Bagen Law Blog

There is something that all parents can agree on – being a child in today’s world is vastly different than when you were growing up. Bullying in schools is on the rise and it’s taking on different forms thanks to smart phones and online messaging applications. Parents breathe a deep sigh of relief seeing their child get off the bus at the end of the day with no tears, bruises, or torn clothes. It’s a sad, sad world where every corner in school could be one that your child is backed into.

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, close to half of all children will experience school bullying at some point while they are at primary or secondary school. At least ten percent of children are bullied regularly.

It’s scary to let go, hand your child your car keys, and wave goodbye. You have been driving for some time so you understand the dangers and perils out there on the road ahead. How do you explain that to a teenager who knows everything?

Driving is not what it used to be when you first learned how to. The introduction of smart phones and texting has increased the risks by a staggering amount. Just how much? According to statistics provided by NegligentDriving.org, distracted driving is the number one killer of American teens. While 90% of teens admit that they don’t drink and drive, nine out of 10 say they have seen passengers distracting the drivers or drivers using cell phones.

Horace Robinson, 60, drove his car into the side of a Wal-Mart store on Southwest Archer Road on November 1. Robinson was driving a gray PT Cruiser convertible by himself when he drove his car into the side of the store at 8:40 a.m. Officials are not quite sure why Robinson drove into the Wal-Mart, though rescue officials say that witnesses saw Robinson stop at the stop sign to the west of the main doors and slowed down and then accelerated into the side of the building.
In a news release, rescue officials said that Robinson “did not appear to have been wearing his seat belt, which may have caused him to slide down under the dash.” Robinson had to be extracted from his vehicle and was unconscious for most of it but he woke up later in the process. He was taken to Shands at the University of Florida. Robinson was reported to be in stable condition.
Robinson had a wheelchair symbol on his license plate that indicated the driver of the car had a permanent disability and needed a disabled person parking permit. This is just another reminder to wear your seatbelts!

Top Florida officials announce that crime in the state is down during the first six months of 2011 as compared to the first half of 2010.

Two women were killed in a tragic car crash in Alachua County near Gainesville, Fl on October 18^th. The accident occurred at the intersection of U.S. 441 and County Road 237 around 9 a.m.

The FBI released the grand jury indictment of 35-year-old Jacksonville resident who allegedly hacked into the e-mail accounts of more than 50 victims, including dozens of celebrities.

23 year old Spring Hill man was killed early Saturday morning on Interstate 75 South when his Pontiac G6 ran off the road. The young man, who was not wearing a seat-belt attempted to return to the road and slid sideways and entered the median on the opposite side of the road. The Pontiac was then struck by a cement culvert  causing the vehicle to airborne and eject the young man onto the shoulder of the northbound lanes and was then struck by a vehicle.

Technology has undoubtedly changed the world we live in. If you want to communicate with your friends as to your day or your plans that night, you more often than not use a social networking site as means of getting the word out. However, your social networking of choice could also be your biggest obstruction when you decide to pursue a personal injury claim.

If you happen to live, work, or play at University of Florida, then you might just get the chance to ride the Bagen Bus. Steven A. Bagen & Associates have made it known in to the downtown area of University of Florida`s campus that they are there to help and serve the residents of Florida and have been for over 25 years. If you happen to see a bus ride by, and Steven Bagen is welcoming you onto the bus, don`t be alarmed. The Bagen Bus is scheduled at the Downtown Station and at Butler Plaza, Monday-Friday. The Bagen Bus will run every 10-20-30-60 minutes with the first run for Butler Plaza starting at 6:03a.m. and last run ending at 10:03p.m., and the Downtown route will first run at 6:03a.m. and end at 10:30p.m. Steven A. Bagen and associates are huge proponents of vehicle and motorcycle safety, and also have recently taken part in public service announcement’s promoting vehicle safety, and informing the residents of Gainesville of the most dangerous intersections in Gainesville. Keep an eye out for the Bagen Bus, and Vehicle Safety Announcements!