Bagen Law Blog

Last Saturday night, around 10:00 p.m. a drunk driver struck and injured a bicyclist who has been identified as Ali Lauren Brody, 21, of Gainesville.   Ali was riding her bicycle on West University Avenue when Kirtley Stephen Davis, 21,  slammed into her.  Davis then fled the scene of the accident and turned onto Southwest 13th Street where he struck a vehicle stopped for a traffic light at Museum Road.  Davis’ blood alcohol level was between .308 and .313 which is almost four times the legal limit in Florida.  Davis was arrested and charged with misdemeanor DUI, DUI with serious bodily injury and failure to stop or remain at a crash involving injury which is a third degree felony in the State of Florida.   

It is always important to be very conscientious when driving in inclement weather. An issue that may ordinarily be small can cause a big disaster. Good driving habits in harsh weather are necessary to avoidaccidents for short or long trips. Whether you're a driver of a motorcycle, big rig or anything in between, reviewing safety information is a good idea for drivers of all ages. Inclement weather should not be taken lightly.

As we drive up and down I-75 on our daily commutes, we see far too many accidents happening. Unfortunately, many of those accidents are ending in fatalities. In 2010, Florida’s stretch of the national interstate was voted as the 15th deadliest highway in the country. Gainesville and other central Florida drivers have been demanding for modifications to be made to I-75 and sadly, it has taken a countless amount of accident victims to really steer attention towards the issue. The imperative question on the minds of all of Florida’s I-75 drivers is … what is being done to solve the problems with I-75?

Boating Tips

A day out on a boat can be a lot of fun. However, you need to remember to boat carefully and responsibly.Boating accidents are often caused by negligence and careless operation. While you and your friends are enjoying your Florida spring break, keep in mind these safe boating tips:

• Never operate a boat while under the influence
• Obey speeding zones
• Don't operate a boat recklessly
• Don't cause large wakes in calm areas
• Keep a safe distance between boats
• Keep a look out for people in the water

Motorcyclists will soon be heading to Central Florida for Daytona's bike week. This annual event, now in its 73rd year, attracts motorcyclists from around the country and is known as the world’s largest motorcycle event. This year’s event takes place from March 7 to March 16 and is expected once again to draw a large crowd. It is easy to forget that motorcycle accidents can happen anywhere, even among the many experienced riders who will be attending Bike Week. For this reason, it is important for both riders and spectators to brush up on some some of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s tips before participating in any Bike Week festivities.  

We are now five months into Florida’s texting and driving law, but just how effective is it? Many Floridian motorists are still unaware of what the law’s details are. Many drivers do not take the law seriously. Since we still see accidents on our daily commutes, it is questionable whether or not the ban on texting has truly made a difference in our state. The lawyers at Steven A. Bagen & Associates are here to help you understand the current guidelines and future possibilities of Florida’s texting and driving law.

Unfortunately minors are just as likely to be victims to injuries caused by negligence as adults. Luckily, like adults, minors also have recourse. While they may not be able to bring their own claim, their guardian may bring a personal injury claim on their behalf if a minor is involved in an accident. 

The best means of documenting auto accident damage is adopting the mindset of an investigator hot on the trail of a breaking news story. Gather as much information as you can about the incident. The more evidence you are able to collect, the better off you will be when it comes to trying to get compensation from the insurance company regarding the damage your car sustained.

Document Any Damages Using Pictures

Pictures are worth a thousand words, potentially even a thousand dollars when it comes to gathering evidence from the crash scene. The insurance company claims adjuster is going to do everything he or she can to make your settlement as little as possible. They have numerous ways to do this, such as questioning any evidence that you present in the accident reports. Thanks to a slip & fall attorney in Ocala, FL, you can have someone who is working in your favor to make sure you receive everything you are entitled to and more. Steven A. Bagen Law Firm has offices in Gainesville and Ocala, Florida.

When most people think of insurance fraud, they think of unscrupulous people scamming companies by filing fraudulent claims. But there is another side of insurance fraud, one that directly affects innocent people like you. These types of schemes and scams drive up your insurance rates and worse: create unsafe conditions that can leave you hurt, maimed or even dead. When searching for an attorney for personal injury cases, Gainesville residents should make sure that they speak with a lawyer who is well-versed in all types of insurance fraud so that you will receive every penny you are entitled to. Steven A. Bagen Law Firm is a personal injury law firm with offices in Gainesville and Ocala, Florida.