Loose Loads Loaded With Liability

A loose load in a truck bed can cause a serious accident. Three people from Melbourne in Brevard County were killed in a car crash after trying to avoid a barbeque grill that had flown from the bed of a truck. Orlando injury lawyer Kim Michael Cullen helps people injured by unsecured loads. Call Kim at 407-254-4901.

Children Thrown From Bed Of Pickup Highlight Danger

Unrestrained children ejected from pickup truck in Ocala truck crash. Children suffered serious injuries, with one child transported to trauma hospital for brain injury. Orlando injury attorney Kim Cullen believes that children should not be allowed to ride in pickup truck beds unrestrained. Kim helps accident victims. Call Kim at 407-254-4901.

Uninsured Motorist Who Killed A Man Is Finally Identified By DNA

DNA helps solve fatal motor vehicle crash on Apopka-Vineland Road in Orlando. Driver who fled scene finally caught but likely has no liability insurance to pay damages. Orlando injury attorney Kim Michael Cullen helps accident victims. Call Kim at 407-254-4901.

Lynx Bus Crash On Highway 50 Highlights Challenges Faced On Bus Accident Cases

Local media are reporting a crash on Highway 50 in Orlando involving a Central Florida Lynx bus and a smaller automobile.  Evidence at the scene and from eyewitnesses indicates that the smaller vehicle rear-ended the Lynx bus.  There was significant damage to the front of the small car.  13 people were reported injured -- 12 of them from the bus and the driver of the offending car.  Fire rescue and several ambulances were dispatched to the scene.  Several bus passengers were taken by ambulance to local hospitals.

When I read the story and wrote about it on my website, I started feeling bad for those bus passengers.  Based upon experience handling bus accident claims, I know that bus accident victims face challenges that people injured in regular car accidents do not have to face.

For example, since a bus is not defined as a "motor vehicle" under certain Florida statutes and automobile insurance policies, injured bus passengers do not have access to Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in order to get their medical bills paid, like car crash victims do.  Additionally, it sounds like there were more than 10 people injured in this bus accident.  Unfortunately, each of the passengers is going to be vying for compensation out of the same pot of liability insurance carried by the rear-ending driver (if she carried any at all.)

Hopefully, the majority of the folks involved in this crash had group health insurance or some other access to quality medical care.  I am also hopeful that the negligent driver had a large enough insurance policy to fully and fairly compensate each injured passenger.

DeLeon Springs Drunk Driver Kills Two, Injures Two Others

DeLeon Springs man was drinking and then drove through a stop sign on Grand Avenue. The drunk driver crashed into two young people in an SUV. Two people were killed and two people were injured. Orlando injury attorney Kim Cullen handled serious injury and wrongful death cases caused by drunk drivers. Call Kim at 407-254-4901.

Florida Drivers Have A Lot Of Room For Improvement

Florida ranks 43rd nationally in driver knowledge in a new insurance industry study. Older, male drivers seem to do better than younger, female drivers on these written tests. Orlando injury attorney Kim Michael Cullen understands that many drivers in Florida don't know the rules of the road and enjoys holding those drivers responsible for the injuries that they cause. Call Kim at 407-254-4901.

New Smyrna Rear End Semi Crash On I-95 Causes Death

An Edgewater man was killed in a rear-end crash with a semi-tractor trailer near New Smyrna on Interstate 95. The vehicles were both traveling in the outside lane of travel. The reason for the collision has not been provided. Orlando truck accident lawyer Kim Cullen handled cases for people injured or killed by large trucks. Call Kim at 407-254-4901.

Confounding Crossroad: Rouse Road and Colonial Drive - Orlando, Florida

Dangerous intersection at Rouse Road and Colonial Drive in Orlando, Florida. Driving through the intersection and we were almost hit by a car trying to make a left hand turn off of Highway 50 on to Rouse Road. Orlando car accident attorney Kim Cullen has experience handling injury cases from intersection collisions. Call Kim at 407-254-4901.

Young Mother Killed, Child Injured Allegedly Due To Street Racing

Street racing was allegedly to blame for the untimely death of a 22-year old woman and serious injuries to her 4-year old daughter is a horrible head-on car crash on Goldenrod Road in Orlando. Unreasonable speed on any road, whether racing or not, can kill. Orlando injury attorney Kim Michael Cullen is experienced handling wrongful death and serious injury cases. Call Kim at 407-254-4901.

Red Light Cameras Become Legal Throughout Florida

Red light cameras at intersections are now approved throughout Florida. Owners of vehicles will receive citations if their vehicles are photographed running red lights, unless they can show they weren't driving or were forced to go through the intersection. Orlando auto accident lawyer Kim Cullen handles automobile intersection accidents. Call Kim at 497-254-4901.

Cocoa Semi Accident Injures Six And Closes I-95

Semi tractor-trailer accident outside of Cocoa in Brevard County causes six injured to be taken to Orlando trauma centers. Blown tire caused the truck to cross the median and crash into a passenger vehicle and pickup truck, causing injury to a three-year old. Orlando car crash attorney Kim Michael Cullen handles trucking cases. Call Kim at 407-254-4901.

Tire Blowout Rollover Accident With Injuries Closes SR 408 In Orlando

Orlando tire blowout on SR 408 causes SUV rollover with injuries. Jearles House was injured when her tire blew on eastbound State Road 408. She was injured and taken by ambulance to Orlando Regional Medical Center. Orlando car accident attorney Kim Cullen knows that tire blowout cases are difficult and deserve an experienced lawyer. Call Kim at 407-254-4901.

Deaths From Police Chase On Highway 50 Leave Heavy Hearts

Friends and relatives of Amanda Taylor grieved Thursday as they remembered her in a memorial service at Aloma Baptist Church in Winter Park.  Ms. Taylor was killed in a violent car accident on Highway 50 in Orlando last Saturday night when the car she was riding in was hit by a vehicle being driven by Jose Maisonet-Maldonado.  Ms. Taylor's friend, Francesca Jeffrey was also killed in the crash, and a male friend in the car, James Leconte, was injured.

Mr. Maisonet-Maldonado had apparently been on something of a crime spree in Orange County earlier in the day.  Hours before the deadly crash, he had stabbed and attempted to run over his girlfriend with a car.

Media reports are mixed about whether Mr. Maisonet-Maldonado was being chased by Orange County Sheriffs deputies at the time of the crash.  It has been reported that Mr. Maisonet-Maldonado's vehicle was travelling at an extremely high rate of speed (perhaps up to 100 mph) at the time of impact.  It is difficult to imagine why he was travelling so fast if he was not being chased.

Law enforcement agencies have specific rules about conducting high speed chases that are designed to protect bystanders and other members of the community from out-of-control vehicles fleeing a chase.  It will be interesting to see whether the Orange County Sheriffs deputies involved in this situation followed department protocols.

While it is always sad to hear about young lives tragically lost, the loss of Amanda Taylor hits particularly close to home for this firm.  One of my long-time legal assistants, Stacie, attended high school with Amanda and played on the softball team with her at Pine Castle Christian Academy.  Stacie remembers Amanda as an always happy, smiling, and uplifting person.  It certainly sounds like the world would be a better place with more Amanda Taylors in it.

Statewide Red Light Cameras: Revenue Source Or Safety Measure?

Florida may soon have a state wide red light camera law. Proponents say this will reduce personal injuries and wrongful deaths from occurring. Opponents think the measure if primarily to raise revenue. Orlando personal injury lawyer Kim Cullen handles cases that arise when negligent drivers enter intersections on red lights. Call Kim at 407-254-4901.

Fail: Florida House Says No To Texting While Driving Ban

Reports out of Tallahassee today indicate that the Florida House of Representatives has decided that it will not bring a proposed ban on texting while driving up for a vote this year.  The Florida Senate is poised to pass an identical measure that would punish drivers for texting behind the wheel, and Governor Crist has repeatedly expressed an interest in signing such a measure into law.

As many of you know, I believe that distracted driving, and particularly texting while driving, is a serious danger that only continues to get worse with technological advances.  I have previously posted about distracted driving on several occasions: here, here, and here.

Apparently, there is little sense of urgency about this problem in Tallahassee.  Representative Ellyn Bogdanoff, of Fort Lauderdale, was the committte chair responsible for moving the ban on texting through the Florida House.  She called the proposal "intellectually dishonest", and seemed to feel that texting while driving is no worse or different than other distractions that drivers face in their cars.  She suggested that the difficulty in enforcing a ban on texting while driving wouldn't be worth the effort to pass such a law.

I disagree with Representative Bogdanoff on this one.  Even if the ban on texting while driving would be difficult to enforce, if a new law made a driver think twice and put his phone down and not cause an accident, the "effort" to pass the law would be well worth it.  I know the people that we have represented who have been injured by distracted drivers would have appreciated there being some reason for texting drivers to think twice before doing so.

On a side note, I think it would be interesting to see who is lobbying against the texting while driving ban, and similarly interesting to see which legislators mobile phone companies have been contributing to in legislative this session.  Such information could provide a clue about why this measure is having trouble getting to the floor of the Florida House.

13 Hurt In Two Major Accidents in Orlando and Daytona Beach

Orlando car crash at Oak Ridge and Rio Grande causes seven injuries, and Daytona Beach accident on International Speedway Boulvard injures six. Several of the injuries were critical, and were caused by negligent drivers. Orlando personal injury lawyer Kim Michael Cullen handles car accident cases. Get Kim's free book at www.cullen-law.com, or call him at 407-254-4901.

Eustis Hit-And-Run Driver Injures 3, Knocks Out Power To 2,000

Eustis hit-and-run crash causes injuries. Negligent driver ran stop sign. Injured parties transported to hospital. Uninsured motorist coverage would be helpful to injury victims. Orlando personal injury attorney Kim Cullen handles uninsured motorist claims. Get Kim's free book at www.cullen-law.com, or call Kim at 407-254-4901.

Motorcyclist Seriously Injured In Crash At New State Road 50/State Road 436 Overpass

Motorcyclist, Clifford Mayo, seriously injured in crash with construction vehicle at site of Highway 50 and Highway 436 overpass. Florida Highway Patrol has charges pending against negligent driver of construction vehicle. The Law Offices of Kim Michael Cullen handles motorcycle accident and wrongful death cases. Visit www.cullen-law.com or call Kim 407-254-4901.

Woman Dies, Others Seriously Injured In U.S. 27 Crash Near Clermont

Wrongful death of Garnet Kohn on Highway 27 in Clermont, Lake County. Major car crash causes injuries to three others when Frank Glow apparently negligently failed to yield right of way to oncoming vehicle driven by Wendy Schall. The Law Offices of Kim Cullen are experienced at handling wrongful death and serious car crash cases. Call Kim at 407-254-4901.

Passenger Killed, Others Injured In Rearend Crash At Colonial and Goldenrod

Gloria Harness suffered a wrongful death in a rearend crash at the corner of Colonial and Goldenrod in Orlando. Tyne Deacon and her daughter were both injured and taken by ambulance. Police suspect the at-fault driver was intoxicated at the time of the crash. Orlando personal injury attorney Kim Cullen handles cases involving personal injury or wrongful death as a result of driving while intoxicated. Call Kim at 407-254-4901.

4-Car Accident Shuts Down Highway 408

Car accident on State Road 408 in Orlando. 4-cars involved in the crash. Personal injuries reported by several drivers, including a Orange County sheriff's deputy. Injured taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center by ambulance. Orlando personal injury attorney Kim Cullen has experience handling car accident claims. Call Kim at 407-254-4901.

Intoxicated Driver Finally Facing Charges For Wrongful Death Of Pedestrian

Pedestrian killed in car accident with intoxicated driver. Driver no originally charged with this wrongful death. Police drug test showing amounts of cocaine and Xanax in drivers blood were enough to convince State Attorney to reopen case. The Law Offices of Kim Michael Cullen represents pedestrians and others in wrongful death and personal injury cases involving intoxicated drivers. Call Kim Cullen at 407-254-4901.

DJ-ing While Driving Is A Really Bad Idea

A driver distracted by reaching for a CD caused a major three-car accident on I-95 in Brevard County. Distracted driving is a huge problem and contributes to more and more car crashes. The Orlando personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Kim Michael Cullen are serious about making distracted drivers pay for their negligence. Call Kim at 407-254-4901 with your questions.

3rd Disney Bus Crash In Last Two Weeks

An 80-year old Disney bus driver was cited for careless driving after rear-ending an SUV stopped and waiting at a red light. This is the third crash in the last two weeks involving a bus owned by Walt Disney World and operated by a Disney World bus driver. Attorney Kim Cullen handles bus accident cases and cases involving theme parks. Call Kim at 407-254-4901.

3rd Disney Bus Crash In Last Two Weeks

An 80-year old Disney bus driver was cited for careless driving after rear-ending an SUV stopped and waiting at a red light. This is the third crash in the last two weeks involving a bus owned by Walt Disney World and operated by a Disney World bus driver. Attorney Kim Cullen handles bus accident cases and cases involving theme parks. Call Kim at 407-254-4901.