Michael Barszcz - TheMDJD

Cell Phones and Driving: A Dangerous Combination [INFOGRAPHIC]

Did you know that roughly 26% of all car crashes involve cell phone use? That’s equivalent to 1.6 million car accidents every year. Cell phones are a major contributor to distracted driving and can endanger the cell phone user as well as other people on the road. Though cell phone use while driving is legal in Orlando, it is still quite dangerous. If you have sustained a personal injury as a result of a distracted driving accident, contact Orlando car accident lawyer Michael Barszcz – M.D., J.D., to protect your rights. Take a look at this infographic to see the numbers on texting and talking while driving. Please share with your friends and family to encourage them to be responsible while they’re behind the wheel.

These Resources Explore Even More Information on Medical Malpractice and Auto Accidents

Find out more about the most dangerous times to drive, as well as the importance of properly installing your child’s safety seat. The following resources can educate you further on these topics and more. If you need legal counsel in the Miami-Dade area, contact Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D. at (407) 329-3923 today.

Read this Forbes magazine article to learn more about the most dangerous times to drive.

AAA offers this thorough how-to guide on car seat safety.

This article from the Washington Post discusses the importance of motorists and bicyclists sharing the road.

At Bicycling.com, learn tips for riding safe when sharing the road with motorists.

CNNHealth.com discusses the dangers of pharmacy error, and what you can do to reduce your risk.

Find out more about why I-95 was ranked the most deadly road in America by reading this article at the Sun Sentinel

Consumer Reports offers top picks when it comes to cars for your teen driver.

The New York Times discusses the risks patients face when undergoing surgery. While it is rare for surgeons to accidentally operate on the wrong part of the body, it does happen. Read this article to learn more.

Get the answers to some frequently asked questions about the safety of teenagers on the road.

This article on Baby Center goes over the basics of properly installing a child safety seat in your vehicle.

Most Common Mistakes Parents Make When Installing and Using Car Seats

No parent should ever have to deal with the tragedy of losing a child or having their child injured in an auto accident, and there are plenty of child safety devices designed to prevent this from happening. However, safety devices are only effective if they are properly used, and a study from AAA reveals that a shocking 75% of car seats are improperly installed. Prevent common car seat mistakes such as the following:

Getting the Wrong Size Car Seat.

It’s no secret that children grow up fast, but it’s important to know when children are large enough to use seat belts normally. Seat belts save tens of thousands of lives every year, but they are designed for average-sized adults and can actually cause injury if the occupant is too small. According to the Safe Kids Worldwide Foundation, occupants should be at least 4 feet 9 inches tall and between 80 and 100 pounds before using a seat belt normally, but most children don’t meet these requirements until about eight to 12 years of age.

Improperly Installing the Car Seat.

Most drivers are familiar with the hazard sticker on sun visors advising parents not to use car seats in the passenger seat, but an improperly installed car seat can be just as dangerous. All cars and child safety seats manufactured after 2002 use the LATCH anchoring system, but be sure to keep the safety seat bottom flat against the car and read the seat’s manufacturer manual for the appropriate angle and incline. The seat should not move more than an inch forwards or backwards and should resist lateral motion. The middle of the back seat is generally the safest place to install a car safety seat.

Preventative safety is the best method for protecting you and your family, but auto accidents still happen every day. If you’ve suffered an auto collision due to someone else’s negligence, then protect yourself legally and financially by consulting with Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., who is an experienced medical doctor and personal injury attorney in Orlando. Call (407) 329-3923 to set up initial consultation.

Most Dangerous Florida Roadways

With over 30,000 drivers killed in fatal auto accidents in 2010, it’s no secret that roadways are dangerous. However, recent surveys from the NHTSA reveal exactly how bad the problem is in the Sunshine State. Take a look at a few of the deadliest areas in Florida below:

I-95

Florida’s arterial I-95 interstate isn’t just the most dangerous highway in the state, but also one of the most dangerous in the nation. Data collected by the NHTSA reveals that I-95 had the highest rate of fatal accidents between 2004 and 2008. The 382-mile stretch of highway, which widens to as many as 12 lanes in the Miami-Dade area, averages 1.73 fatal accidents per mile and had a total 765 fatalities.

I-4

I-4 takes third place in a top ten list of deadliest U.S. roadways with an average 1.58 accidents per mile and a total of 234 fatalities. Although this comparatively small 132-mile highway doesn’t have the same staggering figures as I-95, measuring standards from the NHTSA focused on the likelihood of fatal accidents per mile.

Pedestrian Areas

Motorists aren’t the only ones at risk on the road. A study from 2000 to 2009 revealed that the Orlando-Kissimmee region ranked first in the nation for pedestrian accidents with 550 deaths. Three other Florida metro areas—Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Jacksonville, and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach—round out the second, third, and fourth places, respectively.

An auto accident can have devastating and lifelong effects on its victims. If you’ve suffered personal injury due to another person’s negligence, then you have the right to protect yourself with reliable legal representation. The Law Offices of Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D. has been providing citizens of the Orange County area with reliable legal counsel and representation for over 20 years. To set up an initial consultation, call (407) 329-3923 today.

The Relationship Between When You Drive and Your Safety Behind the Wheel

Last month, one of the worst pileups in Florida’s recent history left 10 dead and 18 injured on I-75, serving as a grim reminder of the ubiquitous dangers of daily driving. However, reports show that this major auto accident started around midnight on a Saturday, far from the most dangerous time of day to drive, or even the most dangerous month.

According to figures from the NHTSA, August ranks first as the most dangerous month to drive, while Saturday is the most dangerous day. Anecdotal evidence suggests that worsening road conditions and increased travel rates account for the boost in auto accidents during the winter. The greatest likelihood of getting into an auto accident is in the midst of the evening rush hour, between 5p.m. and 7 p.m.

But these figures don’t tell the entire story. If you wanted to know the most dangerous time to be on the road per fatal traffic accident, then the numbers correspond more closely with the tragic pileup last month. Nearly half of all auto accidents occur at night nationwide, but nighttime accidents are three times deadlier than daytime ones. The leading time for auto accident fatalities is between midnight and 4 a.m., and over one in three nighttime accidents involve drunk driving.

You don’t have to limit your driving to twilight hours to stay safe on the road, but you can protect yourself by getting rid of bad driving habits. However, even the safest drivers aren’t protected from the negligence of other people. Contact the Law Offices of Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D. if and when you need to protect your rights by calling (407) 329-3923. Our practice areas include auto accidents involving motorcycles, buses, trucks, ATVs, and underinsured motorists.