Make sure you and your family members have the coverage you deserve. Everyone should have "Uninsured Motorist Coverage" on their insurance policy.
If you have questions or concerns regarding your coverage, call to speak to one of our experienced attorneys today. The call is Free: 386-788-7700 It is important that you are informed of your insurance coverage options.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
It's Bike Week again in Port Orange!
We're enjoying all of the Bike Week festivities going on in Volusia and Flagler counties.
The weather has been beautiful and thousands of bikers from all over the nation have converged on the area to take advantage of the Florida sun.
While out and about, please remember to look twice, then look again, for motorcycles before changing lanes. Accidents can happen in a split second and change lives forever.
The weather has been beautiful and thousands of bikers from all over the nation have converged on the area to take advantage of the Florida sun.
While out and about, please remember to look twice, then look again, for motorcycles before changing lanes. Accidents can happen in a split second and change lives forever.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Rue & Ziffra Helps Raise Funds for PACE School for Girls
Rue & Ziffra was proud to be a part of the annual PACE fundraising breakfast this morning in Daytona Beach. We sat in a room packed with caring people and listened to heartwarming stories of the difference that PACE has made in so many girl's lives. We were excited to be able to help raise funds for this non-profit school! If you care to find out more about this wonderful organization, go to: http://pacecenter.org/
Thursday, March 8, 2012
2012 USO Leadership Awards Announcement
So many of us know a service man or woman that serves his/her country, willing to give the ultimate sacrifice, but continues to give of themselves to others in extraordinary ways. Please honor someone you know by nominating them for one of the 2012 USO Leadership Awards. All of the qualifying information can be found in the attached link.
http://www.marines.mil/news/messages/Pages/MARADMIN120-12.aspx/
http://www.marines.mil/news/messages/Pages/MARADMIN120-12.aspx/
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
VOLUSIA LAW FIRM’S SPONSORSHIP OF POKER RUN HELPS MAMMOGRAM FOUNDATION RAISE MONEY
PORT ORANGE – The Port Orange-based law firm of Rue & Ziffra recently helped the Tracy Dillon Mammogram Foundation raise money by matching every $10 entry fee for a poker run held recently by the Bikers for First Amendment Rights.
The event, dubbed the “Poker Run to Nowhere and All Day Jam,” was a fundraiser for the Tracy Dillon√, a disc jockey at WHOG Radio Station 95.7 FM who has been diagnosed with cancer.
More than 100 bikers participated in the traveling hand of poker that also included live music, a scavenger hunt, silent auction, raffles, games, body airbrushing, T-shirts, and cancer screenings.
About Rue & Ziffra: Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra has served the Central Florida community for more than 25 years. The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida. Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue & Ziffra has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange and Orange City. For more information, visit www.rueziffra.com.
The event, dubbed the “Poker Run to Nowhere and All Day Jam,” was a fundraiser for the Tracy Dillon√, a disc jockey at WHOG Radio Station 95.7 FM who has been diagnosed with cancer.
More than 100 bikers participated in the traveling hand of poker that also included live music, a scavenger hunt, silent auction, raffles, games, body airbrushing, T-shirts, and cancer screenings.
About Rue & Ziffra: Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra has served the Central Florida community for more than 25 years. The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida. Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue & Ziffra has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange and Orange City. For more information, visit www.rueziffra.com.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Volusia Law Firm Sponsors 13th Annual Crime Stoppers Banquet
Four Area Crime Stoppers Named “Officers of the Year”
PORT ORANGE – The personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra recently helped sponsor the 13th annual Crime Stoppers Community Banquet during National Police Week as Crime Stoppers recognized four top tier crime fighters as “Officers of the Year.”
Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida recognized the four individuals – one from each county in the 7th Judicial District – from a slate of 19 nominees from law enforcement agencies in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties for their distinguished accomplishments and outstanding service to the community during the past year.
“We couldn’t be more proud to sponsor an event to honor the dedicated men and women who make such a difference in our communities and in our lives,” said Allan L. Ziffra, president of the Port Orange-based law firm.
Those selected and their respective counties were:
•Volusia County – Officer Nicholas Gurucharri, Daytona Beach Police Department
•Putnam County – Det. Robert Smith Jr., Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
•Flagler County – Inv. James Parker, Office of the State Attorney, 7th Judicial Circuit
•St. Johns County – Det. Laurie-Ann Lucas, St. Augustine Beach Police Department
This year’s banquet, held May 18 in Daytona Beach coincided with National Police Week, when law enforcement officers are recognized nationwide for their service and sacrifice.
Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida works with law enforcement agencies in the 7th Judicial Circuit by providing the Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line in Volusia, Flagler, Putnam and St John counties to receive anonymous information to help solve crimes, according to Shira Johnson, executive director of Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida.
In 2010, 173 arrests were made based on information anonymously given to Crime Stoppers, which has a mission “To Solve and Prevent Crime through Citizen Participation,” Johnson said.
For more information about Crime Stoppers, call 386-212-6543 or click on www.WeStopCrime.com.
For more information about this release, please contact: Jessica Eckelbarger, Marketing Manager, Rue & Ziffra, 386-788-7700 or Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-532-8862, 407-644-4142.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Why Your Motorcycle Should Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Article Submitted By: Daytona Auto. Accident Attorney Allan Ziffra
Florida Personal Injury Attorneys; Rue & Ziffra, P.A.
According to the National Safety Council, there is a motorcycle accident in the United States causing serious bodily injury every 14 seconds. In addition the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2006 4,798 motorcycle riders died in motorcycle crashes while another 87,000 motorcyclists were injured.
The failure of other drivers to detect and recognize the presence of motorcycles is the predominant cause of motorcycle accidents. Unfortunately, the State of Florida does not mandate bodily injury coverage for automobile drivers and therefore more than one-third of all vehicles on Florida’s roads are uninsured for liability coverage. Considering the serious injuries that motorcyclists often sustain in motorcycle accidents, a whopping two-thirds of all vehicles on Florida’s roads and highways are inadequately insured. If you’re struck by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, there is a high probability that there will not be adequate insurance to compensate you for the injuries and damages that you sustain.
That’s why it is important to purchase uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on your motorcycle and automobile insurance policies.
Who Causes Motorcycle Accidents?
The Hurt Report is the most comprehensive study of motorcycle accidents and causes in the United States. This report found that the majority of all motorcycle accidents are caused by the negligence of the operator of an automobile. Most motorcycle accidents occur at intersections when the other vehicle turns into the motorcycle’s lane of travel, violating the motorcyclist’s right-of-way. In most of these cases, the other driver simply did not see the approaching motorcycle.
The second most common cause of motorcycle accidents occurs when a motorcycle is slowing and the driver of an automobile does not notice the motorcycle in time to stop their vehicle safely. Instead, the automobile runs into the back of the motorcycle.
Uninsured Drivers Are More Common Than You Might Think
Although Florida requires all registered automobiles to have No-Fault Insurance, the state does not mandate the purchase of liability insurance. In short, bodily injury liability insurance is the coverage that an individual would purchase to protect them in the event that they are negligent and cause injury to another motorist. Various reports indicate that up to 15% of all drivers in the United States do not have any insurance at all and that up to one third of drivers in the State of Florida maintain no liability insurance.
The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America estimates that unlicensed and uninsured drivers are involved in more than 20% of all fatal accidents in the United States. This means that if you’re operating a motorcycle and you’re struck by another vehicle in the State of Florida, there is a one in three chance that that negligent motorist will have no liability insurance at all and a two in three chance that they will have inadequate liability insurance to compensate you for your injuries and damages.
What Happens if an Uninsured Driver Causes a Motorcycle Accident?
The impact of being involved in a motorcycle accident can be devastating and can permanently change your life. If an accident is caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, the financial impact of medical bills, lost wages and loss of earning capacity can leave you financially destitute. If the negligent automobile operator who causes you injury does not have liability insurance, one of your strongest options is to hire an attorney, sue them and attempt to collect any judgment from them personally.
Unfortunately, most people purchase automobile insurance in amounts correlating to potential assets that they have. Therefore, in the vast majority of cases, individuals who are uninsured or underinsured are usually uncollectible. In addition, Florida’s homestead laws protect an individual’s home and all their equity from judgments and negligent drivers can avoid most or all of a judgment by filing bankruptcy.
The Importance of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance is vital if you are going to operate a motorcycle in the State of Florida. By law this coverage must be offered to an individual who purchases liability insurance on a motorcycle, truck, car or other personal land motor vehicle and can only be avoided if the named insured signs a special rejection form that is approved by the Florida Department of Insurance. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you while operating your motorcycle, anyone else operating your motorcycle or any passenger that you may have on your motorcycle if you are involved in an accident with someone who doesn’t have any bodily injury liability, or who has minimal amount of this insurance.
What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
What is commonly referred to as uninsured motorist coverage in the State of Florida actually has the legal name of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or UM/UIM coverage. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage protects you, anyone operating your motorcycle, or any passenger on your motorcycle in situations that involve an at fault driver who does not have any liability insurance or does not have enough liability insurance to compensate you for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages or loss of earning capacity.
Uninsured motorist coverage applies in situations where the at-fault driver has no liability insurance at all.
Underinsured motorist coverage applies in the event that your injuries or damages exceed the amount of liability coverage that the at-fault party has purchased. In this situation, your underinsured motorist coverage will apply after the bodily injury coverage that the negligent party purchased has been exhausted (used in full). Your UIM coverage will then compensate you for the balance of your injuries and damages up to the policy limits of the amount of UIM coverage you purchased.
Florida is one of the few states in the country that offers stacking uninsured motorist coverage.
• Non-stacking uninsured motorist coverage applies uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on a particular vehicle. That means that you can only access the amount of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that you purchased on the motorcycle and only if you are operating that motorcycle or some other vehicle that you do not own.
• Stacking uninsured motorist coverage is much broader and allows you to access multiple policy limits from every vehicle that you own that has the stacking form of uninsured motorist coverage. In addition, if you have stacking uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you can access that insurance if you’re injured in another vehicle that you own, regardless of whether that vehicle is insured for uninsured/underinsured coverage or not.
How Underinsured Motorist Coverage Works
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident and you sustain a fractured femur that requires an open reduction and internal fixation with an intramedullary rod, you may have the following damages:
• Past medical bills of $40,000
• Past lost wages of $20,000
• Future medical bills of $10,000
• Loss of future earning capacity of $50,000
• Past pain and suffering of $50,000
• Future pain and suffering of $50,000,
Total: $220,000
If the at fault party only maintained $100,000 of liability insurance, then your damages would exceed their available coverage by $120,000. If you had a $100,000 underinsured motorist policy, you could collect the $100,000 from the at fault party’s insurance company and then you would be able to collect the balance of your damages, up to your policy limits, in the amount of $100,000 from your underinsured motorist policy.
Stacking Underinsured Motorist Coverage
If we use the same example above and you have stacking underinsured motorist coverage on your motorcycle and two different cars, the net result to you will be much more beneficial.
In the prior example you would have been able to recover $100,000 from the liability insurance and $100,000 from your (non-stacking) underinsured motorist coverage on your motorcycle, for a total of $200,000. You would still have $20,000 of damages that you are unable to recover from any available insurance source. However, if you have the stacking form of underinsured motorist coverage, you would now have $300,000 in uninsured motorist coverage that you could access and therefore you would have a sufficient amount of insurance coverage to cover all of your damages in the amount of $220,000.
Why Should You Purchase Stacking Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
There are steps that you can take to help reduce the chances of being involved in a serious motorcycle accident. You can wear protective clothing, eye protection and a motorcycle helmet. You can avoid following too closely to the vehicle in front of you, avoid blind spots on vehicles that you are traveling next to, and obey the posted speed limit. You can avoid going through intersections with yellow lights and give yourself extra distance before pulling out in front of traffic.
However, regardless of how cautiously and defensively you drive your motorcycle, you cannot control the actions of other motorists who are in a hurry, on the phone, not paying attention, or driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The best way to protect yourself, your family, and any passenger on your motorcycle in the case of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist is to purchase adequate stacking underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage on all of your automobiles and motorcycles.
If you have questions regarding your car or motorcycle insurance coverage, contact your insurance agent today and ask them about uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, you are always welcome to contact a personal injury attorney for legal help. At Rue & Ziffra, P.A., we have 9 attorneys with over 30 years of combined experienced helping individuals receive compensation for motorcycle accidents, car accidents and other types of personal injury claims. To learn more about us, please visit our website.
Rue & Ziffra, P.A., proudly serves areas throughout and around Volusia County and Flagler County, Florida, including, Port Orange, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, Ormond Beach, Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, DeLand, Deltona, Bunnell, Orange City, Sanford, Orlando and Leesburg.
The above entry is NOT LEGAL ADVICE and should not be intended or construed as such. It is intended only as general information. No individual reading it should act upon it. Reading this entry does not create any relationship between Rue & Ziffra, P.A. and individuals reading it. If you have questions or concerns, please seek professional legal counsel.
Florida Personal Injury Attorneys; Rue & Ziffra, P.A.
According to the National Safety Council, there is a motorcycle accident in the United States causing serious bodily injury every 14 seconds. In addition the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2006 4,798 motorcycle riders died in motorcycle crashes while another 87,000 motorcyclists were injured.
The failure of other drivers to detect and recognize the presence of motorcycles is the predominant cause of motorcycle accidents. Unfortunately, the State of Florida does not mandate bodily injury coverage for automobile drivers and therefore more than one-third of all vehicles on Florida’s roads are uninsured for liability coverage. Considering the serious injuries that motorcyclists often sustain in motorcycle accidents, a whopping two-thirds of all vehicles on Florida’s roads and highways are inadequately insured. If you’re struck by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, there is a high probability that there will not be adequate insurance to compensate you for the injuries and damages that you sustain.
That’s why it is important to purchase uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on your motorcycle and automobile insurance policies.
Who Causes Motorcycle Accidents?
The Hurt Report is the most comprehensive study of motorcycle accidents and causes in the United States. This report found that the majority of all motorcycle accidents are caused by the negligence of the operator of an automobile. Most motorcycle accidents occur at intersections when the other vehicle turns into the motorcycle’s lane of travel, violating the motorcyclist’s right-of-way. In most of these cases, the other driver simply did not see the approaching motorcycle.
The second most common cause of motorcycle accidents occurs when a motorcycle is slowing and the driver of an automobile does not notice the motorcycle in time to stop their vehicle safely. Instead, the automobile runs into the back of the motorcycle.
Uninsured Drivers Are More Common Than You Might Think
Although Florida requires all registered automobiles to have No-Fault Insurance, the state does not mandate the purchase of liability insurance. In short, bodily injury liability insurance is the coverage that an individual would purchase to protect them in the event that they are negligent and cause injury to another motorist. Various reports indicate that up to 15% of all drivers in the United States do not have any insurance at all and that up to one third of drivers in the State of Florida maintain no liability insurance.
The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America estimates that unlicensed and uninsured drivers are involved in more than 20% of all fatal accidents in the United States. This means that if you’re operating a motorcycle and you’re struck by another vehicle in the State of Florida, there is a one in three chance that that negligent motorist will have no liability insurance at all and a two in three chance that they will have inadequate liability insurance to compensate you for your injuries and damages.
What Happens if an Uninsured Driver Causes a Motorcycle Accident?
The impact of being involved in a motorcycle accident can be devastating and can permanently change your life. If an accident is caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, the financial impact of medical bills, lost wages and loss of earning capacity can leave you financially destitute. If the negligent automobile operator who causes you injury does not have liability insurance, one of your strongest options is to hire an attorney, sue them and attempt to collect any judgment from them personally.
Unfortunately, most people purchase automobile insurance in amounts correlating to potential assets that they have. Therefore, in the vast majority of cases, individuals who are uninsured or underinsured are usually uncollectible. In addition, Florida’s homestead laws protect an individual’s home and all their equity from judgments and negligent drivers can avoid most or all of a judgment by filing bankruptcy.
The Importance of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance is vital if you are going to operate a motorcycle in the State of Florida. By law this coverage must be offered to an individual who purchases liability insurance on a motorcycle, truck, car or other personal land motor vehicle and can only be avoided if the named insured signs a special rejection form that is approved by the Florida Department of Insurance. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you while operating your motorcycle, anyone else operating your motorcycle or any passenger that you may have on your motorcycle if you are involved in an accident with someone who doesn’t have any bodily injury liability, or who has minimal amount of this insurance.
What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
What is commonly referred to as uninsured motorist coverage in the State of Florida actually has the legal name of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or UM/UIM coverage. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage protects you, anyone operating your motorcycle, or any passenger on your motorcycle in situations that involve an at fault driver who does not have any liability insurance or does not have enough liability insurance to compensate you for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages or loss of earning capacity.
Uninsured motorist coverage applies in situations where the at-fault driver has no liability insurance at all.
Underinsured motorist coverage applies in the event that your injuries or damages exceed the amount of liability coverage that the at-fault party has purchased. In this situation, your underinsured motorist coverage will apply after the bodily injury coverage that the negligent party purchased has been exhausted (used in full). Your UIM coverage will then compensate you for the balance of your injuries and damages up to the policy limits of the amount of UIM coverage you purchased.
Florida is one of the few states in the country that offers stacking uninsured motorist coverage.
• Non-stacking uninsured motorist coverage applies uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on a particular vehicle. That means that you can only access the amount of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that you purchased on the motorcycle and only if you are operating that motorcycle or some other vehicle that you do not own.
• Stacking uninsured motorist coverage is much broader and allows you to access multiple policy limits from every vehicle that you own that has the stacking form of uninsured motorist coverage. In addition, if you have stacking uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you can access that insurance if you’re injured in another vehicle that you own, regardless of whether that vehicle is insured for uninsured/underinsured coverage or not.
How Underinsured Motorist Coverage Works
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident and you sustain a fractured femur that requires an open reduction and internal fixation with an intramedullary rod, you may have the following damages:
• Past medical bills of $40,000
• Past lost wages of $20,000
• Future medical bills of $10,000
• Loss of future earning capacity of $50,000
• Past pain and suffering of $50,000
• Future pain and suffering of $50,000,
Total: $220,000
If the at fault party only maintained $100,000 of liability insurance, then your damages would exceed their available coverage by $120,000. If you had a $100,000 underinsured motorist policy, you could collect the $100,000 from the at fault party’s insurance company and then you would be able to collect the balance of your damages, up to your policy limits, in the amount of $100,000 from your underinsured motorist policy.
Stacking Underinsured Motorist Coverage
If we use the same example above and you have stacking underinsured motorist coverage on your motorcycle and two different cars, the net result to you will be much more beneficial.
In the prior example you would have been able to recover $100,000 from the liability insurance and $100,000 from your (non-stacking) underinsured motorist coverage on your motorcycle, for a total of $200,000. You would still have $20,000 of damages that you are unable to recover from any available insurance source. However, if you have the stacking form of underinsured motorist coverage, you would now have $300,000 in uninsured motorist coverage that you could access and therefore you would have a sufficient amount of insurance coverage to cover all of your damages in the amount of $220,000.
Why Should You Purchase Stacking Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
There are steps that you can take to help reduce the chances of being involved in a serious motorcycle accident. You can wear protective clothing, eye protection and a motorcycle helmet. You can avoid following too closely to the vehicle in front of you, avoid blind spots on vehicles that you are traveling next to, and obey the posted speed limit. You can avoid going through intersections with yellow lights and give yourself extra distance before pulling out in front of traffic.
However, regardless of how cautiously and defensively you drive your motorcycle, you cannot control the actions of other motorists who are in a hurry, on the phone, not paying attention, or driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The best way to protect yourself, your family, and any passenger on your motorcycle in the case of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist is to purchase adequate stacking underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage on all of your automobiles and motorcycles.
If you have questions regarding your car or motorcycle insurance coverage, contact your insurance agent today and ask them about uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, you are always welcome to contact a personal injury attorney for legal help. At Rue & Ziffra, P.A., we have 9 attorneys with over 30 years of combined experienced helping individuals receive compensation for motorcycle accidents, car accidents and other types of personal injury claims. To learn more about us, please visit our website.
Rue & Ziffra, P.A., proudly serves areas throughout and around Volusia County and Flagler County, Florida, including, Port Orange, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, Ormond Beach, Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, DeLand, Deltona, Bunnell, Orange City, Sanford, Orlando and Leesburg.
The above entry is NOT LEGAL ADVICE and should not be intended or construed as such. It is intended only as general information. No individual reading it should act upon it. Reading this entry does not create any relationship between Rue & Ziffra, P.A. and individuals reading it. If you have questions or concerns, please seek professional legal counsel.
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