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.

Height of Hurricane Season a Risk for Drivers in SWFL

September 26, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

We are entering the height of hurricane season in Southwest Florida, and all eyes are on the big storms. Activity in the Atlantic has local residents bracing for catastrophic property damage, flooding, and power outages. However, residents should not overlook more commonplace threats while prepping for “the big one.” The near-daily thunderstorms that define fall in Florida make it one of the most dangerous times of the year for motorists.

Sudden storms are the norm in our state, often causing blinding rains, reduced traction, and flooding that can challenge even veteran drivers. Due to these hazards, we encourage you to service your vehicle and check your tires for adequate tread. Florida’s mild winters eliminate the early spring and late fall maintenance schedules followed by motorists in much of the rest of the country, and it is easy to be caught off guard by rapidly changing road conditions. In addition, intense summer temperatures and blistering asphalt can quickly degrade tires when tread and traction are most needed. Ensuring your car is ready for inclement weather is the best way to combat difficult road conditions due to Florida storms.

Weathering the Storm: Safe Driving in SWFL

While the winter months are most challenging for northern motorists, drivers in South Florida must cope with severe storm conditions from June until November, with some outliers striking in the off-season.

Pandemic Heightens Traffic Accident Risks

August 28, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted our world in surprising ways. Beyond the immediate effects of the virus on public health, other consequences are now being observed and documented. Early estimates show 2022 is likely to be among the deadliest years for drivers on the road in recent memory an unexpected data point in the stay-at-home era.

While far fewer miles have been traveled in recent years due to the rise of remote work during the COVID pandemic, traffic safety advocates continue to grapple with the increased risk of serious and fatal auto collisions on US roadways.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 9,560 people died in the first quarter of 2022. Considering the last three months of the year are typically the deadliest, the nation could see 40,000 traffic deaths for the first time since 1963. Continue reading ›

Speeding Targeted Amid Lack of Pandemic-Era Patience

August 21, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

COVID has caused widespread change throughout all areas of our society. The way we work and interact with others may never return to pre-COVID norms. Despite the stress, upheaval, and uncertainty, some pandemic consequences have actually improved our quality of life: More time with families, increased emphasis on work-life balance, and new tools for collaboration emerged in the midst of the virus’ tragic toll.

However, there is ample evidence that shorter attention spans and reduced patience have emerged as negative consequences of pandemic isolation. Traffic statistics, for example, show high collision rates, despite a reduction in miles traveled. And specific traffic behaviors, such as road rage, aggressive driving, and speeding, have reached new pandemic highs in 2022.

In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a new safety campaign warning of the dangers of speeding, which is now involved in nearly one-third of all serious and fatal traffic collisions. It seems we have fewer places to go, and more time to get there—but we have less patience than ever before.

Determining Fault in Chain-Reaction Collisions

August 18, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

A recent 5-vehicle collision on McGregor Boulevard sent three people to the hospital, highlighting the risks of Southwest Florida’s ever-increasing congestion as we approach the start of tourist season.

NBC-2 reported three people were taken to the hospital by the Iona McGregor Fire Department after the multi-car collision occurred in the northbound lanes at A&W Bulb Road. Our car accident lawyers in Fort Myers know these types of collisions can make for complicated injury claims and may even limit your ability to collect damages from at-fault parties in cases where multiple victims are seriously injured.

We have spoken often about Florida’s low mandatory insurance minimums, which require just $10,000 in PIP coverage and $10,000 in property damage. A driver carrying these minimums will not have bodily injury liability coverage to compensate even one victim hurt in a collision, let alone multiple victims. Unfortunately, such crashes have grown increasingly common in Southwest Florida as traffic congestion backs up cars through multiple intersections on busy roads like Cleveland Avenue, Colonial Boulevard, and McGregor Boulevard.

Summer Teen Safe Driving Tips

June 30, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

We wrote earlier this week about the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer and the driving behaviors we can all keep in mind to reduce the risks of being involved in a serious traffic collision. Our car accident lawyers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral also reminded parents that teen drivers are at highest risk. And we urged you to take special care to talk to the teens in your family about the importance of practicing the key safe-driving habits – avoid distraction, obey the law, never drive intoxicated, and take special care around vulnerable road users like motorcyclists, bicycle riders, and walkers – each time they get behind the wheel.

But the high risks faced by teens each summer is worth a full discussion. Already at the highest risk on the road, teenagers are more likely to be killed in a traffic accident between Memorial Day and Labor Day than at any other time of year. The freedom that comes with summer, parents who relax restrictions and expectations, and traveling with other young passengers, are all among the leading risk factors.

Keeping our Teens Safe on The Roads of SWFL

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.

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.

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.