Author: Stephen K. Brooks

Does This Snapchat Filter Lead to Distracted Driving?

Snapchat, the popular social media app, has received several lawsuits in the past due to one controversial photo filter. It’s called the Speed Filter. It shows a speedometer, just like the one in every motor vehicle on the road today. The issue? Many believe it leads to problems involving young people, speeding, and fatal car…

What Car Insurance Coverage Do I Need in Florida?

Florida drivers know that the auto insurance industry can be hard to understand. What coverage do you need? Whose coverage do you go after when you’ve been in a crash? What does a “no-fault state” even mean? Our attorneys Steve Brooks and Beach Brooks III give their advice on car insurance for Florida drivers below….

What are the Legal Implications of the Miami Condo Building Collapse?

The death toll continues to rise from the rubble of the Champlain Towers South building, a 12-story beachfront condo property that recently collapsed in Surfside. As first responders continue rescue efforts in the Miami suburb, questions loom about what went wrong and who may be legally responsible for the collapse. Several lawsuits have already been…

How Much is My Tampa Personal Injury Case Worth?

“How much is my case worth?” It’s one of the first questions personal injury lawyers hear when they meet with potential clients. But unfortunately, there’s no quick and easy answer. As frustrating as that sounds, keep reading. You need to know everything that goes into calculating the value of a personal injury claim before getting…

The Most Dangerous County for Driving in Florida

Florida consistently ranks as one of the worst U.S. states for driving. It’s a big state filled with tourist attractions. Whether you’re a longtime resident or visiting for the sunny beaches, big city nightlife, or amusement parks, be prepared to contend with some of the deadliest roads in the country. Wondering about the most dangerous…

What Is Pain and Suffering in a Personal Injury Claim?

Were you injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence? If so, you may already know that you can seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other financial losses. But did you know that under Florida personal injury law, you might also obtain money for pain and suffering? Here, the lawyers at…

Does Talcum Powder Cause Ovarian Cancer?

In the past year or two, discussion of talcum powder’s link to ovarian cancer has been everywhere. Talcum-based baby powder has been used by women and small children since the early 1900’s, and it’s safe to say that millions and millions of people have been exposed to it over the past century. It’s no surprise…

Personal Injury Compensation: When Can You Expect to Receive It?

If you’re seeking compensation from someone else after an accident in Florida, it’s natural to wonder how long it will take before the money arrives. There’s no clear answer to that question. Many different factors will impact your chances of receiving compensation after an accident. Getting advice from an experienced Tampa attorney can help you…

Large Trucks are Involved in 1/3 of All Fatal Crashes Occurring in Work Zones

Work zones are some of the most treacherous places on Florida roadways. As the number of people killed in work zones along roads continues to climb, federal regulators are calling on the public to exercise caution as they navigate work zones. In particular, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is asking truck drivers to…

Alissa Greene: Spring 2021 Scholarship Runner Up

Our Spring 2021 Scholarship essay prompt asked students to write about their thoughts on the student debt crisis, how it’s impacted their college plans, and what they would do to solve it. Hailey McTee is our first place winner, and she will receive a $1,000 scholarship for college. You can read her winning essay below….

Hailey McTee: Spring 2021 Scholarship Winner

Our Spring 2021 Scholarship essay prompt asked students to write about their thoughts on the student debt crisis, how it’s impacted their college plans, and what they would do to solve it. Hailey McTee is our first place winner, and she will receive a $1,000 scholarship for college. You can read her winning essay below….

What to Do After a Car Accident That’s Not Your Fault?

It’s not always clear what to do after a car accident in Tampa. This is particularly true if the accident wasn’t your fault. Florida is a no-fault auto insurance state, which means the rules for recovering compensation after a car accident are different than most states. The process for obtaining compensation doesn’t start with the…

Florida Senate Votes to End No-Fault Insurance: What Does That Mean for Me?

If you live in Florida and have been involved in a car accident, you know how hard it can be to get fully compensated for your injuries. A big reason for the struggle is Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system. But thanks to a recent vote in the Florida Senate, this system could be changing soon….

5 Driving Tips for Hurricane Preparedness

Any experienced Floridian can tell you that the summer months are some of the rainiest. This rainy season usually lasts from late May until well into October—right in the middle of hurricane season. These months are responsible for over 60% of the annual rainfall in the state. You can count on them to be more…

Car Theft Prevention: Lessons From a Florida Man

The iconic “Florida man” escapades should be familiar to any Florida resident. From an incident involving an alligator in a Wendy’s drive-through to another involving a naked theft of a restaurant urinal, the legendary Florida man has established himself as equal parts dangerous and unpredictable. For motor vehicle owners in Florida, however, there is a…

Inside Look – Truck Blind Spots

Steve: Welcome to Wednesday’s Inside Look by Brooks! Steve Brooks here alongside my co-host Beach Brooks III. Today we are talking about truck blind spots. Trucks weigh, generally, about 80,000 pounds when they’re loaded. A car is about 7,000 pounds, so there’s 10 times the weight in a truck. So if you’re in a collision…

National Volunteer Week: Changing a Community

Did you know that April 18-24 is officially declared as National Volunteer Week? This week celebrates volunteers around the country and encourages everyone to pitch in. Here at Brooks Law Group, giving back to our community is very important to us. It’s why we put on events like our Turkey Giveaway each year. But how…

Red Light Cameras: Purpose, Debate, and Tips

Over the last few years, red light cameras have become a topic of heated discussion for Florida legislators. Following Texas’ decision to remove them completely in 2019, many expect that Florida will follow suit. But 2 years later, the cameras in Florida are still in use. Today, we’ll discuss why red light cameras are such…

Inside Look — Ask Me Anything!

Welcome to Wednesday’s Inside Look by Brooks! Steve Brooks of Brooks Law Group here. Hope everybody had a great Easter. It is absolutely gorgeous outside. The weather is low humidity and cool, so I’ve been going on bike rides in the afternoons. It’s been fantastic. So, we’re gonna shift it up a little today. Instead…

10 Critical Mistakes That Might Derail Your Florida Personal Injury Claim, Lawsuits, and Settlements in 2021

If you have been in an accident and are pursuing a personal injury claim, it’s critical to know what not to do so you can set yourself up to win. After handling hundreds of personal injury claims, we know that mistakes can cause you to lose your personal injury lawsuit. Here are 10 to avoid….

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…