Recent Blog Posts
What to Expect at a DMV Hearing
If you have been involved in an arrest for DUI in Florida, you may face a lengthy driver’s license suspension. It is commonly known that a DUI may result in criminal charges, but the associated DMV hearing may not be fully understood. Following a DUI arrest, a driver only has 10 days to apply… Read More
Punitive Damages in a Florida Auto Accident Case Explained by Local Attorney
Do you know when an automobile accident victim may be awarded punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages? Punitive damages are often misunderstood. In this article accident attorney, Jeffrey Meldon, explains what they are, who pays, and when they may come into play in a car crash. What are Punitive Damages? Punitive damages may… Read More
Hit And Run Accident – How To Avoid Being Charged With This Crime
Do you know how to avoid being accused of the crime of leaving the scene of an accident? Experienced Florida accident attorney Jeffrey Meldon offers his guidance to help you be safe and legal in the event of a crash on the road. What is a “hit and run?” A “hit and run” happens… Read More
Rear-End Collisions and Recovery of Damages in Florida
Personal injury attorney, Jeffrey Meldon, discusses recovery of damages in rear-enders in Florida. Many people assume that they can recover all their damages when someone rear-ends their car. While it is true that in Florida there is a presumption that the driver who rear-ended another vehicle was the sole cause of the accident, the… Read More
Auto Insurance Coverage: Laws, Recommendations, Factors And Tips For Florida Drivers.
Gainesville Accident Attorney, Jeffrey Meldon’s Florida Insurance: Laws, Recommendations, Factors and Tips Having adequate insurance coverage is probably the most important thing you can do to protect yourself in the event of an accident. As a Florida car accident attorney for 37 years, day in and day out people are shocked when I have… Read More
Bicyclists – Know The Law And Stay Alive
As an experienced accident attorney, I have seen my share of tragic bicycle accidents-many of which could have been prevented. It is vital for motor vehicle operators, bicyclists, children, and parents of child cyclists to know the law about bicycles and save lives. Here is the information and laws that may just save your… Read More
Comparative Negligence is Explained and Discussed, Including Why It is an Important Part of Our Legal System for: Car, Motorcycle, Truck and Slip and Fall Accidents.
Comparative Negligence 101: Comparative negligence is explained and discussed including why it is an important part of our Florida legal system today. Accident cases are often not black and white. Commonly there is more than one person at fault. There are some cases where one person is 100% at fault and the other person… Read More
The Purpose, Process, Advantages and Disadvantages of Mediation in a Personal Injury/Accident Case in Florida
Clients often ask, what is mediation? The intention of this article is to explain the purpose, process, advantages and disadvantages of mediation in a personal injury case, accident case in Florida. What is mediation? In short, mediation is an informal confidential, non-adversarial negotiation process that is used to resolve differences or disputes that is… Read More
Top Five Causes of Car Accidents: Driver Actions and Behaviors That Place You at Risk of Serious Injury
Despite countless public safety campaigns and stricter traffic laws that encourage safe driving, more and more drivers take risks when they get behind the wheel. Drunk driving, cellphone distraction, and aggressive driving result in impaired, distracted, and angry drivers. This toxic roadway culture places everyday drivers at risk for serious injury. If you’ve been… Read More
Boating Under the Influence (Field Sobriety Exercises)
During an investigation for driving under the influence an officer may ask a person if they would agree to participate in a few exercises so the officer can determine if they are ok to drive. The most common exercises are Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), the walk and turn, one leg stand and finger to… Read More
What Do Florida’s Seat Belt Laws Say?
All drivers must wear a seat belt while operating a vehicle. All passengers in the front seat of a vehicle must wear a seatbelt. Any passenger under the age of 18 in the backseat of a vehicle must wear a seat belt. Children three and under must be a in a federally approved restraint… Read More
What is the Difference Between Collision and Comprehensive Insurance?
Collision and Comprehensive car insurance are often confused. Both protect your vehicle in different ways. Here is the information: Collision insurance covers damages to your vehicle caused by an accident (collision). Collision insurance pays even if you caused the accident that damaged your car. Collision coverage is especially valuable because one in four Floridians… Read More
Motion To Consolidate
Sometimes when a person is arrested for driving under the influence they also receive or are cited for additional civil traffic infractions or violations. If a person is arrested for driving under the influence with property damage since the vehicle was involved in some type of accident even if it is a single vehicle… Read More
University Of Florida Student Conduct & Conflict Disciplinary Hearings
University Of Florida Student Conduct & Conflict Disciplinary Hearings Students at the University of Florida (UF) who are accused of criminal offenses or violations of the Student Code of Conduct may be subject to a Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution (SCCR) disciplinary hearing. The possible penalties resulting from a disciplinary hearing can have enormous… Read More
Driving on a Suspended License
Driving while license suspended can be a civil traffic infraction or it can be a criminal offense. The key difference between the two charges is knowledge. Driving while license suspended unknowingly is a civil traffic offense, the criminal charge requires knowledge that their licenses were suspended. The State can attempt to prove knowledge by… Read More
You Have To Prove It: “Corpus Delicti”
To prove the offense of Driving Under the Influence the State has to prove two elements. First is that the defendant was driving or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle and second that the person was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or drug to the extent their normal facilities were… Read More
Who is Liable if I Am Injured by a Bus Accident?
We get this question a lot. As with many questions personal injury attorneys field, the answer is: It depends, primarily on the facts of your case. Typically, however, if you have been injured or damaged as a result of a bus accident, there are several parties the experienced team at Meldon Law may look… Read More
Know the Statute of Limitations for a Florida DUI
If you are arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), you will be held in jail for up to eight hours until officers believe you are no longer impaired. Often, you will leave jail with a court date for you first hearing regarding DUI charges. In other situations, however, you may leave… Read More
How a Bicycle Accident Can Affect Your Life
Florida weather makes it ideal to ride a bicycle for exercise, recreation, or your main mode of transportation. Unfortunately, reports indicate that Florida bicyclists are at a particularly high risk of serious injuries, as the state had a higher rate of bicycle crash-related fatalities than any other state during a four-year period of time…. Read More
The Importance of Pedestrian Safety
As the school year comes back into focus here in Ocala, parents will want to begin discussing pedestrian safety with their children. Ocala features pleasant weather for much, if not all, the school year. The weather makes it much more attractive for Ocala’s younger residents to walk to and from school. Pedestrian safety is… Read More
How Social Media Can Compromise a Car Crash Case
These days, many people go on social media to share events in their lives both large and small. From the birth of a baby to what you made for dinner, sharing your experiences on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or other social media sites is a normal behavior. Therefore, if you are in a serious car… Read More
Many Car Accident Victims Require Surgery
Any surgical procedure comes with risks of complications. In addition, recovering from surgery is often painful and can significantly limit your abilities, causing you to miss work and even preventing you from caring for yourself for an extended period of time. Unfortunately, a number of car accident victims will require surgery as part of… Read More
What Is BAC and Why Is It Important?
In Gainesville and Ocala, and all of Florida for that matter, it is against the law to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content or breath alcohol content of .08% or higher. So what exactly is BAC and why does it matter? What is BAC? As the name suggests, BAC generally speaking… Read More
Florida Sidewalk Laws: Know What’s Allowed
It may seem fairly self-explanatory: cars drive on the road and people walk on the sidewalk. However, in between those two clear cut examples lay several possibly confusing situations. Though it is fairly rare to hear about people getting in real trouble for using the sidewalk when they’re not supposed to, knowing the law… Read More
What Are My Rights When I’m Pulled Over?
Almost everyone is bound to be pulled over by the police at least once in their lives. Even the most law-abiding drivers may unknowingly have a tail light out or, just by pure coincidence, drive the same vehicle as a reported criminal. Many individuals are unaware or misinformed of their rights. Here are some… Read More
Insurance For Teen Drivers In Florida
Teens dream of the day and parents dread it. For teens it’s a chance to finally go places without having mom or dad awkwardly drop you off and pick you up. For parents though, it’s handing over a two ton machine that can fly down a highway at 80 miles per hour. Not quite… Read More
How Does Social Media Affect a Personal Injury Case?
Social media is everywhere. Do you know anyone that doesn’t have a Facebook account? If you happen to know that ONE person who is not on Facebook, then odds they are one of these: LinkedIn, Google+, Instagram, Flickr, Snapchat, Twitter, Pinterest, and the list goes on. Most people believe that if they set their… Read More
Reinstating a License After a Second DUI Offense in Florida
Facing a charge of second offense of driving under the influence (DUI) in Florida has serious consequences. One such consequence is the loss of your license. This loss could last for as much as five years following the DUI charge. Fortunately, an experienced Gainesville DUI attorney can help defend you against this charge and… Read More
