Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

Rainy Weather Brings Accidents Risks in SWFL

May 7, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

This week’s torrential rains across much of Southwest Florida are a reminder that rainy season is upon us, and is perhaps arriving a bit early this year.

If you are new to Southwest Florida, or just visiting, the force of tropical rain storms may take you by surprise. While rain storms up north typically build to several moments of blinding rain, storms in South Florida are likely to result in blinding rain from start to finish. While such downpours are typically relatively brief, they can reduce visibility to zero and quickly make safe driving impossible.

Parasailing and Watercraft Safety in Focus on Fort Myers Beach

May 5, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Parasailing and personal watercraft rentals are in the news after the developers of the Margaritaville resort asked Fort Myers Beach officials to expand the number of available licenses.

Opposition is coming from current operators of parasailing and personal watercraft rentals on the beach, citing increased competition and the potential for more safety issues. The town has limited the number of operators since 1995, following restrictions enacted by Lee County in the wake of a number of safety issues. Current operators are pushing to force the resort developers to purchase licenses from an existing operator, which the resort said would cost more than some real estate on the beach and would be cost prohibitive. One estimate put the cost of a license at more than $1 million.

The referenced Lee County Ordinances and Fort Myers Beach ordinances primarily aim to restrict areas in which rental craft and other personal watercraft can be operated along the shoreline, and to ensure such businesses are properly registered so that the county can collect business taxes. Ordinances also require both personal watercraft and parasailing businesses to carry liability insurance, although there is no mechanism in place to ensure compliance. Continue reading ›

Update Your Insurance if Driving for Hire in SWFL

May 2, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

It’s not just pizza delivery drivers anymore.

With an increasing number of options for private individuals to engage in driving for hire, it’s important to understand the insurance implications, and to make sure you have the proper protection in place in the event of an accident.

The increasing popularity of services like DoorDash, GrubHub, Uber, and Lyft, provide many people with the opportunity to earn extra income. The flexible schedules are another perk of these types of app-based employment opportunities, which often allow drivers to make their own schedules. College students and young adults are among those most likely to take advantage of these opportunities. Unfortunately, these drivers, already the most likely to be involved in a serious traffic collision, are also among those most likely to have their claims scrutinized by insurance adjusters in the wake of a serious or fatal collision.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April 15, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Driver distraction is the leading cause of serious and fatal traffic collisions in the United States. By some estimates, nearly half of all collisions involve some form of driver distraction. April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and is a great time to resolve to avoid distraction while driving as we head into the summer travel months.

Safety advocates continue to preach the message but there is concern that drivers have grown weary of listening to it. There is little evidence that the risks of distraction are decreasing. On the contrary, the growing prevalence of in-car technologies, and the increasing capabilities of the smart phone, have only combined to increase the risks.

Heat Illness a Summer Risk in SWFL

April 13, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

As we head into the summer months in Southwest Florida, safety advocates are reminding employees, parents and residents about the risks of heat stroke.

While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has recently issued an alert aimed at employees and employers, the most recent high-profile examples of the risks in Southwest Florida involve local athletes, several of whom have suffered serious or fatal injuries resulting from working out during Florida’s brutal summer months.

Recent Collisions a Reminder of SWFL Road Risks

April 11, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

A series of serious and fatal traffic collisions in Southwest Florida has authorities urging motorists to use caution through the height of tourist season and beyond.

While Easter weekend is traditionally the end of the winter tourist season, a record number of visitors are visiting Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties, and years of explosive growth means we are dealing with increasing road congestion all year long.

Join Us for Cape Coral Bike Night April 9

March 23, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

We hope you will join us April 9 for the final Cape Coral Bike Night of the season. While it is the final event for the season, it’s important for motorists to know that summer riding season is just getting underway. Please look twice for riders, always give them the right of way, and do what you can to send them home safe to their families. The few extra seconds it takes to allow a rider to safely pass, is well worth avoiding the potential liability of being found responsible for a serious or fatal collision.

For 15 years, Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, has provided title sponsorship for Southwest Florida’s largest family-friendly gathering of motorcycle riders. Visitors are greeted by live music, dozens of vendors, and a variety of contests and entertainment that have made the event bigger and better every year.

Our motorcycle injury lawyers have built a reputation as staunch advocates of motorcycle rights through 50 years of representing riders and their families, and through dozens of events promoting motorcycle safety throughout the communities of Southwest Florida.

Spring Brings High Tide for Tourist Injuries in Southwest Florida

March 21, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

A record number of people are descending upon Southwest Florida this month, as the winter tourist season reaches high tide.

Sarasota Magazine reports COVID has done nothing to stop people from across the country and around the world from visiting Florida. Overall in 2021, Florida had nearly 118 million domestic visitors, the highest number in state history. Of that 118 million, 1.5 million were overseas travelers—an increase of 43 percent compared to the third quarter of 2021.

Last month, the Governor’s Office reports visitors continue to surpass pre-pandemic levels.

“While tourism in other states is only just beginning to recover, Florida is at the front of the pack — now we are surpassing pre-pandemic levels and setting new visitation records,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said.

High Risk of Spring Break Injuries Amid Record Crowds

March 21, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Early reports indicate it is going to be a record-breaking year for Spring Break visitors in Southwest Florida.

The Miami Herald reports throngs of beach goers are already challenging safety personnel; a weekend shooting that sent three to the hospital is the latest warning of the risks when large groups of young people gather to let off steam.

What many see as the end of COVID restrictions, after two years of quarantines, is adding to the volatile mix this year. While Southwest Florida is known as the “quiet coast,” we are also expecting to see a record number of teenagers and young adults on our beaches and at our resorts through Easter weekend.

Shooting Highlights Risks of Assault, Firearm Injuries

February 24, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Fort Myers police are investigating a weekend shooting at a local apartment building.

The incident occurred in the 2800-block of Grand Avenue in Fort Myers. A 22-year-old man is charged with aggravated battery, according to FOX 4 News. All parties have been accounted for and authorities say there is no threat to the public.

A victim did suffer non-life-threatening injuries. FMPD is calling this an active investigation. Our injury lawyers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral know that firearm incidents are an unfortunately common occurrence. In addition to seeing the offender arrested and punished, victims may have the right to collect compensation through civil court.