Common Summertime Personal Injury Claims in Florida
The temperatures in South Florida, during the summer months, can get into the high nineties. Still, Floridians enjoy going outdoors and enjoying recreational activities.
Florida’s diverse landscape and cosmopolitan feel mean that there are ample things for Florida residents to do during the summer. Oceans and lakes make enjoying boat rides, fishing, and surfing good recreation options. Large cities and quaint towns are perfect for taking a stroll or an afternoon drive.
Unfortunately, accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. These accidents can result in serious injuries. Understanding how summertime accidents can happen can help you take steps to protect yourself and those you love.
Boating Accidents
Florida is home to water sports. Going out on a boat is an enjoyable way to spend the day. However, Florida often leads the country in boating accidents, according to the US Coast Guard.
Many boat accidents happen because the boat operator is not paying attention or is in some other way negligent. Boat accidents aren’t just two boats crashing into each other. Many boat accidents include boats crashing into swimmers, jet skiers, and other people enjoying time in the water. Some reasons why boat accidents happen include:
- Operating a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Inexperienced or under-aged boat operators
- Distracted boat operators
It is impossible to eliminate boat accidents from happening. However, there are some things that you can do to improve your safety and the safety of others when you are out on a boat. For example:
- Keep your boat well-maintained and functioning properly
- Don’t overload your boat
- Make sure everyone operating the boat is trained and has proper licenses
- Maintain a safe speed
- Make sure everyone on the boat understands safety procedures
- Have the necessary safety equipment, including first-aid kits and lifejackets on board
Swimming Accidents
Swimming accidents, especially swimming pool accidents, are an unfortunate reality in Florida. Florida houses are synonymous with swimming pools. Because swimming pools are so common, the likelihood of water accidents rises dramatically.
If a homeowner has a pool, they are responsible for keeping the pool in good repair. They are also responsible for seeing to it that those who swim in the pool do so in a safe manner. According to the CDC, drowning is one of the top 10 causes of death for children.
The effect this has on a family is difficult to put into words. Parents often say that they only looked away for a minute. And that’s true. It takes less than five minutes for a drowning fatality to happen.
Many swimming pool accidents happen because someone was being reckless or engaging in negligent behavior. In some cases, responsible individuals weren’t paying attention.
In Florida, property owners must keep their premises reasonably safe and warn people of known dangers. If they don’t do this and an injury occurs, the victim may file personal injury claims in Florida.
Swimming Pool Safety Tips
The Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (RSPSA) allows property owners to be held negligent if they fail to protect frail adults or children with pool safety features. Most children cannot comprehend dangers on the same level as adults. When they see a pool, they see something that is attractive and fun. Homeowners and property owners should put extra measures in place to prevent children from easily getting into a pool.
These measures could include:
- A pool cover
- A four-foot barrier surrounding the pool
- A self-locking mechanism or self-closing pool entrance
- An alarm on windows and doors that grant direct access to the pool
Additional measures to take include:
- Equipping young and inexperienced swimmers with flotation devices
- Not swimming alone
- Not swimming after smoking, drinking, or using prescription medication
- Learning CPR and lifesaving swimming techniques
Bicycle Accidents
Just about everyone who has hopped on a bicycle has had some type of accident. It can be easy to minimize the serious nature of these accidents.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 846 people were killed in bicycle/traffic crashes in 2019. If you are looking to enjoy some of Florida’s warm weather on your bicycle, there are some practical steps that you can take to minimize the chances of getting into a bicycle accident.
Wear a Helmet – Helmets are not the most attractive and mess up your hair. Still, every bike ride should begin by putting on a helmet. It is not enough to buy a helmet. You must buy a helmet that properly fits your head. Helmet sizes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Take the time to try on a helmet to make sure that it fits right. It could be the difference between life and death.
Avoid Crashes – This might seem obvious. However, there are things that you can do to minimize the chances of getting into a crash. For example, did you know that most bicycle deaths occur between 6 PM and 9 PM?
Bicycle Safety Tips
In 2017, 37 percent of bicycle accidents involved alcohol. The takeaway is that you should ride responsibly. Don’t drink alcohol and get on your bike. Also, if you are going to ride in the evening or at night, make sure that you have reflective gear so that those operating motor vehicles can see you.
Drive Predictably – If you drive predictably, motorists will be able to get a sense of what you might do and react in a way that avoids a crash. Drive where you can be seen, and drive in the same direction as traffic. If you are going to change lanes, signal that you will do so. Look over your shoulder before doing so.
Be on the lookout for pedestrians. If you are going to pass a pedestrian, announce, “On your left.” Or use a bell. Slow down, and look left and right when crossing the street from the sidewalk.
These are simple yet practical steps that can be taken to minimize bicycle accidents in Florida during the summer. If you or someone you love is injured because of another person’s negligence while operating a bicycle, you may be entitled to collect compensation through personal injury claims in Florida.
Car Accidents are Common Personal Injury Claims in Florida
There are many reasons why car accidents have the potential to increase in Florida during the summer. First, traffic is typically heavier. During the summer, teenagers are not in school, and college students are home from the university. Additionally, people take advantage of the warmer weather to go on vacation and make long-distance road trips. Tourists flock to areas like Miami and Fort Lauderdale, which increases the congestion on the road.
Roadwork is a second reason. In Florida, the summer months are used to repair the road. This can create new obstacles that drivers are not prepared for, which can lead to accidents.
Florida’s hot weather can cause tires to deteriorate faster. This becomes a dangerous problem if your tires have small defects. If your tires are worn, the summer months are a good time to fix them.
During the summer months, Florida drunk driving accidents tend to increase. Summer months mean drinking alcohol, which means more drunk driving accidents, especially during the holidays.
Conclusion
Florida is an amazing place to be during the summer. Unfortunately, accidents happen. The vast majority of accidents are innocent. However, there are exceptions. If you get hurt because someone else was negligent while operating a boat or driving an automobile, you may be entitled to compensation through personal injury claims in Florida.
