Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

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:

Traffic Accident Risks Impacted by Driver Attitudes

July 30, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has issued its 22nd annual “Traffic Safety Culture Index,” which aims to measure the prevalence of common road risks, and drivers’ reactions to them.

The study measures drivers’ perceived danger, risk of getting caught, perceived social approval for risky driving, and their support for laws and policies designed to curtail such risks.

Our injury lawyers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral know the vast majority of traffic “accidents,” are in reality caused by one or more driver errors or poor driving behaviors. Measuring perception helps tell safety advocates where to best focus their attention and public awareness campaigns.

Elderly Drivers at Risk During COVID Lockdown

July 29, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Our car accident attorneys in Fort Myers and Cape Coral know elderly driving accidents can be caused by a number of factors, including deteriorating eyesight, muscle stiffness and slowed reaction, prescription drug use, and declining mental acuity.

These risk factors counter a number of safe driving habits routinely adopted by older drivers, including obeying the speed limit, wearing seat belts and often driving during daylight off-peak hours.

Unfortunately, the impact of the COVID quarantine means we do not have the same opportunities to check on our older loved ones. They may also be cut off from social functions that would otherwise have kept them more active and engaged. While many businesses, including grocery stores, have adopted senior hours to help keep older populations safer, these are not enough to counteract the negative impact of months of isolation.

Relaxed Trucking Rules, COVID Demand, Increase Truck Accident Risks

July 4, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

COVID restrictions and new Hours-of-Service regulations are placing increasing demands on the nation’s transportation industry even as safety advocates continue to push measures to reduce the risk of commercial trucking accidents.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) updated Hours-of-Service regulations in response to industry demand for more flexibility amid the spiking demand for products as the nation deals with the COVID pandemic.

“America’s truckers are doing a heroic job keeping our supply chains open during this unprecedented time and these rules will provide them greater flexibility to keep America moving,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

Fourth of July Travel Safety in Southwest Florida

July 3, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Our injury lawyers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral wish each of you a safe Fourth of July weekend. Please be mindful of the pandemic restrictions and social distancing requirements, but find time to enjoy yourself with close friends and family.

July is typically among the quietest times of the year on the roads in Southwest Florida. But July 4th always brings peak travel and this year is expected to be no different. In many cases, people are hitting the road precisely because they have been quarantining at home since the spring and vehicle travel offers the best option to get out of the house while maintaining social distancing and minimizing exposure.

RV and camping resorts and sales centers are reporting record sales and bookings. Combined with hotel and resort closures, the COVID restrictions make planning your trip more important than ever. Know your destination. Make sure they are expecting you.

Legal Changes Impact Fireworks Safety in Southwest Florida

July 1, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

New fireworks laws, combined with COVID restrictions, are expected to increase the risks of fireworks injuries in Southwest Florida as we head into the Fourth of July weekend.

Florida Senate Bill 140 was among the 100 new laws that hit the books on July 1, according to the Miami Herald. The bill permits private citizens to set off fireworks in Florida on July 4, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

The Palm Beach Posts reports record fireworks sales as many municipalities cancel or curtail fireworks celebrations in response to the COVID pandemic. Channel 10 News in Tampa reports authorities are bracing for an increasing number of injuries.

Summer Storms Create Driving Risks in SWFL

June 24, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

While the COVID pandemic has had a calming effect on Southwest Florida traffic, relaxing restrictions combined with summer rains will serve to increase the risks of the road.

The Fort Myers News-Press reported a death this week after the driver of a Corvette lost control in the rain and slammed into a truck. Police said the 53-year-old Cape Coral man lost control of his Corvette on State Road 82 near Lightard Knott Lane about 7:10 p.m. The vehicle went over the median, west of Buckingham Road, into eastbound traffic, where it hit a Ford F-350 King Cab.

Our experienced Fort Myers injury attorneys urge motorists to take the risks of driving in the rain seriously as we head into the height of storm season.

Pandemic Demand for Bicycles Reaches New Highs

June 24, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

In Mid-March, a week into the pandemic, our Fort Myers injury attorneys reported in Pandemic has More People Cycling in Southwest Florida that a record interest in cycling had already descended upon local bike shops.

Since then, interest in cycling and demand for bicycles have run right off the charts.

The New York Times reports countries as diverse as Uganda are opening closed streets to bicyclists and pedestrians, and similar moves are afoot in New York City as well as several other major urban areas. Continue reading ›

Boating Popularity Continues to Soar in SWFL

June 22, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Southwest Florida boat dealers and marinas are reporting significant increases in boat sales and rentals as families look for COVID-friendly alternatives for vacation and leisure.

In April, our Fort Myers boat accident attorneys reported in Boating Injuries a Pandemic Risk that an increase in boaters – particularly an increase in novice boaters – would likely lead to an increased risk of reportable accidents during Southwest Florida’s summer boating season, which is typically the slowest time of the year.

Florida is a boater’s paradise. The state’s 1 million vessels puts more boats off Florida’s coast than anywhere else in the nation, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. But with all that fun in the sun comes an assumption of risk, and potential liabilities.

Nursing Home Negligence a Real Threat During COVID

June 9, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The news coming out of the nursing home industry is not good.

At this point, our nursing home injury lawyers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral suspect the risks are well known when it comes to COVID infections in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Elderly populations and those with pre-existing conditions already face the highest risk of adverse outcomes.

But to understand the full scope of the risk, and place blame where it belongs, it is important to separate the universal COVID risks faced by the elderly, from the unnecessary risks faced by residents as a result of negligence and ineptness.