Like almost everyone else, we here at Zarzaur Law are welcoming the spring season. Longer hours and warmer weather mean that we can get back to all of our favorite outdoor activities. However, with everyone becoming more active and going out more, we also see an uptick in injury claims. Below are the five most common injuries that we see in the springtime:
1. Motor Vehicle Wrecks
This is the most common accident we see no matter what the season, but we do see an uptick in the spring. With more people traveling—to the beach, the park, the baseball field, the golf course, or just to their friend’s pool—traffic levels get higher and the frequency of wrecks rises. Drivers should exercise greater caution on these spring days with high traffic levels.
ACCORDING TO THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY (IIHS), DRIVERS ARE AT A HIGHER RISK OF BECOMING INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT DURING THE WARM MONTHS THAN AT ANY OTHER TIME OF THE YEAR.
2. Dog Bites
The frequency of dog bites spikes heavily in the spring. With more and more people out walking their dogs, and more kids and parents in the parks, dogs frequently get overstimulated and start acting aggressively. It is especially important in these situations to act carefully around unfamiliar dogs and to supervise children who might be too young to know better.
3. Slip and Fall
As we all know, spring also brings lots of rain to the Panhandle. As such, when people walk into restaurants, shops, and other buildings, they often bring rain, mud, and other substances with them. Clearly, these substances can cause others to trip, slip, and fall. Premises owners need to be especially careful to warn of wet floors and clean messes up proactively, and walkers need to be conscientious about where and how they walk.
4. Swimming Pool Accidents
These cases are among the most tragic that we see at the firm. Swimming pools are what we call an “attractive nuisance,” meaning that they are an object on the land that is likely to attract children. Homeowners can be liable for children’s injuries or deaths if they have not secured their swimming pools adequately—usually with fencing and latched gates. Crucially, due to the undeveloped nature of a child’s brain, the homeowner can be liable even if the child is trespassing on the homeowner’s land.
5. Playground Injuries
In a somewhat related vein, we also see lots of injuries that children sustain on playgrounds. Many injuries occur accidentally or when a child is misusing a toy or piece of equipment. Occasionally, however, injuries are caused by something else—for instance, some toys or equipment are inherently dangerous even when used as directed; and sometimes the government or person responsible for the playground’s upkeep has failed to maintain the playground in a safe condition. In this situation, the child and/or child’s parents may have a claim.
To protect yours and/or your child’s rights after an injury, it is important to call not just any lawyer, but a lawyer who practices in this field every day. The Florida Bar does not typically allow lawyers to hold themselves out as “experts.” However, the Bar does allow lawyers who have extensive experience in personal injury and tort cases to become specialists in civil trial. Only one percent of Florida lawyers have this certification, however, two out of three of the lawyers on staff at Zarzaur Law, P.A. are Board Certified in Civil Trial.
So, when potential clients ask us about whether or when to hire a lawyer after an accident, we remind them that only a Board Certified civil trial lawyer is a specialist in this area of the law. Since all injury lawyers have the same “no fee no cost unless you win” payout structure, there is no reason to hire someone who is not a specialist.
Joe Zarzaur is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney whose firm is dedicated to promoting community safety since 2007. ZARZAUR LAW’S AREAS OF PRACTICE: Serious Personal Injury, Product Defect, Auto Accidents, Cycling Accidents, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Products Liability, Wrongful Death, Community Safety, Boat and Jet Ski Accidents, Slip and Fall Injuries, and more. Licensed in Alabama and Florida.
If you’ve been the victim of an accident, it’s important that you don’t make any rash decisions. Put yourself in the best possible position to receive the justice you deserve. It is also important to consult with a Board Certified Trial lawyer who has the knowledge and experience to help you. We know accidents can be stressful and want to make the process as easy as possible for you. Call Zarzaur Law, P.A. today at (855) Hire-Joe for a free legal consultation or visit www.zarzaurlaw.com.
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