Bagen Law Blog

An accident early in the morning on April 18th has caused Gainesville residents to collectively groan much more actively about Mondays this week. The unexpected major accident involving several vehicles stopped traffic on I-75 for much of the day, causing many work attendance delays and, more importantly, several injuries.

Defensive driving is important not only for automobile drivers, but also for motorcycle riders, as Gainesville drivers learned on Wednesday, March 16.

On the afternoon of March 16th, a man, later to be identified as Eric Michael McManus, 32, was travelling eastbound on his motorcycle on Northeast 23rd Avenue when the driver of a Cadillac, facing North on Second Street, tried to turn left onto 23rd Avenue, directly into McManus’s path.

DUI’s are never pleasant to experience, but that holds even more true when fatalities are involved. The impacts of a DUI can be very far-reaching and Jeffrey Lee Ertle, 41, learned that the hard way.

Sometimes it’s easy to take for granted how much of a privilege driving is; other times it’s easy to take for granted how dangerous it can be. A recent automotive accident right in the heart of Gainesville left several hospitalized—including one who was ejected from her vehicle—proving that even under safe conditions and in safe vehicles, disaster can strike at any time.

 In early summer of 2015, Patricia Mincey ran through a red light while driving approximately 20 mph in her 2001 Honda Civic. Unfortunately, her car collided with an SUV. As is supposed to happen, her airbag inflated, but in her situation, hers inflated too much. Her lawsuit, intended to cover her medical bills, pain and suffering, as well as punitive damages against Takata and Honda, alleges that this overinflation caused Ms. Mincey to become paralyzed from the waist down.

Getting behind the wheel is always a gamble. Even perfect drivers can get seriously injured in an accident through no fault of your own. A recent crash on I-75 in Gainesville demonstrates just how dangerous driving can be, even under safe conditions.

Every year, our office gets hundreds of calls about bicycle accidents. While do not take every case, it does make us very aware of the dangers when bicyclists share the roadway with cars. It makes us very concerned about bicycle safety.

Unfortunately, the primary cause for preventable injuries and deaths on roads are due to vehicle accidents. Staying safe on the roads of Florida requires attention and diligence, especially during the summer. It takes the carefulness of someone who appreciates their role in the chaos that is traffic whether it be in the city, country or suburban areas. Summer safety on the roads and highways, especially in the central areas of the state, means following the laws and guidelines and encouraging others to follow them, too. Each type of vehicle, whether powered by an engine or muscle, has certain rules of the road and they must be followed as this is what is expected from others.  Not doing so will create an uncertainty in them as it will for you in the same situation.

Living in Florida, one of the most popular activities in the heat of the summer, is to go swimming. I thought it would be beneficial to post some safety tips for this favorite summer time activity.

We have many motorcycle riders and enthusiasts in our community. It is a fun, as well as economical, way to get around. I urge all motorcyclists to practice safe and cautious driving, and I especially urge all other motorists on the road to look twice for motorcyclists before changing lanes, turning, backing up, etc. Recently, a helmeted motorcyclist was struck by a pick up truck being driven by a 17 year old attempting a left turn onto County Road 342 in Bell, Florida when his vehicle struck the motorcycle. The impact was so forceful it made the pick up truck rotate clockwise.  Although the motorcyclist was reported to be in critical condition, the fact that he was wearing a helmet saved him from a more serious, or possibly even a fatal injury.