Practice Areas

• Car and Motorcycle Accidents
• DUI and Criminal Defense
• Big Truck Accidents
• Medical Malpractice
• Serious Injuries:
  Slip and Fall | Dog Bites

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q:

Seat belts; I hate them! Do I have to buckle up in Florida?

A:

The short answer is:  Yes, it is the law in Florida,  however, unfortunately, it is not a primary offense, (up until June 30th, 2009) which means that the police cannot stop you and ticket you just for not buckling up, which I feel should be changed and here are the top 10 reasons why:

1.  1 out of 3 people sometime in their life will be seriously injured in an car crash.

2.  You may be a good driver, but you have no control over the others on the road that may be driving under the influence, not so good a driver or distracted by many things including text messaging on their cell phones.

3.  Seat belt use is the number 1 safety feature that has saved more lives than any other.

4.  Air bags only lend some help and very little, or none at all, if hit from the side, rear or in a roll over. You can also be thrown under them or be ejected out of the car!

5.  The majority of fatal accidents occur close to home and at speeds under 40 mph.

6.  70 % of the time, if the driver is not buckled up, the passengers will not be as well.

7.  An unrestrained child in a 30 mph crash is the equivalent of them falling from a 3 story building!

8.  60% of children killed in accidents were not wearing seat belts.

9.  Seat belt use decreases sever injury or death by 65%.

10.  Children watch and learn from their parents.

If all that doesn't get you to buckle up, here is another fact. If you are in an accident and not wearing a seat belt, you may not be able to receive full compensation for your injuries. There is something called a "seat belt defense" which insurance companies can legally use to deny you your full benefits!

Accident Attorney, Jeffrey Meldon's Tip:  Be safe and buckle up every time you put the key in the ignition!  It just may save your life, your passenger's life or the life of a loved one!

The Law Office of Jeffrey Meldon and Associates strongly believes that public education is the first step in the prevention of an accident or in the recovery from one.  

They are experienced personal injury attorneys, trial lawyers, negotiators and litigators that have been proudly working to get accident victims the justice they deserve for over 30 years in Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Inverness, and the rest of North Central Florida and North Florida. Accidents involving a car crash, truck wreck, and motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian accidents, dog bites, slip and falls and medical malpractice are all included in their practice.

Based on Jeffrey Meldon's, founder of The Law Office of Jeffrey Meldon & Associates, over 30 years of helping accident victims get justice and a fair shake from the insurance companies he has written the consumer guide book, Seven Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Florida Accident Case.  You can request your free copy right now, or contact his office for your complimentary copy sent to you today.

Contact the Law Office of Jeffrey Meldon at (800) 373-8000 or (352) 373-8000 immediately if you have been involved in a serious auto, truck or motorcycle accident.  They are in your community, have the experience and resources required to work towards obtaining a fair settlement for you, and are there to help you.

Mr. Meldon's Office proudly handles accidents that occur on all roads and in the areas including: I-75, I-10, I-95, U.S. Route 301, U.S. Route 441, State Road 40, State Road 26, State Road 24, Archer Road, Main St, and University Avenue.  Our law firm has  been representing accident victims in Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Inverness, Palatka, Crystal River, Daytona Beach, Interlachen, Spring Hill, Dunnellon, Bunnell, Live Oak, Starke, Jasper, Cross City, Perry, Trenton,  Leesberg,  Lake Butler,  Tavares, Chiefland, Bronson, Brooksville, The Villages and the counties of Alachua, Marion, Columbia, Citrus, Volusia, Sumter, Levy, Lake, Bradford, Flagler, Hamilton, Dixie, Gilchrist, Union, Hernando, Suwannee, Union, and Putnam since 1971!

Consumer Guides

Seven Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Florida Accident Case

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