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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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Collecting Compensation for Your Bike Accident

One of the joys of living in the Sunshine State is biking year-round. Bicycling is an excellent way to exercise, travel in an eco-friendly manner, and enjoy Florida’s beautiful scenery. However, sharing the road with cars and trucks also presents dangers. Florida has the highest bicyclist fatality rate in the nation, with 1,428 cyclists killed between 2011-2020 . The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported that from January 1 – December 1, 2022, there were 6,357 bicycle crashes in Florida, resulting in 5,982 injuries and 177 fatalities.

Bike accidents tend to occur in urban areas . Two of the most common types of bicycle accidents are left and right hooks. In a left hook, a driver makes a left turn, does not see the bicyclist in the bike lane coming from the other direction, and cuts off the bicyclist, causing them to collide with the car. A right hook accident is the same idea, but in this case, the bicyclist is traveling in a bike lane in the same direction as the car and the car cuts off the bike while making a right turn. Another common cause of bike accidents is when a driver parks their car and opens their door without looking, causing the bicyclist to crash into it. This can cause the cyclist to fly into oncoming traffic.

Unlike cars and trucks, bicycles offer their riders no protection, which can lead to serious injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, disfigurement, broken bones, soft-issue injuries, concussions and traumatic brain injuries. If you or a loved one have been a victim of a bicycle accident and suffered a serious injury, you are entitled to collect damages for your losses. What most do not know is that your car insurance, through the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, will cover the first $10,000 of medical bills and lost wages incurred from a bike crash. However, if you have been seriously injured, $10,000 won’t begin to cover your ongoing and growing expenses for care and treatment for your injuries.

That is where the personal injury law firm of Rader Law Group can help, by working with your medical providers and other experts to determine the value of your economic and non-economic losses. We will make a claim to the negligent driver’s insurance to cover your damages for current and future medical bills, mental and physical therapy, rehabilitation, nursing care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and mental anguish. At our personal injury law firm, we will tirelessly work to hold the at fault driver responsible and accountable for all the wrongs they have caused. When you work with Rader Law Group, if the insurance company won’t offer an acceptable settlement, we will fight the insurance company and their hired lawyers in court.

Rader Law Group is dedicated to seeking justice for victims who have been injured due to someone else’s negligence. If you are the victim of a bicycle accident, contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

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:
NHTSA. Workbook: DV_FARS_PC (dot.gov). Accessed December 12, 2022.
FLHSMV. Crash Dashboard – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (flhsmv.gov). Accessed December 12, 2022.
NHTSA. Workbook: DV_FARS_PC (dot.gov). Accessed December 12, 2022.

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Do I Really Need to Wear a Helmet when Riding a Motorcycle?

The feeling of exhilaration when you’re cruising the open road on your motorcycle is one of life’s greatest pleasures. It’s also one of life’s greatest dangers. Even with a helmet, riding a motorcycle is inherently more dangerous than other forms of transportation – you are traveling at a high speed without the protection that a car provides if you are in an accident. In 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 5,579 motorcyclists were killed in crashes. To put this number into perspective, motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in a crash and 4 times more likely to be injured in a crash than individuals riding in a car. Looking at Florida-specific data, there were 8,648 motorcycle crashes in Florida in 2021, resulting in 621 fatalities and 7,397 injuries.

Studies from the NHTSA show that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of a fatality by up to 42% and reduce the risk of a brain injury by up to 69% . According to Florida law, not all motorcyclists are required to wear helmets. However, before you start revving your engine without a helmet on, it’s important to be aware of several caveats:

  • You must be over the age of 21 and purchase an insurance policy that provides at least $10,000 of medical coverage.
  • If you are injured and try to collect damages, you will be subject to Florida’s comparative negligence laws. This means that if the evidence shows that your injuries could have been prevented or minimized by using a helmet, the damages you collect will be reduced by the same amount. For example, if the evidence shows that 70% of your injuries were caused by a lack of a helmet, your damages will be reduced by 70%.
  • If your case goes to trial, the jury is unlikely to have much sympathy for you, which will make it difficult to win a high value judgement in your favor.

Just because riding a motorcycle without a helmet is legal in some situations doesn’t make it a smart idea. If you ride a motorcycle, wear a helmet. It can help protect you as well as those who depend on you. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, contact Rader Law Group right away for a free case consultation at 954-913-2273.

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 Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Motorcycle Safety: Helmets, Motorists, Road Awareness | NHTSA. Accessed November 10, 2022.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Motorcycle Safety: Helmets, Motorists, Road Awareness | NHTSA. Accessed November 10, 2022.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Crash Dashboard – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (flhsmv.gov). Accessed November 9, 2022.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1.1 Universal Motorcycle Helmet Use Laws | NHTSA. Accessed November 9, 2022.
The Florida Legislature. Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine (state.fl.us). Accessed November 10, 2022.

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Case Verdict – Rear-end Crash in Cooper City

Rader Law Group settled another case for policy limits! Our client, Denise, was hit from behind in traffic in Cooper City. Unfortunately, she suffered significant injuries to her neck and back. Though she tried everything to get better over the course of 15 months, from therapy to injections to time, she eventually realized that she needed to have surgery to remove a herniated disc in her neck. Just 10 days after her surgery, still recuperating, her insurance company delivered a check for the full underinsured motorist policy limits of $100,000.00.

Many people don’t understand the true value of having uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Up to 1/3 of South Florida’s drivers are uninsured. Even more carry minimal amounts, like the at fault driver in Denise’s case, who had just $10,000.00 in bodily injury coverage, which was tendered within a few months of the crash. Underinsured motorist coverage provides extra insurance to you when the person who caused the crash either has no insurance or inadequate insurance. In the eye of the law, the underinsured motorist carrier stands in the shoes of the at-fault party. Here, by having that insurance, Denise was able to get the medical care she so badly needed and to account for her pain and suffering as well. Purchasing underinsured motorist coverage helped Denise make a full recovery, achieve justice and right the wrongs caused by the careless driver that rear-ended her.

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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A Dog Attacked Me! How Can I Obtain Justice for My Injuries?

On a beautiful fall afternoon, you were walking in the park when an off-leash German Shepard started barking and running toward you at full speed with its teeth bared. Startled and scared, you screamed and looked around for a fallen branch or anything you could use to defend yourself against the animal. In the distance, you heard the owner shouting for the dog to stop and come back to them. But the dog ignored them. For no apparent reason, the 100-pound creature pounced on you, knocking you down, and started to bite. After what seemed like an eternity, the owner was able to wrestle the dog off of you and take control, while a passerby called 911.

Dog attacks happen all too often in Florida – according to the US Postal Service, Florida is one of the top 10 states for dog attacks . Moreover, Florida is ranked second in the country in the number of dog bite insurance claims.

While dogs can be lovable pets, they are also animals descended from wolves, and as such, can viciously attack a victim. A dog attack can cause scarring, disfigurement, loss of limbs, broken bones, concussion or other head injuries, bruises, soft tissue injuries, psychological trauma, infections, nerve damage, and in the most severe cases, wrongful death. According to Florida law, if a dog bites a person while the person is in a public place or legally on private property, the dog owner is liable for the attacked person’s damages. This is true even if the dog is generally friendly and has never attacked before. However, there are two exceptions to this:

  1. If the person who was attacked intentionally provoked the dog, the amount of damages they are eligible to receive may be reduced.
  2. If the bite occurs on the owner’s property and they post a sign that says “Bad Dog”, they are only liable if the dog attacks someone under the age of six, unless the damages are proximately caused by a negligent act or omission of the owner.

If someone is trespassing on private property and the dog bites them, the dog owner is generally not responsible unless they specifically instructed the dog to bite.

If you or a loved one have been the victim of a dog bite or a dog attack, you are eligible to receive compensation for medical bills, reconstructive surgery, prostheses, assistive devices, prescriptions, psychological therapy, lost wages, pain and suffering and mental anguish.

The attorneys at Rader Law Group are experts at securing compensation for victims of dog bites or dog attacks. If the dog owner’s insurance refuses to provide a fair settlement for your injuries, we will take the fight to court. We are committed to pursing justice for our clients and our track record of success demonstrates this. Call us today at 954-913-2273 to learn your legal options if you have been the victim of a dog bite or dog attack.

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:
USPS. U.S. Postal Service Releases Dog Attack National Rankings – Newsroom – About.usps.com. Accessed November 13, 2022.
Insurance Information Institute. Spotlight on: Dog bite liability | III. Accessed November 13, 2022.

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Florida Road Rules for Snowbirds

Last year, Florida welcomed more than 122 million travelers . Many of these visitors converge in beautiful Palm Beach County during the winter months to avoid the freezing weather at their home locales. If Florida is your home away from home for the winter, it’s important that you understand some key Florida road rules, since they may be different than those in your home state or country.

Car Registration

If you will be living in Florida for 90 days or more and bring one of your cars, you must register the car in Florida. This is true whether you stay for one long 90+ day stay or multiple shorter visits that collectively add up to 90 days.

Car Insurance

As part of registering your car in Florida, you must insure it with a policy from an insurance company that is licensed to operate in Florida. The legal minimum for car insurance in Florida is $10,000 of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage and another $10,000 of Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage. If you are in an accident or pulled over for any reason and do no not have this insurance, you may be subject to suspension of your license or registration as well as a $500 reinstatement fee.

As attorneys who specialize in pursing justice for victims of car crash injuries, we strongly urge you to speak with your insurance agent about also purchasing uninsured / underinsured motorist coverage and bodily injury liability coverage. Depending on the age and condition of your car, you may also benefit from comprehensive insurance. While these additional coverages are not legally required and skipping them may save you some money on the premium, if you are involved in a serious accident, these additional policies will be your financial lifeline.

Important Steps If You Are in An Accident

The law requires that you call the police if there is more than $500 worth of damage; however, it’s a good idea to call the police for any accident because sometimes you may think you are fine, but later on realize that you are actually injured.

Visit a doctor, urgent care or hospital to be examined by a medical professional after the accident. Your PIP insurance requires that you visit the doctor within 14 days to be able to make a medical claim. However, you should visit as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours, because the longer you wait, the easier it will be for the insurance company to deny your claim and insist that your injury is due to another cause.

We hope that you enjoy your visit to sunny South Florida. While you are here, if you are injured in a car accident that you believe was not your fault, contact Rader Law Group right away at 954-913-2273. We will fight for your rights so you can receive justice for your injuries.

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:
Visit Florida. Research (visitflorida.org). Accessed October 8, 2022.

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Most Common Slip and Fall Injuries

It started as a day like any other. You ran some errands and met friends for lunch. But, in an instant, your life changed. While descending the stairs at the restaurant, you tripped, rolled down the stairs, and hit your head on the concrete. Your friend called for an ambulance, which rushed you to the hospital. You now have a broken hip, a concussion, and feel chronic pain.

Unfortunately, this is not a unique event. According to the National Safety Council, falls are responsible for 33% of all preventable, non-fatal injuries and 21% of all preventable deaths . Older Americans are at an even higher risk of injury from falls; in 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 3 million emergency room visits for falls from senior citizens, at a cost of $50 billion.

What Are Some Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents?

Common causes of these injuries include:

  • Debris in your path. If you are walking in a business and the floor is wet, or someone dropped something, you may not notice it and slip and fall. This is especially true for businesses near the beach that could have a fine layer or sand or salt water covering the floor and making it slick.
  • Broken or uneven pavement. This often happens if there is overgrown foliage and the tree roots are uplifting the sidewalk.
  • Poor lighting. At night, it can be difficult to see exactly where the stairs are, or if there is debris in your path.
  • Improper use of floor cleaners. Different types of flooring need different types of cleaners. Using the wrong type of cleaner can make the floor slippery.

Common Injuries from Slip and Fall Accidents

Many individuals will walk away from a slip and fall with a bruised ego and not much else. But, others, especially senior citizens, can experience significant long-term pain and injuries, such as:

  • Broken hip or other bones, causing a permanent decrease in mobility and/or flexibility.
  • Spinal cord injuries, impacting a person’s ability to use their arms and legs and independently perform daily functions of living.
  • Concussion or other brain injury, leading to memory loss, mental impairment, slurred speech, dizziness, depression or anxiety, chronic pain, coma, or inability to care for oneself.
  • Cuts or lacerations that may require skin grafts or cause scarring.
  • Soft tissue damage, causing pain when performing daily activities.
  • Wrongful death.

If you or a loved one was injured by a slip and fall accident, contact Rader Law Group to learn your options for holding the negligent party responsible and receiving the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.

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 Safety Council. Top 10 Preventable Injuries – Injury Facts (nsc.org). Accessed October 11, 2022.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Older Adult Falls | Fall Prevention | Injury Center | CDC. Accessed October 11, 2022.

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