Motorcyclists Hit in a Rear End Crash on Fruitville Road in Sarasota

A set of motorcycle riders were hurt on Tuesday night when a driver crashed into the back of one of them.  According to FHP reports, bike drivers Danny Burch and Wayne Patterson were stopped in traffic just west of I-75.  An Acura driven by Raisa Ross drove up from behind, did not stop in time, and hit the back of Burch's motorcycle.  That impact caused Burch's cycle to hit Patterson's motorcycle in what sounds like a domino effect. Bayflite took 60 year old Burch to Blake Medical Center with serious injuries. The Sarasota Herald Tribune reports that FHP troopers cited Ross for careless driving. 

The Difference Between Careless Driving and Negligence in a Rear End Motorcycle Accident

Careless driving is one of the most common types of accident citations used by law enforcement officers in Florida in rear end crash accidents. However, a careless driving citation does NOT automatically imply negligence or liability when the victims deal with insurance companies.  This is where an accident lawyer is essential to your case if you were hurt in a motorcycle accident.  An experienced motorcycle attorney can help prove that the other driver was liable or negligent in your crash.  Otherwise, the other side's insurance company may not compensate you fairly for your injuries based only on a careless driving ticket. 

For more information on your rights in situations like this, contact the personal injury lawyers at Buckman and Buckman, P. A. for a complete review of your case.  Or you can contact them online at www.buckmanandbuckman.com or by phone at (941) 923-7700.

A SCAT bus making a very sharp turn in Bradenton Monday morning ended up hitting two cars that were stopped at a traffic light.  The Bradenton Herald reports that the bus driver, Michael Finch, "though he was going to hit another oncoming car, made a harder left turn and ended up in the northbound lane of 14th Street West."  That's when the bus ran over a concrete median and crashed into a Honda and a Lincoln.  The Sarasota Herald Tribune reported that state troopers cited  the SCAT bus driver for violation of the right of way.  

Unfortunately, there have been a number of recent bus accidents in the Sarasota Bradenton area, including a school bus crash earlier this month and a earlier SCAT bus accident on Fruitville Road this past November.  Despite these incidents, bus crashes are much less common than car  accidents or motorcycle accidents, but often the injuries from a bus accident can be devastating.

In Florida, buses are considered "common carriers," which means they are in the business of transporting people from place to place with the highest degree of care.  In that role the bus company can be held liable for the negligence of its' drivers.  This includes public transportation buses run by cities and counties.  In our area that includes the Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) and the Manatee  County Area Transit (MCAT). Because these bus services are run by government municipalities, there is a limit to the amount of damages a person can recover for their injuries in an accident because of something called sovereign immunity.

If you've been involved in a bus accident and would like to talk about the specifics of your case, contact the attorneys at Buckman and Buckman, P.A. at (941) 934-7700 or fill out the case evaluation form on our website.

A pedestrian accident causes a motorcycle accident on Tuttle Avenue in Sarasota Sunday night.  It's an example of how dangerous the roadways can be immediately after a crash and how complicated it makes the accident investigation.

According to reports in the Sarasota Herald Tribune, Natalie Brush hit Joseph Stoudt with her car when he ran out in front of her on Tuttle.  Tina Hawkins stopped her SUV when she saw the pedestrian hurt in the road.  That's when Terry Johnston swerved his motorcycle to avoid rear ending the SUV.  Instead, he clipped the SUV and was hit by Gregory Meadows' Pontiac.  Both Stoudt, the pedestrian, and Johnston, the motorcyclist, were taken to area trauma centers with serious injuries.

Accidents like these get very complicated very quickly.  It's tough to determine who is at fault for what part of the accident.  Florida uses something called comparative negligence which means more than one person can be responsible or cause an accident.  It allows the law to assign a percentage of fault to the people involved.  In comparative negligence claims, more than one insurance company can also be responsible for a your injury claims.

If you were hurt in a multiple car accident that was partially your fault, you may still have a claim for compensation against one of the other parties in the accident.  This is why an experienced personal injury lawyer is so essential in multiple car accident cases.   An attorney can investigate the crash, interview witnesses, review the case, and make sure insurance companies treat your fairly.

For a free case evaluation of your Florida personal injury claim, contact Buckman and Buckman, P.A. by filling out our contact form or call our office at (941) 923-7700.

This weekend a Siesta Key mother was killed in a tragic and senseless pedestrian accident as she jogged along Midnight Pass Road with her dog. Police reports say that Blake Talman was driving drunk when he lost control of his car and violently hit and killed 53 year old Donna Chen.

The chain reaction of negligence in this case is outrageous. According to news reports, in less than one hour Talman was kicked off Siesta Beach by deputies for unruly behavior. He then got behind the wheel of a car while apparently drunk, caused a rear end car accident with a pick up truck, turned that crash into a hit and run accident when he drove away from the scene at 90 miles an hour, lost control of his car again and killed Donna Chen.

It's difficult to label something like this an "accident" since so much reckless and negligent behavior caused this tragedy. Donna Chen leaves behind a family of 3 children and a husband. Our prayers are with them.

Careless driving is the charge for a school bus driver who crashed into the back of a semi-truck in Bradenton yesterday.  The bus carried dozens of students from Braden River Middle School. News reports say that the driver’s leg was pinned so he couldn’t bring the bus to a complete stop immediately after the crash. Students were reported jumping from the emergency exits while the bus slowly rolled down the street until a witness jumped on board to help the driver engage the brakes.

More than 20 children were injured or hurt and taken to local hospitals.  According to interviews given to WTSP-TV, emergency responders were overwhelmed by the number of students who needed medical attention:

"We had a lot of kids and not enough ambulances," said Deputy Chief Lee Whitehurst of East Manatee Fire Rescue. "We had ambulances that were going to the hospital dropping off their patients and coming back."

The Florida Highway Patrol reports the bus driver didn’t stop in time and slammed into the back of a Wal-mart semi-trailer truck.  FHP says the driver will be charged with careless driving.  The bus crash happened on SR 64 near I-75 in Manatee County near Wal-mart.  

According to Florida law, bus companies are required to give their passengers a higher standard of care.  That means the negligence standard involved in bus accidents is different that in a typical car crash.  However, because this accident involves a Manatee county school bus, owned and operated by the Manatee County school system, the laws are different.  In situations like this, a victim’s rights to compensation for their injuries could be at risk.  That’s why it’s important to talk with an accident attorney experienced with school bus crashes right away.

For more information on what to do if you or your child is injured or hurt in a school bus accident, please contact Buckman and Buckman, P.A. for a case evaluation or call us at (941) 923-7700.
 

MULTI-CAR ACCIDENT IN SARASOTA: HOW TO FIGURE OUT WHO IS AT FAULT

Today in Sarasota, a multi-car accident involving 5 vehicles on Bee Ridge Road and Lockwood Ridge Road sent 6 people to the hospital.  Local news reports say the driver of a Jeep Cherokee pulled out of a gas station and blocked lanes on Bee Ridge Road.  Another driver in an SUV crashed into the Jeep and then veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on into a pickup truck.  One person was airlifted by Bayflite helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg because of severe injuries. 

In every multiple car accident, there is usually a chain reaction of blame.  Which driver started the accident?  Were other drivers at fault or driving negligently?  If you were rear ended and then crashed into the car in front of you, who's fault is that?  What if your car got pushed into oncoming traffic in another lane?  It's so complicated and convoluted that there's a ripple down of cause and effect and blame.  To get a better idea of how confusing these crashes are, read the details of this Sarasota accident report from the Florida Highway Patrol:

"Vehicle-1 was stopped in the driveway of the Sunoco Gas Station located at 3190 SR-758 (Bee Ridge Road) facing north. Vehicle-2 was traveling eastbound on SR-758 (Bee Ridge Road) in the left lane.Vehicle-3 was traveling westbound on SR-758 approaching the intersection of Lockwood Ridge Road in the left lane. Vehicle-4 was traveling westbound on SR-758 approaching the intersection of Lockwood Ridge Road in the center lane. Vehicle-5 was traveling westbound on SR-758 approaching the intersection of Lockwood Ridge Road in the right lane. The driver of Vehicle-1, (D-1) proceeded to make a left turn onto SR-758 in at attempt to travel west and stopped in the left eastbound travel lane. The front of Vehicle-2 struck the right front of Vehicle-1. Due to the impact of the collision Vehicle-2 rotated counter clockwise traveling northeast in the westbound lanes of SR-758. The Driver of Vehicle-3 observed Vehicle-2 and took evasive action and swerved into the center westbound travel lane of SR-758. The right front of Vehicle-2 struck the front of Vehicle-3. Due to the impact of the collision the right front of Vehicle-3 struck the left front and side of Vehicle-4. The right front of Vehicle-4 struck the left front of Vehicle-5. Vehicle-4 then traveled northwest on SR-758. The right side of Vehicle-3 struck the left side of Vehicle-5. Vehicle-5 struck a pedestrian crossing sign with its right front. Before coming to final rest the front of Vehicle-4 struck the rear of Vehicle-3. The Driver of Vehicle-2, (D-2) was ejected onto the roadway of SR-758 and was transported by Bayflite to Blake Medical Center. "

Anyone involved in a multiple car accident like this one should hire an attorney immediately.  Here are more reasons why:   

A TRAFFIC TICKET CAN'T BE USED AS EVIDENCE IN COURT

You can't depend on a police report or a traffic ticket to prove that another driver caused your injury.  Believe it or not, traffic citations issued by the police cannot be used as evidence in a civil trial.  It is your lawyer's job to determine who is at fault in a multi-car accident, not the police officer who was on the scene.  

WHAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW

The other driver's insurance company knows that you cannot use a traffic ticket to show blame in a civil court.  The insurance company counts on the fact that you don't know that information.  That's why you need an independent investigation of the accident.  When you hire an accident attorney, that is the first thing they will do for your case.   Again, don't count on a police report or citation to make your case.  It won't work.

OTHER ACCIDENT VICTIMS CAN SUE YOU EVEN IF IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT

You could be badly hurt because of someone else's bad driving, but still end up getting sued by one of the other accident victims.  This happens all the time in multiple car accident cases.  Again, that's why you need an attorney who will conduct an independent investigation of the entire accident to show that you were not at fault.    

MULTI-CAR CRASHES CAUSE MORE SERIOUS INJURIES

When people get hurt in multiple vehicle accidents the injuries are usually much more severe than in typical crashes. Forces from different sides of the car are involved and can lead to very intense impacts on your body.  In a typical two car accident, it's clear who caused your injuries.  Fault gets more complicated when there are 3 or more other drivers involved.  That's when it's essential to hire a car accident attorney to help you fight back.  

Legal advice after a multi-car accident can make the difference if you face the possibility of huge medical expenses, lost work time, insurance increases, car repairs, and more.   The attorneys at Buckman and Buckman, P.A. are experienced in representing victims of multiple vehicle crashes. Let us evaluate your case to see how we can help you with the investigation and insurance issues.  Complete the form at the top of this page and we'll contact you shortly, or call our Sarasota law office at (941) 923-7700

Today six people were hurt at an intersection accident between a Sarasota County SCAT bus, a pickup truck, and a car.  According to the Sarasota Herald Tribune, the car violated the right of way by crossing into oncoming traffic at the Beneva Road & Fruitville Road intersection.  That's when the bus slammed into the car's front passenger side.  The car then collided into the truck in a domino effect. The two people in the car were flown to a trauma center because they were so badly hurt.  The SCAT bus driver, a bus rider, and the pickup truck driver were all treated at the scene, but there's no word about their condition.  Ironically, the City of Sarasota plans to install intersection cameras at 10 of the city's busiest and most dangerous crossroads in the next few weeks, including the Fruitville & Beneva intersection.  Those cameras are due to be up and running by December 1st, according to BayNews 9.    

Intersection accidents are very common and usually happen in one of three ways:

1. A driver runs a red light causing a head on collision.
2. One car rear ends another, or
3. A vehicle turns into the path of oncoming traffic while trying to cross the intersection, causing a side-impact accident. 

In this case, the car was trying to make a left hand turn onto Beneva Road at the busy Fruitville Road intersection.   Side impact accidents like the one that happened here are usually severe and the people involved often have spinal injuries, brain injuries, broken bones, and worse.  In fact, side impact car accidents are often fatal because the victims are sitting in a part of the car that has very little structural protection.  

The law says that the driver who causes an intersection accident can be held liable for injuries to other drivers and passengers in the accident. But even in a clear cut accident case, you should never file a "do it yourself" insurance claim because that's exactly what the insurance company wants.  It allows them to manage your claim.  That's why it's important to have an experienced personal injury and accident lawyer representing you if you've been injured.  Remember, it's the insurance company's job to settle your claim for as little money as possible, no matter how badly you're hurt.

For more information about your rights when involved in an intersection traffic accident or side impact crash, contact the attorneys at Buckman and Buckman at (941) 923-7700 or email us by filling out the form at the top of this page.   

Road Rage leads to a hit and run accident in Manatee County Monday night.  According to the Bradenton Herald, a hit and run driver slammed into a 56 year old man on Chevy Chase Drive.  The victim was airlifted to a trauma center in St. Pete.  Witnesses told the newspaper they heard tires squealing and saw a dark colored car driving away from the victim, who was lying in the middle of the road.  The Sarasota Herald Tribune reports that the driver was angry because his car was blocked in by the victim's truck.  Sheriff's Deputies haven't made any arrests yet but they're asking for help or tips about the incident. 

It's tough to call this a hit and run "accident."   We know that someone ran over this man after a road rage incident, and then left him for dead in the road.  That's a crime, not an accident.  But now it gets complicated.  There are questions the victim's family needs to ask right away to make sure they get the insurance coverage they're entitled to, especially since the victim's injuries appear to be severe.

1. Will the victim's own insurance company cover the costs of this hit and run road rage accident?

2.  Does the victim have uninsured motorist coverage?  What happens if he doesn't have this coverage?

3.  If the suspected driver is caught, arrested, and found guilty at trial, will his/her insurance compensate the victim?

4.  Will the victim have to wait  for compensation until after the suspected driver is convicted at a trial?

We never know when a tragic car accident will happen and change everything. The only thing we can do as drivers is make sure to get the highest levels of insurance coverage possible.  But that's not even enough.  After an accident, it's important to hold the insurance company accountable.  A personal injury lawyer who handles accident cases like cases like this one can help the family navigate through the maze of red tape. For more information contact the attorneys at  Buckman and Buckman, P.A.

It started out as an accident and immediately turned into a crime.  A driver hit a 57 year old pedestrian on Fruitville Road in Sarasota County.  Instead of stopping to get help, the driver took off to get away.  The man walking across the road died.  Police later arrested a 39 year old man  accused of the hit and run, and booked him on drug charges.  The family of the dead pedestrian has to wonder if things could have turned out differently if the driver had only stopped and called for  help.   Link to Sarasota Herald Tribune article.

What makes a hit and run driver take off instead of stopping?  Sometimes the driver panics.  They act irrationally and do the first thing that comes to them- they run.  But other hit and run drivers may be scared of getting in trouble, especially if they've been drinking or have something illegal in their car.  These drivers make a decision to run if they've got something to hide, or something to loose.  Unfortunately, the person who looses the most is the victim.  In Sarasota and Manatee Counties, hit and run accidents are more common that you'd expect.   And for pedestrians involved in hit and run accidents, the outcome is often deadly. 

What should you do after a hit and run accident?

1.  Call 911 and get immediate medical attention.

2.  Report everything you can about the car, the driver, the circumstances to the police as soon as possible.  If you can, write down the details of what happened immediately so you don't have to rely only on your memory.  Or have someone else write this down for you.

3.  If it's possible, get photos of the accident scene and get the names of witnesses.

4.  Contact an attorney like the lawyers at Buckman and Buckman, P.A. in Sarasota or Manatee counties for more information about what you can do if you're the victim of a hit and run car accident, motorcycle accident or a pedestrian accident. 

E-mail us at attorney@buckmanandbuckman.com, call our offices at (941) 923-7700, or fill out the contact form at the top of this page.

Dealing with big insurance companies after a car or bike accident can be complicated and confusing. The insurance companies won't tell you what you really need to know. That's why you should have a personal injury lawyer representing you. They know what to ask and how to hold the insurer accountable.

For more information contact the attorneys at Buckman and Buckman at (941) 923-7700

Hiring a personal injury lawyer like the attorneys at Buckman and Buckman should not cost you anything unless they recover you money.  Watch this video to find out how legal compensation in Florida for car and motorcycle accident cases works.

When you hire a lawyer to represent you in a car or motorcycle accident case, there are 5 things your attorney should do for free.

1. They should give you a free consultation or case evaluation,
2. the lawyer should also investigate your car or bike crash free.
3. Help get your wrecked auto or motorcycle fixed or replaced.
4. The personal injury lawyer should also help you get paid for lost wages for the work you missed because of the crash.
5. And your lawyer should only get paid if you win your case.

Watch this video for more information from the attorneys at Buckman and Buckman, PA.

Don't blame the motorcycle rider in a car accident. Motorcyclists are vulnerable because they don't have airbags, roll cages, and other safety equipment found in cars. Because of that, a driver will often blame the motorcyclist for the crash, even when it's the driver's fault.

The Buckman and Buckman Law Firm represents motorcyclists in crash cases. We work hard to prove you were right and get you paid. For more information, contact Buckman and Buckman at (941) 923-7700.

Several years ago, Florida was a tough place for injured persons.  People hurt in a car or motorcycle crash who needed treatment had to find a doctor who would treat them without any guarantee that the doctor would get paid.  They then would have to find a personal injury lawyerwho would take their case, go to court, have a trial, and convince a jury that the person who caused the accident was to blame.  Once that was accomplished, and the appeals were finished, the insurance company that insured the person who caused the accident would finally pay the injured person’s medical bills and whatever other money damages that the jury had awarded.

This process could take years.  People who were victims in an accident and had no health insurance or inadequate car insurance simply did not get appropriate medical treatment.  People who caused accidents but were injured were completely out of luck.  If they had no health insurance, they had no treatment, except from charity hospitals or worse, state-run rehabilitation centers.

The Florida Legislature eventually tackled this problem and required all persons with a driver’s license to obtain at least $10,000.00 worth of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) car insurance.  Essentially, if you are in a car accident your PIP policy will pay:

80% of the first $10,000.00 of treatment for those injuries that are a result of your accident.  This treatment can include therapy, medicine, operations, emergency treatment and imaging, like X-rays.  Even dental work is covered.

60% of your lost  wages.

PIP will also cover your child, members of your household, and certain passengers who lack PIP Insurance as long as they do not own a vehicle. People riding in your vehicle who carry PIP will receive coverage under their own PIP for their injuries, and certain licensed drivers who drive your vehicle with your permission.

PIP also covers your child if he or she suffers an injury while riding on a school bus. PIP coverage protects you while in someone else's vehicle, as a pedestrian, or bicyclist if you suffer an injury in a crash involving a motor vehicle.