Is Your Music Too Loud For Florida’s Roadways?

In 2010, Florida’s legislators will be reviewing a proposed Bill, which would make driving with loud music a more severe crime and carrying harsher punishment. State Representative D. Alan Hays (R-Umatilla) introduced House Bill 137 to the Florida House of Representatives in September. If passed, this Bill, would modify the current loud stereo statute by imposing double the fines and making the offense a moving violation. If cited 3 times for this offense, the House Bill 137 would impose 3 points against their license and a $180.00 fine. These points would increase auto insurance premiums for the cited individual.
As it currently stands, it is currently unlawful to drive past a church, school or hospital with a stereo "plainly audible" from 25 feet away or that is "louder than necessary for the convenient hearing by persons inside the vehicle". Law enforcement and politicians are excluded from this law, since politicians often use loud sound devices for "political purposes".
While state law already imposes fines for loud stereos, many cities have already written their own civil ordinances imposing harsher laws and stringent punishment.
Resource: www.thenewspaper.com

Do I Need Med Pay Coverage?

Med Pay is optional and supplemental auto insurance coverage offered in the State of Florida and can be purchased for an additional fee. Med Pay coverage will pay the 20% of medical bills that PIP does not cover and when PIP is exhausted will pay 100% of the medical up to the coverage limits. Unlike PIP coverage, Med Pay does not compensate for lost wages. Med Pay is affordable coverage that helps when someone’s negligence causes you to suffer significant injuries and large medical bills. Typically depending on the amount of coverage purchased, Med Pay can be added to a policy for around $50.00 a policy period. You should check your policy for Med Pay and consider adding this coverage.

Personal Injury Precautions and Holiday Time

Holiday time often fills your home with family and friends. But during this joyful time, homeowners should be actively protecting visitors to your home from potential hazards.

Halloween will soon be here, and this holiday comes with its own set of hazards to your home and those visiting your home. Many legal and insurance commentators offer advice for protected the safety of those visiting your home, and for protecting yourself against liability.

This may be the only time of the year that your home will be visited by many strangers, creating a unique situation for premises liability. Legal commentators note that this holiday is particularly risky for slip-and-falls, which create a liability for the home owner. (Injury Board.)

Many of these hazards can be easily prevented. It is good to make sure that in the area where trick-or-treaters come up to your house is well lit. (Home Safety Council.) Also, clear this area of clutter including Halloween decorations, and pumpkins. (Home Safety Council.) This will help to prevent falls which you could be liable on your property.

Another way to prevent liability is to make sure that your pets, whether inside or outside are properly restrained, so that they don’t jump on or hurt visitors to your home. (Insurance agents).

http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/SafetyGuide/sg_halloween_w001.asp
http://www.insuranceagents.com/halloween-home-safety.html
http://voices.injuryboard.com/property-owners-liability-slip-and-fall/liability-on-halloween-slip-fall-or-safety.aspx?googleid=272190

Drive-By Tasering Results in Teen Death

On October 3, 2009 Pensacola Police Officer Jerald Ard saw Victor Steen , 17, at a construction site. As Steen began to ride away on his bicycle, Ard pursued him in his police cruiser and ordered him to stop. However, Steen did not stop. Ard attempted to stop Steen by using his Taser, but Steen was able to turn into a bank parking lot. He then crashed his bicycle and was run over by Officer Ard.

Ard has been placed on paid leave pending an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Thereafter, results of the investigation will be turned over to the State Attorney’s Office to determine whether Ard should face criminal prosecution.

In response to this incident, the Pensacola Police Department decided to update its Taser policy. Assistant Chief Chip Simmons released a memo stating officers are not allowed to fire their Tasers out of or into moving vehicles, which includes bicycles.

If you believe a police officer has improperly used a Taser on you or believe you are the victim of excessive force, contact my office to schedule a consultation so that I may advise you of your rights.

http://www.newsherald.com/news/pensacola 78192 teen death.html

Taser May Be Cause of Bradenton Man’s Death

A 38 year old man from Bradenton who was riding his bike and subsequently ran from cops following a traffic stop was tasered and died less than an hour later at Manatee Memorial Hospital. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death. Family members said that the man suffered from epilepsy. Until a full autopsy is conducted, the Police Department will not make any comments as to whether the taser caused the death.

http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/story/1737465.html

Alleged Excessive Force Used At Orient Road Jail

Two individuals who have recently been taken to the Orient Road Jail because of allegations of Driving Under the Influence have filed notices of intent to sue the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for excessive force. Both incidents of excessive force occurred in the central breath testing area. One individual states that she went unconscious while waiting to be administered a blood test and a deputy pulled her off the chair and dragged her across the floor. The second individual claims he was choked by officers while taking the breath test. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office denies any wrong doing by its officers.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/oct/07/2-dui-arrestees-allege-excessive-force-hillsboroug/

Just Moved To Florida? Law Requirements For Driver’s License And Car Registration

Welcome to the Sunshine State! I know you have a busy schedule, but there’s a few things that you should do immediately to ensure you are following the laws of this State. First, you will need to convert your driver’s license to Florida. You can check online to see if you will need to take a written or road test to qualify for a Florida’s driver’s license. Secondly, you should inform your auto insurance carrier immediately of your move and obtain a Florida auto insurance policy from a licensed company. Thirdly, you will need to register your vehicle’s title with the county tax collector’s office. You will need to bring proof you have Florida automobile insurance, your original out-of-state title and physical inspection verification that your automobile’s VIN number is legitimate. You must register your vehicle within ten days of obtaining employment, placing children in public schools or establishing residency.

Resource: Florida DHSMV-New Residents