Cars on Fire

Cars on Fire

Many factors contribute to car explosions or cars getting on fire. If a car gets hit on its gas tank or engine, a slight spark such as the rupture of batteries may cause a fire. Poor maintenance on your car or defects may also contribute to the fiery accident. Teens and young adults are more likely to be involved in these types of accidents, males usually more often than females. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries during a collision-induced car fire contact 1-800-411-PAIN.

Many times fuel system structural errors contribute to the malfunctioning fuel system in a car. Common defects include leaky fuel lines and improper protection of the fuel tank. Pull off the road if you smell gas. Leaking fuel will ignite with a fire. Sometimes replacing a gas cap it’s all you need but the problem might be more severe. Never restart your engine if you suspect there is a fuel leak in your car. Call a tow truck instead.

Automobiles have maintenance requirements. You can make your own check list: tires, oil, windows, brakes, fluids and everything else you can think of. Most engines are water-cooled. If your engine overheats you should wait until it cools down naturally. Try not to overfill your fuel tank. Fuel spillage might be very dangerous for other drivers, especially bikers.

Teen drivers tend to disrespect the rules of the road more than adults. As more accidents arise, the need for education in the state of Florida increases too. The lack of driving experience, among other factors, is the common cause for these accidents. Male teens usually like to speed more than female teens. Contact 411-PAIN if you have been injured in a teen crash in Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Ocala, Orlando, Tampa, Clearwater, Fort Myers, Naples, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

Vehicle Rollover Genesis

Vehicle Rollover Genesis

Vehicle rollovers are among the deadliest road accidents. There are many factors that might contribute to a rollover but the most common ones are aggressive driving, tire grip, over-correcting your vehicle, vehicle stability and carrying too much weight. If you have been injured in a vehicle rollover in the state of Florida, contact 1-800-411-PAIN. We have successfully represented hundreds of victims and obtained successful results in most of our serious vehicle rollover claims.

The most common cause of a vehicle rollover is aggressive driving, a driving hitting a tree, ditch, tree, guardrail or any other uneven ground. Rollovers are usually not caused by a steering maneuver. Vehicles usually trip on something before the rollover occurs. As much as 95% of rollovers result from trips. Tall vehicles such as SUVs, pickups and vans are more sensitive. The auto industry and government don’t want to assume responsibility for these huge-car fatalities therefore the blame usually goes on the driver and road conditions.

Over-correcting your vehicle and tire grip might also contribute to a rollover. Tires in SUVs, for example, have less grip therefore the chance of rollover might increase. Make sure your tires are always inflated to the pressure recommended. Replace them when worn out. Balding tires are more prone to slide in the rain. Excessive steering or over-correcting might also contribute to the driver’s loss of control. Reducing speed might be safer than over-correcting. About 40% of rollovers involve excessive speeding.

Your vehicle’s lacking stability will also lead to a rollover. Millions of automobiles on the road don’t have Electronic Stability Control (ESC). This feature is necessary to guarantee the safety of your vehicle. If you or someone close to you has been injured due to lack of ESC, contact 411 PAIN. Carrying too much weight on top of your car might also increase the risk of rollover. Your vehicle might be weighted down affecting its stability.

Vehicle rollover accidents are the most dangerous type of accidents. They are more likely to occur in rural areas. These roads tend to be narrower leaving less margin for errors. Be alert and drive safely on these type of roads. Stay calm and call 1-800-411-PAIN .

Driving After the Storm

Driving After the Storm

There are hundreds of hurricane-driving safety tips out there but very little or no information about how to drive after the storm. You will never see a bumper sticker that reads: How is my driving after the storm? Sadly, after having major storm insomnia your body begins to relax and trust your surroundings. Water begins to reside forming the annoying puddles which have the potential to damage your car. You might need to drive after a hurricane for safety issues or evacuation purposes. Be careful with downed power lines, fallen trees or any other blockages in the roads. If you suffer any injuries or damages while driving on the unsafe roads call 1-800-411-PAIN.

Exposure to water can harm your brakes. If rotors are hot they will definitely warp and your car will start vibrating. Also, only a small amount of water sneaking into the crevices of your engine can cause damage. The water gets into the cylinders where pistons compress the air. Water doesn’t compress, therefore piston rods will eventually bend to the amount of pressure. In other words, your engine is ruined.

Something else to think about when driving after a storm it’s power lines. High winds and flooding rain can often destroy them. When everything is wet around power lines even non-conductive materials such as pieces of wood become a path for electricity. Metal security fences, poles, mail boxes and even standing water can also serve as vehicles for electricity.

The state of Florida has the longest list of hurricane occurrences. Around 488 cyclones have affected the sunshine state. These nasty storms happen all year round except on January and February. Key West and Pensacola are the two cities with most occurrences in Florida. However, major hurricanes made landfall on cities such as Miami Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Naples, Panama City and countless others.

Drive safely after the storm. Avoid tree branches and liter as power lines often get entangled in these branches. If you are a victim of a car accident, make sure you contact 411 PAIN.

The Hangover: Driving After a Party

The Hangover: Driving After a Party

Most of us might not have a problem with a few drinks but the truth is many Americans over drink when going to a late night party. In the United States 21 is generally the legal age to purchase alcohol.  It can’t be any lower than that... Any state that lowers the alcohol consumption age will lose 10% of federal highway funding, up to $150 million in funds for any single state.

In the 1970’s states such as Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana and Tennessee lowered the level of alcohol consumption to 18 years old. It didn’t last long though and it went back to age 21 in the 1980’s.  Underage consumption is allowed in some states under specified circumstances. About 9 States: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and West Virginia have no exceptions on alcohol usage laws.

You might be responsible for drunk drivers if you serve alcohol at your social event. Call 411 PAIN if any of your guests is driving under the influence. You shouldn’t continue to serve a guest after they're visibly intoxicated. It means their physical coordination and judgment are impaired. A minor should not be served alcohol. The best alternative is to host the event at a restaurant or bar licensed to serve alcohol. You can provide everything except the drinks, have a limit on drinks or else measure the amount of alcohol put into punches and mixed drinks. You may also want to encourage your guests to assign drivers or call a red cap. A red cap is a personal driver designed to drive your car whenever you need it.

Speak to your guests before they leave the event and make sure everyone gets home safe. 411-PAIN wants you to have a safe and fun party!

Famous Sun-shiners

Famous Sun-shiners

Welcome to Florida’s red carpet! 411 PAIN introduces you to a list of talented people that have stepped on our sandy soil. Hundreds of Musicians, writers, TV stars, scientists and sports players were born in our paradisaical sunny State. They are the ones that make of Florida an interesting place to visit and comfortable paradise to enjoy.

Among the lucky ones we have Johny Depp the actor, the film producer and musician everyone adores. Although the handsome actor was born in Kentucky, he was raised in Florida. We continue the list with Dave Barry Pulitzer–prize winning and bestselling author born in Miami, Gloria Stefan the Grammy award-winning singer raised in Miami, Anthony J Arduengo III the chemist-scientist who discovered persistent carbine born in Tampa, James J. Greco CEO and president of Sbarro born in Boynton Beach, Jymmi Wales founder of the Wikimedia Foundation born in St Petersburg, an American non-profit charitable organization which main mission is to provide content free of charge.

The following celebrities and countless others call Florida home: Oprah Winfrey in Miami Beach and Sarasota/Casey Key , Julia Roberts in Miami, Julio Iglesias in Miami Beach,  Matt Damon in Miami Beach, Celine Dion in Jupiter Island, Enrique Iglesias in Miami Beach, Beyoncé Knowles in Miami Beach, Ricky Martin in Miami Beach, Shakira in Miami Beach, Sammy Sosa in Coral Springs, Scott Stapp in Boca Raton, Donald Trump in Palm Beach, Tiger Woods in Jupiter Island, John Secada in Miami, Sylvester Stallone in Miami Beach, Chuck Norris in Naples, and John Travolta in Ocala.

From The Pirates of the Caribbean to The Ophrah Winfrey Show these talented stars make our sky shine brighter. This is something interesting to think about when you visit our sandy beaches. Be watchful, you might shake hands with one of them. 

Enjoy your stay in Florida! 411 PAIN wishes you a restful vacation.

411 Pain - FL Fascinating Vintage Car Shows

411 Pain - FL Fascinating Vintage Car Shows

Who doesn’t enjoy listening to an old tune while dragging old worn down wheels to a drive-in theater? If you are one of those people who enjoy visiting antique stores, collecting vintage stamps, or perhaps decorating like Solomon Briggs, this is the show for you. Tune in with 411 PAIN! and pick the car show of your preference.
Antique cars are generally cars 45 years old. It dates back to the invention of automobiles up to the 1930s. These precious relics are usually reserved for show time.  Owners of these cars don’t drive them often yet put them on their regular auto insurance. Nobody wants to run into an accident or have a ticket issued while having fun. Besides exhibiting their exclusive glamor, these beautiful cars are also used to raise funds. Fundraising car show events are becoming more and more successful in the State of Florida.
The Sunshine State enjoys a variety of amazing vintage car shows throughout the whole year. It’s like visiting a museum on wheels. Orlando is one of the most popular locations for these events. There is the 3rd Annual East Orlando Harley Show coming up on May 4, 2013. Then, comes 1st Sunday Monthly Automotive Antique Swap Meet Car Show & Car Corral in Bushnell, FL. Bushnell is close to Ocala, a major central FL city. On June 8th, we have Kissimmee’s car show. Many shows coming up: Collectors’ car show on Cape Coral, Key West Power cruise in Lake City, Rockin' Rod Car Show and Swap Meet in Okeechobee, and numerous others. States such as Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Hawaii, and Indiana also offer these fun events. Well known cities such as Atlanta, Memphis, Springfield, Grand Rapids, and Minneapolis have these spectacular shows all year round.
Besides Car shows, Florida also scores high on interesting Car Museums. For instance, in West Palm Beach we find Ragtops Motocars which started back in 1980 and now enjoys an immense 8000 square foot facility with a large collection of these classics.  The Sarasota Classic Car Museum it’s also a great place to visit and the second oldest in the nation. We can’t leave behind the Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum, Tallahassee Automobile Museum, and Tampa Bay Automobile Museum. These are all fascinating places to visit.
Now that you know a little about vintage car shows in Florida, find the show of your preference. All these events are worth a try. Enjoy history on wheels and remember 411 PAIN is always here for you!

411 Pain Red-Light Runners

411 Pain Red-Light Runners

RED MEANS STOP... GREEN MEANS GO

As young as kindergarten children are taught about traffic lights and its 3 signals.
Green means go, yellow means slow down, and red means stop.  It's that part of
the concept that millions of drivers struggle with every year. Using elementary math
that adds up to millions of red-light running wrecks annually.

RED LIGHT ROULETTE

411 Pain calls this traffic hazard avoidable and recommends against taking the risk.
Drivers who play the game of red light roulette are not only gambling with their lives,
but also the lives of the public at large.  The Federal Highway Administration
estimates half of the people killed in red-light running crashes are not the offenders
but innocent victims forced to share the roads with the dangerous drivers.


CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Florida is among half the states in the country implementing photo enforcement
technology to put the brakes on red-running and to slow speeders.  The two violations
work hand in hand leaving us all vulnerable on roads where we have the right
to expect to ride safely.  411 Pain points out, while municipalities are spending millions
for "Caught on Camera' technology,  the problem can be resolved without spending a penny.
If drivers could let their conscience be their guides and simply stop when they see red lights
or red octagon shaped stop signs.

THE TROUBLE WITH TECHNOLOGY

While red light camera and video technologies can prove to be a deterrent, they
also bring with them the potential for other serious motor vehicle accidents.
Fearing a pricey fine that can come with running a red light, many drivers stop abruptly
at noticing the cameras only to wind up a catalyst in a rear end crash.
411 Pain warns rear-end crashes, even at low speeds, can leave all involved with a range of
chronic and painful injuries.  According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety,
those injuries include brain insults, head and neck trauma, and spinal chord injury.
Newer model vehicles now come equipped with impact protections like head restraints and
airbags.  The measures are preventative but failure to use them properly can leave drivers
and passengers vulnerable to serious injury or even death.


ARRIVE ALIVE

411 Pain's final recommendation, drive to arrive alive.  Obey all traffic laws,
beware of your fellow motorists, and if you get into an accident remember
after you call 911 call 411 Pain.