Airbag recalls are on the rise. Despite being designed to save lives, faulty or failed automobile airbags can cause serious injuries or even death.

Automobile airbags are designed to save lives, placing an instantaneous, physical buffer between a motorist’s body and a vehicle’s frame. But the sheer force with which airbags are deployed and common changes that can happen over time potentially can cause more harm than help, say auto accident attorneys with Jacksonville’s Harrell and Harrell.

In 2012, automakers hit a dubious record with 23 airbag-related recalls, according to statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In just the past six months alone, there have been 23 recalls, 15 of them happening in 2013. At this rate, 2013 could be another record-breaking year for recalls.

Among the problems that lead to recalls are airbags that fail to deploy when a collision happens, airbags that deploy prematurely, and problems that arise as vehicles age, including ruptured airbag housing units and airbags with degraded or broken-off parts that can become shrapnel when a bag deploys. Potential consequences can include skin abrasions and lacerations; hearing or eye damage; broken noses, fingers, hands or arms; and head or neck injuries. The root cause of many airbag-related injuries is the force necessary for quick deployment. And studies show that in the United States, airbags typically are more forceful than those in other countries.

Though airbags are credited with saving upwards of 3,000 lives a year, the dangers they pose are real, potentially life-altering and all too common. If you or your dependents have been injured by an airbag’s faulty deployment or its failure to deploy, get medical treatment immediately. Then, call 800-251-1111 and schedule a consultation with an auto accident lawyer with Jacksonville’s Harrell and Harrell.

The  Safe and Efficient Transportation Act is anything but safe, according to critics. If it passes, legal weight limits for tractor trailer trucks could rise to 97,000 – a major concern for drivers in Jacksonville, truck accident attorneys say.

Sharing the road with them can be nerve-wracking. Now, a new bill introduced in the House of Representatives may significantly increase the legal weight of tractor trailer trucks from 80,000 pounds to 97,000 pounds.

Introduced last month by Rep. Michael H. Michaud (D-ME), the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act (H.R. 612) is getting support from trucking companies and organizations like the Washington-based Coalition for Transport Productivity, who say the increased weight allowances will help boost productivity, while maintaining safety. They point to restrictions included in the proposed bill that requires trucks to be equipped with at least six axles and limits the weight of axles to 20,000 pounds for a single axle; 34,000 pounds for tandem axles; and 51,000 pounds for groups of three or more axles.

But others are crying foul on supporters’ claims. The Arlington,  VA-based Truck Safety Coalition opposes any weight limit increases, citing a federal study that shows a boost in fatal crash rates in Vermont and Maine after those states allowed heavier trucks on interstates for a year.

A heavy truck is defined as one that’s in excess of 10,000 pounds, in reality, most weigh between 50,000 and 100,000 pounds – even those with empty trailers. Cargo loads can significantly increase a truck’s weight and its potential for danger. Just one sudden maneuver to avoid a collision or correct a drift can cause a truck to jackknife, or its cargo to shift and overturn the entire rig.

Tractor trailer trucks are involved in upwards of 500,000 accidents a year, killing some 5,000 Americans. Of those victims, nearly 37,000 are drivers or passengers of vehicles that happen to be traveling the same road. Statistics suggest that these figures may climb with increased weight limits, say truck accident lawyers. Jacksonville residents are at particular risk, considering our vast port and logistics operations.

If you are injured or your loved one is killed in a collision involving a large commercial truck, an experienced truck accident lawyer can help secure the compensation you deserve. Contact Jacksonville’s Harrell and Harrell at 800-251-1111.

Slip and fall cases are among the top five most common personal injury claims, attorneys with Jacksonville’s Harrell & Harrell say.

Personal injury law is a complex multi-faceted legal field. And it’s a busy one! According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s National Center for Health Statistics, there are 32 million emergency room visits each year due to injuries – nearly 180,000 of which result in death.

When a person’s actions or negligence causes injury to or the death of another, it can be difficult to measure the losses. For injured victims, medical care and costs can persist for years. Lost wages and future loss of earning capacity also demand compensation, but a fair amount is not easily calculated. And of course, there is no dollar amount that can make up for the loss of a loved one.

Personal injury attorneys with Jacksonville’s Harrell and Harrell specialize in helping victims secure fair compensation for their losses in the event of a serious injury or death. Among the top PI claim types are:

• Traffic / Auto Accidents: More than 6 million traffic accidents occur annually in the United States. These involve not just motor vehicles, but bicyclist and pedestrians as well. And America’s growing addiction to their smart phones and other mobile devices mean roadway accidents are on the rise.
• Workplace Injuries: Upwards of 3 million non-fatal workplace injuries are reported each year. Another 5,000 are fatal. Today’s tight economy and scarcity of jobs mean the actual rate is likely much higher, as many employees are afraid to report injuries. But depending upon the severity and frequency, injuries to necks, backs and limbs can significantly reduce a victim’s ability to continue making a living.
• Assault: The U.S. Bureau of Justice reported more than 2 million simple assault cases in 2010 alone. Many of the resulting personal injury claims come in conjunction with other issues including domestic violence, drug or alcohol abuse or workplace violence. But it’s not just bodily injury that assault claims cover. Victims often can seek damages for emotional distress as well.
• Slip and Fall: Each year, more than 8 million slip and fall accidents happen, with upwards of 540,000 resulting in disabling injuries. They’re the single most common reason for emergency room visits and can cost an average $28,000 in medical and physical therapy bills, and lost wages.
• Products Liability: Unsafe medical devices, defective furniture and electronics, faulty children’s toys – all have led to product liability claims numbering an estimated 20,000 filed each year, and they’re among the costliest. Products liability cases have the second highest median damages awards, averaging $300,000 per claim.

If you or your dependents suffer bodily hurt due to the actions or negligence of another, contact an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. Jacksonville’s Harrell and Harrell, with offices throughout Northeast Florida, in Orlando and in South Georgia, specializes in PI cases of all types. Contact us at 800-251-1111.

Personal fireworks are just one holiday customs that pose a personal injury or product liability risk. Attorneys with Harrell and Harrell offer tips for a safe, happy holiday season.

Christmastime is meant to be a festive time of year happily spent with family and friends. But common holiday mishaps can turn holidays into horror stories. In fact, a significant number of legal cases filed each year involve Christmas and New Year dangers. Product liability and personal injury attorneys with Jacksonville’s Harrell and Harrell offer tips for avoiding the most prevalent holiday-related troubles.

• Drunk driving: December and early January calendars are packed with holiday parties. And of course, enjoying a few cocktails is a big part of the celebration. If you’re attending a holiday party, designate a non-drinking driver or plan to take a taxi home. Be aware that other drivers on the road may be intoxicated and won’t be as careful as you are.
• Trucking accidents: Millions of holiday gift make their way to retail stores and homes via tractor trailer trucks. They’re on the road in big numbers throughout the holidays and many drivers are tired from pulling extra shifts. Be wary when sharing the road with a commercial truck.
• Fires: Electric Christmas lights, lit candles and fireworks all are fire hazards. Keep your Christmas trees well watered. Place lit candles in areas where they won’t be easily knocked over, or opt for battery-operated candles. And make sure that kids and teens using personal fireworks are supervised by adults by responsible, sober adults.
• Holiday toys: Keep toys with small parts that can come loose and be swallowed away from small children. Skip toys with small, magnetic parts. Hospitals have seen a rash of kids and teens swallowing high-powered magnets that cause violent illness and perforate intestine and stomach linings. Wheeled gifts like bicycles, skateboards and scooters put hundreds of kids in hospitals with sprains and broken or fractured bones. Insist that they use all appropriate safety gear.
• Packaging: Amazing how kids can get pricey toys for Christmas, but end up having the most fun playing with the big cardboard boxes those toys come in, isn’t it? But some packaging can be dangerous. Plastic bags in particular pose a suffocation risk, and those silicon packs designed to absorb moisture in product boxes can be dangerous if swallowed.

If you or someone you love is injured over the holidays, contact an experienced personal injury or product liability lawyer. Harrell and Harrell specializes in helping victims get fair compensation for their injuries. Call 800-251-1111 for a free consultation.

The risk of commercial truck accidents rises during the holidays, truck accident and personal injury attorneys with Jacksonville’s Harrell & Harrell say.

Millions of toys, electronics and other gifts are making their way to retailers and homes all across America this month, just in time for the Christmas and Hanukkah holidays. And many of them are making that journey in tractor trailers. Every December brings a heightened risk of commercial truck accidents, lawyers with Jacksonville’s Harrell and Harrell say.

One contributing factor in tractor trailer crashes is driver fatigue. Hired truckers have been known to take on extra hours and additional gigs to make more money. Often, this means drowsy drivers behind the wheel of trucks carrying loads that can top 22 tons – a potentially devastating situation.

Other major factors, however, are mistakes made by drivers of passenger vehicles sharing the road with commercial trucks. Driving in a tractor trailer’s blind spot or hitting the brakes while driving in front of a truck can force a sudden lane shift or other movement by a truck driver, which can cause a load to shift. This can cause a truck to fishtail, overturn or jackknife, posting danger to everyone nearby.

Statistics show that the fault for most collisions involving tractor-trailers lies, at least in part, with the driver of the passenger vehicle. To protect yourself and your family, truck accident attorneys offer these tips:

• Avoid driving in a truck driver’s blind spot. Instead, stay behind a tractor trailer rather than beside it. This keeps you out of danger’s way should the truck switch lanes or begin to turn;
• If you’re driving behind a commercial truck, leave plenty of room between your vehicles. Trucks hauling heavy loads require more stopping time, which means a driver will start braking far ahead of the next stop or turn;
• If a truck starts to move into your lane, flash your lights or lay on your horn to alert the driver;
• Ban any in-car distractions such as cell phone calls, texting and loud music;
• Minimize stress and get plenty of rest. Avoid the holiday rush altogether by shopping online, and delegate errands if possible so that you’re not driving in a hurry or on inadequate sleep.

If you or your dependents are injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, get medical attention immediately, then call an experienced truck accident attorney. Harrell and Harrell specializes in helping victims of trucking collisions secure fair compensation for injuries. Contact us at 800-251-1111.

Most people have no idea what kind of insurance they have until AFTER they get into an auto accident. Every state is different when it comes to required coverages for your automobile. Florida is considered a “NO-Fault” state because of our required coverage or lack thereof. People call us all day long and tell me until they are blue in the face that they have full coverage. The definition of full coverage varies greatly from caller to caller. Have you ever heard the saying – you can never have enough insurance? What kind of insurance should you have?

The answer to that question also varies tremendously. In my opinion, the most important coverage you can carry in Florida is UM or under/uninsured motorist coverage. How do you know if you carry any or enough of this coverage? Find out BEFORE you have a car accident. Call your insurance company or agent to have them clearly explain to you what  type of coverage you have and then ask them what you don’t have. Run through different scenarios in your head to double check that you have not just the state mandated coverage but the coverage to give you and your family peace of mind in the event of an auto accident related injury. If you need some help, give us a call. I’m pretty sure I’ve heard almost every possible scenario you could dream up.

www.harrellandharrell.com

Have you recently been in a car accident? Injured or not, people have lots of unanswered questions about what to do and how to do it. There are lots of backyard cross the fence experts out there that help foster all the bad information about car accidents, injuries, insurance companies and attorneys.

Most folks have no understanding of the basic Florida auto insurance requirements and what their coverages do and for whom. Try explaining to a parent of a grown child still living at home why their own auto insurance has to pay for their child’s medical bills after the child gets in a car accident while riding with a buddy.

Regardless of fault, there are certain questions we ask people to help determine who is going to pay the injured person’s medical bills and lost wages. You should hear the feedback I have heard over the years. Some people get irate, some are still confused even after I have tried to explain it until I am blue in the face while others just say OK!

If you have questions concerning your car accident or auto insurance, call us or send an e-mail through our website. I promise to try to answer all your questions and you won’t even get to see me turn blue.

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By now almost all of our First Coast area schools are back in session and that means lots more traffic and those bothersome school zones with those pesky blinking yellow lights and slow speed limits . Speeding through a school zone or being distracted by a cell phone is a quick way to seriously hurt or even kill someone. You’re not really going to get to work much faster than you would by being patient and observing all the traffic laws.

I was reminded of this today by reading a news article this morning of a bicyclist run over by a woman turning into a school. I’m sure neither of them wanted to be in an accident and no one intentionally tried to harm someone. A few extra seconds to make sure there is no one in harm’s way will do us all some good.

A few years back, a teacher died as a result of a car accident in a school parking lot in our neighborhood. The vehicle was going no more than 10 mph but the teacher was in the wrong place at the wrong time and landed right on her head.

At the end of last school year, I was almost an eye witness to a young elementary school girl being run over by a car while crossing in a crosswalk with our regular crossing guard holding her big red stop sign up in the air. The crossing guard always waits until traffic is completely stopped in a ll 4 directions before letting the kids come anywhere near the roadway. Not this time, she looked all 3 ways but had her back turned to the car directly in front of me when she let this poor child cross the road. As you should expect, the let’s say 3rd grader did not even look for traffic. Why ? – she thinks the crossing guard has done that just like she always does. The driver of the Ford Explorer missed this child by inches and I had my heart drop like a rock. The child, the guard and the driver all stopped in their tracks for several minutes to fully realize what they thankfully avoided. I patiently waited and said a quick prayer of thanks that I did not witness a gruesome crash.

After doing this job for 15 years, I could bore you to death with literally thousands of horrific accident stories. Let’s all try to take that extra moment, drive a little slower and make sure we look all 4 ways before proceeding through our school zones. Your day and someone else’s will be much better as a result.

The first moments following an auto accident can be extremely hectic and confusing. If you are involved in a collision, our auto accident attorneys advise you to take the following steps immediately to ensure that you protect your legal rights. Here are some recommendations as to what you should do following a car accident.

• Dial 911 – In Florida, a police report must be completed after all auto accidents if property damage exceeds $500 or if it involves an injury or death. Call 911 to report the accident and make sure to advise the 911 operator of any injuries.

• If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road and turn off your ignition. Try to stand clear of the accident vehicles while calling for help to avoid injury in case the cars are hit again. If parties are injured, do not attempt to move them unless they are in immediate danger.

• Our Florida car accident attorneys always recommend that you avoid admitting fault or discussing fault with others involved in the collision. You should always try to avoid confrontation and cooperate fully with law enforcement and/or rescue personnel.

• Exchange information with all parties involved in the collision without discussing or admitting fault. Make sure to write down registration numbers, drivers license info, and insurance info.

• Check for witnesses to the auto accident - obtain witness contact information (including work and home phone numbers). Don’t assume the police will write down all the witness information.

• If you are experiencing any pain, seek immediate medical attention (even if you feel the injury is minor).

• Make sure to photograph your vehicle (before repairs are completed) and injuries sustained from the crash. If you have a camera available at the scene you may want to photograph the crash scene and vehicles involved in the collision.

Above all, protect your rights. You are not required to give statements to the other party’s insurance company. While you should cooperate with your own insurance company, you may want to consider consulting one of our Jacksonville auto accident attorneys before giving a statement.

Give us a call (800)251-1111 or fill out our convenient online form at www.harrellandharrell.com if we can be of any assistance or just answer a few questions.

According to data provided by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Duval County ranks third in the State of Florida when it comes to hit and run car accidents even though our population is only seventh in the state. I have heard countless sad stories of accidents that have turned peoples lives upside down. Although you never know if you will be involved in a hit and run accident, you can rest assured if you know more of what your insurance policy actually covers. Make your agent or the insurance company explain what each type of coverage does before you just pick the lowest quote or just blindlessly renew your policy you have had for years.

I can’t recall the number of times people call thinking they have great coverage only to find out they have the bare minimum coverage allowed by Florida law.

If you can’t get your agent to explain the ins and outs of auto insurance, call us at Harrell & Harrell, PA. We would be glad to explain it to you BEFORE you have a car accident.

Don’t settle for less than you deserve!