Lakeland Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

A Lakeland, FL man escaped serious injuries but received two citations Saturday after crashing his car into a train, the Polk County Sheriff's Office stated.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, Christopher Zazarine, 34, who lives on Magnolia Street, in Lakeland, FL, was cited for failure to obey a traffic control device and failure to obey a railroad signal.

The crash happened around 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the railroad crossing at U.S. 92 and Combee Road, in Lakeland, FL, Polk County Sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Wood stated.

Due to the nearby construction, the Amtrak train was only traveling about 30 miles per hour when Zazarine sped his 2008 Dodge Charger around a line of cars, past the crossing arm and into the train.

Zazarine complained of chest and head pain and was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, in Lakeland, FL. The crash site was cleaned up within an hour and the train and its 300 passengers continued on its way, Wood stated.

If the train had not been passing through a construction zone, Wood stated it would have been traveling about 70 miles per hour, and the crash would have produced very different results.

"Even though he's going to end up with two citations, it's his lucky day," Wood stated.

According to the crashstuff.com, Train accidents happen for many reasons. Every 115 minutes, either a person or vehicle is hit by a train. Nearly half of all collisions at railroad crossings occur where automatic warning devices such as flashing lights or flashing lights with gates are present and are functioning properly. Many people believe they will hear an oncoming train or that a train will be able to stop in time; however, if a 150-car freight train is traveling 50 miles per hour, it will take over a mile to stop.

Rivas Law Group is a personal injury law firm which handles automobile accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents and train accidents in Polk County, FL. Attorney Tania L. Rivas is dedicated to representing injured victims in Polk County, FL. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact Attorney Rivas today for your free legal consultation at 877.299.5539. Our office is located in downtown Winter Haven, FL.

A California truck driver caused today's accident in Polk County, FL that sent one driver to the hospital with minor injuries and shut down part of U.S. Highway 27, in Polk County, FL for about an hour, the Polk County Sheriff's Office report stated.

According to the Orland Sentinel, Adam Rosas, 42, of San Bernardino, Calif., pulled his 2003 Peterbilt flatbed truck out of Waverly Barn Road, in Polk County, FL to go north on U.S. 27, in Polk County, FL around noon.

The truck pulled into the path of a 2003 Toyota Celica heading south on U.S. 27, in Polk County, FL driven by Terri Sapp, 32, of Haines City, FL whose 2-year-old son was properly securely in a child's safety seat in the back seat, officials said.

The car struck just in front of the rear axle of the flatbed.

Sapp was taken to Heart of Florida Hospital, in Polk County, FL with minor injuries. Her son was not hurt.

Rosas was cited for failure to yield. Both Rosas and Sapp were wearing seatbelts. A statement from the Polk County Sheriff's Office did not list any injuries for Rosas.

According to James Madison University, one out of every five drivers will be involved in a traffic crash this year. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among people age 44 and younger and the number one cause of head and spinal cord injury. Approximately 35,000 people die in motor vehicle crashes each year. About 50 percent (17,000) of these people could be saved if they wore their safety belts. More than 90 percent of all motorists believe safety belts are good idea, but less than 14 percent actually use them.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident, call us today for a free legal consultation at 877.299.5539. Rivas Law Group, LLC is located in downtown Winter Haven, FL and is dedicated to defending the legal rights of injured victims in Polk County, FL.

Three people died and three others were critically injured in a series of crashes Wednesday night in Plant City, FL.

According to the St. Petersburg Times, the first crash happened at 9:40 p.m. at Holloway Road, north of State Road 60, in Lakeland, FL, Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Larry Kraus stated.

Witnesses told troopers a Ford F-250 southbound on County Road 39 ran a stop sign and hit a Ford Taurus headed east on Holloway Road, in Plant City, FL.

Hernandez and Gonzales were thrown from the Taurus and died at the scene, Kraus said. It was unclear who was driving.

The F-250 driver, Alan W. Nobles, 39, was taken to Tampa General Hospital, in Tampa, FL, listed in critical condition.

His passenger, 37-year-old Kelly Nobles, was taken to Tampa General Hospital, in Tampa, FL where she died. Both are from Wimauma, FL.

After that crash, Kraus stated, a southbound 1996 Ford Explorer hit the front of the Taurus and kept going.

About a mile later, at McDonald Road, in Plant City, FL the Explorer turned left into the path of a northbound 2003 Toyota Corolla and crashed, Kraus stated.

The Corolla driver, 41-year-old Rosie Gomez, and her passenger, 80-year-old Luisa Gomez, both of Plant City, FL were taken to Lakeland Regional Hospital, in Lakeland, FL in critical condition.

The Explorer driver abandoned the vehicle and fled before troopers arrived.
The SUV is owned by a woman who lives nearby and called 911 to report it stolen just as sheriff's deputies arrived at her house to investigate the crash, Kraus said.

Witnesses who saw the man run from the crash scene could not provide a complete description, Kraus said. The man was probably injured, Kraus said.

"The Explorer took two pretty good hits," Kraus said. Troopers checked local hospitals but had no suspects. "It's frustrating for us. We wish we had more."

The Florida Highway Patrol has not identified a person it suspects stole a sport utility vehicle involved in two of the crashes. Witnesses saw a man running away.

Troopers say Alfonso Hernandez, Salvador Gonzales and Kelly A. Nobles died from injuries suffered in the wrecks.

Rivas Law Group, L.L.C. is a personal injury law firm located in Winter Haven, FL. Attorney Tania Rivas represents victims in Polk County, FL, injured in automobile accidents, slip and fall incidents, dog bites, motorcycle accidents, hit and run accidents, train accidents, and bicycle accidents. Call us today for a free consultation with Attorney Rivas.

A 79-year-old man died of his injuries from a vehicle accident that occurred the afternoon of Wednesday, March 10 afternoon in North Lakeland, FL according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, the accident occured around 4 p.m. on Sutton Road, in Lakeland, FL near Sutton Hills Drive in Lakeland, FL. Joseph V. Feraci, of Lakeland, FL, was driving a 2000 Lincoln Town Car and he later turned in front of a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer, driven by James N. Snead, of Lakeland, FL Polk County Police reports stated.

Snead, 34, of Lakeland, FL was driving south on Sutton Road, in Lakeland, FL and Feraci was turning left onto Sutton Road, in Lakeland, FL from Sutton Hills Drive, in Lakeland, FL.

The impact trapped Feraci and his passenger, Madeleine A. Mondor, 79, of Lakeland, FL inside the Lincoln town car.

After being freed from the car, Feraci and Mondor were taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, in Lakeland, FL where Feraci died around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Polk County Sheriff's Office reports states.

Mondor is listed in guarded condition, the Polk County Sheriff's Office reports stated.
Snead received a laceration on his left arm and was taken to the hospital where he was treated and released.

No one involved in the accident was wearing a seat belt

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, data shows that when lap/shoulder seat belts are used properly, they reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent and the risk of moderate to critical injury by 50 percent. For light-truck front-seat occupants, seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 60 percent and the risk of moderate-to-critical injury by 65 percent.
In any event involving a crash, there are three basic ways to limit injuries and death to vehicle occupants:

1. Vehicles can be modified to provide better protection for drivers and passengers.

2. Emergency medical services (EMS) can be improved to reach victims more quickly and to provide more extensive medical care.

3. People can buckle the seat belts already in their vehicles.

Increased usage of seat belts is the simplest and less expensive way to reduce deaths and serious injuries on roads and highways.

In my practice as a personal injury attorney, practicing in Polk County, FL, I have seen a number of tragic deaths. Many times, the victim was not wearing a seatbelt. Failure to wear a seatbelt is not only dangerous, it is considered an act of negligence. The victim's recovery is reduced by his/her percentage of negligence. Bottom line....it is NEVER a good idea to ride in a vehicle without a seatbelt! The consequences could be deadly.

A Winter Haven, FL bicyclist remained in critical condition Sunday after he was struck by a van driven by a habitual traffic offender Saturday on a rural Lake Alfred road, in Lakeland, FL the Polk County Sheriff's Office stated.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, Norman Patrick Shepherd was injured about 11 a.m. Saturday on Cass Road, near Adams Barn Road in the Lake Alfred area.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office stated that Michael S. Waters, 28, of 10935 Demillie Road in Polk County, FL was driving a 1999 Ford Aerostar Van west on Cass Road in Polk County, FL as Shepherd road also headed near the right shoulder of the roadway.

The van hit Norman Patrick Shepherd,42, of Ninth Street Northwest, in Lakeland, FL from behind and his head struck the upper right area of the van's windshield. The van was driven partially off the roadway and then across Cass Road in Polk County, FL and Shepherd was thrown onto a grassy portion of the shoulder near the intersection of Adams Barn Road, in Polk County, FL according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office reports.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office stated Waters got out of the van and ran south along Adams Barn Road, in Polk County, FL

A short time later, passersby saw Shepherd on the ground and called for help.
Shepherd was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, in Lakeland, FL
Waters told a Lake Alfred, FL police officer that he had consumed alcohol and methamphetamine before the crash, a news release from the Polk County Sheriff's Office stated.

Waters could face other charges after the results of blood and urine tests are completed.

According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the drug Methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant which affects chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control. Due to its high potential for abuse, methamphetamine is classified as a Schedule II drug and is available only through a prescription that cannot be refilled.

According to the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the number methamphetamine users age 12 and older decreased by over half between 2006 and 2008. Current users of methamphetamine were numbered at 731,000 in 2006, 529,000 in 2007, and 314,000, between the ages of 12 to 17 and young adults in 2008. Significant declines from 2002 and 2008 also were noted for lifetime and past-year use in this age group. From 2002 to 2008, use of methamphetamine declined significantly among youths from 0.3 percent to 0.1 percent, and young adults declined from 0.6 percent in 2002 to 0.2 percent in 2008.

Pursuant to Florida Law, insured drivers are required to carry "No-Fault" or "Personal Injury Protection (PIP)" coverage, which entitles anyone who is injured in an automobile accident to medical treatment and lost wages. If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident, do not hesitate to hire an attorney. At Rivas Law Group, LLC, attorney Tania Rivas represents only accident victims, never insurance companies. Attorney Rivas assists all clients in filing their PIP claims, lost wages, and injury claims. Call us today for your free legal consultation.

A possible problem shortly after take-off led to the fatal crash of a small airplane in Winter Haven, FL Thursday morning.

According to Bay News 9, the crash occurred a few miles from the Winter Haven Airport.

The plane went down near Highway 92 W and Pickney Drive in Winter Haven, FL just after 9:30 a.m.

Two men who were aboard the plane slid across the road and slammed into some trees.
The plane's pilot, 45-year-old James "Jim" Trefz of Brooksville, FL died shortly after the crash.

The passenger, George Azize, 37, of Mulberry, FL was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition.

A dog named Zulu, who belonged to Trefz, was on board the plane and survived the crash.

According to planecrashinfo.com, "a grand total of 1,300 fatal accidents worldwide, involving commercial aircraft, from 1950 thru 2009 for which a specific cause is known." Some warning signs that are mentioned on planecrashinfo.com are;

• Auto pilot disconnect
• Incorrect take off configuration
• Altitude lost after takeoff or go-around
• Bank angel exceeds 35 degrees
• High speed at low altitude

These are just some of the signs to look or listen for when flying and/or riding on a plane. Plane crashes happen every day and no one will ever know when it will happen unless the pilot mentions something about it over the air ways. There is a reported number of 5,315 plane crashes in the database system.

Rivas Law Group, LLC is a personal injury law firm located in Winter Haven, FL. If you or a loved one has been injured, please call us immediately to schedule your free legal consultation. There is no cost or fee unless you obtain a recovery. Call us now at 877-299-5539.

A 60-year-old man who may have been homeless was hit and killed by a car, according to Polk County, FL Sheriff's Office traffic deputies.

According to Bay News 9, the incident occured around 9 p.m. on Friday in Lake Wales, FL. Lewis Earl Crawford was attempting to cross the southbound lanes of U.S. Highway 27 in Lakeland, FL near Washington Avenue in Lakeland, FL.

He reportly entered the path of a 65-year-old man driving a red Chevrolet heading southbound. The driver immediately stopped and remained on the scene until law enforcement arrived.

Crawford died from his injuries, but neither the driver nor his passenger was injured.

According to Polk County, FL deputies, Crawford was not at a crosswalk, but he was at a spot where there were no street lights.

Traffic along U.S. Highway 27 in Lakeland, Fl southbound lanes were reduced to one lane for several hours.

The driver is not expected to be charged in the accident.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Florida reportedly has the highest rate of pedestrian fatalities in the United States alone. The U.S. Environment Protection Agency implemented the Florida Pedestrian System Plan(FPSP) which promotes the safety and comfort of pedestrians in the State of Florida.

According to the US Department of Transportation, there were approximately 175,000 pedestrian fatalities, in the United States, between the years of 1975 and 2001. To date, an estimate of 12% of automobile accident fatalities increased due to reported pedestrian accidents during 2001.

Young children, older drivers, texting while driving, drinking while driving and other driver related distractions that can and/or may occur during the duration of your drive, are just some factors that cause pedestrian accidents in the United States. However, pedestrian accident statistics are much higher than drinking and driving accident statistics.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident be sure to consult with an attorney immediately. Many times, insurance companies contact the injured victim to discuss the claim or even offer to settle. This can be to your detriment. Thus, it is best to hire an attorney who will deal with the insurance company on your behalf.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a personal injury attorney in Winter Haven, FL. Attorney Rivas represents injured victims, never the insurance company. The firm handles a variety of personal injury cases, including automobile accidents, slip and fall accidents, motorcycle accidents, dog bites and inadequate security cases. Call Attorney Rivas today for your free legal consultation.