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January 23, 2025

Car Insurance: Do You Really Have Full Coverage?

Insurance companies, who like to make profits, may sell you “full coverage.” But beware! Full coverage legally is very different from what you should have practically. And not knowing the difference can land you in economic disaster. Car insurance can feel like a confusing maze of options and…

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Common Halloween Injuries and Tips to Avoid Them

Boo! According to US Census Bureau data from 2015, more than 41 million children ages 5-14 participate in trick-or-treating . Halloween is loads of fun, but it also has a legitimately scary side to it when revelers don’t take proper safety precautions.

Accidental Fires

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), on Halloween, “from 2014-2018, an average of 770 home structure fires began with decorations per year… More than one-third (36%) of these fires were started by candles.”

To promote fire-safety, use flashlights or glowsticks to illuminate carved pumpkins instead of candles. If you choose to use candles, ensure that they are placed far away from any other decorations or flammable items. They also should be far away from all entries, exits, and paths that trick-or-treaters will be following – not only will this help prevent fires, it can also help prevent trips and falls. If you are a parent of a trick-or-treater, avoid costumes that are loose and flowy to minimize fire hazards in case your child is near a candle.

Pedestrian Accidents

According to a study conducted by State Farm Insurance and reported by CNN, children are twice as likely to die on Halloween as on any other day of the year . To reduce the chance of your child being involved in a pedestrian accident:

  • An adult should accompany all small children trick-or-treating to help them cross the streets
  • Wear reflective strips on all costumes to increase visibility
  • Stay in well-lit areas

The Safety Council suggests the following steps for drivers to help avoid being involved in a pedestrian crash:

  • Be on the lookout for children on the road, especially while turning into driveways or roads that are not well-lit
  • Be on the lookout for children in dark costumes, who may be oblivious to their lack of visibility
  • If you are a new or inexperienced driver, stay off the roads
  • Drunk Driving Accidents

    Many adults choose to celebrate Halloween by drinking with friends. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, 41% of those who were killed on Halloween night from 2015-2019 were killed in traffic accidents that involved a drunk driver . Moreover, in 2019 alone, 21 vehicle occupants and four pedestrians were killed in crashes with drunk drivers on Halloween . As a driver, it’s simple to avoid being responsible for a drunk driving crash: if you drink, don’t drive. Make sure to arrange for a designated driver, cab, or ride-hailing app to ensure everyone arrives home safely.

    The attorneys at Rader Law Group wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween!

    Rader Law Group, LLC

    With decades and decades combined experience, the attorneys at Rader Law Group understand the meaning of Justice. Our one and only mission is to get each client the justice he or she deserves; our team of attorneys never back down when we know our client is right.
    We offer our clients the compassion and guidance they need as they work through trying times in their lives. The balance of working relentlessly for our clients combined with our caring approach has helped us achieve a fantastic record of success with our clients. We get our clients the justice they deserve.

    At Rader Law Group, You matter. Your justice matters. Your Justice Starts Here. 954-913-2273.

    References Used:
    US Census Bureau. “Halloween: Oct. 31, 2016” (census.gov). Accessed September 9, 2021.
    NFPA. Halloween fire safety tips | NFPA. Accessed September 9, 2021.
    CNN. 13 scary Halloween health hazards | CNN. Accessed September 9, 2021.
    National Safety Council. Halloween – National Safety Council (nsc.org). Accessed September 9, 2021.
    NHTSA “2021 Halloween Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving Fact Sheet and Talking Points”. Fact Sheet available for download on: Halloween | Traffic Safety Marketing. Accessed September 9, 2021.

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    Can I Sue If I was Hit by a Driver with Out-Of-State Coverage?

    Florida is always a top destination for tourist travel, meaning many out-state drivers can be found on our busy roadways. What happens if one of these foreign drivers injures you in a car accident and they have insurance coverage in another state? Can you still sue that driver from another state? Will their insurance still cover them for a crash that happened in Florida?

    For any crash that happens in Florida, the law of Florida will apply. First, it is important to know that Florida is a no-fault auto insurance state, meaning that after an accident, your own auto insurance, through Personal Injury Protection (PIP), covers 80 percent of the reasonable and necessary medical bills, or 60 percent of your lost wages, up to $10,000, regardless of who is at fault. Many people are often bothered that their personal insurance is involved and pays first, but that is the law in Florida, where bodily injury insurance, which would cover the harms and losses above the PIP limits including medical bills and lost wages in the past and future, pain, suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life and other intangible damages, is not required.

    For a serious injury, assuming that the at-fault foreign driver had bodily injury coverage, you are entitled to make a claim for full and fair compensation of all of your damages. Typically, auto insurance companies cover accidents that the insured party causes in all 50 states. This is true whether that person is in his vehicle, a rental or driving the car of a friend of family member with permission. There are certain exclusions or limitations in some insurance policies, which is why one of our first steps is to obtain a certified copy of the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy and to review it carefully.

    Lawsuits can also be filed against out of state drivers for a crash that occurred in Florida. Even though that person was just visiting Florida, he is subject to Florida’s jurisdiction and the law of Florida will apply. The lawsuit would generally need to be served on the at-fault driver in the jurisdiction where he resides, and his deposition would most likely occur in his home state as well. To be successful in a suit for damages arising out of a car crash in Florida, we must prove that the crash was someone else’s fault, that you were injured as a result of the crash and that your injuries are permanent.

    If you live in another state and were injured in a car crash in Florida, you too have rights and may file suit here. Florida law will also apply in that circumstance, and you will be subjecting yourself to Florida jurisdiction. As the claimant or Plaintiff, you may have to return to Florida for your deposition, mediation, trial and/or other related proceedings.

    Below are some helpful tips in the event that you are involved in a car accident, regardless of whether the at-fault driver is a Floridian:

    • Call 911 for the police to come out, file an accident report, and provide emergency medical assistance to anyone in need.
    • Exchange contact information with the other driver. This includes writing down their name, address, phone number, and email, as well as taking a photo of their driver’s license, insurance card, and registration card.
    • Take down the name, address, phone number, and email addresses for any witnesses.
    • Take photos and videos of both cars, any debris on the road, any other pertinent information at the scene, and any visible injuries that you or your passengers have incurred. If you are not sure if something is important to photograph or not, err on the side of caution and photograph it.
    • Seek medical attention as soon as possible. The longer you wait to seek medical attention, the stronger the argument the opposing side can make that your injuries were caused by something other than the accident. More importantly, the longer you wait, the more pain you will be in, and it may delay your recovery.
    • Contact a Florida-based personal injury law firm, like Rader Law Group, to provide a case evaluation. Even if the accident involves someone from out-of-state, since the accident occurred in Florida, it will be under Florida’s jurisdiction. This means that the accident will be subject to Florida laws and if a lawsuit is filed, it will be filed in a Florida court.

    If you have been injured in an auto accident, you deserve justice. Contact Rader Law Group today to discuss your case with our experienced personal injury attorneys. Whether the person who caused your injuries is from Deerfield Beach, Florida or Deerfield, Illinois, we will seek them out and fight aggressively for you to receive your fair compensation.

    Rader Law Group, LLC

    With decades and decades combined experience, the attorneys at Rader Law Group understand the meaning of Justice. Our one and only mission is to get each client the justice he or she deserves; our team of attorneys never back down when we know our client is right.
    We offer our clients the compassion and guidance they need as they work through trying times in their lives. The balance of working relentlessly for our clients combined with our caring approach has helped us achieve a fantastic record of success with our clients. We get our clients the justice they deserve.

    At Rader Law Group, You matter. Your justice matters. Your Justice Starts Here. 954-913-2273.

    Learn More

    Vocational Rehabilitation and Personal Injury Cases

    If you have been injured in an auto accident, medical malpractice, or any other type of situation involving the negligence of others, it’s possible that you may be unable to return to your previous type of employment. In some cases, the injury can cause only a temporary disability from work that will heal with treatment and time. In other cases, the injury may permanently deprive you of the ability to return to your job in the same capacity or, perhaps, at all. In either case, you are entitled to receive compensation from the party at-fault for your lost wages and your loss of earning capacity.

    When you file a personal injury claim, lost wages or lost earning capacity in the future often can make up a significant portion of the value of the claim. Due to this, the opposing side is likely to try to minimize the extent of your injuries or claim that you can still do your job. As such, it is crucial to prove to the opposing side and/or the court that your injuries are preventing you from returning to your previous job or work in the same capacity you did before the negligent act caused you to be injured. This is where working with a vocational expert can become an essential part of your legal strategy.

    Role of Vocational Experts and Vocational Rehabilitation

    A vocational expert is a trained counselor who may also be certified by the American Board of Vocational Experts to evaluate an individual’s fitness for specific jobs. They serve as expert witnesses during personal injury cases to provide additional evidence and documentation that you are unable to perform the requirements of your previous job and ascertain what work you may be able to do with your current injuries.

    To develop their opinions, a vocational expert will start by completing a comprehensive assessment of the injured person. This includes reviewing your education, work history, interests, skills and abilities, and medical background. They will then conduct a battery of tests to evaluate your mental and physical abilities in performing various job-related tasks. After that, they analyze the local job market to determine a match between your vocational skills and abilities and current hiring trends. Based on all of this data, the vocational expert will make a determination as to which jobs would be suitable for you and the resulting financial impact comparing your earning potential at your new career path options compared to your previous occupation. Their recommendation may also include training for you, called vocational rehabilitation, that will help you become more employable in a new career path.

    The vocational expert’s analysis will be used as evidence in your personal injury case to prove these damages. In the event your case goes to trial, the expert may testify as an expert witness about your occupational skillset and wage-earning capacity and losses.
    Rader Law Group has extensive experience partnering with renowned vocational experts and securing significant settlements and verdicts for our clients. Contact us today to discuss how a vocational expert can help strengthen your personal injury case.

    Rader Law Group, LLC

    With decades and decades combined experience, the attorneys at Rader Law Group understand the meaning of Justice. Our one and only mission is to get each client the justice he or she deserves; our team of attorneys never back down when we know our client is right.
    We offer our clients the compassion and guidance they need as they work through trying times in their lives. The balance of working relentlessly for our clients combined with our caring approach has helped us achieve a fantastic record of success with our clients. We get our clients the justice they deserve.

    At Rader Law Group, You matter. Your justice matters. Your Justice Starts Here. 954-913-2273.

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    Case Verdict – Malfunctioning Wheelchair Lift

    Our client was a physically limited, though independent, wheelchair-bound man who relied upon a professional transportation company to take him around Broward County. The company hired an untrained and unqualified driver. Furthermore, the company failed to follow basic required maintenance procedures on its vehicles. Our client was taken from his home to an appointment at which point he was told by the driver that it was safe for him to exit the vehicle. The wheelchair lift then malfunctioned, sending him falling to the ground and fracturing his leg. He was admitted to the hospital and had surgery to repair the break. After an extended pre-suit period, we sued the transportation company alleging theories of negligence and neglect of a vulnerable adult under Florida Statute 415.1111. The case was settled for $120,000.00.

    Rader Law Group, LLC

    With decades and decades combined experience, the attorneys at Rader Law Group understand the meaning of Justice. Our one and only mission is to get each client the justice he or she deserves; our team of attorneys never back down when we know our client is right.
    We offer our clients the compassion and guidance they need as they work through trying times in their lives. The balance of working relentlessly for our clients combined with our caring approach has helped us achieve a fantastic record of success with our clients. We get our clients the justice they deserve.

    At Rader Law Group, You matter. Your justice matters. Your Justice Starts Here. 954-913-2273

    Learn More

    Who Is Qualified to File a Wrongful Death Case in Florida

    In a wrongful death, a life has been lost too soon and surviving family members are left to grieve, learn to live with loss and to figure out what their life looks like now with this gaping void. The wrongful death of a spouse or parent can have a lifelong impact on family members. If a loved one has fallen victim to a wrongful death, it’s important to know your rights and how you can receive the compensation you deserve to make your life as whole as possible again.

    Wrongful death cases are different than other cases involving injuries or damages. Obviously, emotions run higher. Surviving family members are often overwhelmed, unsure which end is up and what to do first, facing mounting bills and pressure from the outside world. Additionally, Florida has a complex and specific statutory framework governing wrongful death claims.

    For those reasons, when choosing an attorney to handle a wrongful death claim for your family, it is important that your find someone with considerable experience in handling these specific types of cases and the compassion necessary to be your confidant and counselor as you go through this difficult process. In this post, we will attempt to cover some of the basic elements of wrongful death claims which separate them for ordinary negligence claims.

    What is a Wrongful Death?

    A wrongful death is “when the death of a person is caused by the wrongful act, negligence, default, or breach of contract or warranty of any other person.” To win a wrongful death case, you will need to prove that your loved one’s death occurred because of someone else’s negligence or other wrongful act. Some examples of wrongful deaths could be a car accident, product defect or malfunction, or medical malpractice. A wrongful death case is brought in the civil courts and must be filed within two years of the victim’s date of death.

    Who Can File a Wrongful Death Case?

    In Florida, only certain people, known as survivors, may recover damages in a wrongful death claim. These survivors are typically the decedent’s spouse, children, parents, and, when partly or wholly dependent on the decedent for support or services, any blood relatives and adoptive brothers and sisters. A child born out of wedlock of a mother is included in the list of potential survivors, but not the child born out of wedlock of the father, unless the father has recognized a responsibility for the child’s support.

    Following a wrongful death, an estate must be opened, and a personal representative of the estate appointed. The wrongful death victim’s personal representative is the individual who needs to file the case. A personal representative is someone that the victim had named in their will to fulfill this role. If there is no will or if the will does not name a personal representative, then the court will appoint someone to this role. The personal representative then files the case on behalf of the victim’s estate as well as the survivors.

    What Can Survivors Recover in a Wrongful Death Case?

    Depending on the specifics of the situation, survivors may be able to recover compensation for:

    • Lost wages and financial support that the victim provided to the family members
    • Loss of companionship and protection
    • Mental pain and suffering
    • Loss of parental companionship, instruction, and guidance
    • Medical and funeral expenses

    In proving these damages, we spend considerable time with the surviving family members, learning about the deceased, the impact they had on their family lives and the hole that their passing has left. We work with recognized experts including mental health counselors and grief counselors, accountants, economists and others.

    If your loved one experienced a wrongful death, contact the attorneys at Rader Law Group for a free evaluation of your wrongful death case. We will aggressively fight for your family to receive justice.

    Rader Law Group, LLC

    With decades and decades combined experience, the attorneys at Rader Law Group understand the meaning of Justice. Our one and only mission is to get each client the justice he or she deserves; our team of attorneys never back down when we know our client is right.
    We offer our clients the compassion and guidance they need as they work through trying times in their lives. The balance of working relentlessly for our clients combined with our caring approach has helped us achieve a fantastic record of success with our clients. We get our clients the justice they deserve.

    At Rader Law Group, You matter. Your justice matters. Your Justice Starts Here. 954-913-2273.

    References Used:
    The Florida Legislature. Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine (state.fl.us). Accessed August 3, 2021.
    The Florida Legislature. Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine (state.fl.us). Accessed August 3, 2021.

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    Understanding how Personal Injury Settlements are Determined for Spinal Cord Injuries

    Every day in the U.S., approximately 49 new spinal cord injuries are diagnosed, totaling 17,900 new diagnoses last year alone. A spinal cord injury can have devasting results, causing permanent disability or even death. Depending on the severity of the injury, the lifetime cost of caring for someone with a spinal cord injury can be more than $5 million. If you or a loved one have been the victim of a spinal cord injury, you may be able to collect compensation for your injuries.

    What Spinal Cord Injuries Are

    Your spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that travels the length of your spine. It allows your brain to communicate with the rest of your body. You rely on your spinal cord to be able to move your limbs, feel sensations in your body, and control many of your body functions, such as urination and bowel movements. According to the Mayo Clinic, “a traumatic spinal cord injury may stem from a sudden, traumatic blow to your spine that fractures, dislocates, crushes or compresses one or more of your vertebrae. It may also result from a gunshot or knife wound that penetrates and cuts your spinal cord.” The most common causes of spinal cord injuries are, in descending order: vehicle accidents, falls, gunshot wounds, and sports injuries.

    Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

    There are two determinants of how severe a spinal cord injury is:

    1. Location on the spine
      Generally, the higher up on the spinal cord the injury, the greater the potential severity.
    2. Level of completeness of the injury
      An “incomplete” spinal cord injury causes partial damage to the spinal cord. People who have an incomplete injury can have some feeling or movement beneath the level of the injury. A “complete” spinal cord injury means a person has no feeling or movement beneath the level of the injury. This is the more severe type of injury and can result in paraplegia or tetraplegia.

    Factors Impacting the Value of a Spinal Cord Injury Settlement

    There are several factors that are weighed when determining the value of a settlement in a spinal cord injury case. These include:

    • Lost income
    • Cost of medical bills
    • Severity of injury
    • Daily activities that were affected by the injury, such as ability to work and care for oneself
    • How much pain and suffering the patient experienced
    • Permanence of the injury

    A spinal cord injury can impact the quality of your life as well as have a significant financial impact on the rest of your life. Rader Law Group has won millions of dollars in settlements for victims of spinal cord injuries. Contact us for a free consultation on your spinal injury case. We will fight aggressively for you to receive the justice that you deserve.

    Rader Law Group, LLC

    With decades and decades combined experience, the attorneys at Rader Law Group understand the meaning of Justice. Our one and only mission is to get each client the justice he or she deserves; our team of attorneys never back down when we know our client is right.
    We offer our clients the compassion and guidance they need as they work through trying times in their lives. The balance of working relentlessly for our clients combined with our caring approach has helped us achieve a fantastic record of success with our clients. We get our clients the justice they deserve.

    At Rader Law Group, You matter. Your justice matters. Your Justice Starts Here. 954-913-2273.

    References Used:
    National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center. Facts and Figures – 2021.pdf (uab.edu). Accessed July 10, 2021.
    National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center . Facts and Figures – 2021.pdf (uab.edu). Accessed July 10, 2021.
    Mayo Clinic. Spinal cord injury – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic. Accessed July 10, 2021.
    National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center. Facts and Figures – 2021.pdf (uab.edu). Accessed July 10, 2021.

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