Articles Posted in Pedestrians/Bicyclists

One woman fell off a pier while she was texting. A mother walked her stroller right into a water fountain. Others have walked into the paths of dangerous drivers.

According to ABC News, it’s a problem that we’re seeing a lot on our streets — distracted walking.

Our Cape Coral pedestrian accident attorneys should be clear: Inattentive and negligent motorists cause the vast majority of serious and fatal accident involving pedestrians. But that doesn’t mean the proliferation of electronic gadgetry has not left walkers vulnerable to distractions of their own.

Pedestrians are paying too much attention to phone calls, to text messages and to their mp3 players and not enough attention on the dangers around them.

Florida is the most dangerous state in the country for pedestrians. We see more pedestrian fatalities than any other state in the country. This is an extra good reason why pedestrians in the area should have their full attention on their surroundings, regardless of where they’re walking.

“Keeping your head down while walking and not looking ahead of you can lead to a significant incident of injuries,” said Dr. Robert Glatter with the New York Lenox Hill Hospital.

Glatter says that he’s treated a number of pedestrians with injuries resulting from not paying attention along our roadways. He says that he treated injuries ranging from minor facial injuries to blunt head trauma.

According to a recent study from UNC Charlotte, less than 65 percent of drivers ever yield to pedestrians. About 20 percent of these incidents result in some sort of conflict or accident. It all depends on the area, too. Some areas show a yield percentage as high at 75, while others saw yield averages as low as 46 percent. In these areas, nearly 30 percent of the pedestrians were distracted and were unable to recognize when a driver failed to yield. Just as with driving, you can’t rely on the responsible habits of others. You’ve got to be one step ahead of the game and be an alert and defensive traveler.

“With the smartphone technology these days and everything at your fingertips, it’s almost getting to be an obsession or a compulsion with people,” said Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s Jim Fox.

In 2011 alone, there were more than 1,100 people who visited an emergency room because of a pedestrian-related traffic accident that happened while they were using an electronic device. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), these injuries include a woman who walked directly into a telephone pole, a man who fell into a ditch and another man who was clipped by a passing truck as he attempted to cross the street.

Although the number of traffic fatalities declined in 2010 compared to 2009, the number of pedestrian fatalities increased by more than 4 percent. Injuries among pedestrians rose nearly 20 percent during this time, too.

Pedestrians are urged to keep their head up and their eyes on their surroundings to help to avoid an accident with another motorist, as well as other road hazards. Stay alert, walk cautiously and stay out of a potentially fatal accident.
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Bicycle ridership in the Southwest Florida area is picking up. You’re probably noticing the increase more if you live on Sanibel or along one of the county’s many bike lanes. According to a recent survey, ridership at one intersection has just about doubled.

We’re talking about the intersection of Donax and Middle Gulf Drive. Just in a four-hour period, there were close to 1,000 bicyclists counted passing through this intersection. This is a near 95 percent increase from 2006, according to the Island Sun. With the increase in ridership comes an increase in the risks for fatal bicycle accidents.

Because there are so many more bicyclists, we’re asking motorists to be careful out there and to be cautious of our two-wheeled friends. Florida continuously ranks as one of the most dangerous states in the country for bicycle accidents.

“We will see where there are locations that need hard improvements or recommendations for (user) education,” said Sanibel City Manager Judie Zimomra.

Our Sanibel bicycle accident lawyers understand that there were nearly 620 bicyclists nationwide who were killed in motor vehicle-related traffic accidents in 2010. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently released its newest numbers regarding these kinds of accidents. These fatal crashes account for about 2 percent of all of the roadway deaths for the year.

There were also more than 50,000 people who were injured in these kinds of crashes. The bottom line is that Florida, more than most states, needs to be more aware of bicyclists on the road.

In 2010, there were nearly 100 bicyclists killed in the state of Florida. The average age of bicyclists who were killed throughout the year was 42-years-old. This is a number that continues to increase with each passing year.

Although middle-aged bicyclists may be most at risk for these accidents, it’s important that we keep an eye on our young ones while they’re out pedaling around. Children between the ages of 5- and 15-years-old accounted for more than 10 percent of these traffic accident fatalities. These young travelers aren’t always able to comprehend the workings, the dangers and the risks that are associated with passing vehicles.

When and where are these accidents most likely?

-Most bicycle accidents happen between the hours of 4 p.m. and 7:59 p.m.

-The second most common time for these accidents is between 8 p.m. and 11:59 p.m.

-Most bicycle accidents happen in urban areas.

Whether you’re riding in these areas or during these times or you choose a safer time and place to ride, we still ask all bicyclists to do their part to navigate our roads safely. Be predictable, be noticeable and be visible. You can help to reduce your risks of an accident by becoming a smart biker. Be one step ahead of the traffic around you.
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A South Fort Myers woman, 22-years-old, was recently cited by beach officers for failing to yield the right of way to an elderly pedestrian in a crosswalk. The citation was the result of a pedestrian accident on Fort Myers Beach.

The South Fort Myers driver slammed her vehicle into a pedestrian who was crossing Estero Boulevard. The female driver now faces a mandatory court appearance, according to The News-Press.

The pedestrian accident happened in the crosswalk near the Holiday Inn. The elderly pedestrian was visually impaired and was using her cane to get across the road when the accident happened. Officials are still investigating the accident. The pedestrian, 81-years-old, was last reported to still be in the hospital but was listed in stable condition.

Our Fort Myers Beach accident lawyers understand that our local beach is one of the areas hottest spots to visit. It can also be one of the most dangerous spots in the area. During this time of year we’ve got visitors from all over the country making this their vacation destination. We’ve also got all of the locals enjoying their time away from work, soaking up some sun, catching some waves and hitting all of the hot spots along Estero Boulevard.

Unfortunately, with good times come large crowds and increased risks for accidents, especially pedestrian accidents. Drivers are asked to be especially cautious and alert when driving along our beach and in other areas where pedestrians are likely to be found, like in school zones and in residential neighborhoods. Safe and alert driving habits can help to preserve the safety of our area’s on-foot travelers.

“It’s not only during the tourist season, it’s off season as well, where we experience fatalities, pedestrians, bicycles, people getting hit by cars,” said Larry Kiker, Fort Myers Beach Mayor.

To help to keep pedestrians safe on our roadways, walkers are urged follow these safety tips from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV):

-Always walk on sidewalks when they’re available.

-Only cross the street at crosswalks or at intersections. Jaywalking is dangerous!

-Dress so that motorists can see you. Wear bright-colored clothing. If you’re traveling at night, consider wearing reflective materials or carrying a flash light.

-Avoid walking while engaging in distractions. Put down the phone and take off the headphones. Pay attention to what’s going on around you.

-Always follow the pedestrian signal, not the overhead traffic light, when crossing at lighted intersections.

-Always make eye contact with motorists before crossing the street.

-Always walk predictably. Stay away from fast-traveling traffic.

-When there are no sidewalks available, walk facing road traffic.

-Avoid walking under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“I mean, people are dying on the streets and when people are dying, something needs to be taken care of right away,” said Fort Myers Beach business owner and resident, Al Durrett.
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After a recent accident in Naples, involving a bicyclist and a Collier County work truck, the bicyclist involved has been ticketed, according to WINK News. The accident happened on U.S. 41 and Vanderbilt Beach Road and left the bicyclist pinned under the work truck until emergency response officials arrived. Officials say it was all the cyclist’s fault though.

Since the accident, the bicyclist has been treating a number of broken bones along with a severed liver. Now, she suffers from a costly ticket and she’s not happy about it.

Our Naples accident attorneys understand that accidents involving government vehicles can be tricky. Many times in these investigations, it’s the government who is investigating its own. In general, it’s critical to contact an experienced attorney if you’ve been involved in an accident with a city, county, state or federal vehicle. You need experienced representation in these cases to make sure that your rights are preserved and that your side of the story is heard.

According to the Collier County accident report, the bicyclist was riding along in the left-hand turn lane and was approaching a red light on Vanderbilt Beach road when the accident occurred. Further details state that the bicyclist veered her bike to the right and into traffic that was stopped in the lane. When the light switched from red to green, the driver of the country work truck attempted to pass through the intersection and drove right over the bicyclist in the process.

Since 1896, there have been nearly 55,000 bicyclists killed in traffic-related accidents across the United States. In just 2009, the state of Florida witnessed approximately 100 bicyclist fatalities and another 4,450 bicyclist injures as a result of traffic-related accidents. The state of Florida has the largest number of bicycle-traffic accidents of any state. Many people would think that California would have more fatal bicycle accidents than the state of Florida. Yes, California is larger and has about twice as many residents, but Florida still racks up more fatal accidents every year. This continues to happen year after year, too.

Florida is provided with beautiful weather all year long and bicyclists sure do take advantage of it. With the summer riding season, locals, residents and tourists will be hitting two wheels on roadways across the state. Drivers are asked to be extremely cautious during this time to help to reduce the risks of a potentially fatal bicycle accident. We can all share our roadways safely together. It just takes a little bit of effort. Let’s work together to travel safely in unison.
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One recent morning, just before 8:30 a.m., a pedestrian accident in Lehigh Acres severely injured a 10-year-old boy as he made his way to his morning bus stop. According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit, the young child was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital. Once he arrived at the hospital, he was immediately taken via Med Flight to Tampa General Hospital because of the severity of his injuries.

Preliminary investigations conducted by the Sheriff’s Office have determined that speed was not a factor in the crash. Reports indicate that the child traveled into the path of the passing vehicle. Officers are not citing the driver in this accident.

Our Lehigh Acres personal injury lawyers encourage parents to remind their children about safety around buses and at the bus stop. Even with such safety training, a child may be seriously injured by a careless motorist, poorly placed bus stop or other act of negligence.

As these young students come out in the morning and early afternoon, drivers are asked to be extremely cautious when traveling near residential neighborhoods, schools and bus stops. Young children aren’t always able to comprehend the dangers that are associated with traffic.

According to the Lee County Public Schools, Lee County’s Transportation Department is the 7th largest transportation department in the state of Florida. The county’s district serves four zone offices, each of which serve parents and students in their geographic areas.

The county’s transportation department helps to get nearly 60 percent of the county’s student population to and from school each day. There are more than 700 school buses that travel more than 12 million miles every year. More than 1,000 employees are employed through the department.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about half of all of school bus/bus stop accidents happen between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. as well as between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. This is mainly when kids are heading to and coming from their bus stops.

With so many children relying on school buses to get them to and from school each day, it’s important that we equip these young riders with some important safety tips to help them get to and from their bus stops safely.

Bus Stop Safety Tips:

-Choose the safest route to the bus top. Avoid busy intersections and crossing busy roads.

-Walk the same route every day.

-Look left, right and back left again before crossing any road.

-Never enter the roadway from in between two parked cars, shrubs or bushes.

-Always cross the street at a crosswalk or at a corner.

-Wait for the bus away from the roadway.

-Avoid horseplay.

-Arrive at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.

-Cross the street only when vehicles have stopped and you’ve made eye contact with drivers.
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Locals and tourists are super exited for the new Boston Red Sox stadium, JetBlue Park. It’s sure to be an entertaining destination for many. To help reduce crowding and to help the environment, Lee County and BikeWalkLee are urging residents to “hit for the cycle” by opting to ride their bikes to the new stadium this year. Unfortunately, this may mean an increase in bicycle accidents in Fort Myers unless both drivers and riders are extra vigilant.

So, cyclists and motorists beware and travel cautiously and courteously among one another.

Saturday the 25th was the grand opening event for JetBlue Park and was hosted by the Lee Country Sports Authority and the Boston Red Sox. As you know, the new complex is on Daniels Parkway in Fort Myers and officials are urging bicyclists to join the festivities. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the first official day of the new facility. Admission is free for everyone on opening day, according to The News-Press.

Our Fort Myers bicycle accident attorneys invite residents throughout the area to come out and see the new park this year. The new stadium is expected to be a huge success for the area, and we urge everyone to take advantage of it. Bicyclists who attended the opening event were offered a bike parking corral from BikeWalkLee. This corral was provided to cyclists so that they had a safe place to park their bike. Volunteers from BikeWalkLee will be checking bikes in and out of the corral from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Still, these new biking plans leave a lot of residents concerned for safety. How are the surrounding roadways being prepared for cyclist traffic?

We do know that there will be a number of routes and starting points that are planned to take advantage of the Recreational Loops. Recreational Loops is a system of paths and roadways that are being used to link some of the county’s entertainment venues and parks. The Loops are a part of the area’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan that was adopted back in May by the Metropolitan Planning Organization.

You can access the JetBlue Park-Bicycle Access Map if you or your family plans on biking or walking to the park for any of the upcoming games. It’s an excellent idea to plan your trips before heading out. Preparedness increases safety! On the map you’ll be able to see all of the different ways to get to the park by bicycle. There are eight suggested paths altogether. The map also offers you information regarding the location of bike facilities on each of the paths.

If you’re heading to the park, we urge you to use the East Gate entrance off of Daniels Parkway. This is the designated entrance for bicyclists and is where the bicycle corral is located.
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More and more, people are dying in pedestrian accidents in Fort Myers and elsewhere.

Recently, a 62-year-old man was killed in south Fort Myers. His death is the fifth pedestrian death in Collier and Lee counties in the month of February, according to The News-Press.

The most recent accident happened at the intersection of Jamaica Bay Boulevard and U.S. 41. According to the paper, the pedestrian was struck by an oncoming car. Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) were called to the accident at around 1 p.m. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Our Fort Myers car accident attorneys know that residents and visitors enjoy being outside in the beautiful Florida weather. We would ask, however, that you do so safely. Walking and biking are both excellent ways to stay in shape and help with the environment, but it’s no good if we all can’t work together to make our roadways safer for everyone. Florida remains the most dangerous state in the country for pedestrian accidents. We can preserve the safety of the state by making a vow to be on the lookout for our vulnerable travelers. Florida is a family, and we need to lookout for one another.

The recent accident that took the life of the 62-year-old man was the latest in a trend of fatal pedestrian accidents in the area. Earlier this month, a man in Naples was killed while walking along Golden Gate Estates. There was also an 87-year-old was struck by a sports car in Fort Myers, a 44-year-old was hit after a two-vehicle accident in the Cape and a student from Estero High School died after he was hit by a car while trying to cross U.S. 41. Believe it or not, those accidents are only the accidents that happened in the first part of February.

A founding member of street safety coalition BikeWalkLee, Dan Moser, says that what this areas needs is stricter penalties for people who hit and kill others walking near the roadway. Unfortunately, drivers seldom face serious charges in the event of a pedestrian-car accident unless they’re driving on a suspended license or were drunk at the time of the crash.

Consider the investigation of the death of a woman who was killed after a motorists swerved near here on the Sanibel Causeway. The swerving truck knocked her off her bike and over the edge of the bridge into the San Carlos Bay below. Eight months later, it hasn’t been determined if charges are going to filed, and the investigation is still going on.

According to Deputy Vernon Tyus with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the increase in traffic with snowbirds has probably been at least one factor in the alarming number of pedestrian fatalities. He said tourist drivers are more likely to drive while distracted because they’re less familiar with the area.

Regardless of which drivers are at fault, the fact remains that all drivers need to be more cautious and alert behind the wheel. The south Fort Myers area is an appealing area for pedestrians. Motorists are asked to be careful and to treat these travelers with some respect. They have rights on our roadways, too!
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Nearly 200 local students showed up with their bicycles in Cape Coral to practice safe biking techniques and to have their bike examined by a certified inspector. They were some of the future Lance Armstrongs, the bike riders of Oasis Elementary School and Christa McAuliffe, Cape Coral’s charter elementary schools.

Each student was able to learn beneficial skills to help them to avoid bicycling accidents in Cape Coral. The event was the Elementary School’s very first Bicycle Safety Rodeo, according to The News-Press.

Our Cape Coral bicycle attorneys encourage not only teachers, but moms and dads to teach their children safe biking habits. This can serve them for a lifetime. Children tend to grab hold of the habits they learn at an early age. Let’s get our little ones on the road to safety!

At the recent Bicycle Safety Rodeo, young students were invited to enjoy some fun in the sun, get some good exercise and learn how to ride a bicycle properly and safely. Organizers of the Rodeo hope this will be the start of a yearly event.

“There are a lot of kids on the road nowadays and not all of them know the rules of the road,” said Tim Wilson, a volunteer for the program. “This event can probably save a future accident (from happening).”

Inspectors from the Hollywood Bicycle Center where on hand to inspect children’s bicycles to make sure that they’re safe to be on our roadways. Handlebars were tightened and brakes were adjusted to ensure each student was comfortable on their bicycle.

After having their bikes adjusted, the students were invited to test their biking skills on an obstacle course. Cycling kids were able to weave in and out of bright orange cones and played “rock dodge.” Rock dodge is an exercise to help get the children to stay cautious of their surroundings and keep an eye on the roadways. They were taught to swerve out of the way of bumps and cracks in the road. They even got to compete in a “snail race” in which the slowest rider won. This not only taught them speed wasn’t everything, and how to ride safely at slow speeds.

Wendy Hearyman, a P.E. teacher at Christa McAuliffe says it’s important to teach our children safe habits from the get-go, especially when they live in an area like Southwest Florida with such beautiful weather all year long.

It’s estimated that roughly 17 percent of the 51,000 bicyclists injured in the country in 2009 were under the age of 14.

For kids that didn’t have a helmet, one was provided to them from the Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. Five organizations also donated bicycles for a giveaway. Each student got a raffle ticket and was entered for a chance to win a new, shiny bicycle.
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An 87-year-old woman was killed recently in a south Fort Myers pedestrian accident as she walked across San Carlos Boulevard.

According to various walkinfo.org that ALL pedestrians might find useful:

–Be predictable. Don’t walk along highways or other zones that are restricted, and try to use sidewalks where they are provided.

–If there is no sidewalk, it’s safer to walk facing traffic.

–Help drivers see you. Dress in light, reflective clothing and if it’s dark, carry a flashlight.

–Walk defensively. Be aware of drivers, particularly when crossing an intersection. Give yourself plenty of time, and make eye contact with motor vehicle drivers so you’re sure they see you.

-Be extra careful if you’re crossing a street that has a higher speed limit.
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