Car accidents happen suddenly and can leave drivers feeling shocked, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do next. In the moments after a crash, the decisions you make can have a significant impact on your health, safety, and any future insurance or… read more
Many Florida drivers are unfamiliar with an insurance option that can dramatically increase their financial protection after a serious car accident: stacking uninsured… read more
Many Florida drivers believe that having “full coverage” car insurance means they are fully protected if they are injured in an accident. Unfortunately… read more
Many Florida drivers believe that if they are injured in a car accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance will cover their medical bills and damages. Unfortunately… read more
Choosing the right personal injury lawyer can be daunting, especially when you are already dealing with the stress and emotional toll of an injury. Finding an attorney who is skilled, experienced, compassionate, and dedicated to… read more
School has just started and Florida has already faced its first serious school bus accident. The Orange County accident left 7 children injured, two of whom required hospitalization… read more
What do a 21-year college student and a 27-year old Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissions officer have in common? They were both innocent victims of recent head-on collisions – on opposite… read more
Diana has obtained multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for victims of auto, train, bus, aviation and boating accidents as well as those injured or killed in construction sites, swimming venues, criminal assaults resulting from inadequate security and medical malpractice cases… read more
If you’re the parent of a teen driver, especially one who has recently earned a driver’s license, you are a “worry expert.” And a new study validates those fears. Research led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, reveals that… read more
The recent truck accident occurred on the highway near the Monroe Street intersection. Based on their preliminary investigation, police believe that the tractor-trailer tried to stop to avoid hitting the slower car and swerved on the slippery roadway, causing the truck to jackknife…read more
A recent accident in Southwest Ranches, a rural area with many horse ranches, involved a pick-up truck driver who had dropped his cellphone. When reaching down for it, the truck hit 3 people who were riding their horses across the road…read more
A tragic zip-lining accident in Roatan, Honduras left one Israeli tourist dead and another injured. The honeymooning couple was enjoying the zip-line course when the woman got stuck midway, and her husband collided with her in midair… read more
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most serious injuries that can occur in a motorcycle accident. When the rider is not wearing a helmet, a TBI is also one of the most common injuries… read more
The fatal crash occurred in the morning on State Road 206 when the 27-year old driver of the Dodge SUV tried to pass a semi-truck and slammed into the family’s car. The SUV driver was killed along with all occupants of the other vehicle… read more
There are more than 975,000 registered buses in the U.S., yet in 2016 there were only 225 fatal bus crashes. However, the 264 lives that were lost in these accidents are far too many, considering that most bus accidents are preventable… read more
Imagine this scenario: You are driving northbound on I-95 in Broward County on a sunny evening when suddenly a truck’s tire comes crashing into your windshield… read more
Tragedy struck recently in Miramar when a 9-month old baby girl was killed by a pit bull. The horrific incident happened in the girl’s grandmother’s house while under her care. The baby was mauled to death while sitting in a bouncy chair and was pronounced dead at the scene… read more
Auto accidents are the cause of more than half of all traumatic brain injuries in the U.S. A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, may result when the head is subjected to a blow or jolt from penetrating or blunt trauma. read more
A driver who may have been impaired by a marijuana-laced edible has been arrested after a fatal hit-and-run accident on I95 in Broward County… read more
Many people switch to vaping, or inhaling water vapor through an electronic cigarette or personal vaporizer, with the belief that they are safer to use than smoking tobacco products… read more
In a recent freak accident, a construction worker was killed at an Orange City job when a paving machine ran over him. The 72-year old worker, who had more 30 years of experience in the paving and construction industries… read more
It’s understandable why this is one of Diana Santa Maria’s favorite quotes. Santa Maria, a personal injury attorney and head of The Law Offices of Diana Santa Maria, P.A. … read more
The bus driver was killed and dozens of students injured – some critically – when their tour bus left the roadway, crossed the median and slammed down…read more
School BusHigh school students headed to Hernando High School in Brooksville, Florida were lucky to escape with minor injuries in a recent accident… read more
A recent study found that individuals who have experienced traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, were more likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease… read more
Imagine that you are traveling at a high speed at night down a multiple-lane highway – and then imagine that you see headlights coming directly toward you in your lane…read more
It is critical to begin an investigation of an accident involving a tractor trailer immediately in order to retrieve and preserve evidence…read more
A midday drive along the Tamiami Trail ended in tragedy last week when a recently installed pedestrian bridge collapsed onto the busy highway… read more
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) are more common than you may imagine, with 1.5 million Americans experiencing a TBI each year (CDC). A TBI may occur from many types of head trauma including a closed head injury like a bullet wound and an open head injury. read more
Hit and run accidents don’t always happen between two vehicles, where one illegally leaves the scene afterwards. A hit and run accident can also be when a car hits a pedestrian or bicyclist and then drives away to evade responsibility. read more
The recent death of a decorated 32-year old Brevard County deputy has been attributed to a tractor-trailer’s bad tire. read more
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a new test to diagnose traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). This new simple blood test may be a revolutionary diagnostic tool. read more
America moves on trucks, and almost 3 billion tons of hazardous materials travel via tanker trailers each year. Tanker trucks transport all kinds of fluids that can be as harmless as milk and pool water, or as dangerous and toxic as corrosive chemicals, oil and gas, radio-active substances and bio-hazards. read more
In 2016, Florida tied with Texas for the most fatal child drownings – 40 each – even though the population of the Lone Star state is 40% greater than ours. In fact, drowning is the leading cause of injury for children ages 1-4 in Florida and is the highest in the nation for that age group. read more
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are more common than you might think. In fact, every day 138 Americans die from a TBI (statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). This devastating injury is one of the leading causes of death and disability. read more
Being in a truck accident is not the same as other vehicle accidents. For one thing, consider the potentially vast differences in size. Fully-loaded tractor trailers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds! The trailers can be 53-feet long, which is three times as long as the largest SUVs. read more
A recent VIP preview of Brightline railway, a diesel-electric high-speed rail speed under construction in our state, turned tragic when a pedestrian was killed in Boynton Beach. read more
Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a major cause of death and debilitating injuries in the U.S. In fact, 30% of all injury deaths have TBI as a contributing factor (data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC). read more
While many different parties may be liable for property and victims’ injuries, driver error is often a cause of these accidents. read more
A holiday family vacation turned tragic when a 78-year old grandmother from Coconut Creek was killed in a tour bus accident. The crash occurred in eastern Mexico when the tourists were motoring to Mayan ruins. read more
A twin engine Piper PA-23 aircraft recently ended its ride in an Oakland Park lake while attempting to return to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. The pilot was able to extricate himself and swim to safety, and the plane sank shortly thereafter. read more
Driving while fatigued is a major problem in the commercial trucking industry. In a recent study, driver fatigue was a critical reason in 13% of large truck accidents (data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration FMCSA). read more
Motorcyclists are exposed not only to the elements but also to other vehicles and the road itself. In an accident, there is virtually no protection for the driver and passenger against larger vehicles. read more
2017 was a devastating year in terms of hurricane damage. Irma hit Florida hard in September and took a tremendous toll in terms of fatalities and property damage. read more
Truck vs. car accidents can cause catastrophic injuries and property damage. The risks to drivers and passengers of the smaller vehicles vary based on the type of truck… read more
Honolulu has become the first major U.S. city that allows police to fine pedestrians for viewing their electronic devices while crossing the street… read more
Traumatic brain injury does not only happen from serious accidents or jarring head contact from sports like football and hockey…read more
When you visit a salon or spa, you expect to leave with a new hairdo and to be refreshed by your experience… read more
A recent Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) study reported that, in the study group, driver fatigue was a factor in 13% of large truck crashes… read more
The number of pedestrian vs. vehicle accidents is not only increasing in our county, they are growing at an alarming rate… read more
A trucking company has agreed to settle claims where a driver was using his cellphone before falling asleep behind the wheel and caused a collision with a smaller vehicle… read more
In our earlier blog, we reported on the Hollywood Hills nursing home deaths resulting from Hurricane… read more
The Law Offices of Diana Santa Maria, P.A. is pleased to announce that the law firm and its Managing Attorney and Founding Partner, Diana Santa Maria, continue to be…read more
If you have been involved in an accident with a truck, there are certain actions that you should take immediately…read more
A recent study has confirmed that sports-related concussions from contact sports like football are definitely connected to long-lasting head trauma… read more
Although powerful Hurricane Irma left Florida days ago, its ramifications are still being felt… read more
An Orlando couple is lucky to be alive after they were injured in a propane explosion inside their vehicle… read more
Drowsy driving is all too common on U.S. highways. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 824 people were killed in car accidents… read more
In a recent joint announcement, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) revealed that they are no longer pursuing plans to require sleep apnea… read more
In the past decade there has been a 20% increase in the number of commercial truck accidents (data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration FMCSA). Is there… read more
The construction industry has the largest number of fatal and non-fatal traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in the U.S. workplace… read more
Defective Takata airbags are still causing fatalities – even when they are not on the road… read more
A recent study performed by Rutgers University revealed some intriguing connections between certain hair care products and breast cancer… read more
A truck underride accident is devastating and can result in horrible deaths. An underride accident occurs when a smaller vehicle crashes into the side or back of a tractor-trailer and slides underneath… read more
In a recent decision, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that the law that limits pain and suffering damages in medical malpractice cases is unconstitutional. … read more
Every year the news is full of stories of individuals – most of them children – who have been saved from near drowning. read more
Two recent fatal watercraft accidents in the Fort Lauderdale area highlight the fact that boating for pleasure can be very hazardous. read more
A recent semi-truck rollover accident near Sarasota resulted in the death of the driver. read more
Violence in the workplace recently struck again when 5 Fiamma employees were killed at work by a disgruntled former employee… read more
A tragic accident in Thomasville Georgia, near Tallahassee, claimed the life of an 8-year old boy. The boy ran into the path of a golf cart which hit him, knocking him to the ground and then running him over. The child suffered a severe head injury and later died at the hospital. read more
Fort Lauderdale narrowly missed a direct hit by Hurricane Matthew last year. Matthew turned further north and weakened so our state was only touched by the outer eyewall. This hurricane finally made landfall in South Carolina. read more
A southbound Federal Express truck pulling tandem trailers veered across the highway divider and into northbound traffic, slamming into the side of a northbound car and killing its driver. The truck continued across all 4 northbound lanes, stopping at last with the second trailer overturned. read more
Most of us underestimate the importance of the tires on the vehicles we drive, but they are the only point of contact between our vehicle and the road and are critical to vehicle handling and braking. read more
All vehicles have blind spots, which are areas of the road that can’t be seen by looking forward, by looking in the rear-view mirror or by looking in the side mirrors. read more
Bicycling is a great way to get fresh air, exercise and do something good for the environment. In May, the League of American Bicyclists celebrates National Bike Month as the perfect time to learn more about the fun of bicycling as well as bicycle safety. read more
In 2015, the 606 Florida motorcyclists killed in accidents represented an incredible 30% increase over the prior year. read more
Recently, a worker fell about 30 feet from scaffolding while working outside a building in Fort Lauderdale. read more
A semi-trailer driver whose truck recently plunged off an overpass on I75 near Tampa was cited for using a cellphone while operating a commercial motor vehicle. read more
Spring means that it’s prom season. This is an exciting time for your teenager, but at the same time, every year the news is full of tragic car accidents resulting from reckless behavior. read more
It may seem incredible but up to 1 million children are treated in U.S. emergency rooms every year with brain injuries. And 20,000 of these will suffer moderate to severe – and life-changing – symptoms. (statistics from tbi.org) read more
One of the most common types of vehicle accidents – up to 28% of all car accidents according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – are rear-end collisions. These crashes occur when a vehicle hits the one in front of it. Although many are minor fender-benders, some rear-end collisions can cause severe injuries and even death. read more
A truck vs. car accident or any other smaller vehicle can be devastating in terms of injuries or even death as well as property damage. read more
The federal government has issued the first comprehensive updates to nursing home and other long-term care facility regulations since 1991. Created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), some provisions became effective last fall with the rest phasing in during 2017 and 2019. read more
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain and can be mild or severe. read more
Traveling the highway with tractor-trailers can be intimidating. These commercial vehicles weighing up to 80,000 pounds have the potential to inflict catastrophic damage in accidents simply because of their large size and weight. read more
Did you know that tax season is prime time for criminals trying to steal your money through tax scams?… read more
As consumers, we should feel confident that any vehicle or product that we purchase or use has been properly manufactured, evaluated and tested for safety… read more
2017 began disastrously for a 19-year old bicyclist in Ft. Lauderdale. On the evening of New Year’s Day as he was biking on Powerline Road, his bike was struck on the back by a car that allegedly kept on going. The bicyclist…read more
The Law Offices of Diana Santa Maria, P.A. is pleased to announce that Diana Santa Maria has been recognized as a Top Lawyer by the 2017 South Florida Legal Guide… read more
A wrongful death is one in which the death is brought about by the negligence or wrongful act of others. Not every death is wrongful, but if you have lost a family member…read more
The last 3 bills signed by Governor Scott from Florida’s 2016 legislative session went into effect on January 1…read more
If you have been injured in an auto accident, it’s all too easy to ruin your chances to collect compensation in an accident claim. Now is not the time to relax and just let things happen. You must act quickly, be vigilant and be very careful…read more
While winter ice and snowstorms rage across the U.S., here in Florida we enjoy unlimited sunshine and balmy temperatures. Poor driving conditions for us are limited to rain and wet roads, but these can be extremely dangerous… read more
If you’ve entrusted the care of an elderly loved one to a nursing home or other elder care facility, you expect that they will be safe and under good care. Unfortunately, too many of these facilities have fallen below federal standards… read more
A big part of the fun and rewards of the holiday season is decorating our homes, no matter which holiday you celebrate. Unfortunately, when home decorations are used without regard to fire safety or are of inferior quality, the result can be a home structure fire… read more
We are pleased to announce that once again The Law Offices of Diana Santa Maria, P.A. in Fort Lauderdale has been selected for inclusion along with a select group of attorneys in Best Lawyers in America… read more
Keeping up your fitness routine is the best way to reduce stress during the busy holiday season. But if you choose to workout at a gym, be very cautious when operating the machines. Each year thousands of Americans fall off of equipment, push themselves too much or drop heavy weights, resulting in injuries like fractures, torn muscles or strained backs… read more
It’s hard – or impossible – to imagine our lives without cell phones. We need to be connected to family, friends and business contacts 24/7. However, despite laws that attempt to curb their use, cell phone use is still a major contributor to car accidents caused by distracted drivers…read more
Thanks to lower fuel prices and a more robust economy, U.S. airports are bracing for what experts say may be a record-setting holiday travel season…read more
A recent construction accident at Port Everglades demonstrates once again why construction jobs are in the top 12 of the most dangerous occupations in the U.S. … read more
A slip and fall in a retail business is more than just embarrassing. You can be injured, perhaps even seriously. There are many hazards that could cause a fall – frayed carpeting, liquid spills or even hangers on the floor of a changing room. All of a sudden you find yourself on the floor and in pain… read more
Whiplash is a common term – we hear it almost routinely after a car accident or other type of vehicle accident. Basically, any sudden blow or impact that causes your neck to jolt forward and then quickly backwards… read more
Motorcyclists love our wonderful Florida weather as they can bike our roads almost every day. Biking can be efficient transportation as well as fun and adventurous, but riding a motorcycle is not without risk… read more
Now that we’re into October, it’s not too soon to begin thinking about the holiday season. Most of us pleasurably anticipate Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and other religious holidays because of special occasions with family and friends… read more
Recent news reports are filled with the reported terrorist events in Minnesota, New Jersey and New York. Stories of these man-made tragedies share the news with natural disasters, including direct hits on our state by hurricanes Colin, Hermine and Julia… read more
Anything that you post on social media can be used against you in your personal injury case – even if your settings are private rather than public. Hard to believe? It’s true – attorneys and insurance companies for the at-fault party can gain access to your postings, photos and even private conversations fairly easily… read more
Going without rest for 18 hours is like having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05%. But it gets worse from there – no sleep for 21 hours can cause a driver to act and react like someone with a BAC of 0.08% – the legal limit for driving under the influence!… read more
Researchers from the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio have found that an estimated 360,937 children under age 5 were treated in emergency rooms for injuries related to these children’s products in the 21 years ending in 2010… read more
A Canadian case last year involved a personal trainer who had been injured in an auto accident. Using the data from her Fitbit fitness tracker, her attorney was able to demonstrate the severity of her injuries by proving that her activity levels had lessened after the accident… read more
A recent ProPublica report documented abuses in assisted living centers and nursing homes by way of social media, including at least 47 instances since 2012. As a result, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)… read more
A 2015 CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) report shocked our state when it revealed that Florida has the highest bicycle death rate in the nation at 0.057 per 100,000 population… read more
Talcum powder appears to be one of the safest products around. After all, we smooth it on babies every day! Yet extended use of talcum powder has been linked to ovarian cancer… read more
Car headrests or restraints are designed to limit the backward movement of the occupant’s head in an auto accident and therefore prevent or minimize a whiplash injury… read more
Residents and visitors to our beautiful city are fortunate to be able to enjoy more than 165 miles of navigable channels and plenty of access to the open ocean. Add to that our outstanding year-round weather and you have the perfect setting for boaters of all types to enjoy the open water…read more
Have you heard about the new Pokemon Go craze? This new video game designed for mobile use is based on the classic media franchise…read more
Airbag Recalls. This spring we posted about the massive Takata airbag recall – the largest automotive recall ever in U.S. history. Well, it just keeps getting bigger…read more
Seeing a driver driving the wrong way and coming at you head-on is a terrifying prospect. According to a 2009 National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report, wrong way collisions occur in only 3% of all accidents…read more
When you entrust yourself or a family member to the care of a doctor, the last thing you would expect is that your medical condition, illness or injury would be misdiagnosed…read more
Have you or a family member been involved in a car accident? Having even a minor fender-bender is emotional and stressful with potential injuries and financial consequences…read more
Hooray for the red, white and blue! Americans will be celebrating Independence Day soon and especially enjoy dazzling displays of fireworks. Did you know that our tradition of using fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July began in 1777?… read more
A restaurant visitor slips on a grease spill near the kitchen. A child falls after slipping on a collected pool of water at an amusement park. A delivery service representative… read more
A recent accident in Davie, FL shows just how hazardous it can be to work in the construction industry. More than a dozen firefighters worked for more than an hour to free a worker who was trapped while operating a small front loader. He had been pinned between the bucket and the body of the Bobcat…. read more
Do you wear your seat belt every single time you get in a car? Driver or passenger? Front seat and back? Do the young drivers in your household wear seat belts and do they insist that their friends buckle up?…. read more
Do you have a dog for a pet? They are not only man’s best friend, but they are wonderful company and protectors for all, young and old…. read more
It becomes a nightmare when a drug, either because of inadequate side effect warnings, incomplete or inaccurate directions for use or because it shouldn’t have been on the market at all, causes serious injury, illness or even death…. read more
It’s tempting to speed up and try to out run those flashing lights and descending bars at railroad crossings to make it across before the train appears. But don’t do it…. read more
Looking for something to do with the kids this weekend? A big benefit of living in South Florida is the availability of many theme and amusement parks – just a short drive away…. read more
Head injuries are not just for football players, although it’s estimated that there are at least 1.6 million sports-related brain injuries every year. The 3 leading causes of TBIs are falls, blunt trauma to the head and motor vehicle crashes…. read more
Here in southern Florida we have an abundance of water sources perfect for recreational fun including more than 600 miles of beaches and thousands of private and public swimming pools…. read more
In an ironic twist to the saga of the defective Takata airbags, Dr. Mark R. Rosekind, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is now personally involved in this huge recall… read more
Beauty products are “feel good” materials that enhance our appearance and make us feel pampered. The last thing you could ever imagine is that these products could harm you. But in fact, that is what happens every day… read more
A recent preliminary report on 2015 pedestrian deaths in the U.S. showed a 10% increase over 2014. The “Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State” report… read more
It can often be a difficult decision to relocate a loved one to a nursing home. Your emotions are complicated by the fear that your family member will be subjected to negligent or even abusive conditions…read more
If you or a family member has been injured in a car accident, you know that the results can be devastating for victims and their families. Usually, in the event of an accident…read more
