Recent Blog Posts
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
Rideshare Accidents: If a Lyft Driver Hits Me, Who Can I Sue?
Lyft is a major player in the current rideshare industry. It’s an up-and-coming rideshare choice, second only to Uber, that provides yet another option for catching a ride. With an estimated 1.4 million Lyft drivers on America’s highways and city streets, you face a real chance of being involved in an accident with a… 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 DUI Extradition? Does It Apply in Florida?
Extradition is the removal of a person (fugitive) from the state in which he is physically located (asylum state) to the state that requests him to face criminal charges or punishment (demanding state). Florida statute 941 allows the state to request extradition from anywhere in the Unites States. The process for extradition in Florida,… Read More
Business Purpose Only (BPO) Driver’s Licenses: When Can I Apply For a BPO Hardship License?
Florida permits application for a hardship, Business Purpose Only (BPO) license after a first-time DUI conviction. To qualify for a BPO license, an offender may be required to successfully complete “DUI School” or any other mandatory substance abuse evaluation(s). Generally, a first-time DUI offender must abstain from driving for 30 days, if the driver… Read More
I Was Arrested for DUI Off Campus and Now UF is Sending Me a Letter Regarding Disciplinary Actions, Can They Do That?
Yes, The University of Florida, in Gainesville, has very strict policies regarding students charged with DUI, even if the arrest occurred off campus and even if the student is found not guilty of DUI in criminal court. Here is the common course of events: Within a few days of the student’s arrest, the University… Read More
How Can I Be Over the Legal Limit After Only One Drink?
When considering the legal limit for alcohol consumption, the number of ounces of alcohol in the drinks you consume matters more than the number of drinks you had – and not all drinks are the same. A single mixed drink may have 3 ounces of alcohol in it, which is the equivalent of 3… Read More
Do I Have to Pump My Brakes to Keep From Skidding if I Have an ABS?
This is an excellent road safety question and one that many people are confused about. Most vehicles are equipped with Antilock Brake Systems (ABS), however, that wasn’t always the case. Many of us learned to drive without the assistance of ABS and therefore, we learned that in times of emergencies when you have to… 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
The Pros and Cons of Taking a Sobriety Test
After an arrest for driving under the influence an officer typically will request that a person provide a breath sample for the purpose of determine the level of alcohol in one’s body. A person may also be requested to provide a urine sample instead of a breath sample or in addition to a breath… 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
DUIs and ADHD
Have you ever wondered if someone could be pulled over or even charged for driving under the influence (DUI) without actually being drunk? For a person with ADHD there is a chance this could happen. The methods used by officers when deciding whether to pull someone over or arrest them for DUI can be… 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 Does a Car Accident Settlement Work in Florida?
Car accident settlements in Florida work by providing accident victims with fair compensation for any losses or injuries caused by another party’s negligence. You can seek such a settlement by identifying the at-fault party and working with their insurance company to get the money you need. If you were injured in a Florida car… Read More
Slip and Falls in Large Retail Stores
“Big box” retail stores have become a popular one-stop shopping destination for many Floridians. Target, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, and others all allow you to purchase groceries, household goods, clothing, electronics, and much more without traveling around to different stores. All of these large retail establishments have a significant amount of foot traffic coming… 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
The Difference Between a Criminal and Civil Case after DUI Accident
If you are in a collision with a drunk driver, the police may place that driver under arrest at the scene of the accident. The driver will then likely face criminal charges for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and, if convicted, may face suspension of their driver’s license, fines, and even possible… 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
4 Facts Every Driver Should Know About DUI
To begin with, it should go without saying that if you plan on drinking, you absolutely should not be driving. Arrange a designated driver, get an Uber, or find some other way home after you’ve been drinking. If you’re just out for a beer or two, though, you may not think that you have… Read More
