Car Accidents

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.

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

Drunk Driving Risks Increase as Football Season Begins

September 25, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Enjoying alcoholic beverages with friends and family, and watching college and pro football, may well be two of the most popular pastimes in the United States. But there is every evidence that the two frequently make for a deadly combination.

At Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, we have spent more than 50 years fighting for the rights of victims and families whose lives have been devastated by the senseless and irresponsible acts committed by those who choose to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. While we are also passionate about football, we urge you to be responsible and watch out for each other as the autumn football season begins.

A study published in the journal “Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research,” found eight percent of adult fans were legally drunk while attending pro baseball and football games. That is a staggering statistic when you consider the size of most pro-sports arenas. The study concluded the average stadium of 60,000 would have as many as 4,000 patrons who are intoxicated. Researchers point to tailgating as a primary factor, finding those patrons were 14 times more likely to be legally drunk.

T-bone Collisions Among the Most Dangerous in SWFL

September 17, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

South Trail Fire District and Iona McGregor Fire responded to a T-bone crash on Brantley Road Friday; one person had to be extricated from the vehicle and was trauma alerted to the hospital, according to FOX 4 News.

Our car accident lawyers in Cape Coral and Fort Myers know these types of collisions are among the most serious and frequently occur at intersections or when a vehicle enters the roadway from a parking lot or private drive. While these types of collisions account for 13 percent of serious traffic accidents in the United States, they account for nearly 20 percent of all traffic fatalities, according to federal data.

While modern vehicles have become much safer in recent years, direct impact to the side of a vehicle in a t-bone collision leaves occupants vulnerable to serious or fatal injuries. Front- and rear-impact collisions have become safer. But engineers can only do so much when it comes to passenger safety from impact to a vehicle’s long, vulnerable side. Crumple zones that protect occupants from impact to the front and rear are absent, and the close proximity to passengers make them much more vulnerable to cabin intrusion.

Driver Blamed for Multi-Vehicle Collision on I-75 in North Fort Myers

July 9, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The Fort Myers New Press is reporting a local man has been arrested in a hit-and-run crash that involved eight cars and 18 passengers.

The 19-year-old driver has been charged with nearly 20 violations, including two counts of hit-and-run resulting in serious bodily injury. The crash occurred around 2 a.m. on I-75 in North Fort Myers. The Florida Highway Patrol reports the at-fault driver was traveling at speeds in excess of 130 mph.

Teen Tragedy a Stark Reminder of the Risks to Young Drivers and Passengers

July 8, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The deaths of five young people in a Fort Myers car accident is a tragic reminder that teenagers are most likely to be seriously injured or killed in a traffic collision.

These accidents are among the most heartbreaking we have handled through half a century of fighting for the rights of victims and families dealing with serious personal injury or wrongful death in Southwest Florida.

WGCU reports the teenagers are believed to have drowned after running off the road along TopGolf Way. Four of them worked at a local restaurant. FOX 4 News reports the five teens drowned after running off the road and into a lake at a high rate of speed. Our deepest condolences go to the families and friends of the victims, all of whom attended or recently graduated from local high schools.

Hit-and-Run Collisions on the Rise in SWFL

June 6, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

A rash of hit-and-run collisions in Southwest Florida highlights the growing risks for victims.

FOX4 reports a hit and run was recently caught on cellphone camera in Cape Coral. The video reportedly captured the driver hiding his license plate before fleeing the scene, according to the driver who was struck at Veterans Memorial Parkway and Santa Barbara Boulevard.

WINK News reports a suspected hit-and-run driver was arrested after a hit-and-run accident killed a pedestrian on US-41 in North Fort Myers.

FOX News reports an 83-year-old was killed after being hit twice in a hit and run in Lehigh Acres.

Florida “Move Over” Law Set to Protect Disabled Vehicles

May 30, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

As summer travel season gets underway, Florida has strengthened its “Move Over” law, which aims to protect law enforcement and other emergency vehicles from the risk of being struck by passing traffic.

While road construction is a year-around (and seemingly never-ending) effort in Southwest Florida, many projects are launched through the summer months before the traffic onslaught that always comes with the winter tourist season. This year may be particularly frustrating as heavy traffic has continuously frustrated motorists since last year’s devastating hurricane.

NBC-2 reports the enhanced law expands the circumstances in which motorists are required to move over and/or slow down for stopped vehicles at the side of the road. Under current law, drivers must vacate the lane closest to stopped law enforcement, emergency, sanitation, utility vehicles, tow trucks or maintenance or construction vehicles that display warning lights. The new bill, approved by lawmakers this spring, would also include all other vehicles pulled over at the side of the road. SB 425 includes disabled motor vehicles displaying warning lights or hazard lights, or using emergency signage or flares, or vehicles that are stopped with one or more persons visibly present.