Tragedy When Pineapple Truck Crushes Mother And Son In Osceola

A mother and son were killed in Osceola County when a trucking hauling pineapples crushed their S.U.V. near Yeehaw Junction. The family of the victims likely have claims for wrongful death. Orlando truck accident lawyer Kim Cullen helps accident victims. Call Kim at 407-254-4901.

Tweeting While Driving Takes Life Of Celebrity Plastic Surgeon

A prominent California plastic surgeon was killed while tweeting while driving. Tweeting and texting while driving is a huge problem in Florida. Orlando accident attorney Kim Michael Cullen handles cases for people injured by distracted drivers. Call Kim at 407-254-4901.

Crash Involving Deputy Highlights Unfairness In Sovereign Immunity Law

Local media reported that over last weekend an Orange County Deputy Sheriff was cited for causing a crash that sent five people -- including himself -- to Orlando Regional Medical Center.  Apparently, the deputy was travelling in his police cruiser near Bithlo, ignored a stop sign, and entered Highway 50 directly in front of a minivan.  It is important to note that the deputy was not on an emergency call, so did not have his emergency signal or sirens running.  More on the crash here.

What drew my attention to the story was my concern for the people in the other vehicle whose injuries were caused directly by the deputy's negligence or carelessness.  Through no fault of their own, we know that they were injured badly enough to require an ambulance ride to the hospital.

What these injury victims probably do not realize is that -  regardless of how bad their injuries are, or how many medical bills they incur, or how much loss wage they experience -- their damages have been capped by the Florida Legislature.  Under current state law, injury claims against any state agency are capped at $200,000.00 per person, and $400,000.00 total per accident.  At first blush this might seem like a lot of money, but imagine having a loved one crippled or needing permanent medical care as the result of a government employee's negligence.  Why should governments and their employees not be responsible for all of the damage they cause?

Of course, severely injured folks can go get judgments against government agencies and take their chances in convincing the Legislature to pass a special law to pay them anything over $200,000.00, but this very rarely occurs in reality.

What do you think about the fairness of this law?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Second Wrong Way Accident In Two Days Takes Life

Efrain Ojeda was killed in St. Cloud when he was hit head on by John Roach as Roach drove his vehicle the wrong way down U.S. Highway 192. This is the second day in a row that a wrong way driver has caused a serious crash in Central Florida. Attorney Kim Cullen helps victims of serious car accidents. Call Kim at 407-254-4901.

Wrong Way Driver Causes Fiery Crash on I-95

Harry Brown traveled 11 miles going the wrong way down Interstate 95 before he crashed into the very unlucky Michael Lima near the Volusia County border with Brevard County. This was a serious accident with a fiery result all due to one man's negligence. Attorney Kim Cullen represents accident victims injured by the negligence of other drivers. Call Kim at 407-254-4901 to have your automobile accident questions answered.

Another Needless Volusia Motorcycle Tragedy

Ormond Beach motorcyclist Eddie Coggins died needlessly this morning because another driver didn't keep a proper lookout. Orlando motorcycle accident attorney Kim Cullen is tired of hearing stories like this involving motorcycle accident where a driver did not see a motorcyclist. For questions, call Kim Cullen at 407-254-4901.

Daytona Car Accident | Wrongful Death of 4-year Old

A 4-year old child was killed in an automobile vs. pedestrian accident on the sands of Daytona Beach. This was a tragic wrongful death that didn't have to happen. Daytona Beach can make the beach safer by banning cars. Orlando personal injury attorney Kim Cullen supports making cars a thing of the past on Daytona Beach.

Arrests Across Florida For Automobile Insurance Fraud

Car accident victims and Florida automobile insurance consumers are all hurt by insurance fraud. The State of Florida recently made arrests across the state in a crackdown on insurance Fraud. Orlando accident attorney Kim Cullen applauds this action. Call Kim with any questions you have about auto insurance at 407-254-4901.

Innovative New Traffic Sign May Mean Fewer Car Accidents

Fewer car accidents and fewer personal injuries may be the result if a smart new traffic sign proposed by Gary Lauder is adopted by Florida city governments. If you have been injured in a car accident get Attorney Kim Cullen's free book - Asleep At The Wheel. Call Kim Cullen at 407-254-4901.