Florida
Car Accident Lawyer Blog

The country as a whole has a graying population, but Florida is a popular retirement destination, which means that the state has an even larger proportion of elderly drivers. This has created some challenges on the roads, but Florida has implemented many strategies in recent years to help drivers of all ages drive safely with fewer car accidents:

1) Mandatory eye testing. In 2004, Florida created a mandatory vision screening program for elderly drivers. The program required drivers over the age of 80 to submit to mandatory eye testing and to pass basic vision testing in order to continue driving. According to a study published by the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the Florida law reduced fatal car accidents involving elderly drivers by 17%.

2) Improved road visibility. Since 1991, Florida has introduced a number of innovations to improve visibility on the roads. For example, state highway pavement stripes have been increased in size from 4 inches wide to 6 inches wide. Where middle-of-the-road reflective pavement markings were once 80 feet apart, they are now 40 feet apart. Florida has also increased more “advance” street signs (to give drivers more time to prepare for a turn) and has made street name signs larger.

3) More visible crosswalks. Since research has suggested that Florida pedestrian accidents are more common in cities with high percentages of elderly drivers, Florida has placed more “refuge islands” in the center of roadways and has included more high-visibility crosswalks to keep pedestrians safer and more visible.

4) Florida has created its own GrandDriver program. Based on the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators GrandDriver program, the Florida GrandDriver helps to educate and support elderly drivers who need to make adjustments to the way that they drive. The Florida GrandDriver program works with social workers, health care professionals, and senior organizations to raise awareness about the issues surrounding elderly driving decisions. The program also helps seniors find alternative means of transportation and helps them to make decisions about safe driving.

5) Improved public transit. Many cities across Florida have been offering public and alternative transportation to elderly drivers who can no longer drive safely and who need to give up their keys. Most cities offer easy-to-use public transit systems, senior discounts, and other incentives for the elderly.

A recent study released by researchers found that parents have a blind spot when it comes to their teen’s sexuality. That is, most parents are in deep denial about their teen’s activities, claiming that while other teens may be sexually active, their own children would never do that sort of thing. It would be interesting if researchers did some studies about the blind spots parents have when it comes to their teens’ driving. Researcher might reveal that parents might also be in denial about:

1) Teen driving ability. Driving ability among young drivers varies widely. While no one wants to think of their teen as a bad driver, the fact is that even after passing state licensing training and testing, some teen drivers are timid or distracted on the roads, making them a danger. The good news is that if parents notice poor driving skills early, extra training can quickly and easily help resolve the problem. Even additional practice can help make teens stronger drivers.

2) Teen susceptibility to peer pressure. Even when teens know the rules, friends may pressure them to bend or break the rules. In a car, this can be dangerous. Peer pressure can encourage a teen driver to text while driving, to drink and drive, or to speed and race – all dangerous activities that can easily lead to an accident, even if they don’t become habits. Parents who suspect that their teen is susceptible to peer pressure should have a “no friends or passengers in the car” rule in place for teen drivers.

3) Bad teen driving habits. Bad driving habits get created early. A teen can even learn bad habits from friends, driving instructors, or parents. However, following too closely, texting while driving, and other bad habits can easily cause an accident. The more a young driver indulges in bad habits, the higher the car collision risk. If you notice your teen driver developing bad habits, it may be time for additional training. If caught early, bad habits are easy to break.

4) Teen speeding. Some young drivers speed because of peer pressure while others simply do not see anything wrong with going fast. Other teens get into trouble because they have not learned to keep an eye on the odometer. In any event, young drivers may not have the defensive driving skills to avoid a collision while speeding. Worse, it can be hard for parents to tell if their teens frequently exceed posted speed limits – in most cases, speeding leaves no clues until it causes an accident.

5) Teen drinking. Most parents do not want to believe that their teens drink – and teens go to great lengths to hide their underage drinking. However, statistics show that teens drink heavily. According to statistics gathered by We Don't Serve Teens: A National Campaign to Prevent Underage Drinking, 24% of high school seniors and 16% of sophomores report binge drinking. The U.S. Surgeon General reports that about 5,000 children under the age of 21 die annually due to underage drinking. According to FirstEagle.com, 70% of all teenaged children drink alcohol and about 60% of teen car accident fatalities are related to alcohol consumption. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, three out of four high school students admit to drinking alcohol and nearly three million Americans between the ages of 12 and 20 have an alcohol problem. The reality is that teens do drink – parents need to have a “call anytime, no questions asked” policy in place to ensure that teens do not get behind the wheel after drinking.

When driving around, we rarely consider thunderstorms as a risk factor for car accidents, but accidents do occur when summer thunderstorms roll in. Each year, about 212 people are killed in thunderstorms and many more suffer from serious injuries. Some of these injuries are a result of direct lighting strikes or flooding, but some are attributed to car accidents related to the storms.

One of the biggest problems with thunderstorms is that they can very quickly affect your visibility. When a thunderstorm comes, it can quickly create dark skies, so it is important to turn on your headlights at the first sign of darkness. However, blinding rain can be an even bigger problem. Many drivers do not pull over in heavy rain, but very heavy rain can make it impossible for you to see pedestrians, bicyclists, and even other cars – making the possibility of a pedestrian accident or car accident far more likely.

Another major risk factor with storms is lighting. Although your car is actually one of the safer places for you to be in the event of a thunderstorm, a strike of lighting may still strike your car. If it does, you will likely remain safe but you could temporarily lose control of your car, putting you at risk of an accident. You do not even have to be that close for lighting to strike; lighting can strike up to 10 miles from a rainfall area.

Flash flooding is another major risk during a thunderstorm. Heavy rains can cause dry creeks or rivers to suddenly overflow or can cause flooding on roads when sewers cannot handle the excess water. This can cause your brakes to malfunction or can cause your car to hydroplane. Flash floods can also cause mudslides and other serious hazards for the driver.

Distraction is another concern for drivers during a thunderstorm. Drivers may be anxious about the storm and may end up watching the skies more than the roads, which can lead to truck accidents, car accidents, and other types of collisions. The more severe the weather, the more likely drivers are to focus on the weather rather than on adjusting their driving for the weather conditions.

String winds can cause power lines, trees, and branches to suddenly fall into the road, creating multiple car collisions, damage to cars, and sudden obstacles. Drivers need to slow down and be prepared for the unexpected in a storm. If a storm has hurricane-strength winds, the car itself may be buffeted about or simply swept up in the storm.

Thunderstorms can also cause poor road conditions, which can be a danger to drivers. Excessive water can make the roads slippery. In some cases, thunderstorms come with hail or freezing rain, which can make the streets even more icy and treacherous.

The best solution during a thunderstorm is to monitor weather conditions carefully. If possible, avoid driving during or just before a thunderstorm, so that you are not trapped in your car during extreme weather. Before driving anywhere this summer, make sure that you have a roadside emergency kit in your car in case you are trapped in your car. If you must travel in bad weather or if you get caught in bad weather, listen to your car radio for weather updates. Try to pull over or stop over somewhere if the reports seem ominous. If the weather gets worse, pull over to the side of the road and seek shelter rather than attempting to drive through the storm.

In the summer, more animals tend to be killed on or near roads. As we develop land in what was once wildlife areas, more and more animals are displaced and are forced into areas that are shared with people. Unfortunately, animals do tend to panic around cars and run into traffic when scared, often causing car accidents. A larger animal can cause serous damage to your car in a collision and can even cause serious injuries such as head injuries, amputations, or spinal cord injuries. A smaller animal can cause multiple-car accidents and serious injuries as drivers swerve to avoid the animal. To avoid animal and car collisions, drivers need to:

1) Watch for signs indicating wildlife crossings. In many areas, road signs indicate locations where wild animals are most likely to appear. Slowing down in these areas is important, since speeding ensures you won’t be able to stop in time if you do see an animal on the road.

2) Use extra caution when driving near wooded areas and fields – even when no signs are present. Just because there are no signs indicating a wildlife or animal crossing, that does not mean that there is no chance of animals on the road. Any field or wooded area likely has a number of animals living there, so unless there is a tall fence around the area, scan the wooded area, field, or side of the road to anticipate any animals.

3) Keep an eye out at the car behind them. Keep an eye on your rear-view mirrors and get a sense of how close the car behind you is. If an animal darts out in front of you, this is vital information to know, as it will tell you whether you have enough space to stop suddenly. Since cars generally do stop suddenly to avoid animals, it is a good idea to stay well clear of other cars on the road – leave yourself enough space to stop suddenly if the car in front of you brake without warning.

4) Remember to look for pets. In residential areas, pets and raccoons are abundant in summer. Many people allow their pets to roam in the warmer months, and these animals may simply dart out between parked cars. Worse, small children will sometimes run out after a beloved pet. Slow down in residential areas and scan the sides of the road, especially in areas where parked cars mean reduced visibility.

5) Avoid driving late at night and early in the morning. Nocturnal animals and in fact most animals tend to be most active at these times, when human activity is minimal and when the temperature is cooler. If you must drive early in the morning or late at night, slow down and use extra caution. Adjust your driving to make up for your own fatigue and for the darkness.

In the summer, many families are more on the road than ever. Parents drive their children to summer camp, summer school, the mall, and summer sports activities. Plus, many families go out on family outings more often during the summer, take road trips, and visit friends. While the beautiful weather can make a drive more pleasant, all the added traffic on the roads is anything but safe. To get to your summer activities safely, make sure that you:

1) Don’t overbook yourself. Driving too much, too often can lead to driver fatigue, which is as risky as drunk driving, according to many experts. Share the responsibilities with a spouse or teenager or help your children find alternative ways to get to summer activities.

2) Rely on carpooling. Carpooling is a great way to prevent overbooking yourself and is much kinder on the environment. If your children have regular activities, you can probably make a carpool arrangement with other parents.

3) Get organized before you leave. Bring water, snacks, and entertainment in the car. Have a map (if you need one) ready. A few minutes of organization can help ensure a smooth car ride – whether you’re going to the cottage, summer camp, or on a summer trip.

4) Turn off distractions. Turn off your cell phone, mobile device, and any other distractions. If you are driving with children, have your children bring earphones so that they can listen to music or movies without distracting you. If you are traveling with a pet, keep the pet in a cage or small kennel to prevent the animal from getting into trouble – and distracting you from your driving.

5) Bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. Summer sun can be as much of a driving hazard as winter rain and snow. Sun can wreak havoc with your visibility and sunglasses as well as a hat can help you cut glare – especially if you also use your sun visor. As well, sunscreen can help prevent a painful burn, which could make driving uncomfortable. Bringing a bottle of water on trips is also a good idea, since dehydration can make you feel dizzy and sleepy, not alert and fit to drive.

6) Stop to look at sights. If you are taking a summer drive or want to take in a view, pull over first. During summer, there are more pedestrians, drivers, and bicyclists on the road, making pedestrian accidents, car accidents, and bicycle accidents that much more likely. Driving while trying to look at a nice view increases the chances that you will be in an accident, so schedule frequent stops for breaks and for enjoyment.

During the summer, there are two additional hazards in the roads: more vehicles on the roads and more pedestrians. This creates the risk of car accidents and pedestrian accidents. Quite simply, once the weather gets nice, many people take the opportunity to go for a drive. Teens out of school for the summer take to the streets in their cars and many children are ferried to and from summer activities by busy parents. At the same time, children and entire families enjoy the beautiful weather on foot or bicycle, bicycling along streets or talking long, leisurely walks. Even with more vehicles and pedestrians, you can stay safe this summer. Start by:

1) Accounting for sun driving conditions. In the summer, you need to be aware of some weather conditions. For example, bright sunlight and glare can distract you and can blind you to obstacles on the road. Keep a spare set of sunglasses or clip-ons (if you wear glasses) in your glove compartment for bright days and make sure to use your visors as needed.

2) Keeping your cool. Warm weather can be its own distraction, and can even make you sleepy, which is a danger when you are driving. Getting dehydrated or overly warm can also cause heatstroke or sunstroke, two conditions which can leave you unable to drive and can even cause dizzy spells or fainting. When driving, use air conditioner or keep windows open. Use a cover, if you need it, to keep your steering wheel cool (so that you can grip it firmly and maintain good control of your vehicle). Finally, always have water on hand and keep yourself well hydrated by taking sips when you are pulled over.

3) Taking note of high-risk areas along your regular routes. Camp areas and parks with street parking can be dangerous areas, since children can dart out suddenly from these spots. Swimming pools and crossing areas for walking and biking trails are also spots where there are more pedestrians. Stay extra alert in these areas – young pedestrians may not look first before darting across a street. You can often prevent a bicycle accident or another collision just by knowing where to look twice.

4) Staying focused. Talking on your cell phone or texting while driving are very dangerous activities at any time of year. In the summer, however, when more children or pedestrians are around, distracted driving can even more easily become deadly.

5) Avoid drinking. By now, just about everyone knows that drunk driving accidents cause senseless deaths and injuries each year. However, people continue to drive drunk, and summer holidays are a time when many drunk driving accidents happen. There are more temptations in the summer – outdoor events with beer tents or barbeques where drinks are served. As well, hot weather and dehydration can mean that even one alcoholic drink makes you woozy and unfocused. It’s best to have a simple rule year-round when it comes to alcohol: don’t drive, even on just one drink.

Fatigued drivers are dangerous drivers. Drivers who are very tired have the same response rates as intoxicated drivers who cause drunk driving accidents. It is the responsibility of all driver to ensure that they are well-rested and alert. Simply drinking coffee will not help. Drivers need to be proactive in preventing accidents caused by fatigued driving.

Long trips are dangerous for driver fatigue, as they require long hours as well as many hours of concentrating on the road. To prevent fatigue on long trips, drivers need to plan ahead. Drivers need to allow themselves plenty of time to arrive at their destination. Drivers should also plan their breaks before they leave the house. Using the Internet, drivers should make a plan to stop at least every two hours and should locate rest stops on their route at which to take breaks. Planning breaks is as important as planning your trip, as it ensures that you will get regular breaks.

If you are going on a very long, overnight trip, you will need to do additional planning. Book a hotel or motel room so that you can get a good night’s rest. At the very least, identify motels where you might stay and determine check-in times. You will want to stop at a hotel or motel while you can still check in. For a very long trip, try to get a second driver if at all possible. An alternative driver will allow you to take more frequent breaks, which can prevent highway hypnosis and the fatigue caused simply by concentrating on driving for hours at a time. As well, traveling with a companion is simply more fun.

Another way drivers can prevent fatigued driving accidents is to simply change their own attitudes. Most drivers get into car accidents or caused fatigue-related pedestrian accidents because they simply do not stop driving when they become tired. They press on, believing that they can make it to their destination or the next rest stop. Unfortunately, this belief often leads to accidents. The best thing that drivers can do is notice signs of fatigue and pull over for a rest as soon as they notice these signs.

Trips in the early morning and late at night are especially risky. Since most people sleep during the late night and early morning, drivers are more likely to be fatigued and sleepy at these times, even with a nap or a sleep. Try to avoid driving late at night and early in the morning. If you do need to drive at these times, give yourself extra time to get to your destination. Also, avoid smoking, since it can affect night vision.

There are many environmental and secondary factors which can help prevent driver fatigue. For example, what you eat and drink before driving can affect your fatigue levels. Heavy, fatty, and sugary foods can make you feel more tired, which is why it is better to drink plenty of water and healthy meals before driving. Also, alcohol should be avoided entirely before driving. Even if you stay below the blood alcohol limit, even one drink of alcohol can make you sleepy and can make you a danger on the road. Another tip for drivers is to create alertness through environment. Using your air conditioner and bringing your seat to an upright position can help you stay more alert.

According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 100 000 reported car accidents involve driver fatigue or driver fatigue, and the NHTSA warns that many more unreported crashes and near-collisions may be caused by tired drivers behind the wheel. Fatigue-related car accidents result in 71, 000 personal injuries, 1,500 deaths, and $12.5 billion in damages each year, according to the NHTSA. Tired drivers are a common problem, and the problem is costing lives.

Farmers Insurance has reported that over 10% of drivers have fallen asleep while driving while another 20% of drivers polled admitted to dozing briefly while driving. Men between ages 55 to 64 are most likely to fall asleep at the wheel. The problem is compounded by the fact that it is hard to determine whether fatigue has caused an accident. Breathalyzer tests can determine whether an accident is a drunk driving accident, but no similar test exists for sleepy driving. After an accident, the signs of driver fatigue may be hard to detect and prove.

According to Farmers Insurance, part of the problem seems to be driver under-education as well as driver recklessness. According to a Farmers Insurance survey, 41.2% of drivers claim they have continued to drive even while feeling drowsy. In the survey, 59% of drivers claimed that they turned on the air conditioning or opened a window when sleepy to waken themselves. Another 57.7% of drivers listened to music to stay awake, while 46.3% stopped to drink or eat to revive themselves. 42.3% of drivers surveyed said they used caffeine to try to stay awake. The problem is that while drivers may think that such activities are helping them stay safe on the road, according to American Institute of Chartered Personal Casualty such tactics not been proven to prevent sleep or drowsing off.

Experts agree that the only proven way to deal with drowsiness is to pull over and stop driving. Letting someone else take over the driving (assuming they are more rested) is one solution. If there is no one else in the car, it is a good idea to pull over and take a 20-minute nap. However, after napping it is important not to keep driving. After a nap, experts advise that drivers drive to the nearest spot – such as a friend’s home or a motel – for a proper sleep. When drivers are so tired that they are unsafe behind the wheel, proper rest is the only safe antidote.

In some cases, drivers are tired because they have an underlying condition or are not getting enough rest at night. A doctor’s visit and more sleep can often help cure these problems. Drivers who are routinely tired behind the wheel should also speak to their pharmacists – a bevy of over the counter and prescription medications can create drowsiness and sleepiness. It is essential to never drive after taking such medication.

In some cases, drivers become fatigued after driving for long distances. On long road trips, it is essential to stop every night for a good rest. As well, it is important to plan ahead. Driver need to rest well every two hours on the road. In many cases, it is safer to have two or more drivers per car, so that drivers can take shifts. On long trips, it is also best to plan to drive during daylight hours. Late nights and early mornings are when most fatigue-related car accidents take place.

Collisions are not the only type of car accident which can cause injuries to children. In the summer, a car does not have to be in motion for a child to be seriously injured or killed. Each year, children die after being left in a hot car. In fact, since 1998, 454 children in the US have been killed after being left in a hot car. In some cases, children were left for only a short period of time while in other cases, children were left on relatively mild days.

The truth is that children should never be left alone in a car, especially in the summer. Parking in the shade, cracking open the window, or only leaving the child alone for a minute are not adequate excuses. Even in all these cases, children can be seriously injured, dehydrated, or even killed due to suffocation and hyperthermia. On a summer day, temperatures in a car can reach 120 to 140 degrees within minutes. Temperatures can soar that high even with a window rolled down a bit and even on a mild day. Temperatures of 120 to 140 degrees can easily lead to fever, seizures, heat stroke, severe dehydration, and death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety a locked car’s interior can climb from 78 degrees to 100 degrees in three minutes and can reach 125 degrees in six minutes.

There are many ways to prevent these types of tragedies. The best solution is to simply take your child with you whenever you step out of the car, for even a moment. Many parents find it helpful to remove their child from the car first, whenever they step out of the car. This helps prevent any possible oversights. Pinning a reminder to the dashboard can also help. Parents, babysitters, child car providers, and day care workers should also communicate well about expectations regarding child safety and car safety. Proper communication can also help prevent the type of accident which occurs when a child is left in a hot car because one caregiver believes the child is with another caregiver.

While in many cases, misunderstandings between caretakers or a caregiver’s absentmindedness lead to a child being left behind in a car, some children suffocate in a hot car because they inadvertently climb into a car or car trunk without anyone realizing the danger. It is important to keep car doors and trunks securely closed at all times and to hide car keys in a safe location to prevent this sort of tragedy. Many newer models of cars have a trunk release mechanism to prevent children from being locked in the truck of a car. If your car does not have a trunk release mechanism, you can have one installed.

In addition to getting trapped inside cars, burn injuries are another common cause of car-related injury among children during the summer months. In hot weather, the plastic and metal on and in a car can get heated to very high temperatures. When a child’s small hands come into contact with these hot surfaces, burn injuries can happen. While these injuries are relatively minor in most cases, they can cause tears. Supervising children around cars and cooling down a car with air conditioning before allowing a child into the car can help. Some parents also put soft covers over handles and other exposed areas in the car in order to protect children’s hands.

Pedestrian accidents involving children are another common type of car-related injury involving children at this time of year. As more children are home from school, more children are outside, playing. Drivers, not used to additional children on the road, may be unprepared when children dart out between cars or when children play on streets. Careful supervision can help ensure that your children do not play where drivers drive. Also, children need to be reminded at the start of the summer about proper car safety and road safety.