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TAMPA & ST. PETERSBURG INJURY & AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS
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Hurt on a Bird Scooter: Things You Need to Know

Bird scooters are the newest craze in cities across the US including Tampa and St. Petersburg, and their rising popularity has raised some serious questions about the safety of riders, pedestrians, and others on the road.

A bird accident can lead to medical bills upwards of $100,000 and may also lead to life-altering injuries or even death.  As electric scooters like Bird were launched only 2 years ago, so there is a shortage of reliable statistics about the number of accidents involving bird scooters.

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Victim of a Reckless Driving in Florida: Why Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Reckless driving is a crime under Florida law which carries severe punishment in case of bodily injuries or property damage and is estimated to be the leading cause behind road accidents in Florida.

In this article, we will discuss the laws concerning reckless driving in Florida and will explain why you should hire a personal injury lawyer if you are a victim of reckless driving.

Reckless Driving in Florida

Section 316.192 of Florida Statutes defines reckless driving as driving with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.  It must be noted that negligence is not sufficient to prove a case of reckless driving against the defendant.  The law clearly states that there has to be an element of willfulness which can also be considered as a conscious decision to drive without any regard for other people on the road.

Penalties for Reckless Driving

Penalties for reckless driving in Florida are dependent on prior history of reckless driving, and any bodily or property damage which may result from such driving.

First offense without any bodily injury or property damage: First-time offenders who engage in reckless driving causing any bodily injury or property damage are charged for a 2nd-degree misdemeanor. This may lead up to 90 days in jail or 6 months of probation with a fine of $500.

Second offense: This is also considered a 2nd-degree misdemeanor if there is no damage to anyone. There is a penalty of up to 6 months in jail along with a maximum fine of $1,000 for 2nd-time offenders.

Property damage or bodily injury: If reckless driving leads to any property damage or bodily injury, then the driver is charged for a 1st-degree misdemeanor which may result up to 1 year in jail or 12 months in probation along with a $1,000 fine.

Serious bodily injury:  In cases of serious bodily injuries, the driver engaging in reckless driving is charged for a 3rd-degree felony which may lead up to 5 years in prison or 5 years’ probation and $5,000 fine.

The penalties and fines associated with this crime are paid by the guilty party above and beyond any insurance pay out to injured parties or property owners.

Florida Reckless Driving Lawyer

If you are a victim of reckless driving in Florida, then you may need professional help from an experienced reckless driving lawyer who is aware of Florida laws concerning reckless driving and has a proven track record of winning reckless driving cases.

You can contact us using the contact form on our site or call (727) 498-8771 for a free consultation to discuss your case.

Injured in A Lyft Accident in Florida: What You Need to Do?

Ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft are becoming increasingly popular in the US and across the world.  These services have indeed revolutionized how we travel and have disrupted the cab/taxi industry.  The number of accidents involving Lyft drivers has also increased dramatically.

In this article, we will share some tips and will guide you about some best-practices for what you need to do after getting injured in a Lyft accident in Florida.

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St. Petersburg Lyft Accident: What You Need to Know

More and more people are using ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft in the US and across the world.  Thus, it’s quite natural that the number of accidents involving vehicles from these companies is also on the rise.  A normal car accident is by itself quite complex because you may not get awarded all the damages, involving a paid third party driver increases the complexity of the situation. The St. Petersburg Lyft Accident Attorneys at Shocklee Paolino are well versed in handling the intricacies of a Lyft accident.

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