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OCALA, FL – A driver trying to elude law enforcement authorities was killed when his vehicle crashed in Ocala on New Year’s Eve, the Ocala Star-Banner reports.

The incident began at about 11:30 p.m. when Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies tried to pull over a pickup truck on Maricamp Road that matched the description of a vehicle linked to a burglary/disturbance in Silver Springs Shores. The sheriff’s office said the driver took off with a deputy in pursuit, and the pickup hit the deputy’s vehicle.

The pickup driver continued on Southeast 22nd Avenue and then across East Fort King Street, where the vehicle went into a business parking lot and crashed into an office building that houses a real estate company and an investing office.

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CITRUS COUNTY, FL – Authorities said a motorcyclist was killed in a crash involving a suspected drunk driver in Citrus County on Sunday, WTVT reports.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the incident occurred in Floral City on Old Floral City Road near Evergreen Loop.  According to the FHP, the driver of a Dodge Caravan was headed south at about 4:38 p.m. when he crossed over the center line and struck a northbound Suzuki motorcycle.

The operator of the motorcycle, a 45-year-old man from Inverness, was pronounced dead at the scene.  The Dodge driver, identified as 27-year-old Tristen Alexander Melichar, was allegedly impaired at the time of the accident. He was arrested on a charge of DUI manslaughter and was taken to the Citrus County Jail.  Melichar was not injured in the crash.

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With the start of 2024, many people decide to get serious about their goals for the year – and one that always takes a top spot on many people’s new year’s resolution is fitness. January typically sees gym memberships on the rise, and that brings up the question of who is to blame in the event of an injury? The answer can vary depending on the circumstances surrounding your injury.

A gym owner may be liable if their equipment was not properly maintained or a spill was not cleaned up properly, causing an unsuspecting patron to slip and fall. Defective gym equipment that malfunctions in use could be to blame on the equipment manufacturer. A group fitness instructor or personal trainer that pushes too hard and disregards your limitations or advises you on how to use a piece of equipment incorrectly could be to blame if you suffer an injury.

What Types of Gym Injuries Are Most Common?

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PORT RICHEY, FL – A pedestrian accident claimed the life of a woman in Pasco County last week, police said.

Pasco News Online reported details of the crash that occurred early Christmas morning in the area of US 19 and Grand Boulevard in Port Richey.  Police responded to the scene after being notified of the incident shortly after midnight.

According to Port Richey Police, two women had left a bar in the area and were walking to a gas station at the intersection.

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OCALA, FL – The Ocala Police Department said one person was killed and another injured in a crash last week.

In a Facebook post, police said officers responded to the intersection of NW 10th Street and N Pine Avenue on Tuesday evening at about 6:45 p.m.  A motorcycle collided with a pickup truck at that location.

Two people on the motorcycle, a man and a woman, were taken to an area hospital where the woman died later.  Her name was not released.

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Aaron Gordon, a forward for the Denver Nuggets, will be sidelined following a dog bite on Christmas that left him with facial and hand injuries.

After the dog bite, Gordon needed 21 stitches to heal the cuts on his face and right hand, which is his shooting hand, according to league sources.

Gordon is “in good condition,” but the Nuggets announced on Wednesday that he will miss time with the team while he heals. They gave no schedule for when he might return.

Throughout 28 games this season with the defending champion Nuggets, he has averaged 13.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.

Untitled by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay Incidents of dog bites are a serious issue. In fact, the American Veterinary Association reports that 4.5 million people suffer from dog bite attacks each year. While some of these bites may be minor injuries that do not require medical attention, an estimated 800,000 people require extensive medical care, which may include plastic surgery for facial injuries, every year due to dog bites and attacks. Hospital fees can be exorbitant, and an ER visit may necessitate filing a dog bite lawsuit to obtain monetary compensation for these significant damages.

Puncture wounds and injuries to the hands and arms are the most frequent forms of injuries sustained after a dog bite. Dogs tend to target specific body parts more than others; the hands and arms account for over half (45.3%) of all bite injuries, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Over $1 billion was spent on dog-related injury claims in 2022

Since homeowner’s insurance is designed to cover injuries received on your property, claims for dog bite injuries may be covered by it. Many dog bite injuries end up being extremely expensive, making it difficult for homeowners to pay for such injuries out of pocket. Fortunately, homeowner’s insurance allows you to still get these expensive medical bills paid without having to deal with the worry and stress of having to sue a friend or relative.

Dog-related injuries cost homeowners insurance companies a lot of money because of the high number of claims each year and the high payouts. The Insurance Information Institute estimates that in 2022, home insurance companies paid out a total of $1.136 billion for claims involving dogs.

California has the most dog bite and dog-related attack claims, accounting for 1,954 claims followed by Florida with 1,331 claims, according to a recent Forbes report.

With dog bites occurring in the US every 75 seconds, being prepared for what to do in the instant aftermath of an attack can help ease the trauma of an otherwise terrifying circumstance.

  • Get medical help right away.
  • Notify local authorities about the occurrence.
  • Identify witnesses and get their accounts of what happened. Make sure you get their contact information in case you need it in the future to help with a potential claim.
  • Take pictures and videos of the injuries. It is hard to refute photographic evidence that supports your claim.
  • Speak with our knowledgeable dog bite injury lawyers in Florida as soon as possible to preserve all critical evidence and meet all necessary deadlines.

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WESLEY CHAPEL, FL – A search is underway for the driver involved in a fatal hit-and-run incident in Pasco County on Saturday night, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

A report by WTSP stated that the victim was a 17-year-old boy in Wesley Chapel.  The FHP determined that the teen was crossing the road in a marked crosswalk at the intersection of Chancey Road and Bellmeade Court just after 10 p.m. when he was hit by a Nissan Pathfinder whose driver failed to yield.

The boy was declared dead at the scene.  State troopers said the driver involved fled the scene without stopping to help.

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BROOKSVILLE, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol released details regarding a fatal motorcycle accident in Hernando County Friday night, Pasco News Online reported.

The crash took place near the intersection of Powell Road and La Vista Street in Brooksville.  State troopers said a man was driving east on a Harley Davidson motorcycle at about 10:10 p.m. when he was unable to negotiate a curve in the roadway near La Vista Street.  The rider lost control of the bike, which went off the road and onto a shoulder before overturning.

The motorcycle rider, a 32-year-old man from Dade City, was pronounced dead at the scene.

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More and more people are choosing to drive drunk over the holiday season. December’s drunk driving deaths are the greatest in over 15 years, according to NHTSA data.

Drunk Driving

The most recent data year available, December 2021, showed 1,013 fatalities from drunk driving-related road crashes, the highest number since 2007. Over 4,500 people lost their lives in drunk driving-related traffic collisions in December between 2017 and 2021, according to data from the NHTSA. The tragedy of these losses is felt all year, but for many, it is intensified over the holidays.

Drug-Impaired Driving

All 50 states prohibit drug-impaired driving, just like they do drunk driving. During the years 2019–2021, the NHTSA investigated drivers who suffered life-threatening injuries or lost their lives at various trauma centers and medical examiner offices. According to the study, almost 25% of drivers at trauma clinics had detectable levels of THC, or marijuana’s active ingredient, in their bodies.

From now until Jan. 1 police are ramping up their efforts to keep impaired drivers off the roads. 204 people have died in 4,494 alcohol-impaired driving crashes in the past year in Florida, according to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Here are a few tips to make sure you and your friends and family get home safely this NYE:

  • Plan for a sober ride home, and assign someone to be your point of accountability if necessary.
  • If you choose to drink, do not drive while intoxicated. To get home safely, call a sober friend, use a taxi or rideshare service, or use public transportation. In some areas in Florida, AAA’s Tow 2 Go service will drop you and your car off within a 10-mile radius for free. (855) 2-TOW-2-GO is the number to call. The Tow-To-Go service is available through Tuesday, January 2.
  • If you are hosting and notice someone about to drive drunk, take their keys and help them get home safely or provide them with food, water, and a place to sleep so they can sober up.

We Can Help

A DUI accident case can be complicated and time-consuming to resolve. A lawyer can assist you in obtaining crucial evidence against a drunk or drug-impaired motorist, such as chemical test results and police camera footage. After that, a lawyer can help you file a claim with the insurance provider of the impaired motorist to seek fair compensation for all losses. Continue reading

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MARION COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol said a two-vehicle collision in Marion County on Saturday night left both drivers dead.

The Ocala StarBanner reports the accident happened at Southeast Maricamp Road and Pine Trace in Silver Springs Shores.  Marion County Fire Rescue Crews responded to the scene at 9:32 p.m.

An investigation found that the driver of a Chevy Equinox was headed east in the westbound lane on Maricamp Road, and collided with a westbound Nissan Murano.  The driver of the Chevy, a 23-year-old Ocala woman, and the driver of the Nissan, a 44-year-old Summerfield woman, were both pronounced dead at the scene.  A 2-year-old child in the Chevy was being taken to UF Health Shands Hospital for treatment.

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