Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
We oftentimes hear that car accidents in Fort Myers and elsewhere are the number one cause of death for teenagers. But did you know that these incidents are the number one cause of death for people ages 3- to 34-years-old, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)?
The NHTSA broke down the numbers of fatalities and the causes for these deaths in 2006 and determined that car accidents take the lives of more people ages 3- to 34-years-old than any other cause of death. Because of all the young lives that are lost in these incidents, car accidents were ranked third in the overall terms of years of life lost. This refers to the approximate number of years that a person may have had left to live when he or she was killed, based on expected life spans. Car accidents are behind only heart diseases and cancer.
Our Fort Myers car accident lawyers understand the dangers that motorists of all ages face at the wheel. Poor driving habits contribute to thousands and thousands of deaths every year. In 2010, there were roughly 33,000 people killed because of traffic crashes.
Top Causes of Death in the U.S. in 2006:
-Children under 1-year-old: Perinatal Period.
-Toddlers ages 1- to 3-years-old: Congenital Anomalies.
-Individuals ages 3- to 34-years-old: Motor-Vehicle Crashes.
-Individuals 35- to 64-years-old: Malignant Neoplasms.
-Individuals over the age of 65: Heart Disease
To help reduce your risks of a car accident, there are a few safety tips that you can follow. Many car accidents can be avoided with a little planning and some extra alertness at the wheel.
Safe holiday driving tips from NBC2:
-Check your vehicle out. Make sure your turn signals are working. Your best bet is to have a certified mechanic do it for you. In addition to checking your bulbs, you should make sure that you tires are properly inflated, your brakes are working properly and that all of your fluids are full. Go get a tune up before heading out!
-Get plenty of sleep. It’s no secret that our attention span isn’t what it used to be. When taking long road trips, stop for plenty of breaks and switch drivers if necessary.
-Can the distractions. “Make a rule that nothing requiring a battery charge reside in the front of the car,” says Gordon. Use your road trip as a chance to spend quality time with friends and family members in the car. Enjoy the journey. Take in the scenery.
-Be courteous of other motorists. Keep your emotions and feelings in check. Never tailgate and abide by the speed limit. Merge with extreme caution and stay in the right lane unless you’re passing another vehicle. Bottom line, you should show goodwill toward all.
If you or someone you love have been involved in a traffic accident, or someone you know has died in a car accident, in Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral or Sebring, contact Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, for a knowledgeable explanation regarding your rights. Experienced injury lawyers are available for a free appointment to discuss your case in detail by calling 1-800-283-2900.
Additional Resources:
Expert testimony: 5 tips for safe winter driving, by Luigi Fraschini, NBC2
More Blog Entries:
Local Officers in Search of Drunk, Drugged and Distracted Drivers to Prevent Fatal Car Accidents in Lee County through Holidays, Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, December 14, 2011
Back-Over Car Accidents in Fort Myers a Holiday Threat to Pedestrians, Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, December 10, 2011
