Brooks Law Legal Blog
The news of an Arizona bicyclist who was struck and killed by an autonomous Uber vehicle in 2018 made national headlines. At the time, the public wondered if the company would face charges. But recently, the safety driver hired to oversee the autonomous car was charged with criminal negligence. However, neither Uber nor the company…
Since the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, many across the nation have joined both nonviolent protests and riots. During this time, people have been victimized by both demonstrators and law enforcement. As protests become more common, local streets seem to become more and more dangerous. With some forethought and understanding, it’s easy to…
The COVID-19 pandemic has infiltrated nearly every aspect of American life. When the nation was shut down in early spring, there was a rise in unsafe driving habits nationwide, especially among young men. Chief among them was driving under the influence of alcohol or mind-altering drugs. But a rise in other risky behaviors, such as…
If you’ve been on social media recently, you’ve likely encountered posts about California’s Bill, SB-145. Some people have taken to calling it “The Pedophile Bill.” Many posts misconstrue the intent of the bill as “supporting pedophilia and other sex crimes.” Well, today we’re going to see what SB-145 is really about. Here at Brooks Law…
October is the scariest month of the year, but that doesn’t mean you should be scared of the legal world! Brooks Law Group aims to clear up legal confusion and make it easier to understand. That’s why we’ve joined with the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce for a series of networking calls throughout October….
One thing we’ve learned at Brooks Law Group is the importance of giving back. One of the best ways to build our community is through education. That’s why we’re proud to offer the Brooks Law Group Scholarship each spring and fall. Our spring scholarship deadline is just around the corner, so we want to give…
Living in the Sunshine State sure has its perks. One is having so many ways to enjoy a day on the water. Maybe you love fishing in your favorite spot on Winter Haven’s Chain of Lakes or hanging out at one of the beaches near Tampa Bay. Live here long enough and you’re sure to…
Car accidents are more likely for adults who experience ADHD symptoms beyond childhood, according to a new study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). ADHD, or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, affects more than 6.1 million children in America. Characterized by trouble focusing, sitting still,…
As November approaches, there’s one question you’re sure to hear over and over again. Are you registered to vote? Though it may seem redundant, this is an important thing to remember! This year’s General Election will be as important as ever, and it’s your right to make your voice heard. But you can’t do that…
Many people are spending more time at home as the COVID-19 pandemic surges on. In Florida, that means chances are high that families are making good use of the backyard pool. More use means that the pool filter will need more frequent cleaning and maintenance — but be careful if you’re planning to do it…
If you’ve been feeling more stressed lately, you’re not alone. Anxiety levels are rising across the country, and this is only made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our staff from our offices in Tampa, Winter Haven, and Auburndale have been learning different stress relief tactics. We figured it was time we share a little of…
It’s pretty unlikely that you haven’t heard of the dangers of distracted driving. Our state has recently started to take the problem more seriously. It’s been just over a year since Florida’s texting and driving law went into effect. Though we don’t have updated statistics just yet, hopefully this law has kept us off our…
It’s hard to believe that another school year is already starting in Hillsborough and Polk County. Many of us have been enjoying emptier roads on our commute as traffic dropped during lockdowns. But as school opens again, more families will be on the road to and from school. It’s very important that all of us…
Here on our Brooks Law Group blog, we’ve been trying to keep our readers up to date on local COVID-19 news. Most of our posts on education have been about local elementary, middle, and high schools’ reopening plans. But what about our local colleges and universities? We’ve compiled this list of information on local college…
Tragedy struck last night when a young motorcyclist was killed on the interstate in Tampa. The man, only 18 years old, was on a ramp to I-4, one of Florida’s deadliest highways, from I-275. Florida Highway Patrol believe he hit his brakes, but he skidded into the guardrails on the ramp. Riding a motorcycle on…
Early this morning, a Lakeland semi-truck crash had roads closed for hours. The collision occurred near the I-4 overpass on State Road 33. The road remained closed until much later this morning, forcing drivers to find another route to work. One of the drivers was taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries. Accidents…
Obtaining compensation after a car accident depends upon providing an accurate explanation of how the crash occurred. Witness statements are important pieces of evidence that can support your argument for who should be held liable for the crash. It’s a good idea to learn how to identify witnesses and what information you need in the…
As if driving in Florida couldn’t get any harder, hurricane season is now upon us. Thankfully Polk and Hillsborough counties only got some heavy rain from Hurricane Isaias, which was downgraded to a tropical storm. But with the 2020 hurricane season expected to be more active than usual, Isaias still served as a reminder that…
Our clients deserve a law firm that is constantly working to improve and grow. That’s why here at Brooks Law Group, we are always looking for opportunities to better ourselves. One way we do that is by holding a firm-wide meeting to talk over what’s happened in the first half of the year and what…
It’s very scary to think about getting hit by a car when you’re walking down the street. But this is a possibility that we have to prepare for, especially with how common it’s been recently. Just last week, a pedestrian was hit by a driver near the Tampa area when he failed to yield to…
After months of remote working, many of us have finally logged out of Zoom and headed back into the office. Returning to the daily commute can have some drivers remembering how dangerous it is. No matter if you work in a large city like Tampa or smaller towns like Winter Haven or Lakeland, you’re likely…
Nothing says summertime like a clear sky and an open highway. Does this time of year have you thinking about a ride on your motorcycle? There are a few things you need to check before you hit the road. Making sure you have all the proper motorcycle safety gear could mean the difference between a…
Around this time of the summer, families are usually counting down the days until the first day back to school. This year, that’s going to look a lot different. COVID-19 school closures in Polk and Hillsborough counties began in March and there still seems to be no consensus on how or when to reopen them….
Tech companies like Uber and Lyft stay ready for attacks from viruses—but COVID-19 was one they couldn’t protect against. Millions rely on rideshare services in cities as different as Tampa, Winter Haven, and Lakeland. However, there has been a drastic shift in demand during stay-at-home orders and quarantines. This shift has led to a decrease…
Like the rest of the U.S., Florida has been battling the coronavirus since March. While the state is suffering from lost lives, lost jobs, and economic turmoil, there has been a small silver lining. The number of fatal car accidents plunged in Florida since the pandemic began, according to a recent study by the National…
