Author: Stephen K. Brooks

Our Best Tips for Hiring a Lawyer after a Car Accident in Tampa

Finding the right lawyer is essential if you’ve been hurt in a car accident in Tampa. Building a strong case for compensation is a job for someone with extensive experience in personal injury law and who knows what it takes to craft a claim that can win. But how do you find the best car…

Florida Driving: Unexpected Effects of COVID-19

If there’s one thing Floridians can agree on, it’s that driving in the state is often a chore. You might assume that roadways would be overall safer in 2020, given that miles driven were down 13%. Shockingly, the opposite is true. 2020 was a record-setting year for Florida driving. With a little research and preparation,…

Inside Look – Semi-Truck Driver Violations in 2020

Beach III: Good afternoon, everyone, and happy Wednesday! Thank you for joining us on Wednesday’s Inside Look by Brooks. I’m Beach Brooks here. Today I’m joined by Connor Keith, who works in marketing for us. Connor and I were working on a project together and we discovered that it’s pretty amazing how many truck driver…

FMCSA: More Than 56,000 Truck Driver Violations in 2020

A federal clearinghouse identified more than 56,000 drug and alcohol violations among the nation’s truck drivers in 2020. More than 45,000 drivers lost their jobs as a result. Truck drivers are held to stricter standards than other motorists, especially when it comes to alcohol consumption. The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for truckers is 0.04…

5 Shocking Polk Crime and Traffic Statistics

It goes without saying that 2020 was not the year any of us expected. Between social unrest, politics, and coronavirus, 2020 posed quite a few threats to our daily comfort. In addition to all of this, regular crime and legal issues were still commonplace. Below we have 5 of last year’s crime and traffic statistics…

March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month

March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month, a public service effort led by the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) every year. It aims to raise public awareness about brain injuries and their effects on survivors and their caregivers. As personal injury lawyers, Brooks Law Group has seen the devastating impact that a brain injury…

Push to Repeal No Fault Auto Insurance Laws

Florida lawmakers are pressing forward with an effort to repeal the state’s no-fault car insurance system. Short of full repeal, they hope to achieve a major overhaul. Any changes will likely be controversial, given the fact that no-fault insurance is a perennial hot-button issue. Critics say it’s behind the times at best and, at worst,…

Top 10 Most Dangerous Intersections in Tampa

Some car accidents are inevitable. But there are some areas in Tampa where crashes are more likely. A local advocacy group, All For Transportation, recently delved into crash statistics and identified the most problematic intersections. The purpose of the study is to encourage government leaders to make road and highway improvements in Tampa and Hillsborough…

Study: Truck Drivers Could Be At Risk for Sleep Apnea

A collision with an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer usually does not end well for other vehicles on the road. Some accidents can be linked to drivers suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, according to new research from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. Previous studies have shown that the number of truck drivers experiencing sleep apnea is increasing. Many…

Tips for Returning to Normal Life After a Tampa Car Accident

An automobile accident can result in harm on many levels, not just physically. Returning to the life you once lived can take time. The recovery process has its ups and downs, and you may feel like you’re riding an emotional rollercoaster. Believe it or not, that’s normal after a car accident. More than 7,000 people…

Workers’ Comp and COVID-19: Where’s the Line?

Workers’ compensation, also known as workers’ comp, has been around for over 100 years. It’s a big part of workers’ rights and a fundamental principle of unionization. Workers’ comp gives protections to workers who are hurt while on the job, and gives support for unionized workers across the nation. Today, however, the line between workers’…

Are Car Accident Settlements Taxable in Florida?

It’s a common question we get from our personal injury clients hurt in a car crash. You are likely to wonder if taxes will consume the settlement you received once your case is resolved. At Brooks Law Group, we know this is an important question. We advise clients to seek the advice of their CPA…

Celebratory Gunfire Injuries in Florida

Just before midnight on New Years’ Eve in Houston, Texas, a sleeping 8-year-old boy was shot in the hand. Less than 20 minutes later, a 24-year-old Houston woman arrived at the hospital after being shot in the stomach. Both were the consequence of unfortunate celebratory gunfire. Even more tragically, the woman was shot by her…

Motorcycle Accident without Helmet – Can I File a Claim?

Motorcycling is a beloved form of recreation for many Floridians. But when a motorcycle accident without helmet happens, the consequences can bring the enjoyment to a crashing halt! Injuries from a motorcycle wreck can be devastating, and many are fatal. Once the damages are assessed, a sizable insurance payout may hang in the balance depending…

Truck Fleets Facing Hours of Service Challenges

Trucking industry representatives embraced recent changes to the hours-of-service regulations, which mandate how long drivers can stay on the roads before resting. While the changes will likely save money on operating costs, they could also have a less desirable side effect: More truck drivers will be behind the wheel with less rest. This poses a…