Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

Lee County accidents abound on any Monday in Season

February 17, 2011 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Who said Monday’s are quiet? A typical Monday’s worth of news in Southwest Florida shows just how dangerous our roads can be at the height of tourism season. Our Fort Myers personal injury lawyers urge you to take driving safety seriously.

And please speak with your teenagers and aging loved ones. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports traffic crashes are the leading cause of death among teens. The only drivers at higher risk are those over the age of 75. Staying safe behind the wheel can be as simple as not driving under the influence, not speeding, and not driving distracted. Statistics show as many as two-thirds of all fatal crashes involve one of those three activities.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports 2,563 motorists were killed in Florida car accidents last year — that’s more than seven people a day. Florida is one of the leading states in virtually every major fatal accident category, including bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, drunk driving accidents, motorcycle accidents and trucking accidents.

A typical Monday’s news:

Women Struck by Deputy’s Car: A Naples bicycle accident occurred when a Collier County sheriff’s cruiser collided with a bicyclist walking across the street (Warning: this links to graphic video).

Bicyclist Struck by Truck in North Fort Myers: A 57-year-old man is in critical condition after being struck by a pickup on Pine Island Road. The North Fort Myers bicycle accident occurred near Orchid Road.

Crash Causing Delays on Sanibel Causeway: Delays were reported approaching the island as a result of the Sanibel car accident.

Fort Myers Police Search for Suspects in Hit-and-Run: The Fort Myers car accident occurred when a Buick struck two vehicles at State Road 82 and Forum Boulevard.

Relative of Crash Victim wants Traffic Light at Cape Coral Intersection: The intersection of Pine Island Road and Skyline Boulevard is among the county’s most-dangerous. There have been 131 accidents and seven deaths in the last five years.

Fort Myers man, 72, Suffers Minor Injuries in School Bus Crash: The Fort Myers school bus accident occurred when the man’s truck was rear-ended by a bus carrying 11 elementary students.
Continue reading ›

Fatal motorcycle accidents on the rise in Lee County

February 16, 2011 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Southwest Florida is among the most dangerous areas in the state for serious and fatal motorcycle accidents, according to a recent analysis by The News-Press.

The Pine Island Road corridor has been particularly deadly, with 3 of 6 fatal Lee County motorcycle accidents occurring there so far this year. Our Cape Coral personal injury lawyers continue to urge motorists to use caution and watch for motorcycles throughout the winter riding season.

In 2009, a total of 14 of the state’s 402 fatal motorcycle accidents occurred in Lee County, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Six weeks into 2011, we are already just one fatal accident away from half that annual total. Statistics for 2010 will be released later this year.

Statistics show a car is at fault in more than half of all motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle. The Florida Highway Patrol reports safe riding habits — not tailgating, not speeding and riding defensively — can provide riders a better chance of avoiding an accident.

So far this year, fatal Lee County motorcycle accidents have occurred on Estero Boulevard in Bonita Springs, on Hancock Bridge Parkway in North Fort Myers and on College Parkway in South Fort Myers. The remaining three fatal crashes — half of Lee County’s total — occurred either on Pine Island Road or on Pine Island.

As we reported recently on our Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, authorities will be conducting an enforcement blitz, with particular emphasis on the Pine Island corridor, in an effort to prevent serious and fatal Cape Coral car accidents.

The News-Press points to a University of Michigan study that found a sharp rise in fatalities over the last decade was due in part to older riders with less experience taking to the road as motorcycling has gained in popularity.

While that may be true, our motorcycle accident lawyers have spent decades representing accident victims and their families and we know that inattentive motorists are all too often responsible for serious and fatal motorcycle accidents. The increase is attributable to more bikers on the road, of course. But it’s most likely the accidents are being caused by other drivers. Riders, after all, know the risks. And most are safe, considerate and conscientious riders.

Their life depends upon it.
Continue reading ›

Aggressive drivers targeted in effort to reduce risk of Cape Coral car accidents

February 14, 2011 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

After a tough start to the year that has already included two traffic fatalities, authorities are stepping up enforcement in an effort to reduce the risk of serious and fatal Cape Coral car accidents caused by speeding, red-light running and other forms of aggressive driving.

The Cape Coral Daily Breeze reports both fatalities this year have occurred along the busy Pine Island Road corridor. Increased enforcement through the end of February will concentrate on keeping residents and visitors safe during the busy winter tourism season.

“We are going to increase our enforcement up there,” Cape Coral Police Chief Jay Murphy told The Breeze. “The public needs to be forewarned.”

Of particular focus will be the area between Santa Barbara Boulevard and Del Prado Boulevard. Speeding tickets on the 55 mph road can cost you $124 or more.

Thus far this year in Cape Coral a 44-year-old died when his SUV crashed into a vehicle and flipped over on Pine Island Road.

And, as we reported on our Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, a 24-year-old resident was killed in a Cape Coral motorcycle accident, which also occurred along Pine Island Road.

Unlike Road Rage, which typically involves a criminal offense such as assault, most drivers are guilty of some form of aggressive driving from time to time. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recognizes many forms of aggressive driving, including speeding, failure to use turn signals, running red lights, driving too fast for conditions, tailgating and disobeying other traffic laws.
Continue reading ›

Lehigh man killed in fatal Fort Myers motorcycle accident

February 14, 2011 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

A Fort Myers motorcycle accident has claimed the life of a Lehigh Acres man, according to The News-Press.

Our personal injury lawyers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral continue to advocate for the rights of cyclists on the road. Motorcycling is a year-around activity in Southwest Florida. As we reported on our Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, Cape Coral Bike night drew 10,000 riders on Saturday night. Unfortunately the year-round riding weather also makes for year around danger.

Just last month, a Cape Coral motorcycle accident claimed the life of a corrections officer.

In this latest accident, the 35-year-old Lehigh man was killed when his motorcycle collided with a Mazda van at College Parkway and South Pointe Boulevard. A passenger was transported to the hospital.

Cause of the crash remains under investigation.

ABATE of Florida offers the following tips for motorcycle safety and awareness:

-Obey all traffic laws and signals.

-Constantly watch for motorcycles.

-Remember, it can be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed, in part because they are smaller than cars.

-Look — and then look again — before pulling out or turning at an intersection.

-Allow at least three-second’s distance when following a motorcycle.

-Remember, there are 7 to 9 blind spots around the average vehicle.

-Give motorcycles the same respect and courtesy you want for yourselves and other vehicles on the road.
Continue reading ›

Teen distracted driving contest aims to reduce number of traffic accidents in Fort Myers, elsewhere

February 12, 2011 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Our Fort Myers accident attorneys frequently report on the dangers faced by teenagers behind the wheel, particularly when it comes to distracted driving. Earlier this week, we reported on our Florida Injury Lawyer Blog when an auditorium of Florida teens began jeering at the prospect of not being able to use their cell phones behind the wheel.

Now safety organizations are teaming up to encourage teenagers to develop a public-service radio announcement on the dangers of distracted driving that will appeal to teens their own age, the Business Journals reported.
Chicago%20car%20accident.jpg
The National Road Safety Foundation and the National Student Safety Program are launching “JST DRV,” a radio PSA contest. Teens are invited to submit 15- or 30-second PSA announcements on the dangers of distracted driving. The winning announcement will be broadcast nationwide during Youth Traffic Safety Month in May. Three runners-up will receive a $500 scholarship and a Bluetooth device.

The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship, a Bluetooth device and a trip to Honolulu for the Youth Traffic Safety Conference this summer. Teens ages 14 to 18 are invited to submit entries. Deadline for the contest is March 25.

“The JST DRV Radio PSA Contest hopes to engage young people in communicating important messages about distracted driving in their own voice,” said Michelle Anderson, operations director of the National Road Safety Foundation.

Health News Digest recently reported more than 680,000 motorists were involved in accidents with teen drivers in 2008.

“When most people think about those affected by teen driver crashes, they think of the teens behind the wheel. We must also consider the significant impact of these crashes on other members of our communities: occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and other road-users,” says Dennis Durbin, who was an author of the report. “Whether or not we have a teen driver in our family, we should all care about this issue. This report provides a concrete way to measure the effectiveness of laws, education, and other programs in reducing teen crashes and their impact on communities.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 516 motorists were killed in Florida car accidents involving teenagers in 2008. Of those, 153 were occupants of other vehicles and 62 were non-occupants, such as cyclists or pedestrians. Only California and Texas reported more teen-driving fatalities.

“A quarter of all teens admit to texting behind the wheel and, in 2009, the highest proportion of distracted drivers in fatal crashes was under the age of 20,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We know we have to engage teens in order to put an end to distracted driving. With their help, we can educate teens and adults about making smarter choices that will save lives.”

More information on the contest is available at www.nrsf.org.
Continue reading ›

Proposed law would forbid teen drivers from using cell phones; fewer Fort Myers car accidents could result

February 10, 2011 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The Sun-Sentinel reported that teens at a presentation in a Boca Raton high school auditorium gasp and jeered at the prospect of not being able to use a cell phone while driving.

But as our Fort Myers personal injury lawyers frequently report, Florida is woefully behind when it comes to addressing the issue of distracted driving among teenagers. Proposed new legislation, dubbed the Minor Traffic Safety Act, would do little more than bring the Sunshine State in line with most of the rest of the nation when it comes to limiting a young driver’s ability to use a phone while behind the wheel.

Unfortunately, it would not address text messaging or cell phone use by adult drivers — something that is now illegal in 38 other states, according to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association. As a result, distracted driving continues to be one of the leading causes of car accidents in Fort Myers, Naples and throughout South Florida.

Addressing teen driver distraction, however, is an important start. Teens are at high risk for nearly every poor driving habit, included distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding and riding with too many passengers in the vehicle. Health News Digest recently reported more than 681,000 motorists were involved in an accident with a teen driver in 2008.

The proposed law would ticket minors for sending text messages or talking on the cell phone while driving. The same rules would finally apply to school bus drivers — making Florida one of the last states in the nation to address distracted driving by bus drivers.

The bill would also limit the number of minors who can ride in a car with a teenage driver; a teen would be required to display a tag from their rear-view mirror, which would identify them as a minor.

The measure still needs to become law. Florida lawmakers have failed to act on a number of distracted driving measures during legislative sessions in recent years.
Continue reading ›

Red-light camera issue puts focus on intersection accidents in Fort Myers, Cape Coral

February 8, 2011 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Our injury lawyers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral noted a study released this week by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which contends red-light cameras at intersections have reduced fatal crashes by 24 percent.

“The cities that have the courage to use red light cameras despite the political backlash are saving lives,” says Institute president Adrian Lund.

As we reported two years ago on our Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, authorities are keeping Southwest Florida red-light violators in their crosshairs. Lee County has installed a camera at Colonial Boulevard and Summerlin Road. Collier County and Naples are also experimenting with the cameras. An average of 5,000 crashes a year are reported at Lee County intersections.

Until recently, municipalities could not use the cameras to issue tickets. However former Gov. Charlie Crist signed a law that made it legal to do so beginning July 1, 2010. The state estimates the cameras will bring in about $38 million this fiscal year, and an additional $12 million to local governments. By 2014, revenue to state and local governments could exceed $200 million.

You can bet that means additional cameras will be coming to an intersection near you and tickets will begin arriving in Lee County mailboxes sooner rather than later. In fact, the revenue-generating aspect of the program is what frequently riles detractors.

But the fact remains that red-light runners and those who disobey traffic control devices are a major cause of car accidents in Cape Coral and elsewhere in South Florida.

IIHS reports 676 people were killed and more than 110,000 were injured in traffic accidents caused by red-light runners in 2009. Given those sobering statistics, the organization says its time violators stop being treated as victims. “Somehow, the people who get tickets because they have broken the law have been cast as the victims,” Lund says. “We rarely hear about the real victims – the people who are killed or injured by these lawbreakers.”

The study contends the cameras saved 159 lives from 2004 to 2008. It reports an additional 815 lives could have been saved had the cameras been installed in all 99 U.S. cities with a population over 200,000 during the last five years.

Researchers concluded instances of red-light running decreased by 35 percent in 14 cities that equip intersections with cameras.
Continue reading ›

Fort Myers drunk driving accidents a danger on Super Bowl Sunday

February 4, 2011 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Unfortunately Super Bowl Sunday is known for more than just great food, great friends and great football.

It is also one of the most dangerous days of the year for drunk driving accidents in Fort Myers and throughout the nation. Our Fort Myers injury lawyers encourage you to be a good host, celebrate responsibly and don’t drink and drive.

“Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk” is a campaign being sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in conjunction with the NFL, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the HERO Campaign.

Somewhere in America, someone dies in a drunk driving accident every 45 minutes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Nationwide, one-third of all traffic fatalities involve a drunk driver, claiming 10,839 lives in 2009. Florida drunk driving accidents accounted for 904 of the state’s 2,558 traffic deaths that year.

A responsible party host should promote the use of designated drivers.

-Give them a great spot to watch the game. Let them have first pass at the buffet and make sure you have plenty of non-alcoholic drinks.

-Serve plenty of food.

-Serve measured drinks and serve alcoholic drinks one at a time.

-Never serve alcohol to an underage person.

-Determine when to stop serving alcohol — such as an hour before the end of the game — and stick to it. Begin serving coffee and dessert.

-Put the numbers of local cab companies into your phone.

-Be prepared for guests to spend the night if alternatives are not available.

Football is one of America’s favorite pastimes, but fans can put themselves in serious danger if they don’t plan ahead,” NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said. “Whether you’re at the game or watching from a sports bar or a friend’s house, designate a sober driver before the game. And remember, Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.”
Continue reading ›

Cape Coral injury lawyers proud sponsor of Bike Night Feb. 12

February 3, 2011 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Join us for Cape Coral Bike Night, Saturday Feb. 12, 2011!

The Cape Coral motorcycle accident lawyers at Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, are proud to be the title sponsor of the premiere family-friendly motorcycle event in Southwest Florida. For decades our firm has helped hundreds of motorcycle riders and their families. And we are proud advocates of motorcycle safety and awareness as we all work to ensure the safety of our motorcycling friends.

Tragically, riders are seriously injured or killed year around in South Florida. Just last month we reported on our Florida Injury Lawyer Blog when a rider was killed in the first fatal Cape Coral motorcycle accident of 2011.

Each year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports more than 5,000 riders are killed and 96,000 riders are seriously injured. Florida motorcycle accidents claimed 523 lives that year — more than any state in the nation except California.

Cape Bike Nights have grown into the biggest and best family-friendly motorcycle event in South Florida and each year Associates and Bruce L Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, continues to provide title sponsorship as the firm promotes motorcycle awareness through the winter riding season.

“We are pleased to once again partner with the City of Cape Coral and to join all of our friends in the riding community in supporting these family-friendly events while promoting motorcycle safety and awareness,” said Bruce L. Scheiner, the firm’s founder and senior attorney.

More than 10,000 people are expected at next Saturday’s event. The event runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on SE 47th Terrace near Coronado. The event is a favorite for many food and clothing vendors and live music is provided. Cape Coral Bike Nights also frequently raise money for various local charities, including March of Dimes.
Continue reading ›

Pedestrian accidents in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, a growing concern

February 1, 2011 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The number of pedestrian accidents in Florida has reached epidemic proportion. Pedestrian accidents in Fort Myers and Cape Coral are tragically common occurrences. Inattentive motorists, lack of sidewalks, inadequate lighting, and missing street signs and crosswalks are just a few of the common causes.

Our Fort Myers personal injury attorneys were not surprised to learn that Florida posted the greatest increase in pedestrian accidents of any state in the nation last year, according to a new study released by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association.

Just four states — Florida, California, Texas and New York — account for 41 percent of the nation’s pedestrian accidents. Despite an overall decline in traffic fatalities reported nationwide, the total number of fatal pedestrian accidents increased during the first six months of 2010, to 1,891 from the 1,884 deaths recorded during the same period of 2009.

Florida led the nation with an increase of 36 deaths, followed by Arizona (up 21), Oregon (up 18), North Carolina (up 17) and Oklahoma (up 16). The GHSA reports 243 deaths were reported in Florida during the first six months of 2010, more than anywhere in the nation except California (260).

A total of 466 pedestrian deaths were reported in Florida in 2009. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 490 Florida pedestrian fatalities occurred in 2008. Authorities are concerned about even a slight increase after years of decline.

“Nationally, pedestrian fatalities account for about 12 percent of overall traffic deaths, a small but significant portion. Given that we have made so much progress in this area, GHSA is concerned to see this reversal. One factor may be the increased distractions for both pedestrians and drivers,” said GHSA Chairman Vernon Betkey. “Anyone who travels in a busy city has seen countless pedestrians engrossed in conversation or listening to music while crossing a busy street. Just as drivers need to focus on driving safely, pedestrians need to focus on walking safely – without distractions.”

Twenty eight states reported a decline in pedestrian accidents, while 18 other reported an increase. Florida was among 8 states that reported a double-digit increase.

Safety advocates say improving pedestrian safety starts at the local level and includes prioritization, data analysis, engineering, education and laws and enforcement. Population is also a key determining factor. The four states with the highest population, including Florida, accounted for nearly half of all pedestrian deaths. Meanwhile, 25 other states accounted for just 12 percent of fatalities.
Continue reading ›