On Saturday, November 7th, a 15-year-old Palm Beach County boy died in a car crash.  The Sheriff’s investigators reported that the boy was not wearing a seat belt and was driving with a learners permit when the crash occurred at about 12:15 a.m.  The 16-year-old passenger in the vehicle was wearing a seatbelt, and sustained only minor injuries.

Seatbelt safety is of the utmost of importance.  Why are teens today still not understanding the vitality of seatbelt related deaths?  We believe strongly in educating our young people today, and showing them the importance and responsibility of driving a car.  You get in the car and you buckle up. Plain and simple.

The personal injury and auto accident law firm of Balkan & Patterson stresses the importance of proper young driver education in order to protect our young teens and our communities from other tragedies like this. For more information about Balkan & Patterson or to find resources for safe driving practices, please visit our website at www.balkanpatterson.com.

It’s already a law in a number of states, but the National Safety Council wants to create a nationwide ban on the use of mobile phones while driving. It’s no secret that talking, or even worse - texting - while driving is extremely dangerous and greatly increases the likelihood of an auto, motor vehicle or truck accident. When a driver is talking or texting, they cannot devote their full attention to the road and other drivers around them.

States like New York, New Jersey and California require that drivers use a “hands-free” set up when talking on their cell and driving. Other states have outlawed texting while driving, including Louisiana and Minnesota. With the heavy traffic and sheer number of drivers in Florida, the chances of an accident are already high, and using a cell phone while driving only increases that risk.

To view the whole story, please click here. For more information on safe driving tips, please visit our website at www.balkanpatterson.com. Our attorneys encourage you to use safe driving techniques while behind the wheel. For a complete list of states that have laws against cell phone use while driving, please visit the Governor’s Highway Safety Association’s website here.

In an effort to balance the state budget of Florida, lawmakers are raising the cost of traffic tickets. The state legislature is meeting in a special session, and all traffic tickets will increase by $10. All speeding tickets will be bumped up an additional $25. Additionally, speeders will no longer get a break on their tickets by taking a driver’s education course, as was allowed in the past. To view the whole story in the Sun Sentinel, click here.

The attorneys of Balkan & Patterson, LLP, encourage all drivers to obey speed limits and use caution when behind the wheel. Prevention is key when it comes to protecting our families and keeping everyone on the roads safe! For more information, visit our website, www.balkanpatterson.com.

A new year is upon us, and with it comes new opportunities for all - even scammers who will try to make a quick buck off honest consumers. It’s best to be wary of before you make any big purchases or buy in to any deals that sound “too good to be true” - chances are they probably are.

For some good tips on protecting yourself, your credit and your family, take a look at the following article on smart consumer tips, posted on www.fosters.com.

If you have any questions about consumer fraud or securities/investment fraud, please contact the attorneys of Balkan & Patterson, LLP. We are happy to help and answer any questions you may have. Visit us online at www.balkanpatterson.com.

Our personal injury law firm, with headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida, is pleased to announce that we have opened a satellite office in Broward County to better serve our clients further south.

New offices are located in Hollywood, Florida.

3230 Stirling Road, Suite 2A
Hollywood, FL 33021

Our Broward phone number is (954) 767-9190.

As always, we can be found online at www.balkanpatterson.com. The main office of Florida trial attorneys Balkan & Patterson is located in East Boca Raton. They represent personal injury, auto accident, defective products, and consumer fraud clients throughout South Florida, including Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Lighthouse Point, Parkland, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and throughout the United States.

As many as 30 million potentially faulty tire valves have been installed on cars and vehicles throughout the country. These valves were manufactured in China and have a tendency to crack and split, which can result in a tire blowout. Several American tire makers and car and auto companies have used these valves. The “ingredients” in the manufacture of the tire valves were not correct, and it causes the product to wear out at a faster rate. The tire valves are being investigated by the government, although the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s records show that millions of the faulty valves were installed on cars and truck in the U.S. between Sept. 2006 and June 2007.

Here are a few tips to determine whether the valves on your tires are safe:

1. Spray a mixture of soap and water on the tire valve. If air is seeping out, bubbles will form.

2. Monitor your tire pressure. If your tires are consistently low on fair, it could be a faulty tire valve.

3. Have a mechanic or auto professional check your valves to see if they are in good condition.

For more information, please contact the Boca Raton-based personal injury law firm of Balkan & Patterson, LLP at www.balkanpatterson.com or call (561) 750-9191.