personal injury

Drowsy Driving an Autumn Risk in SWFL

September 30, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ September focus on drowsy driving is an important reminder of the risks as we head into the autumn travel season.

“Drowsy Driving Prevention Week is a sobering reminder that falling asleep at the wheel has deadly consequences and is preventable,” said Executive Director, Terry L. Rhodes. “We urge all motorists to take responsibility and never drive drowsy.”

The agency partnered with the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida Police Chiefs Association, Florida Trucking Association, and AAA.

Distracted Driving Awareness Campaign Joins October Call for Pedestrian Safety

September 29, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Pedestrian safety and distracted driving awareness are vying for your attention this October.

Our Fort Myers injury lawyers recently blogged about the efforts of the inaugural Pedestrian Safety Month.

It is perhaps ironic then that we will also be recognizing October as Distracted Driving Awareness Month after the National Safety Council moved it’s annual awareness campaign from April to October in response to the COVID pandemic.

With Governor Ron DeSantis announcing the end of COVID restrictions on businesses, and the start of tourist season right around the corner in Southwest Florida, all signs point toward increasing traffic on the roads of Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties.

Inaugural Pedestrian Safety Month an October Focus

September 28, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The inaugural Pedestrian Safety Month launches this week as the Governor’s Highway Safety Association and safety advocates continue to address the rising number of walkers being killed in traffic collisions.

Our Fort Myers injury lawyers have written extensively on this blog about the epidemic of serious and fatal collisions victimizing our most vulnerable road users, including walkers, cyclists and motorcycle riders. South Florida in particular has been identified as among the deadliest locations in America for walkers, with Cape Coral being signaled out as frequently the most dangerous location in America.

Nationwide, the number of pedestrian deaths has increased significantly in the last decade as urban centers have revitalized. Explosive growth in places like Southwest Florida has also impacted the safety of walkers, particularly as it relates to pedestrians. E-scooters and rental bicycles have added to the risks. And the COVID pandemic has prompted a record number of bicyclists and pedestrians to take to the streets in favor of socially distanced modes of travel and physical activity.

COVID Impacting Teen Drivers’ Ed in SWFL

September 13, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Autumn is traditionally the time of year when many teenagers get their driver’s licenses. Those eligible by age through the summer and autumn often enroll in driver’s education classes at their local high school.

Like traditional schooling, COVID restrictions are impacting driver’s education in many ways, including less in-person class time and behind the wheel training in favor of virtual and online education models.

Understanding Road Risks Can Prevent Collisions

August 16, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Knowing what causes “accidents” is the best way to prevent them.

Our car accident attorneys recently posted about the dangers of aggressive driving in Southwest Florida as the nation seeks a return to normalcy amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Forms of aggressive driving have become so pervasive that it is a factor in virtually all traffic collisions; even those blamed on a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs are typically caused by some form of aggressive driving.

At its most basic, if you are not driving safely, you are driving aggressively. While aggressive driving nearly always involves breaking a traffic law, some forms may just be a violation of common sense (distraction can fall into this category).

Aggressive Drivers an Autumn Safety Risk in SWFL

August 14, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

There is some evidence that drivers are on a hair-trigger, despite the congestion respite that has been a welcome benefit of enduring the coronavirus pandemic. Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is among the agencies warning drivers specifically about the risk of road rage and aggressive drivers during this stressful time.

Our car accident attorneys in Fort Myers and Cape Coral share the roads with you right here in Southwest Florida. We have rode with you as morning and afternoon traffic has returned to near-normal as society seeks to do the same. The six-months since the COVID lockdowns began in March have been unprecedented in modern society.

But with returning school buses and other traffic hitting the roads, the risks of collisions is once again increasing. As we continue to report, pedestrians and bicycle riders are at particularly high risk as our most vulnerable road users and there are increasing reports of road rage being targeted at cyclists.

Drunk Driving an Autumn Risk for SWFL Teens

August 11, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The recent serious injury of a teenager in an alcohol-related crash on Palm Beach Boulevard is a reminder of the risks as we head into the deadliest time of year for drunk-driving collisions.

The News-Press reported the teenager was injured when a pickup, believed driven by an intoxicated male, crossed the median and crashed head-on into the victim’s vehicle.

Our injury lawyers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral know COVID-19 has upended nearly every aspect of life. However, autumn is expected to remain the deadliest time of the year for drunk driving accidents, including those involving teenagers.

COVID Liability: Lawmakers Look To Limit Consumer Rights

August 11, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Lawmakers from Tallahassee to Washington are taking up the issue of COVID liability, in large part to protect schools and businesses while limiting the rights of victims to recover amid the worldwide pandemic.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has been largely mute on the subject of COVID liability. Channel 4 News in Jacksonville reports DeSantis was not among the 21 Republican governors who signed a letter to Congress asking for COVID liability protections for schools, businesses and healthcare workers.

COVID School Liability

Back-to-School Injury Risks in SWFL

August 10, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Amid so much uncertainty, one thing is certain: This Back-to-School season will be unlike any other in history.

The Lee County School District has ordered teachers to report Aug. 18, with the first day of in-person, face-to-face instruction scheduled for Aug. 31. Schools in Charlotte and Collier counties also plan to open to students on Monday Aug. 31.

While concerns about COVID abound, our injury lawyers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral know the normal risks of child injury remain acute at this time of year, and in some ways COVID may make traditional risks, like bicycle and pedestrian accidents, even more of a concern.

In-Car Technology Can Prevent Accidents – If Drivers Pay Attention

August 1, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Your car will be driving itself pretty soon; some are already doing it on the roads of Babcock Ranch.

While COVID has introduced many of us to a brave new virtual world of Zoom calls and work-productivity apps, the auto industry continues to push innovation after innovation onto the roadways.

The driverless future is far from science fiction. In fact driverless cars, completely autonomous vehicles, are already a reality here in Southwest Florida. The investment press is watching closely and has made a number of startling predictions: