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Thank You for Your Jury Service
Despite that feeling of frustration some people get when they open the mail and see a jury summons, most of us realize that our jury system is essential to our democracy and our freedom. The right to trial by jury in a civil case is found in the Seventh Amendment to the Constitution which says:
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
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Orlando and Pedestrian Accidents
Metro Orlando has once again topped the list of the most dangerous cities in America for pedestrians. The results are based on a pedestrian danger index created by Transportation for America that calculates the number and rate of pedestrian deaths relative to the percent of people who walk in the community. The last time I wrote about this in 2009 Orlando-Kissimmee ranked number one because of its high fatality rate of 2.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, despite the small number of residents who walk to work. This time, the rate climbed to 3 deaths per 100,000 residents. Based upon 10 years of fatality data, the study finds that between the years 2000 and 2009, 5,163 people were killed while walking in Florida. The study also estimates that the cost to the state was $22.20 billion, and that reducing pedestrian fatalities by just 10% would have saved Florida $2.22 billion over 10 years. Four metro areas in Florida made the top 10 which makes Florida the most deadly state for pedestrians, according to the study.
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What Car Insurance Do You Need to Protect You in an Accident?
Florida law only requires that an owner of a motor vehicle purchase Personal Injury Protection and Property Damage liability coverage. The law doesn’t require that a motor vehicle owner purchase liability insurance for bodily injuries. So, if you are in an automobile accident and the person that caused the crash doesn’t have bodily injury (BI) liability coverage, you will not be able to recover insurance benefits for your injuries from the uninsured at-fault party. In another common example, the person causing the automobile accident has BI coverage, but for a small amount such as $10,000. If your injuries are significant, that may not be enough to cover your claim.
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Earle & Smith Communtiy Involvement
At Earle & Smith we are honored to do our small part to make our community a better place for people in need. We became lawyers to help people in need, so we strive to help our community with the same passion and conviction with which we serve our clients. Please click the link above to read more about our involvement in our community.
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Insurance Information for Florida Consumers
If you have questions about your insurance, the Florida Department of Financial Services website contains lots of useful information. On the website, you can check out your insurance agent, look up your insurance company, ask a financial question, or file a consumer complaint. For more information or questions about insurance in Florida, you can call the Consumer Helpline at 877-MyFLCFO or visit their website at www.myfloridacfo.com.
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Why You Need UM Insurance for Accident Protection
Florida requires Personal Injury Protection and property damage liability. No one is required to purchase liability insurance for bodily injury. This is rare among the country. Most states require motorists to carry a minimum level of BI coverage. Georgia and South Carolina require $25,000 BI. This puts Florida in the embarrassing position of protecting property before its people. What this means for you is that you must protect yourself and your family by ensuring that you carry UM coverage. Not only are a large portion of Florida drivers uninsured, but those drivers carrying only the state mandated minimum coverage do not carry insurance coverage if they cause bodily injury.
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Automobile Defects and Accidents
Many people are familiar with well-published cases of accidents caused by tire tread separation (Bridgestone/Firestone),...
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