Bagen Law Blog

It’s the spookiest time of the year! Many people call Halloween their favorite holiday; with fun decorations and creepy ambiance, grinning jack o’ lanterns, and plenty of sweet treats, it’s no wonder! Since most of us didn’t get a chance to go all out for Halloween last year, we expect this year’s celebrations to be bigger than ever.

Despite all the excitement, Halloween also comes with its own set of risks including lack of visibility on the streets, increased pedestrian traffic, and inattentiveness of drivers. As a refresher, here are some ways you can make sure your community stays safe this Halloween:

After an accident, tensions can run high. Drivers may be hurt or emotionally shaken, which makes decision-making difficult. With auto accidents on the rise in Gainesville, being prepared can help minimize the unwise choices unintentionally made following a car accident. Immediately following an accident, follow these tips for proper documentation to ensure a speedy and fair insurance claim process. You will also want to contact a personal injury law firm in Gainesville. Steven A. Bagen Law Firm is a personal injury firm with offices in Gainesville and Ocala, Florida.

Being the parent of a teen driver can be a stressful and apprehensive time. New drivers are a very high-risk category of driver; they are inexperienced and maybe a little to eager behind the wheel. Young drivers are involved in thousands of car accidents each year. When you hand over the keys to your car, you often worry about the safety of your child and the financial strain that may occur should something happen. If you’re left wondering who is liable for your child’s car accident, then read on.

When you’re held responsible for your child’s accident

The truth is that there are circumstances in which a parent can be liable for the child’s accident. The parent can be held responsible for negligence use of the vehicle if a few requirements are met. The court can hold the parent responsible for negligence if they are considered the head of the household, and that the vehicle used in the accident is concerned a vehicle used for the comfort or pleasure of the family. The parent must also have given permission, either direct or implied consent, for the child to operate the vehicle. If it can be proven that the child did not have permission to operate the vehicle, courts may rule that the parents are not liable.