Tag Archives: BRADENTON, Fla.

Attorney Bernard Walsh Comments on ‘Textalyzer’ – Proposed Anti-Texting While Driving Software for Law Enforcement

Attorney Bernard Walsh

BRADENTON, Fla., May 3, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Despite public awareness campaigns and new laws targeting texting while driving in many states, deaths and injuries related to distracted driving have continued to rise, says Attorney Bernard Walsh. Lawmakers are struggling to come up with viable solutions that address the problems law enforcement officers are facing when attempting to enforce texting-while-driving laws. Topmost among the issues is the difficulty in proving a driver has been texting-while driving.

One such proposal that is getting serious attention is the development of a software tool that law enforcement can use to test if a driver was texting while driving or using their phone in other ways such as social media that violate distracted driving laws or contribute to unsafe driving.

Tentatively called the Textalyzer (similar to Breathalyzer, the alcohol testing tool), the proposed software tool would be available to police officers and allow them a definitive way to prove that a driver was sending or reading messages from their phone while they were driving. As texting while driving has been repeatedly shown to be more dangerous than driving drunk, many lawmakers would like it to be treated in much the same way as drunk driving, and software such as the proposed Textalyzer would allow that to happen.

Critics of the idea warn of privacy concerns and the potential for misuse of the software. As a result, proponents of the software have stated the tool would be able to see if the phone was used for texting or social media during vehicle operation, but would not be able to actually read or display any of the users' information, thus circumventing privacy issues.

Auto accident attorney Bernard F. Walsh from the Bradenton office of Shapiro Goldman Babboni & Walsh had this comment on the new software, "As a personal injury lawyer for many years, I have witnessed up close what can happen to people and families when drivers are irresponsible and text while driving. I believe texting while driving is a case where technology and society's use of it have out paced the law's ability to protect the public. While it is true that many states, including my home State of Florida, have passed laws banning texting while driving, many of these laws are ineffective and do little to discourage the behavior.

"One reason for this, is the lack of a practical solution for officers to prove that a driver was texting while driving. The development of an app that law enforcement can use to detect and prove a driver has violated the law would change this.

"Though this technology would be subject to a constitutional challenge under the search and seizure laws, it would be very valuable in establishing fault in many collisions and therefore helpful to the accident victims, as well as have the potential to reduce the instances of texting-while driving as drivers become aware of the test."

About Attorney Bernard F. Walsh:

A highly experienced AV rated attorney and founder of the Manasota Trial Lawyers Board, Bernard Walsh is an active member in multiple legal organizations including the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America (APITLA), the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Florida Justice Association, the National Trial Lawyers Association and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

Bernard Walsh is an active member of the Manatee and Sarasota Sheriff's Advisory Boards, the Florida Highway Patrol Advisory Council and the One Hundred Club for Law Enforcement in Manatee.

Partner at the Personal Injury and Civil Trial Law firm of Shapiro, Goldman, Babboni and Walsh, Bernard Walsh has helped hundreds of Floridians get fair compensation for injuries. Additionally, Bernard Walsh has won one of Florida's largest motorcycle accident recoveries and has an AV Preeminent(R) rating on Martindale-Hubbell(R), a doctors and attorneys ratings website and is a Superb rated attorney with Avvo.com.

Shapiro Goldman Babboni & Walsh
5291 Office Park Boulevard, Bradenton FL, 34203
Local: 941-752-7200

More information: http://www.GetMejustice.com.

Twitter: @GetMeJustice

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/attorney-bernard-walsh-comments-on-textalyzer-proposed-anti-texting-while-driving-software-for-law-enforcement-2016-0503-07.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Shapiro Goldman Babboni and Walsh :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2016 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Florida Justice Association Blocks Insurance Lobby Attacks On Consumer Rights

Bernard F. Walsh

BRADENTON, Fla., April 15, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Bradenton personal injury lawyer, and Florida Justice Association board member, Bernard F. Walsh took note of the successful effort by Florida Justice Association members to block extreme reduction in personal injury claim awards.

The two bills, Senate Bill 1474, proposed by republican Senator Garrett Richter of Naples serving Florida District 23, and House Bill 1271 proposed by Republican Representative Jay Fant serving Florida District 15, sought to severely limit the amount of damages an injured party can be awarded in a personal injury case.

Both SB 1474 and HB 1271 similarly attempted to limit personal injury compensation amounts to the amount paid to the medical provider under the medical providers original bill. Both SB 1474 and HB 1271 had additions that explicitly stated any amount that differs from the amount remitted to the provider would not be recoverable in a personal injury case. Additionally, both bills included sections on injured parties who were insured by either Medicare or Medicaid further restricting the amount that can be awarded by a jury to an injured claimant in a personal injury law suit.

However, HB 1271 went beyond just severely limiting the amount of damages that may be awarded to an injured claimant by attempting make inadmissible any individual contract between a medical service provider and licensed insurance provider. This would have the effect of making it more difficult for plaintiffs attorneys to prove liability or bring to light other pertinent information vital to a personal injury claim.

Attorney Bernard F. Walsh, Florida Justice Association Board Member and Founder of the Manasota Trial Lawyers Board had this comment on the recent legislative session, "If HB 1271 or SB 1474 had managed to pass, it would have been a devastating blow to the rights of Florida's citizens. As a personal injury attorney I have witnessed first hand how serious injuries from accidents have life changing effects on the injured and their families. Under these bills, it would be completely unrealistic to assume that someone who has suffered multiple serious injuries such as TBI, spinal cord injury, or other trauma, would be adequately compensated for their injuries, never mind the loss of income, pain and suffering, and overall reduction in the victims quality of life. Thanks to the FJA's tireless efforts, no legislation has passed that significantly hurt the consumer and accident victims in Florida. I am looking forward to working with the FJA on the next legislative session."

About Attorney Bernard F. Walsh:

A highly experienced AV rated attorney and founder of the Manasota Trial Lawyers Board, Bernard Walsh is an active member in multiple legal organizations including the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America (APITLA), the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Florida Justice Association, the National Trial Lawyers Association and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

Bernard Walsh is an active member of the Manatee and Sarasota Sheriff's Advisory Boards, the Florida Highway Patrol Advisory Council and the One Hundred Club for Law Enforcement in Manatee.

Partner at the Personal Injury and Civil Trial Law firm of Shapiro, Goldman, Babboni and Walsh, Bernard Walsh has helped hundreds of Floridians get fair compensation for injuries. Additionally, Bernard Walsh has won one of Florida's largest motorcycle accident recoveries and has an AV Preeminent® rating on Martindale-Hubbel®, a doctors and attorneys ratings website and is a Superb rated attorney with Avvo.com.

Shapiro Goldman Babboni & Walsh
5291 Office Park Boulevard, Bradenton FL, 34203
Local: 941-752-7200

More information: http://www.GetMejustice.com/.

Twitter: @GetMeJustice

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/florida-justice-association-blocks-insurance-lobby-attacks-on-consumer-rights-2016-0415-05.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Shapiro Goldman Babboni and Walsh :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2016 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Bradenton Injury Attorney Bernard F Walsh Published in Lawyer’s LogBook

attorney Bernard F Walsh

BRADENTON, Fla., March 11, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Attorney Bernard F. Walsh was published in the Lawyer's LogBook, a legal industry periodical that includes articles from some of the nation's best plaintiff's attorneys.

The article, co-written by experienced trucking accident attorney Bernard Walsh, and attorney Elizabeth DeWitt, entitled "The A To Z Basics Of A Trucking Accident Case," advises attorneys who may be considering representing the victims of heavy truck accidents.

In the article Attorney Bernard Walsh notes that while just 3 percent of all accidents involve heavy trucks, large commercial trucks are responsible for 12 percent of all traffic accident deaths. The article goes on to point out that trucking accident cases are more complex and challenging for an attorney to successfully represent, in-part because trucking companies are very aware of the potential costs from lawsuits and will aggressively defend themselves.

Trucking companies may seek to hide or make unavailable log and other recorded data needed by attorneys representing the accident victims, as such the article advises the plaintiff's attorneys to act immediately to ensure the best chance of obtaining accurate logging data. Additionally, the article continues by advising attorneys on moving forward quickly including building a team of professionals from many fields such as accident reconstruction, photography and videography as well as towing and salvage.

Attorney Bernard Walsh had this comment about being published in the Lawyer's LogBook, "It is my hope that sharing my experience on trucking accidents with other attorneys considering taking a trucking case will help the victims of negligent drivers. Many fatal accidents are caused by drivers that break federal and state regulations on how many hours a driver may work during a week, and as a result the driver becomes fatigued.

"Study after study has shown that driving overly tired can be worse than driving drunk, and all too often this can resulted devastating trucking accidents. Many trucking firms will mount an aggressive legal defense, and as such the victims legal team will need to be fully prepared for the large amount of time and resources that will be required to successfully represent their clients."

About Attorney Bernard F. Walsh:

A highly experienced AV rated attorney and founder of the Manasota Trial Lawyers Board, Bernard Walsh is an active member in multiple legal organizations including the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America (APITLA), the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Florida Justice Association, the National Trial Lawyers Association and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

Bernard Walsh is an active member of the Manatee and Sarasota Sheriff's Advisory Boards, the Florida Highway Patrol Advisory Council and the One Hundred Club for Law Enforcement in Manatee.

Partner at the Personal Injury and Civil Trial Law firm of Shapiro, Goldman, Babboni and Walsh, Bernard Walsh has helped hundreds of Floridians get fair compensation for injuries. Additionally, Bernard Walsh has won one of Florida's largest motorcycle accident recoveries and has an AV Preeminent(R) rating on Martindale-Hubbel(R), a doctors and attorneys ratings website and is a Superb rated attorney with Avvo.com.

Shapiro Goldman Babboni & Walsh
5291 Office Park Boulevard, Bradenton FL, 34203
Local: 941-752-7200

More information: http://www.GetMejustice.com.

*PHOTO (Web): Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-0128-bf-walsh-500x375.jpg
*Photo Caption: Personal Injury Attorney Bernard F. Walsh.

Twitter: @GetMeJustice

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/bradenton-injury-attorney-bernard-f-walsh-published-in-lawyer-s-logbook-2016-0311-02.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Shapiro Goldman Babboni and Walsh :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2016 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Southern Trial Lawyers Association Publish Article by Attorneys Bernard Walsh and Elisabeth DeWitt

Bernard Walsh

BRADENTON, Fla., Jan. 28, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- An article entitled "Modern Spinal Surgery Options" by Injury Attorney Bernard F. Walsh, managing partner of Shapiro Goldman Babboni and Walsh, and Attorney Elisabeth Dewitt formerly of the Bradenton Florida office of Shapiro Goldman Babboni & Walsh, has been published by the Southern Trial Lawyers Association.

In the article, Attorney Bernard Walsh highlights the importance of attorneys being aware of the latest medical care techniques available, and continues that attorneys should make sure that their clients are aware of these options and discuss them with their medical professional.

The article states, "You must be prepared to educate your clients on the available options and approaches to surgical care so that your client can do their own research and speak to their treating surgeons more effectively...." and continues to advise attorneys to become familiar with the surgeons that perform the relevant procedures, in their local area.

The article which focuses on new techniques for spinal surgery, outlines several new surgical procedures that many attorneys representing injured clients may not be aware of such as, facet rhizotomy, endoscopic spinal surgery and robotic spine surgery.

Attorney Bernard Walsh had this to say about being published in JUSTLAW, "The Southern Trial Lawyers is a great organization that works to strengthen connections and awareness for plaintiff's attorneys. The ultimate goal of everyone involved with the Southern Trial Lawyers, is to better serve our clients in achieving justice. JUSTLAW helps members stay informed by sharing in the knowledge and experience of other attorneys, and I am honored that JUSTLAW selected the article by Attorney DeWitt and I to be published."

"Modern Spinal Surgery Options" was published in volume 8, issue 1 of JUSTLAW by the Southern Trial Lawyers Association in January, 2016.

About Attorney Bernard F. Walsh:

A highly experienced AV rated attorney and founder of the Manasota Trial Lawyers Board, Bernard Walsh is an active member in multiple legal organizations including the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America (APITLA), the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Florida Justice Association, the National Trial Lawyers Association and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

Bernard Walsh is an active member of the Manatee and Sarasota Sheriff's Advisory Boards, the Florida Highway Patrol Advisory Council and the One Hundred Club for Law Enforcement in Manatee.

Partner at the Personal Injury and Civil Trial Law firm of Shapiro, Goldman, Babboni and Walsh, Bernard Walsh has helped hundreds of Floridians get fair compensation for injuries. Additionally, Bernard Walsh has won one of Florida's largest motorcycle accident recoveries and has an AV Preeminent(R) rating on Martindale-Hubbel(R), a doctors and attorneys ratings website and is a Superb rated attorney with Avvo.com.

Shapiro Goldman Babboni & Walsh
5291 Office Park Boulevard, Bradenton FL, 34203
Local: 941-752-7200

More information: http://www.GetMejustice.com/.

*VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/vmK0Us7EUh0 .

*PHOTO (Web): Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-0128-bf-walsh-500x375.jpg

*Photo Caption: Personal Injury Attorney Bernard F. Walsh.

Twitter: @GetMeJustice

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/southern-trial-lawyers-association-publish-article-by-attorneys-bernard-walsh-and-elisabeth-dewitt-2016-0128-03.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Shapiro Goldman Babboni and Walsh :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2016 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Bradenton Attorney Bernard Walsh Comments On The Volkswagen Emissions Cheating Scandal

Bernard F Walsh

BRADENTON, Fla., Oct. 13, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Attorney Bernard F. Walsh of the Bradenton personal injury law firm Shapiro Goldman Babboni & Walsh weighs in on the VW emissions cheating scandal.

With Volkswagen's shocking admission to federal regulators that they have engineered a sophisticated software program specifically designed to fool emissions test equipment, the beleaguered German automaker will likely be facing historic fines, settlements and lawsuits.

Volkswagen advertised their new vehicles featuring TDI (Turbo Direct Injection) engines as so-called "clean Diesels." VW claimed that these revolutionary diesel engines are both powerful, fuel efficient and produce little toxic emissions. However after years of ongoing sales with more than 480,000 "clean diesels" sold in the United States, federal regulators discovered that the TDI engines only ran clean while hooked up to emissions testing equipment.

Volkswagen equipped the TDI engine with a cheat device that ran software that altered the engines function to reduce pollution output, but only when the engine was hooked up to emissions test equipment. Federal regulators also discovered that once the TDI engine was disconnected from the emissions test equipment, the levels of toxic gases soared to more than 40 times the allowable limits. Additionally, it has been determined that when VW's TDI engines are running clean and in compliance with emissions regulations, the performance of the engine is severely reduced from stated specifications in both engine power and fuel economy.

With nearly 500,000 vehicles sold in the U.S. equipping the cheat device, it has not taken long for both VW clean diesel owners and lawmakers alike to become upset and demand action from Volkswagen.

So far Volkswagen is facing separate lawsuits from the state of West Virginia, and a class-action lawsuit from VW owners in California, calls for a hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives and possible criminal charges. As VW's admission of this duplicitous action has only just been made public many more lawsuits are likely to follow both within the United States as well as the European Union.

The scandal's aftermath will affect more than just VW, and is rippling outward toward parts suppliers and other vendors as VW is asking their suppliers to cut prices in an attempt to save money for the anticipated wave of settlement lawsuits and fines.

Personal injury attorney and civil trial lawyer Bernard F. Walsh of Shapiro Goldman Babboni & Walsh had this scathing comment of Volkswagen's actions, "Volkswagen's actions of intentionally lying and cheating their customers are inexcusable and infuriating. VW car buyers paid between $1,000 and $7,000 more for so called 'clean diesel' cars than the unleaded gasoline vehicles to have a car that is better for the environment. Instead they have just found out that not only does the TDI engine not meet federal clean air regulations, the TDI engines were far worse polluters than regular gasoline or standard diesel engines.

"Volkswagen's claim that just a handful of unscrupulous engineers including, Ulrich Hackenberg, Wolfgang Hatz, and Heinz-Jakob Neusser were responsible for the vast fleet of VW's with cheat devices is nothing more than a laughable attempt to avoid moral responsibility of the scandal. For its organized fraud and misrepresentation of the TDI vehicle line, Volkswagen will likely face record fines, class-action lawsuits and likely criminal charges. However this is little consultation to the hundreds of thousands of American car buyers who thought they were paying more to do the right thing for the climate change problem, and instead found out they have been taken for a ride by VW executives.

"With many car owners now owning vehicles that no longer will pass state emissions tests and have dropped significantly in resale value, it remains to be seen how VW and Audi plan on making amends with such an enormous number of vehicles to fix. To make matters worse VW does not currently have a fix that will bring the cars compliant, prompting some to call for VW to buy-back its cars. Whatever moves VW makes in the future, I can only recommend that owners of VW TDI models contact an attorney as soon as possible."

About Attorney Bernard F. Walsh:

A highly experienced AV rated attorney and founder of the Manasota Trial Lawyers Board, Bernard Walsh is an active member in multiple legal organizations including the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America (APITLA), the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Florida Justice Association, the National Trial Lawyers Association and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

Bernard Walsh is an active member of the Manatee and Sarasota Sheriff's Advisory Boards, the Florida Highway Patrol Advisory Council and the One Hundred Club for Law Enforcement in Manatee.

Partner at the Personal Injury and Civil Trial Law firm of Shapiro, Goldman, Babboni and Walsh, Bernard Walsh has helped hundreds of Floridians get fair compensation for injuries. Additionally, Bernard Walsh has won one of Florida's largest motorcycle accident recoveries and has an AV Preeminent(R) rating on Martindale-Hubbel(R), a doctors and attorneys ratings website and is a Superb rated attorney with Avvo.com.

Shapiro Goldman Babboni & Walsh
5291 Office Park Boulevard, Bradenton FL, 34203
Local: 941-752-7200

More information: http://www.GetMejustice.com/.

Twitter: @GetMeJustice

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/bradenton-attorney-bernard-walsh-comments-on-the-volkswagen-emissions-cheating-scandal-2015-1013-05.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Shapiro Goldman Babboni and Walsh :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Attorney Bernard Walsh Remarks on Automakers Moving to Make Automatic Braking Standard on All New Cars

Bernard F. Walsh

BRADENTON, Fla., Sept. 16, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Bradenton accident attorney Bernard Walsh cautions major automakers to include commercial trucks with the decision to make automatic emergency braking systems standard on all new passenger vehicles.

The decision by a group of the worlds largest automakers which includes Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Ford, GM, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla Motors, Toyota and Volvo, to make automatic braking systems standard on all new cars draws notice from a Florida injury attorney.

Together the group of participating automakers comprised almost 60 percent of auto sales in the United States. This commitment by automakers mirrors previous times that automakers signed on to making major safety improvements standard such as making air bags standard equipment, and adding anti-rollover equipment to SUVs.

Automatic emergency braking systems use a combination of technology such as sensors, microprocessors, and sophisticated software to apply the breaks automatically when a collision is imminent. This technology while new, has been shown highly effective in helping to avoid crashes.

Currently just 4 percent of vehicles in the United states have automatic braking systems and as of yet this technology has not been adopted by the commercial trucking industry where it may prove to be most beneficial. Driver fatigue and distracted driving often lead to deadly accidents when commercial trucks are involved and many feel automatic emergency braking systems would save lives if installed on heavy commercial trucks.

Attorney Bernard F. Walsh shared this comment making automatic emergency braking systems standard, "This new technology is needed not only in cars but critically needed in Intrastate, as well as, Interstate trucking. These drivers of large trucks present the biggest danger because their trucks can weigh 80,000 pounds and fatigue driving mistakes are common in this industry due to the long hours they are on the roads. While I applaud the inclusion of AEB systems in passenger vehicles, this same technology should be standard on heavy trucks where it may be even more beneficial."

About Attorney Bernard F. Walsh:

A highly experienced AV rated attorney and founder of the Manasota Trial Lawyers Board, Bernard Walsh is an active member in multiple legal organizations including the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America (APITLA), the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Florida Justice Association, the National Trial Lawyers Association and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

Bernard Walsh is an active member of the Manatee and Sarasota Sheriff's Advisory Boards, the Florida Highway Patrol Advisory Council and the One Hundred Club for Law Enforcement in Manatee.

Partner at the Personal Injury and Civil Trial Law firm of Shapiro, Goldman, Babboni and Walsh, Bernard Walsh has helped hundreds of Floridians get fair compensation for injuries. Additionally, Bernard Walsh has won one of Florida's largest motorcycle accident recoveries and has an AV Preeminent(R) rating on Martindale-Hubbel(R), a doctors and attorneys ratings website and is a Superb rated attorney with Avvo.com.

Shapiro Goldman Babboni & Walsh
5291 Office Park Boulevard, Bradenton FL, 34203
Local: 941-752-7200

More information: http://www.GetMejustice.com/.

* Photo (web): Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-0916-bf-walsh-500x375.jpg

* Caption: Attorney Bernard F. Walsh.

Twitter: @GetMeJustice

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/attorney-bernard-walsh-remarks-on-automakers-moving-to-make-automatic-braking-standard-on-all-new-cars-2015-0916-06.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Shapiro Goldman Babboni and Walsh :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.