Category: Uncategorized

Former Vero Beach Mayor Hit By Car

In mid-August in neighboring Indian River County, the former Vero Beach mayor and current Indian River County Commissioner Laura Moss was hit by a car. The accident took place on a Monday morning as Moss exited Chelsea’s Gourmet Cafe. As she crossed the street on Azalea Lane, a 20 year old man driving a 2003 Chevy pickup turned left onto Azalea Lane off of Cardinal Drive. As Moss was crossing the street, the driver hit her, throwing Moss to the ground. As she fell to the ground, she forcefully hit the back of her head on the pavement. The driver was only going 10 miles per hour when he hit Moss, but injuries were sustained. The first responders soon arrived on the scene and took Moss to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce to be treated for a concussion. She spent a couple days in the hospital and then was released. After looking into the situation, the Vero Beach Police spokesperson announced that the incident seemed to be an accident and that the driver of the vehicle was cited for careless driving.

Thankfully it sounds like Moss is healing from her injuries well, but not all accidents have such a happy ending. This story serves as a reminder that even in a safe area, like Vero Beach, accidents can happen when doing something as mundane as crossing the street after leaving your local cafe. If an accident like this happens to you or someone you love, you may consider hiring a Vero Beach, FL personal injury lawyer. Personal injury lawyers specialize in personal injury law and can assist clients in developing a strong case that takes into account all the financial implications of being involved in an accident.

This recent story from our own neighborhood provides a vivid example of the costs that can be incurred in a personal injury case. First of all, emergency responders came to the scene to take Moss to the hospital, most likely in an ambulance. Ambulances are often expensive and may or may not be covered by health insurance depending on your coverage. And then she spent multiple nights in the hospital. One can assume the doctors ran tests, and possibly prescribed medicine. She likely had follow up appointments and possibly missed days of work. We do not know about her particular situation, but often accidents like these result in lingering pain that may require physical therapy or chiropractor visits. While each case is unique, these are the types of compensation our personal injury lawyers can work with you to estimate and bring to trial so you, as the victim, do not have to pay for them out of pocket.

Whether you were hit by a car, injured by a defective product, a victim of medical malpractice, or have another instance where you were harmed by another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Schedule a consultation with the lawyers at Tuttle Larsen, P.A. today to discuss your particular case and options.

71 Year Old Dies In Fatal Car Crash

Port St. Lucie Fatal Car Accident 

Tragically, a 71 year old driver was fatally injured in a car accident on August 25, 2022. A car traveling the wrong way on Northwest Selvitz Road caused a collision that led to his critical injuries and eventually his death. Police have determined that the accident took place when a 21 year old man driving a Toyota Camry crossed over the centerline. After crossing the line into oncoming traffic, the Camry driver sideswiped a Honda Civic. The driver of the Civic in turn attempted to veer out of the way of the Camry, but in doing so hit the 71 year old’s Buick Encore directly head on. The 71 year old was in critical condition at the scene of the crash. Three days later, on August 28th, he died from the injuries he sustained in the crash at the HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital where he was receiving care. The Toyota Camry driver and passenger as well as the driver of the Honda Civic, also 21 years old, walked away with minor injuries.

According to the Port St. Lucie police, the crash remains under investigation. It has yet to be confirmed publicly why the Toyota Camry drove into oncoming traffic, causing the three vehicle collision.

What To Do If It Happens To You 

It is almost unimaginable to think about, but if you find yourself in a similar situation, where a loved one was killed as a result of a tragic car accident, it can be helpful to know what to do. 

• Contact a lawyer. It might be the last thing on your mind, but if your loved one is fatally injured, you need to contact a Port St. Lucie, FL car accident lawyer as soon as possible. A trustworthy car accident lawyer can assist you in filing a wrongful death claim. This claim could help you with financial compensation to cover things such as your loved one’s hospital expenses, funeral costs, damages, lost wages and other expenses that resulted from the accident.
• Document evidence and collect receipts. This can be difficult since you may not have been at the scene and if you were, you may not have been able to focus on evidence collection. That is ok. That is what your lawyer can assist you with. It is helpful to request a copy of the police report, medical reports, and witness statements. Simultaneously keep all receipts and bills to assist in showing the compensation needed. Your lawyer will use these documents to build your case.
• Contact your loved one’s insurance company. You should always contact the insurance company so they are aware of the accident. They may be able to pay out some damages to assist you financially while your lawsuit proceeds. It is possible they will ask you for a recorded statement. This is something your car accident lawyer can advise you on as well. They may either help you to craft a statement or advise you politely decline to give a recorded statement.

It is our sincerest hope that you never have to deal with a situation like the loss of a loved one in a car accident. But if you do, the lawyers at Tuttle Larsen, P.A., are here to help.

Why Should I Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer?

Hiring a personal injury lawyer is one of the best things you can do after suffering personal injury during a motor vehicle accident. A legal professional represents your interests and works tirelessly to negotiate with insurance companies so you can obtain the financial compensation you deserve. 

You need to heal from your injuries and devote your time to recovering. A personal injury lawyer can order medical records and medical bills that will be necessary for establishing the liability of the other party. When you retain a personal injury lawyer you don’t have to worry about requesting these records, analyzing them, and producing them during the discovery phase of your case. 

Lastly, hiring a personal injury lawyer means that you will not fall victim to the nefarious tactics used by insurance companies and other large entities. These companies do not want to pay you the monetary compensation you deserve for the injuries you have suffered. An insurance company representative may attempt to speak with you on the phone to trick you into admitting liability. Also, insurance companies may attempt to send you correspondence requesting information when in fact they are trying to get you to admit liability in writing. 

Do not hesitate to contact Tuttle Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation. We understand how scared you can be after suffering personal injury during a motor vehicle collision. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer. 

How Much Will It Cost Me To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer? 

Hiring a personal injury lawyer is an investment. However, you do not have to pay any fees when you hire a personal injury lawyer to represent you. A personal injury lawyer will perform all the work for your case and only deduct a fee from the final settlement amount. 

A personal injury lawyer typically takes a 33% fee from the final settlement amount after your case is resolved. This means that you will pay your attorney out of your settlement amount, and you do not have to pay your attorney anything if you do not recover financial compensation for your injuries. 

Contact Tuttle Personal Injury Lawyers Today To Schedule A Free Consultation

Reaching out for help during your time of need can be frightening. If you need a car accident lawyer in Melbourne, Florida considers speaking to a member of our legal team at Tuttle Larsen, P.A. Injury Attorneys in Vero Beach, Florida. We have decades of experience representing clients who suffered injuries during motor vehicle accidents. Contact us today to learn more about the legal services we offer. 

If you have suffered personal injury during a motor vehicle accident contact Tuttle Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation during which we can discuss the facts of your case. Our legal team possesses the knowledge and expertise necessary to represent you and your legal interests. Call our office today to learn more about the legal services we offer. 

How Should You Calculate Compensation? 

It is important to come up with proper and realistic compensation amounts when filing a car accident claim. Whether you are hoping to settle outside of court with an insurance company or are seeking more compensation than they were willing to give, you should absolutely have a lawyer on your side to help show you how much you deserve. An experienced car accident lawyer will know what kind of things a judge will find fair. Some of the most common things a lawyer will seek in a case include damages for all of your medical costs, damaged property, and even potentially pain and suffering or lost wages due to missed work. You and your family should not have to suffer financially at all because of an accident that was not your fault. The at fault party should step up to keep things the same for you. 

What Kind of Things Will a Lawyer Do? 

A car accident lawyer will come up with good arguments to use in court, he or she will know what a judge will think is fair, and will be able to collect any kind of evidence that may be necessary to show in court. Some of this may include photos of the scene of the accident, witness statements – including those of expert witnesses, such as doctors who can testify how the accident will affect your life physically – and even do a deep dive into the police report and your medical records to solidify your case. 

Often, when people get involved in car accidents, they do not know what to do in order to get the amount of compensation they deserve. This is why it is so important to have an experienced car accident lawyer in Melbourne, Florida from Tuttle Larsen, P.A. on your side. What can a lawyer do to help you, though? How can he or she bolster your case to have the best possible chance at winning, and at gaining the compensation you surely deserve? Continue reading to find out. 

Contact a Lawyer Today

Make sure to reach out to an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as you are involved in an accident. Your lawyer can help make sure that your case gets filed on time as well as walk you through the entire thing. He or she will help create arguments to use in court and will do their best to get the compensation you deserve. 

Benefits of Working with an FTCA Specialist

If you’re not familiar with the term, FTCA stands for Federal Tort Claims Act and refers to an area of federal law that gives people the ability to sue the government when they are injured as a result of negligence on the part of federal employees or contractors, which is where FTCA attorneys can help. Because the consequences can be so serious, it’s important to work with experienced lawyers who know how to navigate this very complex set of laws. Here is more information about working with an FTCA lawyer according to our friends at Cohen & Cohen:

What is a Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Lawyer?

In the event that you have experienced any kind of harm or losses as a result of negligence on behalf of the federal government, it is best to consult a Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) lawyer. These attorneys can help you by explaining your options and ensuring that all potential claims are met.

1. If you’re going through a divorce, then an FTCA attorney can help guide you through a challenging time and make it much less stressful.
2. If you are facing foreclosure or bankruptcy, then they can also help.
3. These attorneys have knowledge in both family law and criminal law so will be able to provide insight for either type of situation depending on your needs.

Why You Need One

FTCA lawyers help those who have been assaulted, sexually harassed, and/or injured by military personnel. To ensure your case is being handled properly and that you are being taken care of, it’s best to hire an attorney familiar with the Code to Prevent Retaliation in Employment (CPRE). There are several advantages that come from working with a knowledgeable FTCA attorney including: speed up the process, peace of mind in knowing your advocate has handled many cases before yours and can handle yours as well, and experienced knowledge on employment laws helps guarantee you’re not caught off guard during a deposition or trial preparation for employment conditions after discharge.

How To Find A Good FTCA Attorney

There are a number of considerations to take into account when finding the right fit for you. Here are some things to keep in mind as you search for a top-notch FTCA attorney:

• Look at different areas of expertise – Most attorneys focus on one or two major areas, such as contract law, criminal law, family law and so on. You may want to hire someone who has experience in your area but is not the best there is. You can find out which attorneys specialize in your area by checking their website, their social media profiles or searching through case studies they’ve written.
• Check all your options – The easiest way to do this is to go with a company that specializes in individual needs. Some companies will charge a flat fee for hourly rates whereas others will offer the same service for a set price. If you have questions about what’s better for you, it’s wise to contact the companies beforehand and ask them about their packages. Once you have found a few potential candidates, narrow down your selection by researching these three factors: availability (the total amount of time available each week), location (how close are they to where you live) and cost (most companies have sliding scales).
• Ask other people – You’re probably going to be working closely with this person over the course of months or years; make sure it’s someone trustworthy!

If you are in need of a lawyer, contact one today!

Common Bicycle Accident Scenarios 

A bicycle accident lawyer knows that there are a range of scenarios that can lead to a bicycle accident. A collision involving a cyclist and a driver operating a motor vehicle almost always results in the cyclist sustaining more injuries. Due to the minimal protection, they are more vulnerable to suffering head injuries and other severe injuries. Such accidents can happen anywhere. Some of the most common scenarios involving bicycle accidents are described below. 

Changing Lanes 

A cyclist is much smaller than other vehicles, so drivers must be cautious and take the time to properly look before they switch lanes. If they look too quickly or fail to check their blind spots, they might strike the cyclist. When this happens, the cyclist often is not able to avoid the car, causing them to veer off the road, or enter the other lane and hit vehicles coming from the opposite direction.  

Failing to Yield at Intersections

Intersections are one of the most common areas where bicycle collisions happen, as a bicycle accident lawyer like one at Tuttle Larsen, P.A. can explain. It is a busy place, and vehicles come from all directions. Drivers can have a difficult time seeing cyclists, or they may be in too much of a rush to see where cyclists are coming from. In many intersections, bike lanes are small or unavailable, which increases the chances of an accident occurring. 

Backing Up a Parking Space 

A bicycle accident also commonly happens when a driver is backing up in a parking space, such as in a neighborhood or parking lot, and fails to see a cyclist in their vicinity. Some drivers back up too fast or do not look in all directions, causing them to strike a cyclist suddenly. The cyclist can sustain devastating injuries because they usually cannot do anything to avoid the collision since they are struck from the side. 

Aggressive Driving 

Compared to other vehicles on the road, a cyclist is much slower. This can impede the surrounding traffic, frustrating other drivers and motorists. They can become impatient if they are stuck behind a cyclist, so they might try to go around the cyclist in an unsafe manner. Aggressive driving makes up a significant portion of accidents. 

Schedule a consultation with a trusted bicycle accident lawyer for more information about how you can receive legal services with a personal injury claim. 

Damages in a Bicycle Accident Claim

Cyclists and drivers must share the road, but unfortunately, accidents can happen because there are many drivers who do not exercise enough caution around cyclists. If you have suffered serious injuries as a result of a bicycle accident, there is legal help available so that you can recover the compensation that you deserve. If you have been injured in a personal injury accident, you may be able to receive compensation for the losses that you have suffered. 

Medical Bills

The medical expenses can quickly add up if you have suffered injuries in a bicycle accident, and you may struggle to pay for them. Bicycle accident victims usually sustain bruises and scrapes, as well as more severe injuries like head injuries and spinal injuries. The costs can be steep even if you only have minor injuries. A lawyer can help you list the full damages that you can claim in your case so that you can pay for your medical treatment and the associated expenses for your recovery. 

Emotional Anguish 

Even after you are fully physically recovered, the trauma of an accident can deeply affect your mental health. Many bicycle accident victims suffer from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other psychological issues. They may have trouble riding a bicycle again for some time after their accident. If you are experiencing issues like constant anxiety and an increased amount of stress, you can list emotional anguish in your list of damages. 

Lost Income

A personal injury accident can cause you to experience a severe loss of income. Many people who are bicycle accident victims are unable to go back to work right away while they are recovering from their injuries. As a bicycle accident lawyer like one from Tuttle Larsen, P.A. can tell you, they will aggressively fight for you so that you can recoup your income-related losses. 

Damaged Property 

When a cyclist is struck by a driver, the cyclist is much more likely to have their property significantly damaged because of the lack of protective barriers. Bicycle accidents usually result in a destroyed bicycle, as well as damaged clothes, safety equipment, electronic devices, and other valuable property that you have. 

Pain and Suffering 

Pain and suffering refer to the physical as well as mental harm that you have experienced as a direct result of the accident. With the help of a lawyer, they can assist you in getting the medical records and other documentation you need to prove that you are going through pain and suffering. 

If you need assistance filing a claim, consult with a reputable bicycle accident lawyer in your area now. 

Nursing Home Abuse Awareness

Early detection of the signs of nursing home abuse empowers victims and their families to take action before things worsen. Also if abuse is suspected to be committed against one victim, it is likely to expose a more widespread pattern of abuse towards other nursing home residents. As a lawyer from a leading law firm Bethesda MD, Brown Keily, LLP can explain, those who have family in nursing homes or assisted living will benefit from familiarizing themselves with the signs of abuse, so that action can be taken more quickly if abuse is ever suspected.

The various signs of abuse range widely in severity and may not always be immediately apparent. Such signs can range from occasional neglect of basic needs, to severe physical abuse.

Initially noticed signs tend to be physical, but there are also psychological cues that can indicate that your loved one may be a victim of abuse. 

Physical signs of abuse:

• Physical abuse warning signs
• Bedsores or pressure ulcers
• Broken and fractured bones
• Bruises, burns, and welts on the skin
• Cuts, lacerations, and skin tears
• Dehydration and malnutrition
• Fatigue, insomnia, or other sleep disorders
• Head and dental injuries
• Illness or infection
• Lack of personal hygiene
• Unexplained weight loss
• Other nursing home injuries

Types of Abuse in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living

The term “nursing home abuse” is a general term used to describe a wide range of abusive practices, not only limited to physical actions that resulted in physical injury. It also includes sexual battery, emotional harm, and psychological abuse. Having a reasonable level of awareness of the signs is essential to taking action when abuse is suspected, and may prevent further abuse to other residents.

Physical Abuse

When nursing home staff members are aware that abusive behaviors are being demonstrated, they are also committing abuse. Physical abuse includes, pushing, kicking, hitting, and anything that causes physical pain or injury to the resident. By members of staff enabling continuation of such physically abusive behaviors, they too are committing abuse.

Emotional Abuse

This includes any kind of action that negatively impacts or otherwise degrades the psychological state of a nursing home resident. Yelling, verbally degrading, taunting, or insulting a resident in a way that is intended to be hurtful are all common examples of emotional abuse that can make a patient’s experience a living nightmare. Emotional abuse is known to contribute to long term anxiety and depression, especially among already physically vulnerable nursing home residents. 

Neglect

By leaving a nursing home resident unattended for periods of time that are longer than what is necessary or safe for them, neglect is being committed. Neglect can also lead to physical harm, such as malnutrition, bedsores, and increases the risk of being left for an extended period of time after being injured in a fall.

Sexual Abuse

Nursing home residents are also vulnerable to potential sexual abuse. Any form of touching or sexual advances can constitute sexual abuse. Residents who are immobile or incapacitated are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse while under care of nursing home staff.

What to Do at a Car Accident Scene

If you ever find yourself involved in a car accident, it is critical to know the proper steps to take. This is especially important if the accident was the other driver’s fault. You want to make sure you have all the evidence and documentation you need to prove the other driver’s liability. A car accident lawyer can help.

The Scene of the Accident

No matter who is at fault, you never want to drive off and leave the scene of the crash. Doing so is against the law and you can find yourself facing criminal charges, even if the accident was not your fault.

If you are physically able, you want to check on the condition of any passengers in your vehicle and the driver, and any occupants in the other vehicle. Call 911 to report the crash and also report any injuries. Do not move any injured victims unless there is an immediate danger, such as smoke coming from a vehicle.

When the police arrive, you will want to share with them all the details of what led up to the crash. The officer will be filing a police report that will likely have details and the cause of the accident and your lawyer can use this as evidence in your case.

At the scene, you will also want to make sure you get the other driver’s name, contact information, driver’s license number, registration, and auto insurance information. If there are any witnesses, you also want to make sure to get their contact information, too.

Evidence Gathering

If your injuries do not prohibit you, take photographs at the scene of the accident, including the damage to both vehicles and any surrounding property. If there are skid marks, make sure to photograph those, as well. Take photos of any other factors, such as road construction, traffic signs, or anything you think may be relevant to your case. If you are too injured, see if a bystander may be able to use your phone to take the photos.

Medical Attention

Even if you think you have not been injured or think the injury is only minor, go directly to a doctor to get checked out. There are many types of injuries that have delayed symptoms and can actually be dangerous if not caught in time, like a concussion or internal bleeding. Not could you be putting your health at risk by waiting to get checked out, but the other driver’s insurance company can use that delay to accuse you of not really being injured in the crash.

Contact a Car Accident Law Firm Today

Once you have been checked out by a doctor, your next step should be calling a car accident lawyer. Do not speak with the other driver’s insurance company until you do. You may be entitled to compensation for all the losses your injuries have caused, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. To ensure that compensation, you need a skilled attorney, like a Port St. Lucie, FL car accident lawyer from a law firm like Tuttle Larsen, P.A.