Motorcycles Hitting the Roads in SWFL

January 27, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Visiting motorists and tourists are often surprised to learn that we are entering the height of motorcycle riding season in Southwest Florida. Veteran motorists in Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties can also benefit from frequently reminding themselves to watch for riders this time of year.

Plenty of riders hit the roads in summer. But it’s hot and rainy. The perfect riding weather in the early months of the year, combined with many riders visiting from out of state, make it prime time for motorcycles on the roads of Florida.

Our motorcycle injury lawyers have spent more than half a century fighting for the rights of riders and their families, and promoting rider safety and awareness. For nearly two decades, Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, has provided primary sponsorship to Cape Coral Bike Nights, the area’s largest, family-friendly motorcycle event.

Hidden Holiday Risk: Dangerous and Defective Products

January 2, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

We bring more “stuff” into our homes throughout the long holiday season than at any other time of the year. Holiday decorations. Small appliances. Gifts. Clothing. Toys. Electronics.

While many of us make religious celebrations, time with loved ones, and volunteerism, a part of our holiday priorities, the consumerism is often an unavoidable part of our holiday celebrations.

But far fewer stop to think about the risk of bringing dangerous and defective products into our home. Yet our defective product attorneys know thousands of dangerous products are sold to consumers each year, and the risks continue to grow with the global, Internet economy.

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.

Happy New Year’s: Please Celebrate Responsibly

December 31, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

All of us at Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner wish all of you a safe and enjoyable new year.

Please celebrate responsibly and never drink and drive.

For more than half a century, our drunk driving injury lawyers have fought for the rights of victims and families impacted by this senseless crime. We support sobriety checkpoints, enforcement blitzes, and other efforts by local law enforcement, as well as the work of organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Parking Lot Safety a Holiday Concern

November 30, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

After two holiday seasons marred by the coronavirus pandemic, there is early evidence that people are visiting the malls and big-box stores in record numbers as Black Friday officially opens the holiday shopping season.

Our injury lawyers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral recently wrote about the risks of holiday shopping injury But a significant number of injuries occur in the parking lot, before shoppers even make it to the store. Being aware of the risks, and what you can do to keep you and your family safe, can go a long way toward avoiding injury this shopping season.

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Help with Hurricane Claims in SWFL

November 29, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

As Southwest Florida continues to dig out from the historic aftermath of Hurricane Ian, there are growing concerns and frustration over lengthy waits for hurricane damage claims to be processed by insurance companies.

While the unprecedented scope of loss certainly plays a role, it’s important to note that insurance companies have historically been much better at collecting premiums than paying claims. Most homeowners have received letters stating they are responsible for doing whatever possible to avoid secondary damage, which could include tarping roofs and boarding up broken windows. However, homeowners should not be held responsible for damage caused by lengthy waits for payments from insurance companies to cover obvious losses.

At Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, we have lived and worked for more than half a century right here in Southwest Florida. This is home and we are doing everything possible to assist family, friends, coworkers and our community to rebuild after this devastating story. We have partnered with law firms that focus on property damage claims to help ensure Southwest Floridians get the experienced legal help they need during this trying time. We are here to help devastated homeowners who need assistance with hurricane claims.

Florida Scuba Diving Injuries in Focus

November 28, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Florida is second only to Hawaii when it comes to scuba diving.

The death of a well-known 36-year-old tech CEO in a diving accident along Hollywood Beach this month highlights the risk as Florida’s winter diving season gets underway. Earlier this year the former owners of a scuba dive charter in Key Largo pleaded guilty in a case that went on for 10 years after their boat was found to be in such poor condition that it sank, claiming the life of a diver. DAN, Divers Alert Network America, reports the number of diving deaths has been on the rise, with 169 recreational scuba deaths reported in 2016, the last year for which statistics are available.

From freshwater caves in North Florida, where visibility is 100 feet or more, to wreck diving in the Florida Keys, to drift dives along the East Coast, Florida draws divers from all over the world to enjoy our warm clear waters, coral reefs, and abundant sea life, including Goliath Grouper, Stingrays, Sharks and Sailfish. The state’s 2.6 million active divers account for nearly half the world’s 6 million divers.

Shopping Safety in Focus as Holidays Begin

November 15, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The holidays increase injury risks in a number of ways, from motor vehicle accidents to defective products we unwittingly bring into our homes.

But, while most consider shopping a fun departure from our daily life, too many overlook the risks, particularly at the holidays.

Our injury lawyers in Cape Coral and Fort Myers know this season could be riskier than most, both because shoppers are expected to return to stores in droves after the last two holidays shopping seasons were stunted by spiking COVID cases, and because business are still trying to recover from Hurricane Ian.

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.

Early Darkness Increases Car Accident Risks in SWFL

November 11, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Setting the clocks back an hour brings with it early darkness and an increased risk of car accidents, particularly those involving pedestrians.

There has been much debate about Daylight Savings Time, with many favoring setting the clocks and eliminating the twice-yearly changing of time. Advocates for permanent Daylight Savings Time, which brings more light to early evening hours, cite a reduction in car accident risks and more time for residents to shop, dine and spend money at local businesses.

But it’s a debate that has raged for decades and still we deal with early darkness each fall.

Florida Injury Lawyer Blog