Bagen Law Blog

Bicycle rides are a terrific way to save money on your daily commute and get some valuable cardio. However, there are also some risks associated with riding bikes, one of the biggest dangers being other drivers’ difficulty seeing bicycle riders. A bicycle crash can happen in the blink of an eye, and can be more life threatening than a vehicular collision due to the rider’s lack of protection. Before you set out, it is important to know what to do after an accident. Understanding what you must do can preserve important evidence and help you protect your rights.

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.

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.

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

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 you first set out to find a bicycle accident attorney Ocala, FL you are going to need to consider a lot of things. For one, you need to know from the beginning that bicycle accidents are the number one reason why children visit the emergency room. With the level of traumatic brain injuries that children incur while riding their bicycles, a helmet can be the difference between a slight amount of injury and something far more serious. Since 443 million people under the age of 21 years old participate in the activity of bicycle riding each year in the US, a large number of serious injuries could be prevented or lessened through the regular use of a helmet.

When a bicycle accident happens, there is a lot to do including, but not limited to, seeking the counsel of a bicycle accident attorney in Gainesville, FL. When an automobile and a bicycle meet at any speed, there is bound to be damage done to the bicyclist. As the slowest and smallest participants in road travel, bicyclists are at a serious disadvantage. Some cyclists have even taken the step of adding to the legal aspects of their cases by installing small video cameras on their bikes, so there is no longer a need for eyewitnesses or for a jury to believe the cyclist's side of the story in court.

Steven A. Bagen Law Firm is a personal injury law firm with offices in Gainesville and Ocala to serve the surrounding North and Central Florida areas.

According to statistics from the National Highway Transportation Association, injuries and fatalities from bicycle crashes are on the upswing after years of years of decreasing rates. This alarming statistic is important to cyclists in our state because Florida is the state with the greatest amount of fatalities stemming from bicycle accidents. Nevertheless, what about bicyclists who survive an accident, but suffer severe or catastrophic injuries as a result? This is where the services of an experienced bicycle accident attorney Gainesville, FL are needed most.

Car accidents tend to happen far too often, which also means that a hit-and-run is going to be quite common in today’s society. Even though you might assume that this type of accident is between two vehicles, that simply isn’t the case. Many people don’t ever think that they are going to be the victim of a hit-and-run accident, but you just never know what might come your way. In reality, roughly 16 percent of all pedestrian-car crashes wind up being a hit-and-run. To prevent yourself from being the next victim, you need someone working for you who understands your rights and works hard to uphold them, which is where an attorney for personal injury, such as Steven A. Bagen and Associates, in Gainesville and Ocala comes into play.