car accidents

The Vital Importance of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Stacking Coverage

October 26, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

In today’s bustling world, where vehicles are an integral part of our daily lives, accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. While we hope that everyone on the road is adequately insured, the reality is that not all motorists carry sufficient insurance coverage to protect themselves and others. That’s where Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) stacking coverage comes into play, and its importance cannot be overstated.

In the 50 years we’ve been in Southwest Florida, we have seen countless clients struggle with the aftermath of accidents involving uninsured or underinsured motorists. In this blog post, we aim to shed light on the significance of UM/UIM stacking coverage and why every responsible driver should consider adding it to their auto insurance policy.

Understanding Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

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.

Construction Traffic Accident Risks Abound in SWFL

April 8, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Orange construction barrels could be the official spring flower in Southwest Florida.

While construction and repair projects have been unending as the area seeks to recover from Hurricane Ian, spring and summer road construction projects will further strain local roadways and the patience of motorists as summer travel season gets underway.

The Florida Department of Transportation reports 20 major state road projects in Lee County, involving many major roads and intersections, including:

Aggressive Driving Leading Cause of “Accidents” in SWFL

March 3, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

We recently reported on the record number of traffic deaths on the roads of Southwest Florida last year.

WGCU reported Lee County had the second-highest number of traffic deaths on record in 2022.

At least 123 motorists lost their lives on Lee County roads in 2022, according to preliminary data. The highest annual total was reported in 2005, when 150 people were killed on local roads. The first two years of the pandemic saw 107 deaths in 2020 and 118 deaths in 2021.

Through more than 50 years of representing the injured, our car accident attorneys know all too well that most serious and fatal traffic collisions are not “accidents.” They are avoidable. And they occur because of negligent behavior on the part of one or more drivers.

SWFL Road Risks at Record Highs

January 31, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Collision risks on the roads of Southwest Florida were at record highs in 2022.

While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is projecting a slight decline in traffic deaths nationwide last year, as well as a slight decrease in Florida, the same cannot be said for Southwest Florida. While the reasons are not fully understood, statistics show road dangers have increased throughout the pandemic, despite fewer drivers on the roads. Reasons for the increased risks in Southwest Florida can be traced at least in part to nationwide increases in deaths on rural highways, collisions involving large trucks, and fatal accidents involving vulnerable road users, all of which are primary causes in our hometowns.

As we close out the first month of 2023, our car accident lawyers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral are reviewing the risks, and will publish several additional blogs highlighting steps you can take to reduce the risks that you or a loved one will be involved in a serious or fatal traffic collision.

2022 Second-Deadliest on Record for Lee County Roads

January 1, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Lee County is closing out the year with the second-highest number of traffic fatalities on record.

It’s sobering news, particularly given the fact that the COVID pandemic has left many people working from home, and otherwise reduced the number of drivers on the roads of Southwest Florida.

However, despite the statistical reduction, motorists continue to complain of heavy traffic and long delays amid Hurricane Ian recovery efforts. The increasing number of road deaths mirrors trends nationwide, although safety advocates are still trying to determine all of the factors blamed for increasing road risks. Certainly shorter tempers and aggressive driving have played a role.

Travel Smart, Travel Safe this Thanksgiving

November 13, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

There is every evidence this will be a record Thanksgiving travel season.

The week of Thanksgiving is always the busiest week on the roads each year. But this year is expected to be busier than most for a number of reasons: Gas prices, while still high, have moderated, families are determined to get together after two years of holiday plans interrupted by COVID, and flying is an expensive mess.

The Thanksgiving Travel Survey 2022 projects nearly half of all adults — some 112 million motorists — plan to travel for Thanksgiving.

After the Accident: Finding the Right Doctor

September 21, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Anyone who has been in a car accident knows just how frightening the experience can be. When the peaceful thrum of the road is suddenly replaced by a violent jolt, squealing tires, and twisted metal, anyone who walks away unscathed is apt to feel relieved—and rightly so. Many collisions in Florida result in serious injuries that force the victim into immediate and long-term medical care, often at very high cost. Once the smoke has cleared, therefore, one of the first decisions to make is which doctor to trust for your necessary treatment.

Confidence in your medical providers is always important, but in the aftermath of a jarring wreck, feeling comfortable and safe with your doctor is a prerequisite for proper recovery. Since most general medical providers don’t treat crash victims, it’s important that you understand the capabilities of your primary care physician and their policy regarding accident-related injuries. To receive optimal and timely care, you may have to seek out practitioners who specialize in treating your specific array of symptoms. If this is the case, due diligence is key: Verified online reviews, primary care referrals, and recommendations from friends and experts can augment your research into which practices are best suited for your needs.

Keep in mind that you should get treatment for your injuries even if they feel insignificant at the time of the crash. The body’s shock response to trauma can leave you numb to acute pain at the scene, and many symptoms from common accident injuries—particularly those involving soft tissues like muscles, tendons, and ligaments—can take days to fully manifest. This means you may “feel fine” right after a collision and opt against seeking the medical attention you actually require.

Pandemic Heightens Traffic Accident Risks

August 28, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted our world in surprising ways. Beyond the immediate effects of the virus on public health, other consequences are now being observed and documented. Early estimates show 2022 is likely to be among the deadliest years for drivers on the road in recent memory an unexpected data point in the stay-at-home era.

While far fewer miles have been traveled in recent years due to the rise of remote work during the COVID pandemic, traffic safety advocates continue to grapple with the increased risk of serious and fatal auto collisions on US roadways.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 9,560 people died in the first quarter of 2022. Considering the last three months of the year are typically the deadliest, the nation could see 40,000 traffic deaths for the first time since 1963. Continue reading ›

Speeding Targeted Amid Lack of Pandemic-Era Patience

August 21, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

COVID has caused widespread change throughout all areas of our society. The way we work and interact with others may never return to pre-COVID norms. Despite the stress, upheaval, and uncertainty, some pandemic consequences have actually improved our quality of life: More time with families, increased emphasis on work-life balance, and new tools for collaboration emerged in the midst of the virus’ tragic toll.

However, there is ample evidence that shorter attention spans and reduced patience have emerged as negative consequences of pandemic isolation. Traffic statistics, for example, show high collision rates, despite a reduction in miles traveled. And specific traffic behaviors, such as road rage, aggressive driving, and speeding, have reached new pandemic highs in 2022.

In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a new safety campaign warning of the dangers of speeding, which is now involved in nearly one-third of all serious and fatal traffic collisions. It seems we have fewer places to go, and more time to get there—but we have less patience than ever before.