Blog

Support Walk Like MADD, or Mothers Against Drunk Driving, on Sept. 28. The event included 162 runners, 191 walkers, 18 dogs, 65 volunteers and two goats who took 3.514 million steps. But it’s not over. Donations to support Walk Like MADD will remain open until Nov. 28 to reach the goal of $60,000. You can still join 32 teams and 16 financial sponsors to help support victims and fund awareness programs for 15,000 students a year (In fact, donations are welcome all year long). Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman Rice & Purtz have sponsored the walk for the past two years and has committed to sponsoring next year’s walk planned for Sept. 26, 2020. “As a personal injury firm, we deal with terrible tragedies from drunk driving, and this is really our chance to give back to MADD, help MADD help those who are involved as victims as well as try to prevent drunk driving,” said Christopher Smith, partner and firms team leader for the event. The team through individual participants raised $1,500 in addition to the firm’s presenting sponsorship. The Support Walk Like MADD event, which included honoring survivors, 48 victims and 79 members of law enforcement, featured canine Deputy Chance and search and rescue dogs Maggie and Mercy, important in drunk or drugged driving crashes because the dogs can search for the offender and help find victims who may have been ejected from their vehicle. Support Walk Like MADD Established in 2013, MADD SWFL provides free programs to over 15,000 people annually in the Southwest Florida community through its underage drinking prevention initiatives, its campaign to eliminate drunk driving, tie one on for safety campaign and DUI offender education. In addition, the local MADD chapter supports law enforcement, hosting an annual law enforcement recognition program and free DUI training benefiting over 300 local law enforcement professionals. Most importantly, MADD SWFL supports victims and survivors of drunk, drugged and substance-impaired driving crashes, providing over 1,500 free services annually, facilitates grief and community groups and holds an annual a tribute event. CLICK HERE for information on how to donate.

National Teen Driver Safety Week, which is Oct. 18-24, is designed to raise awareness of teen driving risks among parents and teenagers. The pandemic paused graduations and proms, but one rite of passage has not been put on hold for most teenagers. Teens are still able to get their driver’s license starting at age 16. Getting behind the wheel can be one of the most exciting and dangerous times in a teenager’s life. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens 17-18 years old in the United States. As a result, driving for teenagers is more deadly than all other types of injury, disease or violence. Safety During COVID-19 Although more people are off the roads, staying at home during the pandemic, driving is still dangerous. A report from the National Safety Council (NSC) shows that even while people were driving less during March, deaths per miles driven that same month increased 14% over March 2019. With less traffic, safety experts predict that more drivers are speeding or driving recklessly. Studies show that teen drivers already speed and have other risky habits. Their lack of experience means they don’t always respond well to hazards. Teen Driver Safety Issues Inexperience contributes to thousands of teen car crashes each year. According to the NSC: 2 million teens under the age of 18 are in their first year of driving. 40% of teen crashes happen at night. Each year, drivers under age 18 are involved in 900,000 crashes. Of drivers of all ages, 16- to 19-year-olds are most likely to be in a fatal crash. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that the greatest dangers for teen drivers are: Alcohol consumption Inconsistent or no seat belt use Distracted driving (most often cell phone use and texting) Speeding Driving with passengers in the vehicle What Parents Can D o As a result, the NSC is interested in reducing the number of teen driver crashes by providing online educational resources. The organization offers a program for parents and teen drivers, called DriveitHome. The program offers resources and tips for parents to help their teens become safer drivers, including: Sign the New Driver Deal, an agreement between you and your teen about the rules and expectations when they get behind the wheel. Use Pointers for Parents for tips and lessons you can practice with your teen. Parents can sign up to get a new teen driving lesson each week. Spend 30 minutes a week driving with your teen even after they get their license. Also, studies have found that the cars teenagers drive have an impact on their safety. Teenagers are the riskiest drivers, often driving vehicles that are less safe, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Teenagers often drive micro–, mini– and small cars, with more than two-thirds of teens driving vehicles that are between 6 and 15 years old. These cars are less likely to have safety features such as side airbags and electronic stability control, which are now universal. Safe Used Cars for Teens To address the issues of vehicle choice, IIHS compiles a list of safe, used vehicles. This year, the Institute partnered with Consumer Reports to incorporate reliability ratings, emergency handling and braking tests. Parents don’t need a designated week to talk to their teens about safe driving. Driving for adults and teenagers is a privilege, not a right. Teaching your teen good driving habits is important for the safety of your teen, passengers and other drivers. If you or someone you know has been injured in a crash due to the negligence of another driver, seek advice from Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz.

Charlotte County shows an alarming trend: ATV accidents on the rise. During the pandemic, experts say that outdoors is the safest place to be to avoid exposure to the virus. More riders can mean more ATV accidents. It’s no surprise, then, that the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) reports that so far this year, sales are the best in three years for powersports, which include All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), side-by-sides, and motorcycles. Off road motorcycle sales are up 18.9% through March 2020. Powersports May 2020 sales by Honda are up 172% over last May. Many believe stay-at-home orders, children out of school and stimulus checks have fueled powersport purchases. If used safely and correctly, powersports are a great outside activity, and Charlotte County is a favored place to ride. The safest place is off-road parks, which have rules and groomed trails. However, off-road parks including Florida Tracks and Trails in Punta Gorda, closed last year for financial reasons, and Redneck Mud Park in Punta Gorda only has occasional weekend events. As a result, many young, new and inexperienced riders are taking to the woods and rural areas in Charlotte County or riding on roads and in neighborhoods. Experts worry that increased use, particularly by younger riders will result in more ATV accidents on the rise. ATV accidents hurt about 135,000 people nationwide every year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Almost 75% of the of ATV accidents result in spinal cord and brain injuries. One in 10 victims are permanently disabled. Riders under the age of 16 receive one-third of the injuries. Causes of ATV accidents on the rise include drunk driving, speeding, hill-climbing, rollovers and too many riders on the ATV. Following safety advice, including where to ride, can prevent many accidents. ATV Accidents on the Rise ATV riders in Florida can ride during the day on an unpaved public roads with a posted speed limit less than 35 m.p.h. Riders cannot run an ATV on any other public road, street or highway. As fast as cars but with low pressure tires, ATVs are prone to tipping and losing control. More than half of ATV deaths are on public or private roads. Without a driver’s license requirement, children are often the riders. One study showed that the average age of most ATV drivers is 12.8 years old. Florida requires riders and passengers under age 16 to wear a safety helmet, eye protection and ankle boots and be supervised by an adult. Riders under age 16 must also show completion of a state-approved safety course. How to Ride Safely If you choose to ride, here’s how to stay safe and avoid ATV accidents: Wear safety gear. ATVs have no safety cages, roll bars or seatbelts. Protective clothing will help prevent scrapes and cuts if thrown from an ATV. Ride or drive on trails at your skill level. Always ride at a safe speed on a trail meant for ATVs. Be at least 16 years old. Anyone younger than 16 is less likely to have the strength and experience to drive an ATV safely. Get safety certified. Before you ride an ATV on a trail, learn how to ride in a controlled setting. Ride an ATV that’s right for your size and age, as shown on the warning label. Know basic first aid for minor injuries and be able to get help in an emergency in case of ATV accidents. If You Have an ATV Accident Insurance is also important for powersports – especially ATV accidents on the rise. ATVs are titled but not registered and do not have to be insured. Some state-owned lands and parks require riders to have ATV liability insurance. Without coverage like Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Personal Damage Liability (PDL), riders in an ATV accident will not be covered for medical costs or damaging another person’s property. Also, many health insurance policies exclude covering injuries from activities such as motorcycles, ATVs and jet skis. As with car and truck accidents, an ATV accident victim may be able to recover medical expenses, lost income, psychological anguish, property repairs and pain and suffering. Deciding who is at fault is a good start to figuring out with which insurance policy to file your claim. An ATV expert injury attorney knows your legal rights and understands the process of holding the ATV driver responsible for your injuries. Our firm has extensive experience in handling ATV accident cases, recovering millions of dollars for ATV accident victims. Contact us if are a victim of such a crash.

April kicks off Alcohol Awareness Month in 2020. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one-in-three traffic deaths in the United States involve a drunk driver. Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) reports more than 300,00 incidents of drinking and driving a year, resulting in one preventable death every 52 minutes across the United States. Additionally, 290,000 people are injured by impaired drivers each year, one every two minutes. Nationally on average, two out of three people will be impacted by drunk driving in their lifetime. What is so startling about these statistics is that these deaths and injuries are entirely preventable, making alcohol-related deaths the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States! Alcohol Awareness Month in 2020 During the current coronavirus pandemic, there are fewer cars on the road as a result of self-isolation and stay-at-home orders, but post-pandemic return to the roads could include a spike in drunk driving accidents, as drinking is on the rise. According to market research firm Nielsen, alcoholic beverage sales are up 55% as of the week of March 15-22 across the country. Spirit sales are up, too, and have soared to 75%, while beer has seen a 66% jump and wine has spiked to 42% when compared to this time last year. Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rich & Purtz is community champions for reducing the risk of injuries from drunk drivers. For three years, the firm has been a presenting sponsor for Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s Walk Like MADD 5K walk and run that raises money to ensure no one in our community suffers from the impacts of impaired drivers. Pending possible changes caused by the coronavirus, at this time this year’s Walk Like MADD event is planned Sept. 26, 2020 at Jet Blue Park. For information on supporting click here. Our attorneys have also been active in supporting area multi-jurisdiction DUI checkpoints carried out by law enforcement agencies in Lee and Charlotte County and sponsored by MADD Southwest Florida. Sponsoring the briefing dinner before checkpoints demonstrates to the officers that the law firm and the community supports their dedication to make our roads safer for all residents and visitors. If you or someone you know has suffered injuries due to a drunk driver accident, it is important to seek legal help. The attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz have over five decades of experience with personal injury cases. We provide free consultation to discuss your case and determine what can be done to protect your rights. Call us today to set up your virtual appointment as our offices are currently closed to visitors.

Florida Semi-Truck Accidents Because of their enormous size and weight, semi-truck accidents can be damaging or deadly when they are involved in a collision. Currently there are over 15.5 million trucks in the United States. Thirteen percent of these are semis, big rigs, 18-wheelers, and tractor trailers. According to thetruckersreport.com, the legal weight for an 18 wheeler in the United States is 80,000 lbs. (40 tons). Compared with a car in the United States which has an average weight of 5,000 lbs. it is easy to see the dangers of car-truck collisions. Semi-Truck Accidents: The Sobering Statistics In 2015, 3,852 people died in large semi truck accidents Over 2/3 of the victims were occupants of cars or other smaller vehicles Annually, approximately 130,000 individuals are injured in truck accidents Roughly 98% of semi accidents result in one fatality Causes of Semi Truck Accidents According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Loss Data Institute (IIHSHLDI), two of the major causes of truck accidents are truck braking capability and truck driver fatigue. Loaded tractor trailers for example take 20-40 times longer to come to halt than a car. Less than ideal road conditions or poor break maintenance can make it even more difficult for a large truck to stop in time. Truck drivers are known to work long hours traveling great distances. Because of the amount of driving time truckers log, driver fatigue is a serious issue. Driver fatigue is responsible for approximately 30% of all commercial truck accidents. Federal hours-of-service regulations only allow truck drivers to drive 11 hours per stretch and 77 hours per 7 day week, however driver surveys show that often times these regulations go unfollowed. Who to Call If Involved in a Semi Truck Accident If you or a loved one have been involved in a semi-truck accident or lost a loved one due to a truck accident it is important to seek experienced legal representation. Truck accidents have many legal complexities and the right attorneys can help you navigate a truck accident claim. The attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz have over 50 years in legal expertise. Give us a call today to schedule a free consultation.

Broadside/T-Bone Collision T-bone collisions are also known as broadside collisions or right-angle collisions.  A T-bone collision is a car accident that occurs when a one-vehicle is struck by the front or rear of another vehicle, forming the letter “T.”  A broadside/T-bone collision is likely to be more severe than other types of car accidents, however, the severity of the damage and/or injuries is dependent on the point of impact, the vehicles’ safety features, vehicle speeds, and vehicle weight and construction.  Furthermore,  in T-bone collisions drivers are often left less protected than in other types of collisions because only a door is protecting them from the other vehicle. Stats ( AVVO.com, a legal website) 13% of all car accidents are T-bone collisions More than 50% of all car accident deaths involve a T-Bone style Collision Causes and Avoidance T-bone collisions can be caused by several different things, however most commonly are caused by one driver’s failure to yield right of way to another vehicle.   Intersections are a common location for T-bone collisions because drivers may neglect to stop for traffic lights or stop signs.   Additionally, power outages increase the risk of being involved in a T-bone collision because drivers may be unsure when it is safe to enter an intersection or may choose to enter the intersection at an unsafe time. There are several tips to avoid a broadside/T-bone collision for which drivers should be aware: Cross intersections carefully, cautiously, and at a safe speed Check your brakes – Before you drive Follow traffic rules and signals – lights, signals, and signs were placed in their locations for a reason Be extra watchful for pickups and trucks with trailers Who to call if injured in a broadside or T-bone car accident in Southwest Florida T-Bone Collisions can be very severe.   If you or someone you know has suffered injury, financial loss, or even fatality from a T-bone collision it is important to seek experienced legal counsel.   The attorneys at Goldstein Buckley, Cechman, Rice, and Purtz have over 5 decades of legal expertise in dealing with personal injuries.   Call us today to schedule a free consultation.

Every 32 seconds, a child under the age of 13 was involved in a car crash in 2018. Many times, injuries and deaths can be prevented by proper car seat safety, boosters and seatbelts. Car accidents are the leading cause of preventable deaths and injuries to children in the United States, according to Safe Kids. Car Seat Safety Facts As a parent or caregiver, one of the most important jobs you have is to keep your child safe. Learning the proper use of safety seats and seatbelts can not only help prevent your child from getting injured in an accident; these safety measures could save your child’s life. According to Safe Kids, correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent, but more than half of car seats are not used or installed correctly. Selecting the Right Car Seat Safety Record With many types of safety seats available, choosing a car seat for your child can be overwhelming. There’s help! The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers a comprehensive guide in English and Spanish with information about finding the right car seat, installing it correctly and other tips. The guide includes a searchable list by area of places offering car seat installation inspections, as well as recommendations for the correct seat for your child’s age and size, as well as for your vehicle. It also allows adults to register car and booster seats to receive up-to-date information about any recalls and defective parts. Tips on Child Passengers’ Car Seat Safety The National Safety Council offers these basic tips for keeping children safe. If you are pregnant, schedule a car seat installation with a certified child passenger safety technician before the child is born. Children should ride in the back seat, at least through age 12. If your kids complain about wearing seatbelts, do not negotiate. Do not drive off until they buckle up. Always be consistent and wear your seatbelt; driver safety belt use strongly influences whether your child will buckle up. The life of a car seat ranges from six to 10 years. Be sure to find the expiration date set by the manufacturer. Airbags can save the lives of older children and adults, but they can be fatal for young children when not seated correctly, particularly in the front seat; never place a rear-facing car seat in a front seat near an airbag. Always read instructions provided by the vehicle and car seat manufacturers for properly securing children. Seatbelt Safe ty Seatbelts or safety belts are restraints that are meant to supply protection in case of a crash. By using them properly, crash deaths and injuries can be significantly reduced. Except for New Hampshire, all states and the District of Columbia require adult front-seat occupants to use seatbelts. Florida law requires the use of safety belts for all drivers and passengers in all motorized vehicles. Thirty-four states and the District of Columbia have primary enforcement. Primary enforcement laws allow a police officer to stop and cite a motorist solely for not using a seatbelt. In states with secondary enforcement, police can only enforce the law if the motorist has been pulled over for another violation first. Safety Belt Fit Test According to Safe Kids, children should stay in a booster seat until between the ages of 8 and 12, depending on the size of the child. Here is a recommended Safety Belt Fit Test (watch video) to determine if a child is ready for a safety belt without a booster seat: Check knees and feet. Your child’s knees should bend at the edge of the seat when their back and bottom are against the vehicle seat back. Feet should touch the floor for comfort and stability. Check the vehicle lap belt. It must fit snugly across the hips or upper thighs. Check the shoulder belt. The shoulder belt must fit across the shoulder and chest, not across the face or neck. Remember, just because the seatbelt fits your child in one car does not mean the seatbelt will fit in all cars. Do the Seatbelt Fit Test in every car before permanently moving from the booster seat to just a seatbelt. Car Seat Safety Attorneys As careful and as safe as you may be with your driving, and with the use of good car seat safety, auto accidents still happen. Other drivers speeding, running red lights, driving drunk and the driving the wrong way have caused tragic accidents that have altered the lives of many innocent families. The attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice and Purtz have nearly 60 years of experience with personal injury cases. We have six offices in Southwest Florida in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh Acres and Port Charlotte. Contact us today to set up an appointment for a free consultation.

Rear-End Collision Accident According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) there were 1.7 million rear-end collisions on U.S. roads in 2012. The rear-end collision is the most frequent type of automobile accident. The injuries sustained in a rear-end accident can be very serious and even deadly. The NTSB also mentions that many of these rear-end crashes could be prevented with more caution and better technology. Until these changes take place here are some things to know if you are involved in a rear-end collision. Types of Rear-End Collision A rear-end accident involves the front of one vehicle colliding with the back of another vehicle. There are two main types of rear-end crashes. Front vehicle is stationary: Stop light Sitting in traffic Parked Side of the road The front vehicle would be moving in the other type of rear-end collision. Speed will also be an important part of determining the severity of a rear-end accident. High speed crashes are more likely to result in serious injury or death. However, low speeds crashes can still result in severe injuries that might include whiplash, headaches or other injuries that develop over time. Who Is At Fault? Many people believe that the vehicle that runs into another vehicle will always be at fault. There are situations in which the front vehicle can be held liable for a rear-end collision. Brake lights not functioning Disabled vehicle stopped in traffic Front vehicle backing into the other vehicle It is important to work with an experienced attorney when you are involved in a rear-end accident. Who to Call If you or some you know have been involved in a rear-end accident it is important to know your rights. The attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice and Purtz have over 5o years of experience with personal injury cases. We have six offices located in Southwest Florida. Call us today to set up your appointment for a free consultation.

Passenger Van Accidents in Southwest Florida Like any vehicle, passenger van accidents can be a common occurrence during the seasonal months in Southwest Florida. Passenger vans are large vehicles usually designed to transport 12-15 people. Organizations often use passenger vans because they are convenient for transporting small groups and are less cumbersome to drive than larger transport vehicles, especially for smaller, local business and community groups. There are over half a million 15 passenger vans registered in the United States today. However ubiquitous they are, it is important to understand the heightened risks unique to passenger vans. The most prevalent risk is rollover during an accident. The rollover rate for passenger van accidents in a single vehicle crash when filled to less than half capacity is as low as 20%. However, this number jumps to 44% when a passenger van is loaded to over half capacity. This ratio is the highest of any vehicle type. Passenger vans have a higher center of gravity, like SUVs, so drivers must take extra caution, especially on winding roads. Safety Procedures for Passenger Vans If you have been injured in a passenger van accident, it is important to determine if the driver and/or owner of the vehicle operated and maintained the van to the utmost safety standards. All drivers of passenger vans should follow these guidelines to ensure occupant safety: Tire pressure and tread should be checked before every use. Tires should not be loaded higher than the manufacturer’s guidelines. Occupant load should never exceed 15, or fewer in the case of smaller vans. Overloading a van greatly increases your risk of rollover in an accident. Drivers should not carry loads on top of the van. Cautious driving is imperative to safety, especially if the van is over half capacity. Due to the high center of gravity in passenger vans, turns should be taken at a slow speed. Who to Call If Injured in a Commercial Van Accident in Southwest Florida If you have sustained an injury in passenger van accidents as a occupant, especially if you believe the driver or the owner’s negligibility resulted in that accident, it is important to seek legal counsel to get the justice you deserve. The Southwest Florida attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz have over 50 years of legal experience in dealing with personal injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Nighttime Vehicle Accidents in Southwest Florida If you have a license to drive in Florida, life, work and family often necessitates you drive at night. Nighttime driving is often perceived as more dangerous than daytime driving. In reality, the rate of nighttime vehicle accidents that result in fatalities at night versus during the day is almost the same. However, it is the added variables to nighttime driving that make being alert and responsible imperative if you are on the road after dark, such as impaired and fatigued driving. If you are involved in a car accident at night, you should confirm that the driver of the other vehicle is licensed to drive at that time. In Florida, a teen with a learner’s license is never permitted to drive after 10 p.m. In addition, even when a teenager graduates from a learner’s permit to a driver’s license, that license is limited as well, often requiring the presence of a licensed driver over 21 if it is past 11 p.m.1 If the other driver is elderly, it is possible they are driving past nighttime restrictions placed on some licenses of those over a certain age. Florida Nighttime Accidents: The Dangers It is important to be cognizant of the factors that make nighttime driving particularly precarious: Impaired driving- According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the percent of fatal nighttime vehicle accidents involving drivers with any alcohol in their blood is 60% at night as opposed to 18% during the day. When you limit this statistic to accidents involving drivers with a BAC over the legal limit of .08, it is 54% at night versus 14% during the day.2 Fatigued driving- From 2005 to 2009 there were over 4,000 deaths and 30,000 injuries resulting from crashes caused by drowsy driving.3 At night, when many drivers have not had adequate sleep, these risks increase. Who to Call if injured in nighttime traffic accidents in Southwest Florida If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, it is important to seek legal counsel to get the justice you deserve. SWFL attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz have over 50 years of legal experience in dealing with personal injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Florida Parking Lot Accidents & Injuries We have all seen or heard of parking lot accidents occurring. Maybe you have even been involved in a parking lot crash. With the slower speed of vehicles in parking lots you would think that accidents wouldn’t happen; however, parking lot accidents, injuries and even fatalities are more common than you may think. According to the National Safety Council, or NSC, over 50,000 motor vehicle crashes occur in garage structures or parking lots each year. These parking lot accidents result in more than 60,000 injuries and over 500 deaths annually. With the hustle and bustle during the holiday season, parking lots tend to become more dangerous. While you and your family are out during this holiday season and always, please remember to follow some parking lot safety tips. Parking Lot Accidents: Safety Tips Drive slowly in all parking lots and parking garage structures Follow the lanes and do not cut across lots and empty parking spaces Stay alert and anticipate the actions of others Watch out for stop signs and no parking signs Always look both ways and double check when backing out of your parking space. Watch for vehicles and pedestrians. Be on the look out for small children and parents pushing carts or baby strollers. Watch for blind spots and don’t always rely on back-up monitoring systems. Avoid distracted driving. No phone calls, texting or eating while parking, backing up or driving through parking lots. Additional Causes for Injuries in Parking Lots in Southwest Florida While a parking lot crash soundthe like a main cause for parking lot injuries, vehicle crashes are not the sole cause of parking lot injuries. Slips, trips and falls are also common causes for injuries in parking lots. Many times, inadequate lighting, uneven pavement, potholes, debris or lack of signage can cause pedestrian injuries. Protect Your Rights If you or someone you know has been the victim of a parking lot accident and have sustained injuries or death, it is important to seek advice from attorneys experienced with personal injury cases. The attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice and Purtz have over 50 years of experience with personal injury cases and we are here to represent you. We have six locations in Southwest Florida. Our offices are conveniently located in Fort Myers (2 to serve you), Naples, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Port Charlotte. Contact the office nearest you and set up your appointment for a free consultation today.

Maybe your parents took you to an empty parking lot to learn about parking lot hazards – and to teach you how to drive as a teenager. That may be one of the safest parking lot experiences you will have. With slow moving vehicles, one would think parking lot hazards are safer than roads. But one of every five motor vehicle accidents and 14% of all claims of auto damage happen in parking lots. Statistics About Parking Lot Hazards Non-residential parking facilities are used by 175 million people every day, and it seems that most drivers are not paying attention. A National Safety Council Public Opinion Poll found that 66% of drivers said they would make phone calls while driving through parking lots, 63% would program GPS systems, 56% would text, 53% would use social media, 50% would send or receive emails, 49% would take photos or watch videos. In a single year, 99 people were killed and 2,000 injured when they were hit by cars backing out of parking spots, and 106 fatalities and 5,000 injuries were caused from cars moving forward. Five deaths were caused by pedestrians struck by driverless cars! Of children ages 5 to 9 who died in traffic crashes, 22% were pedestrians. Most deaths occurred because drivers failed to see kids while backing up. Parking lot injuries can be extensive and include medical bills, lost wages and even disability. Victims hit by a careless or distracted motorist are entitled to compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Not all parking lot injuries are caused by vehicles. Slip and fall accidents are also common, due to parking lot hazards. While Florida doesn’t have the hazards caused by snow and ice, inadequate striping, potholes or cracks, lack of signage, debris, poor lighting and puddles can also lead to injuries. In addition, more than 400,000 violent crimes are committed in parking lots or garages each year, including rape, robbery and aggravated assault.  The law in Florida requires that owners of parking lots have appropriate security in place.  If they do not, they can be found liable for people injured in their lots in violent crimes. An owner of a parking lot can be found liable for injuries caused by the following: Lack of designated walkways for handicapped and other people Poorly designed structures with bad traffic flow Inadequate signals or markings Inadequate security and lighting Uneven surfaces and potholes Blind spots that block drivers’ vision Improperly marked handicapped zones Oil spills or runoff from poor drainage What can you do to help ensure compensation for your injuries caused in a parking lot or a garage? As soon as you can, take photos and videos of the dangerous condition that caused your injury. If you don’t have a measuring tape, use any other object to help show the depth and diameter of a hole or condition that cause your fall. Take as many pictures as possible, from a variety of angles. If someone saw you fall and you are able, ask for their name and contact information and a description of what they saw. Ask them to sign and date the statement. If they are willing, use your cell phone to video an eyewitness account. Criminal activity must be immediately reported to police. Always call 911 to notify law enforcement of robbery or assault. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a parking lot accident and have sustained injuries or death, it is important to seek advice from attorneys experienced with personal injury cases. The attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice and Purtz have over 50 years of experience with personal injury cases and we are here to represent you. We have six locations in Southwest Florida. Our offices are conveniently located in Fort Myers (2 to serve you), Naples, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Port Charlotte. Contact the office nearest you and set up your appointment for a free consultation today.