Legal Insights Blog | Rader Law Group

Florida Leads the Nation in Bike Accidents and Fatal Crashes

June 7, 2023

Between January 1 and May 4, 2023, 71 bicyclists in Florida were killed in traffic accidents and another 2,666 were injured . Many of those who were injured face a long road to recovery; unlike a driver in a car accident, a bicyclist’s body takes the full brunt of the impact in a crash.

Several factors contribute to Florida’s high rate of bicycle crashes; some of these include:

Drivers may be distracted by texting or talking on the phone. Tourists may be focused on reading their GPS or street signs and not paying full attention to the road.
Drivers may drive too aggressively and not allow enough clearance when passing a bicycle.
Drivers may not check for a bicycle before opening their car door after parking.

While you can’t control the actions of other drivers on the road, you can make smart choices to help protect your own safety while bicycling. Here are some of our top tips:

Always wear a helmet, even if you are just traveling a few blocks away. According to the Cleveland Clinic, wearing a helmet reduces your risk of a head injury by 60%, your risk of a traumatic brain injury by 53%, and your risk of a serious injury or fatalist by 34% . This is the single most important safety precaution you can take.
Ensure that your bike is the right size and keep it in good working condition. This helps you maintain control of the bike if you need to suddenly swerve or brake.
Use hand signals when turning so car drivers are aware when you are planning to turn.
It’s safest to bike during daylight. If you choose to bike at night or in inclement weather, use lights and reflectors on your bike to increase your visibility. Florida law requires that your bike be equipped with a white light in front and a rear red light and red reflector to drive at night. Wearing brightly colored reflective clothing can also help drivers see you at night.
Ride your bike in the same direction that traffic is flowing. If there is a bike lane, use that instead of the main traffic lanes. Be aware, however, that cars may cross into the bike lane when making a right turn.
Follow all traffic signs and signals.

If you are in a bicycle crash due to another driver’s negligence, call Rader Law Group right away. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, future wages as well as pain and suffering. We will thoroughly investigate your case and hold the negligent parties responsible for your injuries. You deserve justice for your injuries, and we will do everything in our power to seek that for you.

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:
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Crash Dashboard – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (flhsmv.gov). Accessed May 10, 2023.

The Cleveland Clinic. Bicycle Helmet Safety: Importance of Wearing a Helmet – Cleveland Clinic. Accessed May 10, 2023.

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Case Verdict – Bicycle Accident

June 6, 2023

A young man was riding his bike in South Miami when a motorist, failing to pay attention to her surroundings, pulled out from a shopping center and struck him, sending him flying over the hood of her car, violently landing on the street. The at-fault driver immediately exited her vehicle and yelled at our client, blaming him, saying he was not hurt and accusing him of damaging her car. After undergoing a back surgery, Rader Law Group attorney Howard Weitzner was able to successfully obtain the full policy limits of $100,000.00 for our injured client. Bike crashes are a regular occurrence in South Florida and often lead to significant and life changing injuries.

To learn more about how the personal injury attorneys at Rader Law Group can help you after a bike accident, call us today at 954-913-2273 for a free consultation.

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Common Causes of Memorial Day Injuries

May 16, 2023

Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer, is a time for barbeques, picnics, parades, and injuries. For most people, the long weekend is a time to reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and spend time with loved ones. However, every year, thousands of people are injured or killed over this celebratory weekend due to unsafe choices made by others.

The National Safety Council estimates that 450 people will die over the Memorial Day holiday weekend due to car accidents. Memorial Day weekend sees a spike in the number of people traveling by car for family visits and parties combined with an increase in the number of people consuming alcoholic beverages. The result, quite literally, is deadly. Intoxicated or impaired drivers will have their reaction times slowed significantly, their ability to perceive distances declines, they are less alert, and their judgement and coordination become impaired.

Drunk drivers destroy lives. Victims hit by a drunk driver can suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and damaged organs. It may take months for them to be able to return to work, if they can ever do so.

Boating accidents are also a significant source of Memorial Day injuries. With more registered boats than any other state in the nation, Florida is a boater’s paradise. On holiday weekends, like Memorial Day weekend, there are more boaters on the waterways, so it’s especially important to stay alert and aware of your surroundings in the water.

The biggest risk associated with boating is drowning. According to the National Safe Boating Council, “drowning was the reported cause of death in four out of every five recreational boating fatalities in 2021, and 83 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets. ” If you are riding on a boat, you need to wear a life jacket, no matter how strong a swimmer you are. The owner and captain of the boat are responsible for ensuring that there are enough life jackets for all the passengers.

Everyone loves a barbeque, but many people don’t realize that they can be dangerous. The grill should be placed on a nonflammable surface, like a stone patio, in an area without a roof or any overhanging branches. There should also be a sober adult tending to a lit barbeque at all times and ensuring that no children or pets come near it. Stepping away, even for a moment, could cause a tragedy for a child who knocks into it.

The attorneys at Rader Law Group hope you have an enjoyable and safe Memorial Day weekend!

Rader Law Group, LLC

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

References Used:
National Safety Council. Memorial Day 2022 Motor Vehicle Fatality Estimates – Injury Facts (nsc.org). Accessed April 10, 2023.
Safe Boating Campaign. National Safe Boating Week is May 20-26, 2023 – Safe Boating Campaign. Accessed April 10, 2023.

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Case Verdict – Client Fraud Recovery

May 8, 2023

Rader Law Group’s commercial litigation division continues to achieve positive results for its clients, as attorney Howard Weitzner successfully recovered $27,000.00 for his client, an independent businessman who was defrauded out of a down payment on a work vehicle. After placing the deposit down on a brand new, custom-built tow truck, the defendant corporation attempted to pull a bait-and-switch by delivering a lesser and differently colored truck to our client. After unsuccessfully attempting to work with the trucking company and have them hold up their end of the bargain, our client hired Mr. Weitzner who was able to get him a full refund on his down payment, allowing him to have his order fulfilled elsewhere. Unlike most law firms, Rader Law Group’s commercial and business litigation division handles many of these types of cases on a contingency basis, meaning our client will not need to pay an hourly rate or retainer fee. Contact us today to learn more about how this might be an option for you and your business.

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The Most Common Causes for Bicycle Accidents

May 4, 2023

Bicyclists are at a higher risk of injury than other drivers on the road, especially in urban areas, where 93% of all fatal bike accidents in Florida occur. Even when not fatal, bicycle accidents can cause catastrophic injuries that can take months or years to recover from and impact a bicyclist’s ability to earn a living and care for themselves daily.

One of the most common causes of bicycle accidents is speeding by other drivers. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that 64% of bicycle accidents occur on sections of road that are not near intersections since motorists are driving faster in these areas . The drivers may not have time to slow down or change lanes if they see a bicyclist. If a car or truck driver hits a bicyclist while driving at a high speed, the bicyclist will likely have severe injuries or die.

Impaired drivers are another threat to bicyclists. Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol may misjudge the distance between themselves and the bicyclist, have a slower reaction time if they see a bike on the road, or may not even realize the bicyclist is there. Impaired drivers are a hazard to all vehicles on the road, but they are especially dangerous for bicyclists due to the lack of protection that a bike offers compared to a car.

A threat similar to impaired driving is distracted driving. A driver in a car may be distracted by texting, changing radio stations, or focusing too much on the passengers in the car and too little on the road. An inattentive driver is a dangerous driver, especially to cyclists.

Fatal bicycle accidents are more likely to occur at night. In 2021 in Florida, 59% of all bicycle accidents happened at nighttime. Bad weather also increases risk for bicyclists. In addition to the road being slick, rain and fog decreases visibility, so drivers may not even see the bicyclist before colliding. To help minimize the risk of these types of accidents, it’s best to avoid bicycling in inclement weather and at night. If you have no choice but to ride your bicycle in these conditions, make sure to wear reflective clothing and outfit your bike with front lights and rear red lights to make your presence known to drivers.

Regardless of the weather or time of day, the most important step you can take to stay safe while bicycling is to wear a helmet. This one step may save your life if you are in an accident.

If you or a loved one was injured in a bicycle accident, contact the law office of Rader Law Group. We have helped thousands of accident victims recover compensation for their injuries. We will fight vigorously until you receive the justice that you deserve.

Rader Law Group, LLC

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

References Used:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Workbook: DV_FARS_PC (dot.gov)). Accessed April 9, 2023.
CDC. Bicycle Safety | Transportation Safety | Injury Center | CDC. Accessed April 9, 2023.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Workbook: DV_FARS_PC (dot.gov)). Accessed April 9, 2023.

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Keeping Your Teen Safe on Prom Night

April 17, 2023

Prom: the pinnacle of the high school social scene. Chances are your high school senior has been looking forward to this day since September, picking out what they will wear, who they will ask, and whose afterparty they will attend. With all the excitement bubbling, it’s easy to focus on the fun aspects of the event and ignore its darker side; however, parents need to sit their teen down for a serious talk so that they can stay safe on prom night. Drinking, doing drugs, distracted and drowsy driving are real risks that teens face on prom night. Following are some tips to develop a plan for managing these risks:

Determine how your teen will travel to and from the prom. Will they be driving? If so, ensure they understand the severity of drinking and driving, even if they only have a couple sips. Is their date driving? In that case, your teen needs to know that if they see their date drinking, they should not get into the car with them. In either situation, your teen should feel confident that they can call you for a ride if necessary, without fear of retribution. Tell your teen that you will happily pick them up with no questions or judgment. Then do it.
Another driving danger is distracted driving. If your teen is driving a carload of friends, make sure they understand the importance of focusing on the road rather than the conversation in the car. Similarly, if your teen will be driving in the wee morning hours after the prom, let them know that if they are too tired, that they should call you and you will give everyone in their car a ride home.
If your budget allows, the safest transportation option is to rent a limousine or other form of transportation with a professional driver.
Find out your teen’s after-prom plans. If they are attending a party at a friend’s home, call the parent and find out what kind of supervision will be there.If your teen is planning to host a party at your home, do not allow drinking. Moreover, stay awake for the duration of the party and make periodic appearances to ensure that other teens do not bring alcohol. Allowing minors to drink in your home is a crime. Not only are you financially liable if one of the teens drinking in your home is involved in a car accident, you may face criminal charges as well.
By developing a plan to stay safe, the prom will be a fun night for your high schooler to cherish for years to come. The attorneys at Rader Law Group wish all the high school seniors and their families a wonderful and safe prom season!