South Florida Driving Safety & Senior Citizens : NTSB Conference Looks at Elderly Driving and Car Accidents

Florida is home to a significant population of senior citizens -- including snowbirds who come for the balmy winters and decide to make Florida their year-round homes. Native Floridians know a good thing when they have it, and seniors who were born in Florida may never leave. Why go anywhere else when the best weather, beaches, and golf courses are right here in Florida?

What makes Florida an attractive winter and retirement destination for senior citizens means more older drivers motoring around South Florida communities and highways.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) held a two-day conference on the growing population of elderly drivers and driving safety risks. While one study shows that seniors are actually involved in fewer serious motor vehicle accidents than in years past -- the aging Baby Boomer generation means more and more seniors will be taking to the roads in the coming years.

The CDC believes car crashes involving older drivers may be down in part due to the fact that older people tend to drive less and for shorter distances. Those who are in Florida nursing homes and retirement communities may use other forms of transportation available -- while some may give up their keys willingly or when their children ask them to stop driving for safety and/or medical reasons.

The most tragic auto accidents involving senior citizen drivers in Florida and elsewhere -- those where seniors lose control of their cars and crash into people, buildings, and other vehicles, sometimes with injuries and fatalities -- tend to make the headlines. Though the statistics indicate the issue of elderly drivers and car accidents is not worsening, states want to prepare for the influx of older drivers as the Boomer generation ages -- and shows no signs of slowing down.

The NTSB says it will continue to study the issue of elderly drivers and driving safety, as individual states work on their regulations regarding licensing, driver education, and driver testing. Florida put the Florida Grand Driver education program in place for people ages 65 plus (see link below).

NTSB forum examines growing population of elderly drivers
The Washington Post Nov. 9, 2010

NTSB: Symposia on Safety Mobility and Aging Drivers

Related Web Resources

Florida Grand Driver

AAA Foundation: SeniorDrivers.org

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What No One Ever Tells You About Investing in Real Estate : Real-Life Advice from 101 Successful Investors

Good laughs accompany real estate investment book By Robert J. Bruss /Inman News As published in the L.A. Times, etc. February 13, 2005

The most unusual real estate book I have ever reviewed is "What No One Ever Tells You About Investing in Real Estate" by Robert J. Hill II. It contains 112 mini-chapters about realty investor experiences and lessons to be learned from those stories.

Many of the stories are humorous. Others are educational with a lesson to be learned. Additional stories should be sub-titled "don't let this happen to you as a real estate investor."

The author, Robert J. Hill II, is a Nashville real estate attorney. He is also an active investor in Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. Apparently intrigued by the stories he heard from fellow investors at the local realty investor's club Christmas party, perhaps after a few sips of the egg nog, he decided to collect and publish stories from fellow investors.

This unusual book is the fascinating result. As I read the 112 investor stories, I often felt "Tell me more details." Some of the stories are far too short.

To gather the diverse investor stories, Hill sent e-mails to 500 fellow investors asking for their good and bad investment stories. The results are amazing.

Having talked with thousands of realty investors, I know we tend to focus on our worst experiences. Rarely do I hear a great real estate success story without problems. This book is similar. Most of the stories involve difficulties, often very funny, which realty investors encounter.

When I first picked up this book and looked at the cover with the photo of a "geek," I wasn't very impressed. Only after I got into reading the book, and studying the back cover, did I realize the author is not the geek on the cover and he is actually a very knowledgeable realty investor even though he is handicapped by being a lawyer. Just joking about the lawyer part.

The stories in this book will make you laugh and cry. One of my favorites is the story about the rental-house owner who, when his tenants won't pay the rent on time, erects a "For Rent" sign on their front lawn. He reports the sign gets the result he wants, either immediate rent payment or the tenant moves out without an eviction.

Another story involves an investor who agreed to rent to a church-sponsored family who the landlord was assured were fine people. Two weeks later, the investor discovered about 50 people living in his two-bedroom duplex. The tenants said they were just having a family visit. After the landlord got them to move out, he discovered the huge family had been stealing water from one unit to the other.

At first, I thought this is a fun-read real estate book. But as I got deeper into the book, I discovered the 112 stories are filled with valuable lessons for realty investors. Most of the lessons involve investor mistakes not to make. But other stories show how to take advantage of profit opportunities.

For example, one story involves a landlord who charges an extra $500 fee for each pet allowed in the rental. But there is no extra monthly rent for permitting the pet. The result is the landlord receives extra income rather than letting the unit stay vacant.

Each story, told from the investor's viewpoint, is only one or two pages. But it shares an important realty investor example.

To illustrate, I especially enjoyed the story about the Atlanta investor who bought a house that had a for sale sign on it for more than a year. But the sign was buried among the overgrown weeds. The buyer immediately "flipped" the house at a $20,000 profit to a nearby resident who drove by that house daily but never saw the for sale sign.

Chapter topics include "Landlord Woes and Victories"; "Finding Good Investment Deals"; "Financial Ideas"; "Cautionary Measures"; "Lessons in Rehabilitation"; and "Your Role as an Investor."

The book's last and best story, called "Confessions of a quadriplegic investor," is guaranteed to inspire anyone. It is about a 20-year-old realty investor, injured in an auto accident at age 17, who invests with his partner who is blind and in a wheelchair. This young man has completed 12 transactions in less than a year and now owns three properties.

I hope this is just the first of many books by this savvy new author, Robert J. Hill II, who obviously well understands the real estate investment business. Perhaps in his next book he will share some of his personal investment experiences and advice. On my scale of one to 10, this unusual but very valuable real estate book rates a solid 10.

Price: $18.95

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Auto Accident Attorneys - Steps to Choose the Right Lawyer For Your Michigan Car Accident

Finding and meeting the right lawyer can seem intimidating, especially for someone who has never hired an auto attorney.

So how do you go about finding the best auto accident attorney to handle your case? I recommend you do the following:

• Begin by talking with family, friends and co-workers to see if anyone they know was involved in a car accident lawsuit. Ask them about their experience and if they would recommend their auto attorney.

• Search the Internet for local attorneys who specialize in auto accidents. Review their Web sites for professional advice and a solid track record with cases. Beware of advertising materials and Web sites that contain self-proclaimed endorsements, such as 'the best, the top, leading,' that cannot be supported by fact or verified by recognized third parties.

• Avoid the Yellow Pages: The best auto accident attorneys don't have to advertise heavily, they earn new clients from positive word of mouth or from other lawyer referrals.

Once you have identified a few potential auto attorneys, do some research before contacting their offices:

• Seek third-party verification of the law firm and the lawyer's reputation by checking legal publications, such as Michigan Lawyers Weekly, for any positive or negative publicity about the lawyer or the cases that she has handled.

• Contact the State Bar of Michigan and Martindale-Hubbell, or visit those Web sites to find out whether the lawyer is in good standing. Martindale-Hubbell's AV Rating is the highest for legal ability and ethics, though very few Michigan lawyers and law firms have been given this top rating.

• The auto accident attorney should be actively involved with Michigan legal organizations such as the Michigan Association for Justice, the American Association for Justice and the State Bar of Michigan; not just as members but as leaders familiar with the latest developments in Michigan no-fault insurance and auto negligence personal injury laws.

Once you have verified the quality of an auto attorney, call to set up an initial consultation. Some firms will charge a consultation fee to meet with you, but most Michigan auto accident attorneys offer free consultations to better inform potential clients, with no fee or obligation. Because car accident cases are very time-sensitive, you should expect the attorney to quickly respond to a phone or Internet request immediately.

The first meeting is very important in deciding whether an auto accident attorney or law firm is the right fit for you. Here are some ideas of questions to ask during the consultation that can help evaluate whether a particular lawyer will be the best fit for your case:

1. How easy will it be to get in touch with you?
2. What client references do you have that can comment on your skills and trustworthiness?
3. How many cases like mine have you handled in the last year?
4. Who else in the office will be working on my case?
5. How is payment for services handled? Are there any fees I will have to pay out of pocket during my case or at the end?
6. If my case is lost and no compensation is awarded, will I still owe you something for your time and effort? (Generally speaking, auto attorneys will charge for their services on a contingency fee basis, where the client pays the attorney 33 percent of what the attorney collects in a settlement or if the case goes to trial.)

After the consultation is over, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Did the auto accident attorney listen well?
2. Did the attorney explain legal topics to me in terms I was able to understand?
3. Did the auto attorney appear very knowledgeable about Michigan no-fault law and how the law applies to my specific case? Did he have to "research it" and get back to me?
4. Did the auto attorney seem to understand my medical injuries and offer to refer me to the best medical care?

Ultimately, you want to choose the auto accident lawyer that you believe will do the best job for you. Even if you choose not to hire an attorney or file a lawsuit, there is no harm in getting initial advice on steps you can take to immediately protect yourself after a serious injury from a Michigan auto accident.

If you or someone you know was seriously injured in a Michigan auto accident and would like legal advice, please visit http://www.michiganautolaw.com - the largest law firm exclusively handling Michigan car accident, truck accident and motorcycle accident cases throughout the entire state.

Steve Gursten is recognized as one of the nation's top experts in serious car and truck accident injury cases and automobile insurance no-fault litigation. Steve has received the largest jury verdict for an automobile accident case in Michigan in four of the past seven years, including 2008. Check out Steve's lawyer profile at http://www.michiganautolaw.com/firm_profile/steven-gursten-attorney.php to learn more.

How to Win Your Personal Injury Claim

Know your rights! Find out how to make the best case for yourself and win your personal injury claim.

Dealing with insurance companies and lawyers when filing a personal injury claim can feel like another accident is in the offing. But you can handle a claim yourself -- and save hundreds or thousands of dollars in the process.

How to Win Your Personal Injury Claim shows you how to handle almost every accident situation, and guides you through the insurance claim process, step by step. Learn how to:

protect your rights after an accident

determine what your claim is worth

handle a property-damage claim

deal with uncooperative doctors, lawyers and insurance companies

counter the special tactics insurance companies use

prepare a claim for compensation

negotiate a full and fair settlement

stay on top of your case if you hire a lawyer

The completely updated 7th edition of How to Win Your Personal Injury Claim provides your state's most recent laws, small-claims court limits and Department of Insurance contact information. Plus, you'll find an all-new chart explaining your state's in-car text and cell phone laws. (20060502)

Price: $34.99

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Michigan Big Rig Wreck Causes Overpass to Melt

Posted On: July 29, 2009 by Michael Jeffcoat

If anyone needs a reminder about just how dangerous truck accidents can be to the public, read this. On July 15, 2009 in Hazel Park, Michigan, a tractor-trailer exploded under an overpass causing the overpass itself to literally melt and disintegrate. The driver of a car was on a winding section of Interstate 75 when it lost control and spun into a passing semi. The semi was hauling over 13,000 gallons of fuel. It lost control and flipped, causing a second tractor-trailer carrying produce to crash as well.

The fuel tanker collided with an overpass rail, and fuel began to spew out over the highway. The fuel caught fire, sending the truck into explosive flames which began burning the overpass. The heat was so intense that the overpass began to melt and fell on top of the already burning big-rig. The collapse caused another, even bigger explosion according to passersby. Fortunately all three drivers escaped with only minor injuries and no deaths were reported.

Boy, were they lucky. This could easily have been an awful tragedy.

South Carolina tractor trailer accident attorney Michael Jeffcoat represents the victims of truck wrecks. He helps recover compensation for medical bills, hospital expenses, lost income, and many other categories of losses and harms caused by the careless operation of tractor trailers and other commercial and company vehicles. For more information, call 1-800-827-7898.

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Fort Myers and Lee County Car Accidents Claim Lives This Past Weekend

October got off to a deadly start on Fort Myers, Florida area streets and roads.

According to news reports quoting the Sheriff's Office, the following fatal Lee County, Florida auto accidents occurred:

Sat. Oct. 2 after 10 p.m., a Fort Myers, Florida woman was killed in a traffic crash in Lehigh Acres on SR 82.

Sun. Oct. 3 after 7:30 p.m., a man fell out of the bed of a pickup truck and died of a head injury.

Mon. Oct. 4 after 6 a.m., another accident occurred in North Fort Myers, Florida, claiming the life of a pedestrian. According to news reports, the Florida Highway Patrol stated that a fatal pedestrian accident took place near the intersection of Flamingo Dr and Bayshore Rd in North Ft. Myers. The traffic accident victim was brought to Lee Memorial Hospital, Florida, where he died of his injuries.

Lee County Florida Traffic Accident Fatality Statistics

Families may sometimes consult an experienced Fort Myers car accident lawyer, who can work with them to help determine liability in serious and fatal Lee County, Florida motor vehicle accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ranks Lee County, Florida, among the state counties with the highest traffic accident death rates (with more than 56 auto crash fatalities occurring in 2008). Lee County includes Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, and Cape Coral, Florida. (Source: NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts Florida 2004-2008)

In 2008, the most deadly counties in Florida for fatal auto accidents were Miami-Dade County (269 fatalities) and Broward County, Florida (227 fatalities), followed by Palm Beach County (198 deaths).

Two fatalities occur in Lehigh over past weekend
LehighAcresCitizen.com Oct. 4, 2010

Pedestrian dies in early morning accident on Bayshore Road
NorthFortMyersNeighbor.com Oct. 4, 2010

Related Web Resource

Lee County Sheriff's Office

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Tractor-Trailer Crash on I-95 Causes Two Deaths

Posted On: January 13, 2010 by Michael Jeffcoat

Be alert and aware when driving.

Unfortunately, this warning came too late for two people in Dunn, North Carolina. On January 12, 2010, Bert Baytops of Newark, New Jersey and a female companion were fatally injured on Interstate 95 when apparently the driver fell asleep at the wheel. The car ran off the road and hit a guard rail and shot back on to the roadway where it rolled to a stop. A tractor trailer driving in the same direction unknowingly came upon the scene and could not stop in time before smashing into the car still in the middle of the roadway. The force of the impact caused the passenger to be thrown from the car. The car blew up with the driver still behind the wheel of the car. Interstate 95 was closed for over five hours.

South Carolina personal injury attorney Michael Jeffcoat represents people who have been seriously injured in auto accidents. To speak directly with an attorney about your case now, call 1-800-827-7898.

View the original article here

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