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As Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorneys we have learned that inattentive drivers cause the majority of accidents.  While not every Florida motorcycle accident is the result of a driver exhibiting negligence, a disproportionate amount are caused by motorists failing to exhibit due caution. Three weeks ago in the small town of Apollo Beach in south Hillsborough County, a 22-year-old motorcyclist had the one interaction that every bike enthusiast’s mother fears.  Timothy Soliman was traveling down Highway 41 when a car pulled out in front of him, sending the young man into a fight for his life.  Two broken arms, a broken knee, a broken ankle, road rash, and a brain injury are the tragic result of this Florida motorcycle accident.

The accident was appalling, but the cause was even more troubling. The driver of the car that pulled out in front of Mr. Soliman was 100 year-old Howard Demask.  He never saw the bike or the rider until well after the accident.  When Mr. Demask first saw Timothy Soliman sprawled on the pavement, his first thought was “How did this guy get here.”

Motorcyclists should maintain a heightened sense of awareness when driving around populated areas because of the increased danger associated with sharing the road.  But even the most cautious biker can’t foresee or anticipate every mistake that another driver might make.  As a biker, you must be aware of your surroundings and this is especially true of the elderly, as vision, awareness, and reaction time will slow, as a person gets older. Even the Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad agrees, “there’s a certain age when people shouldn’t be driving.” A vision test every six years is all that a 100 year-old man needs to keep him behind the wheel.  Hopefully, additional safety precautions will lead to a significant downgrade in motorcycle accidents in Florida.

Inattention is a huge issue when dealing with traffic accidents on today’s roads.  Texting and driving, drunk driving, and even elderly inattention cause accidents to car drivers and motorcyclists alike.  It’s important to hold people responsible for this kind of negligence.  If you’ve been injured as a result of the negligence of an inattentive or incompetent driver, call the Dolman Law Group at (727) 451-6900 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Dolman Law Group is a Florida Motorcycle Accident Law Firm.  If you have been injured in a Florida Motorcycle Accident, call us today at: (727) 451-6900 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Selecting the best Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorney for your case is not an easy decision.  At Dolman Law Group, we pride ourselves on the following:

1.)  We are proud to not be affiliated with any lawyer referral service

2.)  All clients of Dolman Law group are provided the cell phone number of their attorney.

3.)  The Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Dolman Law Group are committed to remaining accessible to our clients.

4.)  We handle our own litigation.  Many motorcycle attorneys outsource their litigation to trial lawyers outside their law firm.

5.)  We pride ourselves on the reputation we have earned with the respective insurance carriers for our work in litigation.

6.)  The Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Dolman Law Group represent only injury victims and have never represented an insurance carrier.

7.)  We handle only one area of the law; personal injury.

Dolman Law Group is your Florida Motorcycle Injury team.

As you have probably noticed, the media has been swirling around the criminal charges of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.  The case has brought out racial issues, questions concerning Florida’s stand your ground law, and shined the light on law enforcement.  But in the hype, one issue seems to have been overlooked.  How this horrible act affects not only the man who pulled the trigger and the boy who died, but the neighborhood where it occurred.

Underneath the media circus surrounding the criminal charges in this case lies the other side of the law.  A civil action for wrongful death implicating the Homeowner’s Association of the Retreat at Twin Lakes is likely in the future for the residents of the neighborhood where Martin was shot.  George Zimmerman was not only acting as a concerned neighbor when he took the life of Trayvon Martin, but he was also acting in his capacity as captain of the Neighborhood Watch. As a Tampa Wrongful Death Attorney, the Homeowner’s Association is one entity that would be a likely defendant if I were retained by the family of Trayvon Martin.

This fact interestingly opens the nearly 200 owners of townhomes in the neighborhood to civil liability in a wrongful death claim brought by the family.  The homeowners association created and operated the neighborhood watch program that Mr. Zimmerman was leading.  The group’s bylaws should have disallowed members from carrying weapons, according to the head of an HOA watchdog group quoted in the Orlando Sentinel.

It is important to know who is responsible for the negligent actions of others.  Mr. Zimmerman chose to take a life, but the Homeowner’s Association of the Retreat at Twin Peaks chose to give him the power to do so.  Here at the Dolman Law group, we represent families that have lost loved ones due to negligence and the intentional bad actions of others.  We will work diligently to uncover all of the parties who are responsible, and ensure that your family is given the justice that it deserves.

Dolman Law Group is a Tampa Bay personal injury law firm that handles first and third party insurance claims relating to an automobile accident, motorcycle accident, wrongful death, insurance carrier bad faith, victims of drunk driving and traumatic brain injury.

Matthew A. Dolman is a Tampa personal injury attorney. For more information or for a free case evaluation and consultation; call us today at: (727) 451-6900

If you follow my blog, I regularly discuss the dangers and issues associated with texting and driving and distracted driving in general.  80% of drivers admit to engaging in distracted driving such as texting, shaving, applying makeup, steering with a knee and reading.

In a controlled study performed by the Editorial staff at Car & Driver Magazine, the average driver spends 4.6 seconds with their eyes off the road when retrieving a text message.  I have discussed this study in prior blog entries and it is still shocking to imagine driving an automobile for 4.6 seconds at 30-50 miles per hour with your eyes completely off of the road.  The act of texting and driving has never received the same stigma as driving under the influence. However, this act is now receiving attention from mainstream media as more studies and reports have been published illustrating the life altering consequences of distracted driving.

Many individuals wrongly assume that distracted driving is an issue limited only to cellphone use. According to the organization endDD.org, 82% of distracted driving fatalities occur due to distractions other than cellphones.  These distractions include eating, drinking, reading and grooming among others.  Basically any activity that results in the driver diverting their eyes at an object other than the road is a clear distraction.

In 2009, sixteen (16) percent of all automobile accident fatalities were related to distracted driving per the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.  Drivers who engage in the act of texting and driving are almost thirty times more likely to be involved in an automobile accident.  It is not at all a stretch to state that texting and driving is every bit as dangerous and reckless as driving under the influence (DUI).

There is no text message or phone call important enough to jeopardize your life.  If you have been injured as a result of distracted driving, call the Dolman Law Group at (727) 451-6900 for a free consultation and case evaluation.  Driving distracted is just the same as driving drunk.  We aggressively go after distracted drivers and seek all legal remedies available pursuant to Florida Statute.

Dolman Law Group is your Florida Distracted Driving Injury Law Firm

Michael Graziano Pronounced Dead From Injuries As A Result Of April 3, Car Wreck 

Michael Graziano, the brother of a Clearwater man injured for life in a 2007 crash involving the son of Hulk Hogan, died on Friday, April 13, 2012, from injuries sustained in an early morning car wreck that took place in Largo on April 3.  Michael Graziano sustained critical injuries when he was the passenger in a Volvo operated by Cameron Bosley that crashed into the back of a dump truck at 3 A.M., at Ulmerton Road and 66^th Street in Largo, Florida.  Sadly, neither Mr. Graziano nor Mr. Bosley was wearing seat belts.  A seat belt may have precluded both men from suffering critical injuries and potentially saved the life of Michael Graziano whose tragic death has wrecked a family already reeling from the tragic accident in 2007 that left his brother John with permanent life altering injuries.

Although no charges have been filed as of date, Florida Highway Patrol is awaiting results from a toxicology study as well as an ongoing investigation before making a final determination.  However, FHP has stated that it is believed that Mr. Bosley was operating the vehicle at an excessive speed prior to slamming into the rear of the dump truck.  There has been no determination whether Mr. Bosley was racing at the time of this tragic Largo accident.

This is yet another example in the long list of tragedies involving drivers and passengers who fail to heed the very important warning regarding the necessity of wearing a safety belt.  Whether it is texting and driving or failing to utilize a safety belt; I continue to lose patience with the shockingly large portion of Florida drivers and passengers who willingly take unnecessary risks without comprehending just how precious life is.

As a Largo injury attorney, I devote much of my time and our blog to educating Pinellas County residents on the importance of utilizing safety belts and avoiding distractions such as cellphones and other electronic devices while operating an automobile or motorcycle.  All it takes is a second for your life to change forever.

As a Florida Motorcycle Attorney,  I often see first-hand how dangerous motorcycles can be based on the lack of caution exhibited by fellow motorists. This risk is increased greatly by the dangers associated with being a new rider. According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, motorcycle riders are at a four times greater risk during the first thirty days.

The latest study has drawn more attention to the need for greater training of new motorcyclists and the lenient standards that exist in many states.  For more information on this recent study, please click on the following link:

www.stargazette.com/article/20120416/NEWS01/204160335/Data-show-risk-highest-for-new-motorcycle-riders?odyssey=tab%7Cmostpopular%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

Dolman Law Group is a Florida Motorcycle Injury Law firm.   Based in Clearwater, Dolman Law Group represents motorcycle injury victims statewide.  More specifically, the attorneys at this firm regularly represent injury victims in the following cities; Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Dunedin, St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg Beach, Seminole, Pinellas Park, Madeira Beach, Largo, Treasure Island, Tampa, Trinity, New Port Richey, and Port Richey.

Matthew A. Dolman is a Florida Motorcycle Attorney that represents bikers and never insurance carriers.

As a Pinellas County Wrongful Death Attorney, I feel it is my duty to shed light on this very tragic story. It is typical to find apartment complexes, condos, and homeowner communities guarded by big metal gates in Florida. With the added security that such safety gates provide, they are equally responsible for a growing number of injuries to children. These gates are often constructed from heavy metals, with elaborate or ornate decorations adding to the size and weight.  In fact it is common for such gates to exceed 1000 pounds.  A majority of gates are controlled electronically with motion sensor technology.  The issue centers on who maintains the gate itself and their ability to detect motion.

Last week, a seven year old girl was found trapped and faint of breath pinned by a an apartment gate.  The girl was rushed to the hospital, but was later pronounced dead from internal injuries.  How the incident occurred is still under investigation and is considered a mystery at this time.  What isn’t a mystery is the growing number of accidents and injuries attributable to motorized gates.  The number of injuries to children as result of apartment gates has led to increased litigation against the designers, installers and manufacturers of such.

Motorized gates now control entrances to apartment complexes, condos, sub-divisions and have become a cheap alternative to alternative security measures.  The maintenance of metal gates has tended to be less than exceptional.  Unlike elevators, metal gates do not require mandatory code enforcement checks and proper routine inspections. Therefore, the gates are left unsupervised by code enforcement till complaints of improper working or damage.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligent operation or negligent maintenance of a motorized gate, contact the Dolman Law Group to discuss your rights as a victim.  At Dolman Law Group the attorneys strive to provide personal attention at your time of need.  Contact us at (727) 451-6900 to set a free consultation and case evaluation.

Dolman Law Group is a Pinellas County Personal injury law firm based in Clearwater with a satellite office located in Bradenton.  Bryan C. Hannan, Esq., is a Pinellas County Injury Attorney who limits his practice to first and third party insurance claims relating to physical injuries suffered as a result of an automobile accident, motorcycle accident, truck accident, boat accident, and slip and falls.  Further, Bryan focuses much of his practice on representing injury victims of a DUI and wrongful death cases.

Dolman Law Group is your Pinellas County Personal Injury Law Firm.

A leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is direct trauma to the head caused by a motorcycle accident.   We often learn that the driver of an automobile never saw the motorcyclist until it was too late.  Unfortunately, many drivers fail to check their blind spots and veer directly into the path of the motorcycle.  Making matters worse if the proliferation of distracted driving.  Cellphones and other hand held electronic gadgets often result in automobile drivers taking their attention off of the road.

Motorcyclists are already far more likely to suffer a serious injury based on the lack of steel surrounding them as compared to an automobile.  Many motorcyclists compound this danger by not wearing a safety helmet, which would help insulate the skull form various serious trauma.  Numerous studies have demonstrated that the use of a safety helmet would greatly downgrade the likelihood of a serious brain injury.  A majority of states require the use of safety helmets or in the very least have requirements for specific ages.  Direct trauma to the head can result in damage to areas of the brain responsible for speech and executive functioning (i.e., planning, analysis, ability to stay on task).  Please note that one of every five motorcyclists involved in a motorcycle accident have suffered a head or neck injury.

It is tough to understand why motorcyclists would chance their helath by taking the unnecessary risk of riding without a helmet.  Riding a motorcycle is a dangerous undertaking in and of itself based on the lack of caution exhibited by many automobile operators.  A traumatic brain injury is a life altering event that can result in permanent impairment to portions of the brain responsible for vital functions.  A brain injury can result in a permanent change in personality, ability to communicate long and short term memory loss and ability to stay on task.

As a Florida motorcycle accident attorney who regularly handles traumatic brain injury claims, I cannot emphasize how vital it is to wear a safety helmet.  It may not be aesthetically pleasing to the eye but it can save a life or at least prevent a brain injury.

Matthew A. Dolman is a Clearwater based Pinellas County motorcycle attorney.  Matt focuses much of his practice on representing motorcycle accident victims along with those who have been injured as a result of an automobile accident, trucking accident, and victims of DUI related wrecks.   For more information or for a free consultation and case evaluation, please call Dolman Law Group today at: (727) 451-6900 or email matt at:  matt@dolmanlaw.com

Approximately 1.7 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year, mostly from car accidents, athletic events, and military service. With statistics this high, treatment is continuously increasing and changing.  Not only are scientists creating new ways to discover brain injuries, but doctors are also discovering new ways to treat symptoms related to a closed head injury. As a Florida brain injury attorney, my blog is dedicated to keeping our readers informed of all developments related to this fluid and evolving area of medicine and the law.

Dr. Stephen Xenakis, a Psychiatrist and a retired Army brigadier has recently championed a new treatment using a hyperbaric oxygen tank. Patients lie in the tank for an hour at a time, where they’re submerged with 100% oxygen under increased pressure. Patients who have undergone this treatment say it is similar to going seventeen (17) feet underwater, or when your ears pop after increasing to a high altitude on an airplane. Doctors recommend a total of forty (40) sessions, but usually after twenty (20) sessions the patient begins feeling gradual improvement and the symptoms often fade.

Doctors believe that oxygen has a direct healing affect on the neurons and small blood vessels, which is what causes the pain to decrease after a finite period of time. Doctors are testing the effectiveness of such treatment.  Thus far, an overwhelming percentage of the patients who have utilized the oxygen tank are feeling better than before.

As a brain injury attorney, I am often retained by both injury victims and fellow attorneys based on our knowledge of this rapidly changing area of the law and medicine. If you have been physically injured as a result of an automobile accident, motorcycle accident, trucking accident, DUI accident or a slip and fall, call us today for more information or for a free consultation and case evaluation at: (727) 451-6900.

As a Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorney, I have utilized this blog to discuss issues common to injury victims.  Today I am going to discuss the factors we commonly see relating to motorcycle accidents.

1.)  Automobile drivers failing to see the motorcycle.

All too often we learn during a deposition that the driver of the automobile never saw the motorcycle.  The driver simply veers into the lane and path of the motorcycle as a result of failing to check the mirrors and blind spot(s)

2.)  Distracted driving

This goes hand-in-hand with #1.  Drivers often fail to take notice of a motorcycle in the adjacent lane due to being distracted.  Distracted driving can take many forms.  However, we often see drivers’ texting and driving which is every bit as dangerous as drinking and driving.  In a recent blog, I discussed and linked to a study that illustrates just how dangerous texting and driving can be.  On average, a driver diverts their attention for 4.5 seconds while retrieving a text message.  Imagine taking your eyes off the road for in excess of four seconds while maintaining a speed of 40 miles per hour.  You can cover the length of a football field in the time that your eyes are looking at the screen of your phone as opposed to the road.

3.)  Inexperienced motorcycle operators  

Driving a motorcycle at excessive speed can lead to catastrophic injuries.  The biker will have little time to adjust to hazards or obstacles on the road.  Further, they can come up to quickly on an automobile changing lane, which accounts for many drivers failing to see the motorcycle.

In cases where there has been a motorcycle collision in the absence of a car or truck, we learn that the biker over braked, under turned or failed to properly reduce their speed.  Due to the lack of metal surrounding them, bikers are clearly far more exposed to serious injuries than the operator of an automobile.  Thus, it is essential to wear the proper safety gear and drive within five miles of the posted speed limit.

If you have been injured as a result of a motorcycle accident, call us today for a free case evaluation and consultation.  Dolman Law Group is your Pinellas County motorcycle accident and injury team.

Dolman Law Group is a Clearwater based Pinellas County personal injury law firm.  We focus much of our practice on representing injury victims with claims related to a motorcycle accident, car accident, trucking accident, traumatic brain injury, spine injury, insurance carrier bad faith and injuries related to drunk driving.

For an accessible and competent motorcycle attorney, call us today at: (727) 451-6900 or email me at: matt@dolmanlaw.com

A Pinellas Park resident suffered very serious injuries when a car pulled directly into out of a parking lot and directly into the path of the motorcyclist. Montgomery Smith (19-years of age) was heading southbound on Tyrone Boulevard when the driver of a Ford F-250 was exiting the Home Depot parking lot and failed to yield the right-of-way to the motorcycle.

If you have followed our blog, we have sadly harped on the ongoing theme that drivers often fail to see motorcycles for a myriad of reasons, which has led to a number of avoidable tragedies.   Unfortunately, automobile operators oftentimes do not operate their vehicles with due caution for other drivers.  Further, many drivers are simply guilty of distracted driving due to the proliferation of cell phones and other hand held devices which often capture the attention of drivers and distract them from their main obligation.

As a Clearwater motorcycle accident attorney, I often note that many of my clients were injured as a result of a driver who failed to notice them.     Many drivers simply fail to allow the motorcyclist full use of their respective traffic lane and provide the proper following distance to enable a sudden stop or deceleration.

If you have been injured as a result of a Clearwater motorcycle accident, call us today at: (727) 451-6900 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Dolman Law Group is your Pinellas County motorcycle accident law firm.  Conveniently located in central Pinellas County, Dolman Law Group is a short commute for motorcycle injury victims residing in St. Petersburg, Tampa, Pinellas Park, Largo, Seminole, Clearwater Beach, Madeira Beach, Indian Rocks, Sand Key, Palm Harbor, Dunedin and Safety Harbor.

Matthew A. Dolman, Esq., is a Pinellas County motorcycle accident attorney.  A resident of Clearwater, Matt focuses much of his practice on representing individuals injured as a result of a motorcycle accident, automobile accident, trucking accident, and drunk driving.