Articles Posted in Car Accidents

As the Thanksgiving holiday weekend approaches, many residents anticipate a time away from work to spend with friends and family. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more Americans will be traveling over the holiday weekend this year compared to last year even though gas prices are significantly higher. In 2010, the average cost of a gallon of gas was $2.88 over the holiday weekend. Last week’s average was $3.39 per gallon, according to CNN.

The American Automobile Association reports that approximately 43 million U.S. residents will be traveling more than 50 miles during the Thanksgiving holiday. This is about 4 percent more travelers than the 2010 holiday weekend. The increase in travelers is expected to increase our risks for a car accident in Fort Myers and elsewhere throughout Southwest Florida.

Our Fort Myers car accident attorneys understand that the increase in visitors, tourists and seasonal residents in our area makes our roadways much more dangerous. If you haven’t noticed, our roadways are densely populated with those out-of-state license plates. These out-of-town drivers greatly increase risks of accidents. These drivers are oftentimes unfamiliar with the area and are unfamiliar with the traffic flow and road laws. For this reason, it’s important for at-home drivers to be cautious, alert and defensive on our roadways,

Thanksgiving is the first holiday in quite some time in which travel is expected to significantly increased. During Memorial Day, the high cost of gas kept travel stable with the recent year’s numbers. During Labor Day and Independence Day, travel actually decreased. AAA suspects that since most travelers stayed home and saved some money during recent holiday weekends, they’ll be hitting the road, throwing their financial concerns to the wind for the upcoming holiday weekend.

“As consumers weigh the fear of economic uncertainty and the desire to create lasting family memories this holiday, more Americans are expected to choose family and friends over frugality,” said Bill Sutherland, vice president of AAA Travel Services.

The projected increase in travel is what AAA calls the result of “pent-up demand” from those who’ve skipped out on previous holiday weekends to save some money in a tight economy.

Driving will be the most common way that Americans will be getting to and from their destination over the holiday weekend. The projections for air travel are shaky. AAA says that air travel will increase by about 2 percent from last year’s numbers, while the Air Transport Association of America says it’s expecting a 2 percent decrease.

Drivers are urged to get prepared before venturing out on a road trip over the Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend. By taking a few precautionary steps, we can all help to keep our roadways safe and to keep smooth travels going through the first of the year.

Road Trip Safety Tips:

-Always plan your route before departing.

-Bring a paper map in addition to a GPS.

-Have your car checked out by a mechanic before heading out.

-Check your tires before departing and bring a tire pressure gauge to check them often.

-Always have a first-aid kit.

-Bring activities to entertain children.

-Check your spare tire and your tire jack.

-Remember to bring your cell phone and the charger.

-Write down important phone numbers.

-Research your route to make sure there are no events or construction that could hinder your travel.Locate alternative routes if needed.

-Leave with plenty of time to compensate for delays.

-Stop and rest often.

-Enjoy!
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Florida drivers rank 4th for having the worst drivers in America, according to CarInsuranceComparison.com.

The American Motorists Association and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently conducted a study and ranked states by their number of fatal car accidents, the number of tickets issued, the number of drunk driving accidents along with drivers’ ability to obey traffic devices. Our state ranked 27th for having the most fatal car accidents in Fort Myers and elsewhere, but 4th overall for all categories.

Because of our dangerous road reputation, the Florida Highway Patrol will be combing our roadways over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in search of drivers who are endangering other motorists. From November 23rd to the 27th, officers will be on the lookout for speeding drivers, aggressive drivers and drunk drivers. All state troopers, including reserve and auxiliary troopers will be focusing their efforts on making our roadways safer over the holiday period.

Our Fort Myers car accident attorneys understand that Florida drivers received the most traffic tickets in the entire country. We were also ranked at 40th place for having careless drivers. With the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s right around the corner, our roadways are most congested than ever. Not only are we dealing with the shoddy driving habits of resident drivers, but we also have to share the roadways with the unfamiliar out-of-town drivers.

With our state in the bottom four for worst drivers in America, Florida deals with some high-priced insurance rates and serious risks for car accidents.

Along with the winter season comes those out-of-state drivers. Motorists are asked to travel with cautious, patience and alertness on our roadways. Driving habits need to be adjusted to accommodate the increase in traffic flow during this time of year.

“Allow yourself plenty of time to reach your destination safely, drive sober and buckle up on each and every trip. The holidays are a time for celebration, but we cannot forget safety behind the wheel,” Col. David Brierton, director of the Florida Highway Patrol.

The Florida Highway Patrol offers drivers these tips to help everyone get to their holiday destination safely:

-Make sure that you get plenty of rest before heading out. All too often, accidents are caused by sleepy drivers on our roadways. Get at least seven full hours of sleep before venturing out on our roadways.

-Be aware of all road signs, signals and speed limits. Always obey road laws.

-Make sure you leave with plenty of time to spare. Rushing to your destination puts you at serious risk for an accident.

-Never drink and drive.

-Always wear a seat belt. They’re nearly 50 percent effective in preventing injury to a front-seat occupant in the event of an accident.

-Curb all distractions. This includes making phone calls, sending texts, eating, playing with the radio, etc.
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As we reported on our Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, the recent strand of fatal accidents should serve as a reminder of the risks we face on our roadways as we enter the holiday season. Winter, tourist season and the holidays bring increased traffic to our roadways and serious risks for accidents. Drivers are urged to be cautious throughout the remainder of the year.

A rash of serious and fatal car accidents in Fort Myers was reported over the weekend. This is a second warning to motorists to be super cautious and careful on our roadways.

Our Fort Myers car accident lawyers understand the risks all too well. According to NBC2, there was a fatal accident on McGregor Boulevard that took the lives of two people this past Sunday.

Fort Myers Police Department officials report that a small passenger vehicle was speeding on McGregor heading north when the driver left the roadway. That’s when the vehicle struck two trees and finally stopped as the vehicle hit a third. A 26- and a 29-year-old man died in the accident.

Another accident happened in Cape Coral when a vehicle left the roadway, hit a power pole and flipped on Kismet Parkway. Cape Coral Police Department says that both speed and alcohol/drugs were factors in this accident. Both the driver and the passenger were pinned in the vehicle until Cape firefighters and Lee County EMS responded.

Another accident in Fort Myers sent a motorcycle driver and a car driver to Lee Memorial Hospital. The accident happened on Cleveland Avenue. It happened when the passenger vehicle crossed over the northbound lanes and tried to make a left-hand turn. It hit the motorcyclist who was heading north.

Another accident in Lehigh Acres killed an Immokalee man. The accident happened near Wildcat Drive on State Road 82. This accident happened when a vehicle was trying to pass another.

Another accident happened on the same day in the southbound lanes of Interstate 75 right at the Daniels Parkway exit when a semi-truck toppled over. The accident injured two men.

This accident happened when a semi-truck used by Publix rear ended another vehicle right by mile marker 131, according to reports. The small vehicle was a Ford Escort that was driven by a 35-year-old man from Marco Island, according to Naples News. After impact, the Escort spun around and struck the side of the semi and was then thrown into the center barrier. The truck driver was a 48-year-old man from North Port.

The Florida Highway Patrol reports that the truck swerved back and forth after the collision and then flipped on its side. The truck blocked two of the three southbound lanes. The driver was stuck in the truck for nearly an hour. He was rescued and taken to Lee Memorial Hospital. The Escort driver was also trapped and was transported to Lee Memorial after being rescued.

The accident closed the Interstate’s southbound traffic for about four hours. The Florida Highway Patrol is still investigating.
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A Fort Myers Police Department employee was killed in a recent car accident in Lehigh Acres, according to the Sun Times. The 25-year-old female officer was on her way to work when she was involved in an accident at the intersection of Westgate Boulevard and Lee Boulevard. She worked as a community service aid for the FMPD.

It happened when she was making a left onto Lee — another vehicle that was heading straight reportedly sideswiped her car, sending it spinning onto the shoulder of the roadway. The car that sideswiped her vehicle flipped. The driver was taken to Lee Memorial Hospital but is doing okay.

Our Fort Myers car accident attorneys understand that this accident happened on the 8-year anniversary of the death of Fort Myers Police Officer Daniel Starks who was killed in a car accident as well. The recent fatal accidents are tragic reminders of the risks as we head into the holidays and the winter tourism season. With the increase in traffic we see at the end of every year, drivers are urged to be cautious, have some patience and to drive defensively on our roadways to help prevent fatal accidents.

“Our thoughts and prayers obviously immediately go out to her family. It’s got to be difficult,” Chief Doug Baker said. “We’ll pull together, work together and help ourselves and help the family get through with our services.”

Another local accident took the life of a motorcyclist on Westlinks Drive in Gateway. The accident happened as the 52-year-old man crashed into a raised concrete center median in the roadway. The man was thrown from his bike.

A third accident took the life of an 8-year-old boy. This accident happened as the young boy and his family headed home from Flea Masters. As the family’s vehicle turned left onto Burnt Store Road in Cape Coral, they were struck by a pickup truck. The truck T-boned their car and sent it skidding for about 40 feet.

The child was taken to Lee Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced dead, according The News-Press.

It’s not only motorists who need to be cautious. Pedestrians are at a real danger for accidents on our roadways as well. As we recently reported on our Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, a 15-year-old female pedestrian lost her life while traveling along Pondella Road in Cape Coral. Florida continues to be the most dangerous state in the country for pedestrian traffic. Our area experienced the most frequent fatal pedestrian accidents on our roadways for years in a row.

As seasonal residents flock to our southern state and tourists make this their vacation destination, we’re all asked to travel cautiously and compassionately on our roadways to help keep everyone safe.
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According to the Fort Myers Police Department, National Teen Driver Safety Week (NTDSW) is being held this year from October 16th through the 22nd. During this time, officials, safe driving advocates and local law enforcement agencies will be campaigning to raise awareness about the dangers our teen drivers face on our roadways. Car accidents in Fort Myers and elsewhere continue to be the number one killer for teens in the country.

This week-long campaign was established by Congress back in 2007 and has been held every year on the third week of October. This year, parents are asked to continue the teaching process with their teen driver. According to recent studies, parents who frequently speak with their teen about safe driving habits and those who enact driving rules within the family have fewer risks for an accident than teens who are let loose on our roadways without guidance.

Our Naples teen car accident attorneys would like to focus in on a recently released study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. This study examined the driving habits of teen drivers by installing cameras into the cars of teen drivers in North Carolina. The goal of the study was to determine what it is that causes our teen drivers to be at such high risks for car accidents.

According to the study, teen drivers are 50 percent more likely to be involved in a car accident during their first 30 days of unrestricted driving than they are during their first year of unrestricted driving. These risks continue to decrease as they gain more experience behind the wheel.

Researchers were able to credit nearly 70 percent of the accidents to three common driving mistakes, including speeding, failing to yield and driver inattention. Data proved that these accidents most often happened when drivers were making left-hand turns. Another finding of the study confirmed that teen accident risks decrease with experience behind the wheel.

“What our new study tells us is that there are a few specific abilities that we could do a better job of helping teens develop before they begin driving independently,” said AAA Foundation President and CEO Peter Kissinger.

Cameras also revealed another interesting characteristic; the change in driver behavior once they were driving without supervision. During unsupervised and unrestricted driving time, teens were more likely to engage in dangerous driving habits behind the wheel, including texting, making phone calls and engaging in activities with other passengers.

Tips for parents of teen drivers, from the National Safety Council:

-Set a curfew. Teen driver’s risks of experiencing an accident increase as the sun goes down. Consider a driving curfew.

-Limit passengers. Passengers, especially teenage ones, can be some of the most dangerous distractions for drivers. The more passengers in a vehicle, the higher the risks are for an accident.

-Ban cell phone use. Because Florida has no laws governing the use of cell phones or text messaging devices for drivers, parents are asked to regulate these behaviors among their teen drivers.

-Require seat belts. Seat belts have been proven as the most effective way to save a life in the event of an accident. Make sure everyone wears one during every car ride.
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Car accidents in Fort Myers and elsewhere are the number one killer of teens in the state of Florida and in the U.S. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) has recently teamed up with schools throughout the state to host a number White Out events.

These events are held to raise awareness about the dangers that teen’s oftentimes face in the driver’s seat. During White Out, teens, schools employees, parents and other safe driving advocates were asked to wear white t-shirts to help to raise awareness. In addition to White Out, the DHSMV is participating in National Teen Driver Safety Week. We recently told you about this week-long campaign and its efforts to keep teen drivers safe on our roadways. The week-long event takes place this year from October 16th through the 22nd.

“Today’s white out is a good reminder that driving is a big responsibility and that parents and guardians play a key role in teaching their children safe driving behaviors that impact how they drive for their entire lives,” said DHSMV Executive Director Julie Jones.

Our Cape Coral car accident attorneys understand that with increased parental support and education among teen drivers, we can all do our part to help save the lives of these inexperienced drivers on our roadways. We lose far too many young drivers every year in Florida. More supervised driving time and more discussion about safe driving habits may be able to do the trick and turn these accident statistics around for our newly-licensed drivers.

According to the 2010 Florida traffic accident statistics:

-Teens age 15- to 19-years-old have the highest accident rate of any age group in the state.

-There were nearly 734,000 licensed teen drivers.

-Nearly 27,000 teen drivers were involved in traffic accidents in 2009.

-Nearly 150 teens (drivers and passengers) who died on our roadways.

-Nearly 19,000 teens (drivers and passengers) were injured in traffic accidents.

-Teen drivers in Florida are twice as likely to be involved in an accident as their parents and about three times as likely as their grandparents.

To help educate our state’s young drivers, the DHSMV recently launched an interactive teen driver website to help the newly-licensed to learn safe driving habits. Drive with CARE (Courtesy, Attention, Responsibility, Experience), another online resource for teen drivers, is here to help teach parents and young drivers about our state’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) law. The website also reiterates the importance of parent involvement in a teen driver’s learning process. The CARE information is available on the website or at state and tax collector operated driver license offices.

Recent studies reveal that teens who have more supervised driving time with parents and guardians face lower risks of accidents on our roadways. Teaching your teen driver safe and cautious driving habits early on in their driving career can help them to form lifelong habits that can help to keep them safe on our roadways. Parents are urged to visit the websites listed above and to participate in National Teen Driver Safety Week to help raise awareness about the importance of proper teen driving education.
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Florida Highway Patrol has announced that it will be participating in Operation Safe Driver, which takes place from October 16th to October 22nd, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. According to director of the Florida Highway Patrol, Col. David Brierton, this time will be used to target drivers of passenger buses and commercial trucks to make sure that each large vehicle and driver is abiding by all federal safety regulations to help prevent fatal trucking accidents in Fort Myers and elsewhere throughout the state.

This year’s campaign is being organized by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. It’s estimated that nearly 90 percent of fatal accidents that involve a large truck or a passenger bus are caused by driver error.

Our Fort Myers accident attorneys understand how dangerous traffic accidents can be when a large truck or passenger bus is involved. To help reduce the risks of these accidents the Florida Highway Patrol will be using this campaign to focus on the poor decisions made by the drivers of passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles. This enforcement effort comes after a string of serious bus and truck accidents through the state and the country.

“Activities such as Operation Safe Driver have had a noticeable effect,” said Brierton. “The number of commercial vehicle related crashes in Florida is at its lowest since 2001.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were nearly 3,500 fatalities and nearly 75,000 people injured because of traffic accidents that involved a large truck in 2009. Many of these accidents were the result of driver’s poor habits behind the wheel. It is these types of drivers that the Florida Highway Patrol is targeting. There’s are a lot to target too, considering there were nearly 300,000 large trucks involved in accidents in the U.S. during that time period. Florida witnessed nearly 200 fatal accidents with the involvement of a large truck in 2009.

Safe driving tips from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles:

-Make sure you’re buckled up every time you drive.

-Make sure that your vehicle’s headrest is adjusted to sit behind your head. It should not be placed behind your neck. This is to help minimize whiplash in the event of an accident.

-Never put more people in the vehicle than there are seat belts.

-Make sure the vehicle’s tires are in good condition and are properly inflated.

-Always keep the vehicle’s windshield clean.

-Never drive while you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

-Make sure you know where you’re going before you start your trip.

-Plan your trip around road construction areas.

-Obey all speed limits, lights and traffic signs.

-Always use turn signals so that other motorists know your intended maneuvers.

-Look out for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists and other smaller vehicles on the roadway.

-Keep the music down. Loud music could prevent you from hearing the horn of another vehicle.

-Refrain from using cell phones or text messaging devices. These devices can take your attention off of the roadway and severely increase you risks for an accident.

-Consider weather conditions and adjust your driving habits accordingly.

-Lookout for potholes and other shoddy road conditions.

-Be courteous of other drivers at all times.
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