Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

SWFL Among Nation’s Deadliest Areas for Cyclists

February 22, 2024 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Both Lee and Collier counties are among the deadliest counties in the nation for bicyclists, according to new data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In fact, 14 of the deadliest counties in America for bicycle riders were located in Florida.

Lee County’s 29 cycling deaths gave it a death rate per 100,000 of nearly 4. Bad enough to rank it 13th deadliest in the nation. Our bicycle accident lawyers have long flagged the Sunshine State as the nation’s most dangerous for both cyclists and walkers, a fact again supported by the latest statistics. Pasco, Sarasota and Manatee counties were the three deadliest in the nation. Other Florida counties on the list include Pinellas (5), Volusia (7), Marion (9), Hillsborough (10), Duval (12), Brevard (14), Osceola (16), Broward (17), Polk (18), and Collier (20).

Collier’s 12 cycling deaths gave it 3.19 deaths per 100,000.

Safe-System Approach Highlights Complexity of Car Accident Lawsuits

February 19, 2024 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Our veteran personal injury lawyers and wrongful death attorneys throughout Southwest Florida were heartened to learn Florida is adopting the Safe-System Approach to improving traffic safety. We were also struck by how each element of the approach highlights the complex nature of car accident claims here in the Lee, Collier and Charlotte county area.

The five focal points of the Safe-System Approach are safe vehicles, safe speeds, safe roads, safe road users and post-crash care. WUSF reported via NPR that the Center for Urban Transportation Research at USF says safety advocates hope for results similar to those in Spain and Sweden, where traffic deaths have declined by 50 percent in the course of a generation. The main thrust of the approach is that death or serious injury is unacceptable.

Rise in Pedestrian Deaths gets National Spotlight

January 25, 2024 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The New York Times recently examined the growing epidemic of pedestrian accidents, particularly those that occur at night, concluding walking deaths have reached a 41-year high.

Recently released federal data shows that 7,500 pedestrians were killed in 2022.

The data published by the Governors Highway Safety Associations showed pedestrian deaths are up 77 percent from the 4,302 deaths reported in 2010, compared to an increase of 25 percent for all types of traffic fatalities. Our pedestrian accident attorneys in Cape Coral and Fort Myers have long warned of the risks to walkers here in Southwest Florida, which has repeatedly been identified as among the most dangerous areas for walkers in the United States.

SWFL Motorcycle Safety – Cape Coral Bike Nights

January 23, 2024 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Snow is paralyzing the Northeast, with areas of East Tennessee getting more than a foot of snow for the first time in decades. Millions have spent a good part of January snowed-in.

In Florida, it’s time to get out the motorcycles and go for a ride! The next two months are prime winter-riding season here in Florida. Daytona Bike Week in February will bring thousands of riders from all over the country to the Florida Coast. Here in Southwest Florida, we have a number of events, including Cape Coral Bike Nights, the areas premiere family friendly motorcycle event:

SWFL Traffic Collisions put Safe Driving in Focus

January 22, 2024 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

A spate of serious and fatal traffic collisions in Southwest Florida has authorities urging caution as we enter the height of tourist season.

Tragically, a 3-year-old died in a collision authorities are blaming on a drunk and unlicensed driver, The News-Press reported. A 21-year-old woman was killed in a head-on collision on I-75, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 28-year-old was killed in a collision involving two semis. A rollover crash in North Fort Myers sent an occupant to the hospital. Another closed a portion of Daniel Parkway and caused long traffic delays.

Our car accident lawyers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral know the next two months are the most dangerous of the year on the roads of Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties. Resolving to be a defensive driver, and avoiding the most dangerous driving behaviors, can go a long way toward keeping you and your family safe on the roads in 2024.

Gear Up with Us at the Tour De Cape!

January 18, 2024 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Hello from the team at Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured! We’re excited to announce our role as proud sponsors in this year’s Tour De Cape, a standout cycling event in our Southwest Florida community. Our firm has always believed in the power of community events to unite people, and the Tour De Cape embodies this spirit perfectly. We invite everyone to join us in this celebration of fitness, community spirit, and the joy of cycling. Whether you’re riding in the event or cheering on the participants, let’s come together to make this a memorable weekend.

46545646

📅 When: January 19th – January 21st

Seeking Justice, Not Fees: How Our Contingency Approach Empowers You

January 15, 2024 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

At Associates & Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, we understand that navigating the aftermath of an injury can be overwhelming. We want you to know that we offer our legal services on a contingency fee basis. This means that our payment is contingent upon the successful resolution of your case. If you don’t win, we don’t charge a fee—it’s that simple.

Our fee structure is tailored to serve your best interests. As personal injury attorneys in Florida, we follow the standard charging practice that ranges between 33 1/3% and 40% of the compensation we recover for you. This flexible scale ensures that our objectives align perfectly with yours, which is to obtain the maximum possible compensation for your injuries and losses.

We pride ourselves on transparency and adherence to the Florida Bar Rules of Professional Conduct. Our contingency fees are not only a common practice but a regulated one, ensuring fairness and integrity in the representation we provide.

Helmetless Motorcyclists at Greater Risk Under New Florida Law

November 2, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

On July 1, 2023, a new law went into effect in Florida that could have a significant impact on helmetless motorcyclists. HB837, also known as the “Comparative Fault” bill, changes how personal injury lawsuits are handled in the state.

Under the old law, Florida followed a system of pure comparative negligence. This meant that even if a plaintiff was partially at fault for their own injuries, they could still recover damages from the defendant, as long as the defendant was also at fault. The amount of damages that the plaintiff could recover would be reduced in proportion to their own negligence.

However, HB837 changes Florida to a modified comparative negligence system with a 51% bar. This means that if a plaintiff is found to be 51% or more at fault for their own injuries, they cannot recover any damages from the defendant, even if the defendant was also at fault.

Cape Coral’s Trunk or Treat: Spooky Fun for All!

October 26, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Hey there, fellow Halloween aficionados! It’s that time of year when we don our costumes and get ready for thrills and chills. We’re excited to invite you to the City of Cape Coral’s Trunk or Treat, a night of family-friendly, Halloween-themed fun like no other, and we’re thrilled to be part of it!

Event Details:

📅 When: 10/27/2023

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