Fort Walton Beach Legal Blog | Wesley, McGrail & Wesley, PLLC

Mobile phones aren't the only major source of distraction

On behalf of Michael McGrail of Wesley, McGrail & Wesley PLLC on Wednesday, July 25, 2018.

Distracted driving has reached epidemic proportions in this country. With the rise of mobile technology, there are simply too many potential distractions for people to avoid them all. However, mobile phones and tablets are not the only problem leading to dangerous distractions behind the wheel. People getting lost in thought or bored is a leading cause of distraction.

While they do pose a significant risk, screens are not the only thing keeping drivers from focusing on what is most important on the road. Understanding the major causes of distraction in a vehicle can help you in two ways. First, it can help you avoid engaging in distractions when you drive. Second, it can help you identify if someone else is driving while distracted.

Why do people experience road rage?

On behalf of Michael McGrail of Wesley, McGrail & Wesley PLLC on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.

You accidentally cut someone off while merging onto the interstate. You checked your mirrors, but the car came up faster than you realized. The driver had to tap the brakes to keep from rear-ending you. Knowing you should have waited, you wave your apologies and feel happy you did not get in an accident.

Suddenly, that driver accelerates around you and cuts you off, nearly hitting you. You see him or her screaming out the window on the way by. You try to slow down, and the driver slams on the brakes, forcing you to veer to the side. Then, the driver cuts you off again, clipping the front of your car, and you both spin out into the wall.

Does the United States have a drunk driving culture problem?

On behalf of Michael McGrail of Wesley, McGrail & Wesley PLLC on Friday, May 25, 2018.

Drunk driving never seems to end. Every year, tens of thousands of people get injured, and around 10,000 people die in DUI crashes. Someone passes away every 50 minutes. The annual cost is in excess of $44 billion.

But it still continues, year in and year out. People get behind the wheel after drinking at bars, at home or at social gatherings. Sometimes, it seems like everything we do in America is an excuse to drink: holiday parties, sporting events, trips to the beach, camping trips, gatherings with friends and far more.

5 tips for tourists on unfamiliar roads

On behalf of Michael McGrail of Wesley, McGrail & Wesley PLLC posted in blog on Thursday, April 26, 2018.

Summer brings plenty of tourism to Florida. Children get out of school. Parents take time off of work. College students get a break that they embrace, knowing they'll have full-time jobs soon enough.

Plus, with the economy still rising after the recession a decade ago, people have more disposable income. That means more trips, more vacations and more miles on the road.

Taking action after a Florida marijuana charge

On behalf of Michael McGrail of Wesley, McGrail & Wesley PLLC posted in blog on Tuesday, March 27, 2018.

Being found with the possession of marijuana for personal use is probably the least serious drug charge in Florida. However, all drug charges in the United States can have very severe consequences. Therefore, a marijuana possession charge should never be taken lightly.

There are many defenses to having marijuana on your possession in Florida, and there is one exception to the law. Since January 3rd 2017, it has been legal to have marijuana for personal use if you have a doctor's note that suggests you should use it medically. However, if you do not have a good defense, you run the risk of being charged with a felony.

Never eat these 7 distracting foods behind the wheel

On behalf of Michael McGrail of Wesley, McGrail & Wesley PLLC posted in blog on Monday, February 26, 2018.

You're coming home from work when a car pulls out of the local McDonald's and cuts you off. The driver accelerates wildly and swerves between the lanes.

You slam on the brakes, holding back a yell. For a moment, the car straightens out, but it begins to slow down. Over the next mile it goes slower and slower and then starts drifting off to the right. As it hits the shoulder and rocks and dirt begin flying everywhere, the drivers straightens out and speeds up.

How traumatic brain injuries can change your life after a crash

On behalf of Michael McGrail of Wesley, McGrail & Wesley PLLC posted in blog on Wednesday, January 24, 2018.

Many people who get hurt in serious motor vehicle collisions sustain serious injuries. Some, however, are more obvious than others. Broken limbs and spinal cord injuries are often obvious right at the scene of the collision. Other, similarly serious injuries may not seem like a big issue at first.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are common in many kinds of crashes. All too often, people with TBIs are able to exit their vehicle and complete a police report without realizing how serious their injuries are. That can lead to delayed treatment, worsening symptoms and difficulty in getting the compensation you deserve following a crash.

How you can protect yourself from a drunk driver

On behalf of Michael McGrail of Wesley, McGrail & Wesley PLLC posted in blog on Wednesday, December 27, 2017.

Drunk driving isn't just a legal issue. It isn't about arrest totals, fines or jail time.

It's a life issue. Some reports show that a life is lost to a drunk driver every 48 minutes, on average. If you stay home and watch one episode of your favorite show on Netflix, someone likely died while you were watching. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also claim that about 33 percent of total car accidents stem from impaired drivers.

Distractions create hazards on Florida's roads: Pay attention

On behalf of Michael McGrail of Wesley, McGrail & Wesley PLLC posted in blog on Wednesday, November 29, 2017.

The winter is approaching most of the United States with cold weather, ice and snow. In Florida, you're fortunate enough to usually benefit from tepid temperatures and comfortable weather conditions. As a result of the humid, subtropical weather, many people travel from around the country to get a break from the bleak winter storms where they're from.

For Floridians, this influx in tourism is great for the economy, but it's not so good for the roads. People who are unfamiliar with the state's traffic laws and neighborhoods quickly make errors that lead to a growing number of collisions. Fortunately, there are a few things people can do to prevent these crashes.

Boredom can lead directly to car accidents

On behalf of Michael McGrail of Wesley, McGrail & Wesley PLLC posted in blog on Monday, October 30, 2017.

You know that distracted drivers are a risk. They're paying attention to too many things at once, rather than just watching the road. They're the opposite of bored; they're overly engaged.

This is absolutely a problem in Florida. Drivers who get distracted by cellphones, for instance, cause accidents continuously. However, there is a risk on the other side of the coin. People who are merely driving often grow bored, and studies have shown that this can lead to crashes.