Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

Drunk Driving Risks Increase as Football Season Begins

September 25, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Enjoying alcoholic beverages with friends and family, and watching college and pro football, may well be two of the most popular pastimes in the United States. But there is every evidence that the two frequently make for a deadly combination.

At Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, we have spent more than 50 years fighting for the rights of victims and families whose lives have been devastated by the senseless and irresponsible acts committed by those who choose to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. While we are also passionate about football, we urge you to be responsible and watch out for each other as the autumn football season begins.

A study published in the journal “Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research,” found eight percent of adult fans were legally drunk while attending pro baseball and football games. That is a staggering statistic when you consider the size of most pro-sports arenas. The study concluded the average stadium of 60,000 would have as many as 4,000 patrons who are intoxicated. Researchers point to tailgating as a primary factor, finding those patrons were 14 times more likely to be legally drunk.

Death of Cyclist Tragic Reminder of Risks in SWFL

September 20, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The death of a 73-year-old bicyclist in a North Fort Myers traffic collision is a tragic reminder of the risks faced by vulnerable road users every day in Southwest Florida.

NBC-2 reports the cyclist was struck and killed by a pickup truck at Bayshore Road and Ixora Drive. The man was riding on the shoulder of SR 78, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Authorities report the cyclist partially entered the path of the truck before being struck.

Our Cape Coral bicycle accident lawyers know cyclists face high risks throughout Southwest Florida. However, we also know that vulnerable road users, including cyclists, pedestrians and motorcycle riders, are also too often blamed for causing or contributing to a traffic collision. It’s important all motorists understand that bicycle riders are entitled to use the roadway and enjoy all of the same rights as the operator of a motor vehicle. Additionally, Florida’s law of contributory negligence still allow a rider or other accident victim to pursue damages against an at fault party even if the rider is found partially at fault for causing a collision.

T-bone Collisions Among the Most Dangerous in SWFL

September 17, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

South Trail Fire District and Iona McGregor Fire responded to a T-bone crash on Brantley Road Friday; one person had to be extricated from the vehicle and was trauma alerted to the hospital, according to FOX 4 News.

Our car accident lawyers in Cape Coral and Fort Myers know these types of collisions are among the most serious and frequently occur at intersections or when a vehicle enters the roadway from a parking lot or private drive. While these types of collisions account for 13 percent of serious traffic accidents in the United States, they account for nearly 20 percent of all traffic fatalities, according to federal data.

While modern vehicles have become much safer in recent years, direct impact to the side of a vehicle in a t-bone collision leaves occupants vulnerable to serious or fatal injuries. Front- and rear-impact collisions have become safer. But engineers can only do so much when it comes to passenger safety from impact to a vehicle’s long, vulnerable side. Crumple zones that protect occupants from impact to the front and rear are absent, and the close proximity to passengers make them much more vulnerable to cabin intrusion.

Golf Cart Death of 7-year-old in Fort Myers Reportedly Caused by 3-year-old Driver

August 5, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The recent death of an adolescent struck by a golf cart driven by a 3-year-old boy has highlighted the risk of golf carts and other vehicles often operated in our Southwest Florida neighborhoods.

CNN reported the 7-year-old was struck on private property in Fort Myers as the 3-year-old rounded a curve.

Florida has recently passed a law that will take effect October 1, requiring drivers of golf carts to have a permit or driver’s license, although the law will apply to public property.

Across the country, more than 6,500 children are hurt by golf carts every year, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Just more than half those injured are children under 12.

Expectant Mothers Face High Risk of U.S. Birth Injuries

August 3, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

It comes as a surprise to few people that the U.S. healthcare industry is a mess. But the unacceptably high risk of birth injuries to infants and mothers has become a national embarrassment.

Most Recently, Florida Atlantic University reports that, while infant mortality rates have fallen, the number of low-birth-weight and preterm births has actually risen in recent years.

And the New York Times recently published an exhaustive study that found even wealthy black children and mothers face significantly higher risks. Our birth injury lawyers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral also note that the risks of all mothers and newborns is highest in the days after they return home. The Times investigation found that deaths among pregnant and new mothers rose sharply during the pandemic.

“Maternal health is widely seen as a key indicator of a society’s overall well-being. Even before the pandemic hit, the United States was the most dangerous place in the industrialized world to have a baby, with the greatest risks concentrated in Black and Native American communities,” The Times reported.

SWFL Drowning Prevention in Focus

August 1, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Florida has more than 1.5 millions swimming pools. Many of these are residential pools, but many resort, hotel and public pools and hot tubs are available for year-around enjoyment.

Our Florida swimming pool accident attorneys have noted small children are among those most at risk. This is particularly true for visiting family members and youngsters who do not have regular access to pools and may not have had proper swimming, safety and drowning-prevention training. Unfortunately, a recent report on the risks of young children drowning in the New York Times revealed the risks have not waned in recent years, despite frequent publications of the risks.

The Times reports that the impact of 30 years of drowning prevention efforts appears to have plateaued, and in fact risks have increased for some racial minorities, including blacks and Hispanics.

Driver Blamed for Multi-Vehicle Collision on I-75 in North Fort Myers

July 9, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The Fort Myers New Press is reporting a local man has been arrested in a hit-and-run crash that involved eight cars and 18 passengers.

The 19-year-old driver has been charged with nearly 20 violations, including two counts of hit-and-run resulting in serious bodily injury. The crash occurred around 2 a.m. on I-75 in North Fort Myers. The Florida Highway Patrol reports the at-fault driver was traveling at speeds in excess of 130 mph.

Teen Tragedy a Stark Reminder of the Risks to Young Drivers and Passengers

July 8, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The deaths of five young people in a Fort Myers car accident is a tragic reminder that teenagers are most likely to be seriously injured or killed in a traffic collision.

These accidents are among the most heartbreaking we have handled through half a century of fighting for the rights of victims and families dealing with serious personal injury or wrongful death in Southwest Florida.

WGCU reports the teenagers are believed to have drowned after running off the road along TopGolf Way. Four of them worked at a local restaurant. FOX 4 News reports the five teens drowned after running off the road and into a lake at a high rate of speed. Our deepest condolences go to the families and friends of the victims, all of whom attended or recently graduated from local high schools.

Boating Safety in Focus as Holiday Marks Height of Summer Season

July 6, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The July 4 holiday ushers in the height of summer boating season and is a great time to review boating safety.

The boating season got off to a bad start in May after seven people were rescued in the waters between Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island, according to FOX4 News.

Passengers called 911 after a collision between a 50-ft sailboat and a 30-foot fishing vessel. The sailboat was anchored outside the channel and was struck by the fishing vessel, according to authorities. That crash occurred just several weeks after a boat struck the base of the Cape Coral bridge and sank.

Hit-and-Run Collisions on the Rise in SWFL

June 6, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

A rash of hit-and-run collisions in Southwest Florida highlights the growing risks for victims.

FOX4 reports a hit and run was recently caught on cellphone camera in Cape Coral. The video reportedly captured the driver hiding his license plate before fleeing the scene, according to the driver who was struck at Veterans Memorial Parkway and Santa Barbara Boulevard.

WINK News reports a suspected hit-and-run driver was arrested after a hit-and-run accident killed a pedestrian on US-41 in North Fort Myers.

FOX News reports an 83-year-old was killed after being hit twice in a hit and run in Lehigh Acres.