petersburg and led the scene. According to St. Petersburg Police, a 1999 Mercedes Benz SUV was heading south on MLK at 22nd Avenue South just after 10 pm Saturday when the car hit pedestrian Roy Solomon, 56, who was crossing MLK in the crosswalk.

And we cannot forget the woman who struck two Hudson teenagers, William Calder and Walter Edelman, as they walked to their school bus.

There are way too many cars hitting pedestrians. With ghosts, goblins and witches invading our neighborhood streets in a few weeks, we all need to pay closer attention to people walking along the road. A pedestrian is no match to a moving vehicle.

If you or a loved one is injured because of the negligence of a driver, you should consult with an attorney before talking with the insurance companies. Remember,insurance companies have lawyers working looking out for their best interest, so should you! Click here to arrange a free case consultation with Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes. Attorney Noyes' Tampa Bay personal injury law firm has been caring for clients since 1955.

Picking the Right Halloween Costume

Batman & Robin (again)? Tom & Jerry? Larry and Bob (from Veggietales)? Red Spiderman and Black Spiderman? My three-year-old son still hasn't decided what he and I are going to be for Halloween, but after visiting many of the costume stores, it is clear about one thing--some costumes can be pretty dangerous.

Black is certainly popular, but not safe for trick-or-treating. Masks don't always fit and can block your child's vision. Now is the time to think about your child's costume's safety before you set the goblin free to raid the neighbor's candy.

Here are a few pointers from the costume experts:

• Halloween costumes should be light and bright, so children are clearly visible to motorists and other pedestrians.
• Trim costumes and bags with reflective tape.
• Make sure children wear flame-resistant costumes that fit properly.
• Costumes that are too long may cause kids to trip and fall.
• Children should wear sturdy, comfortable and slip-resistant shoes.
• Masks and hats can impair a child's vision, so secure hats well and consider using face makeup instead of masks.

Any ideas for me and my son would be helpful--just make sure they're safe (and easy to do and don't make me look too ridiculous!)

Enjoy the treat of costume shopping, but don't be tricked by the unsafe costumes!

Should You Ride a Motorcycle?

Riding a motorcycle can be fun and invigorating, but it is not for everyone. Do you have the skills to ride one?

Before you decide to ride a motorcycle, The Motorcycle Safety Foundation provides a self-assessment of the physical capabilities and mental attitude required to safely navigate a motorcycle on the street. Here are a few of them:

1.Are you a higher risk-taker than others you know? If you tend to need a thrill while driving a car and have aggressive or risky tendencies (following too closely, turning without signaling, talking on a cell phone, getting angry at other drivers, etc.), motorcycling may not be for you.

2. Can you drive a stick-shift car? This is not a requirement, but it may make learning to ride easier because almost all motorcycles have manual transmissions.

3. Are you mechanically inclined? Today’s motorcycles are very reliable machines, but with all the bolts, nuts, and mechanisms out in the open, and only two tires connecting you to the pavement, you need to be able to inspect your equipment and make the occasional minor adjustment. You don’t need to be a master mechanic, but it helps to know your way around a tire pressure gauge and a wrench. Most everything a rider needs to know is in the motorcycle owner’s manual, and if you’ve never read your car owner’s manual, that could be a sign that motorcycling is not for you.

4. Are you safety-minded? If you routinely find yourself bandaged up after doing simple do-it-yourself projects around the house, or think it’s acceptable to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, the unique challenges of motorcycle riding may not be compatible with your decision-making. Riders can control their situation only if safety is a high priority. Millions of motorcyclists ride millions of miles without incident, and they likely take safety seriously.

5. Do you respect machinery and other equipment that has risk? For example, when using a lawn mower or chainsaw, do you maintain it properly and wear eye/ear/hand protection when needed? If you’re not serious about safety in connection with simple machinery and equipment whose improper use can lead to serious injury, you may not respect motorcycling enough to follow safety precautions. Successful riders know that safety isn’t a matter of luck, but a matter of doing the right things to minimize risk.

6. Can you handle your car in an emergency? Drivers don’t often have the need to brake hard or swerve to miss a crash, but it’s important to have the skills to be able to do so when needed. On a motorcycle, having these types of skills is essential because other highway users tend not to see motorcyclists in traffic, especially around intersections.

Personally, I fail this test. I owned a motorcycle many years ago and realized that I do not have the skill to control it. I respect those who can handle their motorcycle.

Motorcyclists are at great risk for serious injuries after accidents. Each year, more than 2,200 people are killed and more than 55,000 are injured in motorcycle accidents. According to recent reports, nearly 80% of motorcycle accidents result in death (compared to 20% of motor vehicle accidents).

Ride safely and watch out for those who fail to give the motorcyclists the care they deserve. If you or a loved one is injured in a Florida motorcycle accident, click here to contact Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes. Remember, insurance companies have lawyers looking out for their best interest, so should you!

Should 7-Year-Olds Be in Booster Seats?

During the past decade, almost 200 children between ages 4 and 7 have been killed in Florida car accidents. Almost 1,000 have been injured. However, in the state of Florida, children 4 years old and above are allowed to ride in vehicles without a booster seat despite a national study by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia that found booster seats can reduce the risk of injury in children ages 4 through 7 by 59 percent.

Next year, things may change.  State Senator Thad Altman is about to file a bill that would make booster seats mandatory for children ages 4 through 7. The new bill will be debated during next year's legislative session, which begins in March.

Stay tuned to Noyes Legal News for updates on this proposed law and others that could effect your family.

Daughter's Death in Car Accident Sparks Dad's Invention

Jack Roe, a Bradenton man, lost his 34-year-old daughter to a car accident caused by the sun's glare. In 2006, Jack's daughter, Dawn Roe, crashed into the back of a semi-truck because the sun's early morning glare hampered her vision.

Trying to prevent other families from suffering the loss he had to suffer, Jack Roe pursued a patent for transitional glass tinting for vehicle windshields that automatically adjusts based on changing light conditions. "We have transitional lenses for our eyeglasses but not for our windshields," Roe wrote to Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar in April 2006.

Mr. Roe applied for a provisional patent last year, and this summer the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued that patent to Roe's transitional glass system. Since receiving the patent-pending status in July, Roe has been pushing his product with major automakers.

Personally, I admire a man who tries to do good for others after suffering a loss himself. If his patent invention works, I hope the automakers will use it. If it saves one life or prevents one car accident, it is worth it.

For information about legal rights after suffering a car accident, click here to schedule a free case consultation with Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes. With offices throughout Tampa Bay, Attorney Noyes can accommodate your schedule. Remember, insurance companies have lawyers working for them, so should you!

Car Hits Students While They Walked to Hudson School Bus Stop

The smashed windshield tells the story. As they were walking to their school bus on Utica Drive, two teenagers-Walter Edelman, a 15-year-old ninth-grade student at Hudson High School, and William Calder, a 13-year-old who attends Hudson Middle School, were struck by a car and thrown onto the hood of the car and shattered the windshield before landing on the road.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of the vehicle saw other children walking to their bus stop in her path and swerved to miss them, but hit to the two boys. The boys were loaded helicopters and flown to All Children's Hospital and Bayfront Medical Center.

This accident is a reminder of how important it is for all drivers to watch out for school children early in the morning. As drivers, we are in a better position to be responsible to avoid these types of accidents. Since they are dressed for school, they most likely are not wearing reflective gear as runners and walker would wear. If you see kids, slow down and pay attention. It could save a child's life and keep you from having life-long nightmares of hitting a child.

Drive safely and watch out for those who don't. For information about your legal rights after a Florida car accident, motorcycle crash, workers compensation claim or other personal injury matter, click here to schedule a free case consultation with Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes. Insurance companies have lawyers working for them-so should you!

Do You Own One of These Toyotas or Lexus?

After the deadly car accident in California, Toyota announced they will be recalling 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles because of a floor-mat malfunction. The removable floor mats are interfering with the accelerator causing it to get stuck in the open position, and accelerate without notice and preventing drivers from stopping, according to a Toyota press release.

Models recalled include the 2007-2010 Toyota Camry, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2004-2009 Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Tundra, 2007-2010 Lexus ES 350, 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS 350.

Owners of these vehicles are advised to remove the floor mats and not replace them with any others until the problem can be resolved, according to the press release.

This is not the first time Toyota has had to recall certain models due to floor mats. In 2007, Toyota recalled an accessory all-weather floor mat sold for use in some 2007 and 2008 model year Lexus ES 350 and Toyota Camry because they were experiencing similar malfunctions, according to the press release.

For more information on the recall Toyota owners can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or the Toyota Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or the Lexus Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-255-3987.

It is hard enough to avoid bad drivers that cause car accidents. Don't let your car's floor mats lead to a possible deadly car accident. Take action now if you or your family or friends own one of these cars.

For information about your legal rights after a Florida car accident, click here to schedule a free case consultation with Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes. Insurance companies have lawyers looking out for their best interest--so should you!