Lakeland Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

Officials have decided that beginning July 1st, Lakeland, FL Police, will decide on camera captured illegal right turns without direction from Polk County Commissioners.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, the new state law will also bring a drop in camera revenue for the city.

City Manager Doug Thomas also has asked Lakeland, FL police Chief Roger Boatner to determine where "the next 10" cameras might be installed, if commissioners decide to expand the program.

Some of the city's most dangerous intersections , such as the Polk Parkway, in Lakeland, FL,and the intersection of Frontage Road and South Florida Avenue, in Lakeland, FL are now eligible for installation of cameras because of the new law.

The city soon may advertise for a new camera company partner, although American Traffic Solutions, which has the contract, won't be ousted anytime soon, or maybe not at all.

One of the biggest changes could involve drivers who are now filmed at five intersections while turning right on red. They can be given violations if they don't stop at the white "stop bar" before the crosswal.

Polk County Police officers who review the videos are allowed some discretion.

But beginning July 1, the new state law will require drivers at intersections with red light cameras to stop in a "careful and prudent" manner. The law makes no mention of stop bars.

City Attorney Tim McCausland told commissioners Wednesday at a workshop that it wasn't their job to determine what the state standard of "careful and prudent" means.

Mccausland stated that Polk County police officers will continue to review videos and to approve tickets.

The tickets will no longer be code violations, but will be heard in traffic court.

Deputy Chief Bill LePere stated an examination of crash statistics for the intersections with cameras showed "a mixed bag" and did not reflect whether the cameras were a success or failure.

Rivas Law Group is a personal injury law firm located in Winter Haven, FL and is dedicated to serving injured victims throughout Polk Count, FL. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, call us immediately at (877)299-5539 for your free legal consultation.

A motorcyclist died in a crash Tuesday after pulling out of a parking lot into the path of a minivan, the Polk County Sheriff's Office stated.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, David Edward Jones, 40, of Canal Street in Lakeland, FL was killed, Polk County Sheriff's Officials stated.

According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the crash occurred around 7 p.m. at Fairway Avenue and U.S. 92 in Lakeland, FL.

Floyd Dairity Jr., 59, of Eloise in Lakeland, FL, was driving west on U.S. 92, in Lakeland, FL in a 2000 Plymouth minivan when Jones pulled his 1995 Yamaha motorcycle out of a parking lot on Fairway Avenue, in Lakeland, FL, into Dairity's path.

Jones' motorcycle collided with the right front side of the van.

Three members of Dairity's family, including two adults and a child, were taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, in Lakeland, FL with minor injuries.

Their names were not available late Tuesday night, the Polk County Sheriff's Office stated.

The crash forced temporary lane closures, with the westbound lane of U.S. 92 between Lake Parker and Fairway Avenue, in Lakeland, FL, and remaining closed late Tuesday while Polk County deputies continued to investigate the crash.

In 2008, 532 people were killed and a total of 8,519 drivers and 883 passengers were injured in motorcycle crashes in Florida, according to a summary of statistics compiled by that state's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Of those, 502 were motorcycle drivers, the remaining 30 were passengers. Motorcycle fatalities made up nearly 18 percent of total traffic fatalities during 2008.

Florida Motorcycle Accident Report
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Fatalities 388 441 521 517 502
Passengers Fatalities n/a n/a 29 33 30
Injuries 6,558 7,282 7,934 8,186 8,519
Passengers Injuries n/a n/a 835 769 883
Motorcycle Accidents 7,367 8,147 8,990 9,205 9,618

The total number of motorcycle crashes in 2008 was 9,618, up from 9,205 in 2007. This figure has risen at a fairly consistent rate since 1999, the first year used for comparison in the report. Injuries to motorcycle drivers have also risen at a nearly consistent rate. There were 8,186 in 2007. Deaths of motorcycle drivers dipped down from 517 in 2007 and 521 in 2006. Between 1999 and 2005, motorcycle driver deaths rose steadily each year.

Rivas Law Group, LLC is a personal injury law firm located in Winter Haven, FL. Attorney Tania L. Rivas is dedicated to protecting the rights of injured victims throughout Polk County, FL. The firm handles a variety of cases such as automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, and dog bite injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured, please call us today at (877) 299-5539. The consultation is free and you do not owe any legal fees unless you win your case.

A motorcyclist was killed in a crash in Lakeland, FL about 9 p.m. Saturday, November 28, 2009, Polk County authorities stated.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, Raymond Leo Horn III, 21, of Lakeland, FL,was driving a 2005 Kawasaki north on U.S. 98 North in Lakeland, FL, about 9 p.m., reports said.

A 2001 Hyundai, driven by Jaimee Lynn Piechota, 21, of Massachusetts, was driving south on U.S. 98 North in Lakeland, Fl, and pulled in front of Horn when turning onto Wedgewood Estates Boulevard and crashed into the motorcyclist, who was driving north on U.S. 98 in Lakeland, Fl, according to Polk County police reports.

Lakeland police blocked off northbound traffic on U.S. 98 between Sleepy Hill Road and Wedgewood Estates Boulevard in Lakeland, FL as they investigated the crash.

The impact of the crash ejected Horn from the motorcycle and he was declared dead at the scene, police said. Piechota received minor injuries and was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center for treatment. Piechota was wearing a seat belt and Horn was wearing a helmet, reports said.

According to the recently released, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles annual Traffic Crash Statistics Report for 2004, 388 motorcycle riders killed in crashes on Florida roads during 2004, over 51% were wearing safety helmets. The crash facts also demonstrate that riders wearing safety helmets were more likely to sustain injuries than non-helmeted riders. In each of the statistical focus topics presented in the study, the percentage numbers were very close between helmeted and non-helmeted riders, except for non-injury crashes.

In conjunction with the Florida legislature, American Bikers Aimed Towards Education(ABATE) is putting Billboards throughout the state to encourage drivers to be aware of motorcycles and to drive alertly. To take personal responsibility for their driving actions and to think about the way they operate their vehicles.

In my experience as a personal injury attorney, practicing in Polk County, FL, I represent victims of motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle accidents are typically very serious accidents as victims may sustain serious fractures or even fatalities. In such cases, it is critical to hire an experienced lawyer to investigate the crash and pursue damages.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, on Sunday, September 27, two Polk county residents were killed in the five-vehicle crash on U.S. 98 North that began when a 2005 Chevrolet pickup veered into the wrong lane of traffic Saturday afternoon, officials said. Killed in the accident were the driver of the Chevrolet pickup, Bessie R. Sanders, 65, and the driver of a 1990 Ford pickup, Jonathan Champion, 51, the patrol said. Both were wearing seat belts.

The accident occurred about 3:50 p.m. Saturday along a curve near the Big Cypress Golf and Country Club, Lakeland, FL, were the speed limit is 60 miles per hour.
The FHP stated that the preliminary investigation determined that Sanders was driving north on U.S. 98, Lakeland, FL, when her pickup began to veer into the southbound lane of traffic, where it struck Conroy's southbound motorcycle head-on. That crash threw Conroy and his passenger off the motorcycle and caused a series of collisions.

Michael J. Champion, 27, of Lakeland FL, a passenger in the Ford pickup, traveling south behind the motorcycle, shifted toward the shoulder in an attempt to avoid the accident, but struck the left front of the Chevrolet pickup. The force of the crash caused Champion's truck to turn on its roof on the west shoulder and Sanders' pickup to rotate counterclockwise 180 degrees. Champion was seriously injured and taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Lakeland, FL. He was wearing a seat belt.

A 2001 Toyota sedan, driven by Harry Bouldry, 61, of Crystal River, Lakeland, FL was heading south behind the Ford pickup and collided with the rear of Sanders' pickup.
The force of the collision pushed the Toyota into the northbound lane, where it side-swiped a northbound 1999 blue Ford sport utility vehicle, driven by Richard Denmark, 51, of Lakeland FL.
Neither Bouldry or Denmark were injured. Both were wearing seat belts. Both their vehicles had minor damage, the FHP said.

Paul J. Conroy, 55, of Odessa, a community north of Tampa, was the driver of the 2000 Harley motorcycle who was critically injured and taken Tampa General HospitalTampa, FL. His passenger was killed, the patrol said. Neither one was wearing helmets.

Champion was seriously injured and taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Lakeland, FL. He was wearing a seat belt.

Failure to wear seat belts cost more lives per capita in Polk County than any other large county in the state. Out of the 71 Polk County fatalities in 2006, Polk County ranked fourth among Florida's top 10 most populous counties, behind only Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, all of which are much larger.

Polk county crash rates has nearly doubled any other large county in 2006. These are the most recent figures available.

These crash statistics were released in conjunction with the launch of Click It or Ticket, an annual national law enforcement effort designed to increase seat belt use.
One of the most positive changes in Polk county statistics is the decrease in motorcycle-related deaths, stated by Sgt. Steve Gaskins, Lakeland, FL, a spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol. In 2007, 14 motorcyclists were killed, down less than 33 percent in 2007 from 21 percent from the year before.

Statewide, 517 motorcyclists were killed last year who were not wearing helmets, down less than 1 percent from 521 in 2006. Forty-two percent were not wearing a safety helmet.

Edmond Albert Sutton, age 27, of Winter Haven, FL was shot to death, Thursday, May 14th by Polk County, FL deputies, Ivan Navarro, Kevin Loder and Christopher Diaz.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, Polk County, FL Assistant State Attorney, Robert Antonello, explained in his letter to the Polk County Sheriff's Office how the May 14th shooting occurred. In his letter, Antonello states Sutton was suffering from permanent brain injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident. As a result, Sutton had a history of severe mood swings and violent behavior toward family members.

The night of the shooting, Sutton's family called for help because Sutton had attacked his mother, and they wanted him forcibly held for psychological evaluation under the State of Florida's Baker Act proceedings.

The three deputies responded to the call and approached the barn on Lucerne Park Road where Sutton was located. Upon announcing their presence, Sutton answered the door holding fully loaded rifle and leveled the weapon at Deputy Navarro, who was about 15 feet away. Antonello's letter further explains Sutton refused instructions to drop the weapon, and aimed at the rifle at Deputy Diaz.

At that moment, all three officers opened fire on Sutton, continuing until Sutton slumped and dropped his rifle. Sutton, who was hit several times, died from the gunshot wounds.
The deputies reported that they had reasonable belief that Sutton would have killed them if they did not take action.

As stated in this article, Sutton was suffering from a traumatic brain injury as a result of previous motorcycle accident. Many times, accident victims, who sustain traumatic brain injuries as a result of the accident, exhibit significant personality changes. These victims frequently become aggressive, which transcends into all aspects of the life, from personal relationships to occupational responsibilities. They are forever changed by the accident.

It is crucial that victims suffering from traumatic brain injuries undergo the proper medical car to diagnose and treat their condition. Traumatic brain injuries are often overlooked, which is why it is crucial for victims to hire a qualified lawyer to assist with the process. In my practice as a personal injury lawyer in Polk County, FL, I have assisted clients with traumatic brain injury. It takes a great deal of patience and understanding to represent these clients because of their aggressive behavior. However, in the end it is rewarding to help these victims obtain the medical care and compensation they deserve.