Tampa Bay Injury Law Blog » accident

Pinellas | Hillsborough Auto Insurance Accident Lawyer | Allstate Study/Jump in Florida Uninsured Drivers

admin — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:35:56 +0000

As a post to a previous article on Jan 23, 2009 (High Incidence of Uninsured Motorists Plague Florida Roads), one of our area’s leading insurers, Allstate, has published some alarming statistics for Florida residents.

The previous post revealed findings by the Insurance Research Council. IRC stated that 1 in 6 drivers on U.S. roads will be uninsured by the year 2010. The recent study by Allstate Insurance reveals nearly 1 out of 4 drivers on Florida roads do not have automobile insurance and that number will continue to increase as the economy worsens.

According to this study, twenty three percent of Florida drivers on the road in 2007 were driving without insurance. As these numbers continue to increase, we are all at a greater risk for being involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist, should an accident occur.

The correlation between our state’s unemployment rate and the percentage of uninsured motorists underscores the need to check your policies and make sure you have the coverage you can afford. If you need additional information, request a free copy of James W. Dodson’s consumer guide, Buying Car Insurance-The Ultimate Guide to Your Protection from Irresponsible Drivers in Florida.

Florida Auto Accident Lawyer | More Reasons to Protect Yourself

admin — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:04:53 +0000

There’s more scary news on the auto insurance front. The Wall Street Journal reported, in its Dec. 17, 2008 edition, that several hundred thousand more drivers were estimated to have allowed their auto insurance to lapse due to job losses. The online agency, Insurance.com, says as many as 40% of its callers for insurance quotes report having let their auto insurance lapse, an increase, from less than 10%, over the last several years.

As the unemployment numbers inch up in Florida and economic pressures continue to increase, we can expect the number of uninsured drivers to continue to increase. In addition, many people looking to save money will be lowering their coverage. I would urge you to resist this temptation. Bear in mind that no one thinks they will be the victim of an accident, much less by an uninsured driver. Virtually every client in my practice never thought they would be hurt in an accident, either. During these tight times don’t save money by reducing your auto coverage, if at all possible. Your uninsured coverage (UM) may be one of the most important protections against financial disaster. For more information request a copy of Jim Dodson’s free consumer guide, Buying Car Insurance available at www.TheFloridaInsuranceBook.com.

Polk County Auto Accident Lawyer | Teen Killed in Hit and Run

admin — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:41:38 +0000

A young Polk County girl died in a tragic hit and run accident leaving her house to go hang out with a friend, Samantha Haynes never did make it to Taryn Hall’s house. Samantha’s mother and Hall found the 17 year old on a barbed wire fence along Bradbury Road. Deputies from the Polk County Sheriffs office concluded it was a hit and run. An anonymous tip lead deputies to the arrest of Candy Cummings, 20 of Davenport who left the scene of the crime, and was driving without a valid drivers license. Cummings said they she had hit something, but did not want to report the accident due to not having a driver’s license. Her husband is also under investigation due to deputies reporting he was in the car the time of the accident as well.

Plant City Auto Accident Lawyer | Single Car Crash

admin — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:56:18 +0000

A 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer driven by 19 year old Brett Russell Fuller lost control and overturned several times before coming to a stop in a strawberry field in Plant City.

Fuller was ejected from the car and suffered fatal injuries according to Hillsborough sheriff’s spokeswoman, Debbie Carter.

This fatality is a tragic example of not wearing a seat belt, while Fuller’s passenger, William White, who was restrained, received minor injuries.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 57% of young motorists and passengers (age 16-20) who were killed in daytime accidents were not wearing seat belts.

That number increased to 68% for night time crashes.

Gabriells Saza, a senior at Calvin Coolidge High School in Washington, and her mother escaped serious injuries two years ago when her car flipped on its side on a rain-slicked road. Both Saza and her mother were wearing their seat belts according to ABC News.

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.

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.