Platt Hopwood Russell & Cole Legal Blog

Though it often seems otherwise, it is not uncommon for everyday people to have an intoxicated driving charge in their past. Consumption of alcohol as part of social gatherings is a normal part of life for many, and that sometimes results in a DUI. Having this type of charge on one's record can be more serious than some people realize, so it is important that an accused person considers options for criminal defense very carefully. One Florida man may need to do just that after police claim that he caused a fatal accident due driving under the influence.

Officers say that the recent weekend morning crash happened at the intersection of a highway and local road. A passenger vehicle was waiting at a traffic signal when, police say, it was rear-ended by a pickup truck. A female passenger seated in the back of the car died, and three other people -- including a child -- had to be rushed to hospitals for treatment.

There's never a good time to have a car crash, but it seems especially tragic when it happens on a holiday. The New Year is normally a time that is filled with promise and excitement for the future. Sadly, one Florida family is likely mourning the loss of one of their own after a man died in a recent motor vehicle accident on New Year's Day. 

The Florida Highway Patrol reports that the crash happened on the evening of New Year's Day. Officers say that a driver was traveling in the wrong lane, heading westbound for unknown reasons. His car allegedly stuck another one head-on. The second car spun and apparently hit another vehicle traveling the same direction. 

The news media tends to give the public a false perception that the largest number of motor vehicle accidents happen on highways and interstates. While many crashes do occur on those roadways, they do not make up the largest percentage of accidents. Instead, statistics show that around half of all crashes happen at intersections.

It's easy to see why, since traffic is traveling in four directions, people are trying to beat yellow lights, and some people fail to pay adequate attention and keep moving even when they need to stop. This makes you particularly vulnerable at intersections. Understanding the reasons behind many of these accidents and steps you can take to avoid them could help keep you safe.

Though a lot of the rest of the country is dealing with snow at this time of year, many people in Florida are still enjoying many warm weather activities. For example, many people are still riding their motorcycles, for both recreation and transportation. This means, unfortunately, many of those riders are at risk of getting into a motorcycle accident. Since motorcycle riders don't have as much protection as those people riding in passenger vehicles, they face a higher risk of injury and even fatality. Recently, two people lost their lives after their motorcycle was struck by a vehicle.

Authorities say that the incident happened on a recent evening. Two people, a man and a woman, were headed north on their motorcycle. Police allege that a pickup truck in the same area, driving southbound, attempted to turn left and went into the path of the motorcycle. The motorbike apparently struck the truck on its right side.