Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

Teen Car Accidents in Fort Myers Result of Inexperience

June 25, 2012 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

It’s the summertime and teen drivers are hitting our roadways. They’re heading to the beach, they’re cruising to the mall and they zipping on over to friends’ houses.

According to the newly-released statistics from there National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were nearly 2,000 drivers between 15- and 20-years-old who were killed in car accidents in 2010.

These young drivers have some of the highest risks for these kinds of accidents. Please talk to the teen driver in your family and urge them to be cautious on our roadways during summer break and during the rest of the year. Parental advice may be some of the most influential messages in these young drivers’ career behind the wheel. Your talk could potentially keep them out of a fatal accident in Fort Myers or elsewhere.

According to the most recent statistics from the NHTSA, there were close to 190,000 of these young drivers who were injured in traffic accidents in 2010. Although this is an approximate 5 decrease from the 2010 totals, experts predict that this number will make a quick turnaround as the economy continues to improve and more motorists hit out roadways.

Our Fort Myers car accident lawyers understand that there were close to 400 people in this young age group who were killed in car accidents involving these young drivers in the state of Florida in 2010. Of these fatalities, nearly 115 were the young drivers, close to 80 were passengers in these drivers’ vehicles, more than 110 were the occupants of other vehicles and close to 55 were nonoccupants. The state of Florida ranked in as one of the top states for these fatalities, which we all know is no contest that we want to win.

According to Florida’s Drive with CARE program, car accidents continue to be the number one cause of death for teenagers in the state of Florida and elsewhere across the country. This program is all a part of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle’s (DHSMV) effort to keep our streets safe for everyone. Our teens may be hip with the latest technology, but the truth of the matter is that they’re not always the best drivers. Parents are asked to make sure that these teens are following the state’s Graduated Driver’s Licensing (GDL) program and that they’re following all of their household driving rules. These restrictions aren’t in place because parents and lawmakers are trying to pick on these young drivers, they’re just trying to keep them, and everyone else on our roadways, safe.

The younger the driver the higher the risks are for accidents. Sixteen year old drivers have the highest crash rates of all drivers on the roadways. They’re the youngest and the least experienced and they’re also the drivers who are also more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as speeding and tailgating.

While teens make up less than 10 percent of the state’s driving population, they are involved in nearly 15 percent of all of the fatal accidents we see.
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Drunk Driving Accidents in Fort Myers a Summer Risk

June 23, 2012 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

New statistics are out on drunk driving accidents in Fort Myers and elsewhere.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were close to 10,500 people who were killed in alcohol-related traffic accidents in 2010.

This is the most recent statistic out regarding these kinds of accidents. These crashes accounted for about 30 percent of all roadway fatalities across the nation. This means that there was someone who was killed in one of these accidents every 51 minutes throughout that year. What’s most alarming is that these kinds of accidents are completely preventable.

Our Fort Myers drunk driving car accident lawyers understand that we typically see an increase in alcohol-related crashes throughout the summer season. During this time, motorists from around the country hit our roadways in route to their summertime vacation destination. Unfortunately, many of these destinations involve drinking, and then unfortunately driving. We’re asking all motorists to be cautious out there and keep an eye out for suspicious drivers.

We’re asking you to call authorities if you spot a driver who you believe is drunk. You’re asked to call authorities with the vehicle’s information, including the color, the make, the model, the year, its location and the direction of the vehicle. You’re urged to steer clear of the vehicle and to keep yourself out of harm’s way. Your phone call could help to save lives.

If you’re out driving during the evening hours or during the weekend we’re asking you to be a little more aware of your surroundings. This is typically when most of these accidents occur. During the weekday, only about 15 percent of drivers who are involved in a fatal accident were under the influence of alcohol. This is in comparison to about 30 percent of drivers who are involved in a fatal accident during the weekend were under the influence of alcohol. Same thing for nighttime accidents, too.

Who is most at risk for an alcohol-related accident?

-Drivers between the ages of 21- and 24-years-old have the highest risks for these kinds of accidents. In 2010, they accounted for nearly 35 percent of all fatal alcohol-related accidents.

-Drivers between the ages of 25-and 34-years-old accounted for the second leading group for these kinds of accidents, accounting for 30 percent.

-Drivers between the ages of 35- and 44-years-old accounted for the third most likely group for these accidents, accounting for about 25 percent.

Regardless of your age or when you may be out on the road, we ask you to remain sober and alert behind the wheel. If you’re day includes drinking, make sure that your ride home is sober. Call a cab, take the bus, call a family member or stay at a friend’s house. Getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol should never be an option!
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Bicycle Accidents in Fort Myers Likely with Increased Ridership

June 23, 2012 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

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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Bus Accidents in Fort Myers and Elsewhere Likely with Irresponsible Companies

June 16, 2012 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Twenty-six busing operations won’t be on our roads during the summer travel season and they won’t be endangering passengers and increasing risks of busing accidents in Fort Myers and elsewhere.

This is all thanks to officials with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Investigators shut down 26 operations and declared every single one of them as imminent hazards to public safety. Each of these busing companies posed unnecessary and needless threats to passengers and officials weren’t having it. Many of them operated on Florida roads.

This recent crackdown effort is the largest safety crackdown that officials have ever completed. Through it all, there were 10 individual company owners, employees and managers who were instructed to stop all passenger transportation operations. Operations even include selling bus tickets. The companies that were shut down transported about 1,800 travelers from New York to Florida each day.

Our Fort Myers bus accident lawyers understand that many residents and visitors rely on busing companies to get them to and from their summertime vacation destination. Unfortunately, there are companies who are also offering dangerous services. For that reason, officials with FMCSA continue to inspect and review busing companies to make sure that they’re not putting travelers at any danger. Those who aren’t keeping up with the current safety standards and are putting travelers at risk will be located and shut down, say FMCSA officials.

Officials discovered that many of these companies were employing drivers who didn’t have a valid commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and also failed to have drug and alcohol testing programs. Some of the companies did not properly inspect or repair their buses, letting buses of any condition ride the roads. Lastly, some of these companies had serious hours-of-service and driver qualification violations, meaning that bus drivers were driving with very little sleep and resting time, putting passengers at risk for a drowsy driving-related accident on our roadways.

“If you put passengers’ safety at risk, we will shut you down,” U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Ray LaHood said.

Travelers are asked to do their homework before selecting a busing company to travel with. Look at a potential company’s accident history, driving record and safety inspection information. This kind of information will help you to choose a company that’s going to get you to and from your vacation spot safely. You might not always want to go with the cheapest ride as sometimes those can also be the most dangerous. Keep safety as a top priority when traveling this summer and research to help to keep you and your loved ones out of a potential accident.
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Accidents in Cape Coral and Elsewhere Common Result of Ergonomic Disorders

June 14, 2012 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

For the entire month of June, officials with the National Safety Council (NSC) will be pushing their National Safety Month campaign. This month-long campaign is an annual observance to educate and encourage safe behaviors around leading causes of preventable accidents in Cape Coral and elsewhere.

This year’s campaign is helping to encourage residents to practice safe behaviors all day every day.

From the 10th through the 16th of June, NSC officials will be working to educate residents about the importance of Ergonomics.

Our Cape Coral injury attorneys understand that there are small changes we can all make both at home and on the job to help to eliminate the risks of injury and to make ourselves more comfortable. Soft tissue injuries can be difficult to prove and slow to heal. Conditions like carpel tunnel are typically caused from repetitive motion at work. But many such conditions can be aggravated by an injury at home or in an auto accident.

Ergonomics is the act of creating a work environment that fits you and fits your needs. This is oftentimes a hot topic of debate when talking about office and desk workers. Ergonomics is all about learning how to work smarter to prevent conditions such as overexertion.

Ergonomic disorders can affect your soft tissues, more specifically your ligaments, muscles, tendons, nerves, spinal discs, blood vessels, cartilage and joints. These disorders can be the result of working repetitive motions on an assembly line, overexerting when using heavy equipment or even typing on a computer all day. These disorders and conditions can happen outside of work and at home, too! At home, residents should beware of the time they spend playing video games, when using muscles to move heavy items and the movements they’re making on home projects. Common symptoms of these kinds of conditions, disorders and injuries include tingling, pain, loss of grip strength, swilling, numbness, etc.

When doing work at your computer:

-Avoid keeping the keyboard on the top of your desk. Use a keyboard tray if your desk has one.

-Don’t place the monitor above your head. Keep it just a tiny bit above eye level and make sure you’re looking slightly down at the middle of the computer screen.

-Avoid sitting in a ridged upright position.

-Avoid leaning forward.

-Avoid working for a long time without getting up and moving. It’s important to take frequent breaks to get up and stretch.

-Try not to rest your elbows on the desk.

-Keep your wrists in a neutral position when typing.

-Trying not to bend your neck or your trunk repeatedly. Keep the items you use most directly in front of you.

-Alternate duties at your desk to avoid repeating the same movements over and over again.

-Avoid excessive reaching.

-Position your computer’s monitor so that there’s no shine or glare reflecting into your eyes.

Every year, there are more than 3 million people who visit an emergency room because of overexertion-related injuries. These types of injuries account for the leading cause of unintentional injuries across the U.S.
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Children at Risk for Swimming Pool Accidents in Fort Myers and Elsewhere through Summer

June 13, 2012 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Kids are out of school for their summer break and more and more of them are suiting up and jumping in to the nearest swimming pool.

The summer season brings the highest risks for swimming pool accidents in Fort Myers and elsewhere — especially among young children. According to PoolSafety.gov, drownings are the number one cause of death for kids aged 1- to 4-years-old. From 2007 to 2009, there was an average of about 390 kids under the age of 15-years-old who died in a drowning-related accident in the U.S. each year.

Our Fort Myers child injury attorneys are asking parents to keep a close eye on our young ones during the summer break and especially near the swimming pool. Parents may be the biggest lifesaver in keeping kids safe around pools. Please keep an eye on children under the age of 15, but especially on those under the age of 6.

About 75 percent of drowning deaths involve a child who is under the age of 6. Nearly 70 percent of those victims are children between the ages of 1- and 3-years-old.

Florida is the most dangerous state for these kinds of accidents, too. From January to October of 2011, there were nearly 50 drowning-related fatalities involving children under the age of 15. Trailing behind us was the state of Texas with approximately 40 fatalities and then California with 39 fatalities.

In addition to the precious lives that are taken by drowning accidents every year, another 5,200 young ones are sent to emergency rooms across the country. Parents are asked to step in, to keep a close eye on our young ones and to help to prevent these accidents.

Who is at risk?

-More than 65 percent of these victims are between the ages of 1- and 3-years-old.

-More than 15 percent of these victims are ages 5- through 9-years-old.

-More than 10 percent are 4-years-old.

-Less than 5 percent are 10- to 14-years-old.

-About 2 percent are 1-years-old or younger.

Did you know that these kinds of accidents are most likely to happen at home, too? Nearly 45-percent of drowning accidents occur in a homeowner’s pool. Another 25 percent happen at a friend or a family member’s pool and another 20 percent at a public or community pool.

Parents might want to keep a close eye on their young boys, too. Boys account for about 60 percent of these accident victims while girls account for 40 percent.
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Deadliest Car Accidents in Naples and Elsewhere during Summer Season

June 10, 2012 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

According to John Ulczycki with the National Safety Council (NSC), having a car accident in Naples and elsewhere is the gravest summertime threat for residents across the state.

For most Americans, car accidents are the leading cause of injury. During the summer season, more cars travel the country roads for more miles. For that reason, June, July and August have the highest rates of auto accidents!

If you’re really concerned with living to see September, Ulczycki says that you need to be cautious and careful on our roadways and you need to wear a seat belt.

Our Naples accident lawyers are here to help you to get through the busy and dangerous summer travel season. It’s awfully congested out there, especially here in Florida. Residents from around the country are heading out on their summer vacations and many of them head to the state of Florida to do just that. We’re asking drivers to slow down, to calm down and to be a courteous driver this summer.

In the state of Florida, there were close to 2,500 roadway fatalities in 2010. While this is a near 5 percent decrease from the year before, officials are warning of an increase over the next few months.

Lee and Collier County were pretty active during this time. In Lee County, we saw nearly 5,000 traffic accidents in just 2010. Collier County trailed behind, but was still pretty high in comparison to the rest of the state, with nearly 2,000 traffic accident-related fatalities.

Statewide, there were close to 235,500 traffic accidents in 2010. These accidents involved more than 338,000 drivers. If you break it down, that’s nearly 650 car accidents a day! Many of these accidents happened during the summer months. In 2010, there were more than 2,440 fatalities and another 125,000 people injured. That’s not counting the accidents that just resulted in property damage, which account for another 108,500 accidents.

Just because you’re not in a car doesn’t mean that you don’t have to worry. Bicyclists and pedestrians are at serious risks for accidents during this time. The numbers for these types of accidents increase over the summer months, too! In 2010, there were nearly 100 bicyclists killed in the state of Florida. In addition, there were out 5,000 bicyclist injuries as a result of traffic-related accidents. Pedestrians weren’t any better off. In 2010, there were nearly 500 pedestrians killed in the state of Florida in addition to the more than 7,000 who were injured, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).

Drivers are asked to be cautious of all kinds of travelers on our roadways.

We’re all using the same roads to get to our destinations safely. Let’s all work together to achieve this common goal. There’s no use in getting aggravated or getting frustrated on our roadways. It’s import to calm down behind the wheel and to make safe decisions. During this time of the year, sometimes our emotions get the best of us and accidents result. Be safe, calm and courteous behind the wheel through the summer travel season and help us all to get their safely.
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Teens Risks for Car Accidents in Cape Coral and Elsewhere High with State GDL Program

June 9, 2012 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

According to a newly-released report, the number of fatal teen car accidents in Cape Coral and elsewhere could be decreased significantly if state lawmakers were to just beef up the state’s Graduated Driver’s Licensing (GDL) laws.

The new report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) looked at each state’s GDL laws and looked at how they were working and what could be done to make them stronger and more effective, reports The Palm Beach News Post.

According to the report, the state of Florida could potentially see a near 40 percent decrease in the number of fatal teen car accidents if we took a good look at improving teen-driving regulations. Our state could enact a passenger restriction on these young drivers and we could up the age to apply for a learner’s permit, both of which have been proven effective in reducing risks of teen car accidents.

“If every state adopted all five components of the toughest young driver laws in the nation, more than 500 lives could be saved and more than 9,500 collisions could be prevented each year,” claims the report.

Our Cape Coral car accident attorneys have been recently discussing the risks for car accidents on our roadways during the summer months, especially for teenage drivers. We’ve talked about the deadliest days for teen drivers, we’ve talked about the increase in traffic flow and we’ve talked about the increase in the number of accidents expected. The state’s GDL program aims to assist active parents, who can help to get their teens to be safer behind the wheel and to avoid an accident during this dangerous time.

According to the IIHS, the state’s GDL laws:

-Requires drivers to be at least 15-years-old to get their learner’s license.

-Requires drivers to hold their learner’s license for at least 12 months before advancing to a restricted license.

-Requires drivers to complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of which must be completed at night, before advancing to a restricted license.

-Requires drivers to be at least 16-years-old before advancing to a restricted license.

-Cannot drive between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. with an intermediate license.

-Cannot drive between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. when a driver is 17-years-old with a intermediate license.

-Our state has no passenger restrictions for any drivers.

-When drivers are 18-years-old, they can drive without any GDL restrictions.

Parents are urged to review these laws to make sure that young drivers are obeying. It’s also urged that parents enact their own laws to help to reinforce the state’s laws. Lay down the law along with the consequences of breaking these household rules.

“There’s room for improvement across the board, and states could see immediate reductions in fatal crashes and collision claims as soon as the beefed-up provisions are in force,” says Anne McCartt, IIHS senior vice president.
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Motorcycle Accidents in Fort Myers and Elsewhere Up Despite Declining Stats

June 8, 2012 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

In 2011, the number of motorcycle accidents in Fort Myers and elsewhere remained the same as the previous year while the overall number of motor vehicle accidents took a steep decline nationwide.

The nation experienced fewer fatal accidents than at anytime since 1949. Yet motorcyclists were some of the only ones who didn’t get to see any safety improvements on our roadways. This is especially true in the state of Florida where we see some of the highest risks and numbers of fatal motorcycle accidents.

According to a recent report from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), there were more than 4,500 fatal motorcycle accidents in each of 2010 and 2011. This occurred despite the fact that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported a decrease of more than 1.5 percent in the number of overall traffic fatalities. As a matter of fact, the number of fatal motorcycle accidents actually increased in 27 states, according to Insurance Journal.

Our Fort Myers motorcycle accident lawyers understand that a good number of these fatal motorcycle accidents occurred in the state of Florida. As a matter of fact, we produce some of the highest numbers year after year. The spike in motorcycle accidents in 2010 and 2011 worries officials because it comes on the heals of a decade of increases.

The jump from 2010 to 2011 surprised many and now safety experts are looking to pinpoint the cause. They’ve come up with a couple of theories.

Possible Reasons for the Increase:

-Improving Economy: With more cash flow, residents are feeling more comfortable going out and purchasing that motorcycle they’ve had their eye on.

-Prices at the Pump: With gas prices relatively high over recent months, experts believe that Floridians just wanted a cheaper way to get around. What gets better gas mileage than a motorcycle?

-Weak Helmet Laws: Experts think that the lack of helmet laws in states across the country may have had more riders out on our roadways without a helmet and therefor at higher risks for death in the event of an accident. Officials say that helmets are one of the most effective ways to help keep riders safe. Right now, only 19 states required bikers to wear helmets. That’s down from 26 states in 1997.

“It is disappointing that we are not making progress in motorcycle safety, particularly as fatalities involving other motorists continue to decline,” said Troy Costales, chairman with GHSA.

As we head into the summer driving season, motorists are asked to be on the lookout for motorcyclists on our roadways. Accidents with these drivers are typically the result of being overlooked in traffic. Be sure to keep a watchful eye out for these vulnerable motorists.
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Risks of Car Accidents in Cape Coal and Elsewhere Likely during Summer Travel Season

June 1, 2012 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The nationwide Click It or Ticket campaign launched over the Memorial Day weekend.

Motorists are not only encouraged to buckle up during every car ride, but they’re encouraged to practice other safe driving habits through the summer travel season. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), the nationwide campaign will be taking place from May 21st through the 3rd of June.

During this time, local and state law enforcement officers will be combing our roadways looking for dangerous drivers. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) joins these efforts in trying to reduce the risks of fatal car accidents in Cape Coral and elsewhere.

“One of our goals is to save lives through education and enforcement campaigns such as Click It or Ticket,” said Col. David Brierton, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol.

Our Cape Coral accident attorneys understand that the summer travel season is here, and with that so are increased risks for fatal accidents on our roadways. That’s why law enforcement officers statewide and our attorneys here at Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, are asking drivers to be on their best behavior behind the wheel during the busy travel season. Safe and responsible driving habits may be your best defense against a potentially fatal accident on our roadways.

Each year, seat belts save the lives of thousands of motorists nationwide. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were early 13,000 lives saved across the country because of seat belts in 2010. In addition to wearing a seat belt, there are a number of safety tips that drivers can follow and practice to help keep our roadways safe throughout the summer.

Safe Driving Tips from the DHSMV:

-Buckle up every time you get into the car.

-Never pack more people into your vehicle than you have seat belts.

-Make sure that your tires are in good condition before setting out.

-Make sure that all young children are properly buckled.

-Keep your windshield clean to help to increase visibility.

-Never consume alcohol or any other kind of drug and get behind the wheel.

-Drive with your headlights on, both during the day and the night.

-Know all of the road laws.

-Obey speed limits. They’re limits and not suggestions. Speeding decreases your ability to react to a road danger.

-Look in all directions before turning or changing lanes in traffic.

-Be on the lookout for motorcyclists, pedestrians and bicyclists on our roadways.

-Keep distractions at bay. Not only does it include phones and text messaging devices, but also smoking, drinking, eating, talking with passengers and playing with the radio.

-Adjust your driving habits to the current weather, traffic and road conditions.

-Keep a lookout for potholes, bumps in the road and other road debris at all times.

-Be a courteous and safe driver at all times.
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