Tampa Bay Injury Law Blog » James Dodson

Emissions Might be Back in Florida

James Dodson — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:41:36 +0000

With global warming in everyone’s minds in Tallahassee, the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission has voted in favor of California’s tougher emissions standard that was announced and proposed by Gov. Charlie Crist for the state of Florida. Many of the proposed actions in the bill will be adapted and enforced by the beginning of 2013. This in turn will lower emissions in the state dramatically. What does this mean to the average consumer? Expect to pay more for cars, but lower fuel cost over a year span. The major car companies here are trying to fight this bill due to the dramatic cost that it will take to have the cars meet the EPA emissions regulations for the new bill.

Possible DUI may have caused Crash

James Dodson — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:56:13 +0000

In Pinellas Park late Sunday night a 1993 Chevy Caprice swerved over the median heading south on US 19 and struck a St. Petersburg Times delivery truck near Mainlands Blvd. The accident resulted in 1 fatality of 22 year old Patrick Murphy a passenger in the 93 Caprice. The driver Desmond King along with passengers Roff Turnquist, 24, and David Rollins, 22, were taken for injuries to Bayfront Medical Center. The driver of the truck, Mark Vanpalla was also taken to Bayfront for non series injuries. Pinellas Park Police believe that King was impaired while driving and could face DUI manslaughter if convicted. The uninsured circumstances of this accident may be the result of alcohol if it is determined to have been a factor.

Loss of Value for Your Vehicle Following an Auto Accident

James Dodson — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:54:37 +0000

Common sense tells you that a vehicle that has previously been involved in an accident can’t be worth the same as a vehicle not involved in an accident. So, what should you do about the diminished value of your vehicle, even if the other party’s insurance has offered or actually completed the necessary repairs?

The Law Office of James W. Dodson, P.A., has recently published another article directed to consumers providing free information and to answer any questions. Jim’s article “Diminished Value to Your Car After an Accident” is now available for viewing and printing on Jim’s website.

The Law Office of James W. Dodson, P.A., provides FREE information to consumers about car insurance. If you need more information please visit our website and request Jim’s book Buying Car Insurance, free of charge, or if you have been injured and would like to schedule a consultation please call (727) 446-0840.

Federal Government Provides Halloween Safety Tips

James Dodson — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:18:34 +0000

With Halloween here, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has released for immediate dissemination important safety tips for consumers focusing on three dangerous areas:

1. Costumes

2. Treats

3. Decorations

The CPSC encourages as many consumers as possible review this information prior to taking your children out trick-or-treating, or to any Halloween parties. For more information review the link below.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09029.html

Closer to home, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has also published Halloween safety tips that can be downloaded and passed out to parents and children.

But I Purchased “Full Coverage” Auto Insurance

James Dodson — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:16:08 +0000

Many Consumers, especially in Florida, purchase automobile insurance through an agent. They ask for “full coverage” not exactly understanding what that means, only later to find out they didn’t purchase certain specific coverages.

The Law Office of James W. Dodson, P.A., has recently published another article directed to consumers providing free information and to answer any questions. Jim’s article “Florida Car Insurance . . . What Does “Full Coverage” Really Mean?” is now available for viewing and printing on Jim’s website.

The Law Office of James W. Dodson, P.A., provides FREE information to consumers about car insurance. If you need more information please visit our website and request Jim’s book Buying Car Insurance, free of charge, or if you have been injured in a car accident or otherwise, and would like to schedule a consultation please call (727) 446-0840.

School Bus Safety a Hot Topic

James Dodson — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:57:01 +0000

The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) recently named October 20 through October 24 as National School Bus Safety Week. The NAPT, an advocacy group aimed at protecting children, annually schedules the third week of October as National Safety Week, and launches a campaign to make people/drivers aware. This years theme, “Stop on red, kids ahead.” NAPT also compiles statistics related to child injuries from school bus-related accidents.

During National Safety School Bus Safety Week, The federal Department of Transportation (DOT) announced new regulations and funding designed to make school buses safer. The new regulations include higher seat backs, lap and shoulder belts on smaller buses, and standards for seat belts on larger school buses. The National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA), provides numerous publications, resource guides, and statistical research promoting school bus safety awareness to educate students, bus drivers, and other motorists about proper behavior aimed at reducing risk of school bus related injuries and fatalities.

School bus safety has been a hot topic in the news. In addition to the national safety promotions that are occurring, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports that a federal grand jury in Madison, Wisconsin indicted the semi-truck driver acquitted of state charges last year in the school bus accident that killed five and injured dozens near Eau Claire. The driver, 25-year old Michael Kozlowski, has been indicted on federal charges after the National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) determined via an investigation, that Kozlowski improperly falsified his driving logs. On the day of the accident in question, Kozlowski allegedly fell asleep at the wheel. When his vehicle hit the shoulder, he tried to turn back onto the roadway, flipping his vehicle into the occupied school bus.

Although its not clear whether or not new school bus safety regulations would have saved lives in the Eau Claire accident, the new regulations should help to prevent injuries in the most common types of school bus collisions, such as rear end and T-bone impacts.

If your child is injured in a school bus accident or any other type of motor vehicle crash, contact the Law Office of James W. Dodson, P.A., for FREE written materials discussing your rights and mistakes to avoid in any potential claim.

The Purpose of MRI’s in Diagnosing Post Accident Neck and Back Injuries

James Dodson — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:14:07 +0000

The Law Office of James W. Dodson, P.A., has recently published another article directed to consumers providing free information and to answer any questions. Jim’s most recent article

Back and Neck Pain: What Does Your MRI Really Mean in Your Case

is now available for viewing and printing on Jim’s website.

The Law Office of James W. Dodson, P.A., provides FREE information to consumers about auto accident claims. If you need more information or would like to schedule a consultation please call (727) 446-0840.

Early Morning Crash Kills One

James Dodson — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:41:55 +0000

A multi-vehicle car accident left one motorist dead and several others injured following a car crash that occurred on Roosevelt Boulevard near the St. Pete/Clearwater Airport this morning during rush hour.

Local media reports indicate that a Clearwater man, Leon A. Clement, was killed when his car jumped the median into oncoming traffic. A Largo woman and her child, Laura F. Inge, 33, and Anthony S. Inge, 5, were injured when their car was hit. Both were transported to Bayfront Medical Center where they were listed in critical condition.

The accident is being investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol to determine the reason(s) Mr. Clement’s vehicle went out of control.

It is not clear whether all the parties involved in the accident were using their vehicle safety equipment as mandated by state law and strongly encouraged by the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), who publishes regular and up-to-date materials to educate vehicle operators throughout the country.

Our condolences to the Clement family on the loss of their loved one, and we offer our prayers for a complete and speedy recovery for the Inges.

Where to Find the Answers to Common Questions

James Dodson — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:10:50 +0000

Following an accident you’re going to have questions related to how you should handle your claim. Some of the most common questions are:

Should you give a recorded statement to the claims adjuster?The adjuster has paid your car repairs and rental car expenses. Can you trust them to give you a fair settlement for your injury claim?

Can you rely on the insurance company adjuster to be fair in settling your unpaid medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering?

Why not just hire the lawyer with the big ad?

Do all lawyers charge the same attorney fees in injury cases?

What is the contingency fee and why is it used?

All these questions and more can be readily answered by visiting our website at

www.jwdodsonlaw. If the answer you’re looking for is not there, you can cotact our office directly at (727) 446-0840.

Insurance Institute Rates Crossover Safety

James Dodson — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:50:32 +0000

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests and monitors vehicles for safety performance. In a press release issued August 20, 2008, the IIHS, listed its top crossover performers in regards to crashworthiness.

Earning the top safety awards were the 2009 Ford Escape, 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander, 2008 Nissan Rogue, and the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan. The vehicles were evaluated for crashworthiness as well as ability to limit or protect injuries such as whiplash. The frontal crashworthiness evaluations are based on results of 40 mph frontal offset crash tests. IIHS has been performing these specific types of tests since 1995. For more details visit IIHS’s homepage.

The Law Office of James W. Dodson, P.A. evaluates product liability claims and has experience pursuing the best course of action for its clients affected by defective products.