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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.

If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident in Florida, you’re likely wondering how long it will take to receive a settlement. The duration can vary based on several factors, including the strength of your case, whether it settles out of court or proceeds to trial, and the extent of your injuries. Let’s delve into these factors to give you a clearer understanding. In Florida, the timeline for receiving a settlement for a pedestrian accident hinges significantly on the particulars of your case. Factors such as the severity of your injuries, the insurance companies involved, and whether fault is disputed all play a role. Typically, settlements can take anywhere from a few months to a couple of years to materialize. Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, P.A. offers four attorneys who are board certified by the Florida bar in civil trial law, business litigation and construction law, as well as attorneys who are certified in civil trial advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system, which means that regardless of who is at fault, each party’s insurance covers their own medical expenses. Pedestrians involved in accidents are also covered under this system. Will Your Case Settle or Go to Court? Determining whether your case will settle out of court or proceed to trial depends on various factors, including the willingness of the insurance company to negotiate and the strength of your case. While most cases are settled out of court, some may require litigation to ensure fair compensation. Having a pedestrian accident lawyer by your side can significantly influence the outcome of your case. Assessing the Strength of Your Case The strength of your case is pivotal in securing a favorable settlement. Evidence such as eyewitness statements, medical records, opinions, and crash scene data can bolster your claim. The more compelling your evidence, the higher the likelihood of a swift settlement. Conversely, weaker evidence may lead to prolonged negotiations or legal proceedings. Lump Sums Versus Structured Settlements When it comes to receiving compensation, you may have the option of a lump sum or structured settlement. A lump sum provides immediate access to the full settlement amount, whereas a structured settlement disburses payments over time. Florida law mandates that insurance companies have 20 days from the signing of a settlement agreement to render payment, failing which they may owe additional interest. Common Mistakes After a Car Accident Choosing a Car Accident Attorney Advocating for Your Rights As a pedestrian accident victim, you have rights that deserve protection. Your legal team will serve as your advocates, fighting tirelessly to ensure that those responsible for your injuries are held accountable. Whether negotiating with insurance adjusters or presenting your case in court, they will work diligently to secure the compensation you need to rebuild your life. Collaborating with Specialists In complex pedestrian accident cases, collaborating with witnesses can strengthen your claim and bolster your chances of success. These specialists may include accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, economists, and vocational specialists. Their experience can provide valuable insights into the cause of the accident, the extent of your injuries, and the impact on your life. Navigating Insurance Claims Dealing with insurance companies can be daunting, especially when you’re recovering from injuries sustained in a pedestrian accident. Insurance adjusters may attempt to minimize your claim or deny liability altogether. Having legal representation can level the playing field and ensure that you receive fair treatment throughout the claims process. Exploring Alternative Dispute Resolution In some cases, alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation or arbitration may offer a faster and more cost-effective means of resolving your pedestrian accident claim. These processes allow parties to negotiate a settlement with the assistance of a neutral third party. Your legal team can assess whether alternative dispute resolution is suitable for your case and guide you through the process. Seeking Maximum Compensation Your pedestrian accident lawyer’s primary objective is to secure maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. This includes not only economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages but also non-economic damages like pain and suffering. By thoroughly evaluating your case and advocating on your behalf, they will strive to achieve a favorable outcome that reflects the full extent of your damages. Providing Ongoing Support Throughout the legal process, you can expect ongoing support and guidance from your legal team. They will keep you informed of any developments in your case, answer your questions, and address any concerns you may have. By maintaining open communication and providing personalized attention, they will ensure that you feel supported and empowered every step of the way. Navigating a pedestrian accident claim in Florida requires patience, perseverance, and legal experience. By enlisting the services of Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, P.A, you can navigate the complexities of the legal system with confidence. With our knowledge, experience, and dedication, we will work tirelessly to secure the compensation you need to move forward with your life. If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, don’t hesitate to seek legal representation and protect your rights.

Do you have questions about your pedestrian accident claim going to trial? Watch this video, then call our Southwest Florida lawyers today. Question: Will my pedestrian accident claim go to trial? Answer: Your pedestrian accident injury claim may or may not need to go to trial. It certainly depends upon the factors involved in a case, including who was at fault for the crash or if there is shared responsibility between the automobile driver and the pedestrian. Those are arguments that insurance companies like to have many times in pedestrian accident cases to try and save themselves some money, to be completely honest with you. Your pedestrian accident injury case also involves your damages, your medical expenses, both in the past and what you’re going to need in the future, your wage losses, your loss of future earning capacity, and then certainly those intangible or non-economic damages, your pain and suffering and how the accident has affected you and continues to affect you. There are certain points in times where if we put together the right information early on with you in your pedestrian accident injury case, we can get a good and substantial offer from the insurance companies. There are other times where insurance companies simply don’t play fair because they want to make you work through the process. That’s where getting qualified attorneys, like us at Goldstein Buckley Cechman, Rice & Purtz, onboard to handle your case and help you navigate those waters can work to seek maximum value for you, whether that be early on in the case, some point in time in the middle, or through the trial of your pedestrian accident injury case. It all is based upon what you and what we can work to put together with you to seek full justice in your case. Have you or a loved one recently been injured in a pedestrian accident in Florida and have questions about pedestrian accident claim going to trial? Contact our experienced Southwest Florida pedestrian accident lawyers today for a free consultation and case evaluation. Like us on Facebook

Did you get severely injured while walking? Read our 4 pedestrian accident tips that may help your case, then contact our Florida attorneys. 1) Attorney Fees The initial cost to hire a pedestrian accident injury attorney at Goldstein Buckley Cechman, Rice & Purtz is absolutely $0 to you. We work on what is called a contingency fee basis which means you will never see a bill from us in the mail and we will never ask you to write us a check. We take on your case and we work to put together your case and try to seek full justice for you, full justice being what you, the client, wants and deserves. We then take a percentage of that based upon a contractual agreement that we enter into early on. You do not owe us anything up front for us to look at, evaluate, or even take on your case. Once we take on your case, you similarly do not owe us anything for the costs associated for your case. Those are things that we put forward on your behalf that get paid back later based upon the amount of the settlement or the judgment reached in your case. Again, you will never see a bill from us at Goldstein Buckley Cechman, Rice & Purtz. What we are paid solely depends on how good of a job we do for you and how well you allow us to work with you hand in hand on your case. 2) Mistakes To Avoid The most common mistakes people make in a pedestrian accident injury case in Florida is simply not documenting what occurred at the point in time that it occurred, witnesses, getting names, taking photographs, making sure that the right folks arrive at the scene, calling the police, making sure that things are not moved or touched, and also working to really help at the ground level to put all of this together so that when you hire the right attorneys, the ammunition already exists. The other most fatal mistake we see in pedestrian accident cases is folks sometimes just think they’re going to get better. It may be something where you were on your bicycle or you were walking across the street and a car bumps into you while you were in the crosswalk. Folks may go to the ground and think they’re just bruised, maybe battered, and will feel better over the course of a couple of days and they don’t seek medical care and treatment. They don’t document all those things at the scene. They don’t go about making sure they’re contacting the authorities and they simply, like we all do sometimes, just think this is a minor blip on the radar screen and we’re going to get better. Ultimately, more times than not, that doesn’t happen. Things get worse over the course of time. Pain starts to set in and intensifies. If you dismiss that early on in the process and just think it’s going to get better, you potentially left a whole lot out that your attorney can work with in order to maximize the value for your case and seek justice for you. At Goldstein Buckley Cechman, Rice & Purtz, we are committed to getting on the ground with you early on making sure that we are taking the right approach helping you help us document exactly what we need to maximize the value of your case. 3) Case Value Determining the value of a pedestrian accident injury claim in Florida depends on many factors. It starts with the economic part of your damages, the medical expenses, the wage losses if you had to miss work as a result of the incident, the need for future medical care and treatment and what that’s going to cost, the loss of what’s called future earning capacity which means your ability to earn money in your chosen field may have been affected. Those economic damages including things like what you may have had to pay other folks to handle around your house while you were laid up or unable to attend to certain things that you normally would have done yourself. It not only includes those economic things to discover value, but it includes things that are called non-economic damages, what is known as pain and suffering. It certainly encompasses those two elements, but it also encompasses things like the loss of capacity for enjoyment of life, those non-economic things you can’t necessarily plug into a computer and put a dollars and cents valuation on. We work through you to put a valuation and a dollars and cents number on that claim based upon us hitting the ground running with you early, learning who you were, learning how this accident has affected you, and learning about what it’s going to take for you to try and make your way back to your full self, knowing all full and well that most injuries are never going to get 100% better. The valuation of your claim also goes into what’s called comparative fault in Florida. Who was at fault for the accident? Just because someone is deemed to be at fault for the accident doesn’t mean that parties can’t share fault for the accident. Getting an attorney involved in your pedestrian accident case is very important not only for putting the dollars and cents valuation on those economic but also those non-economic damages. It is vitally important to find someone that knows the law so that we can make sure we are holding fully responsible that person that struck you in their automobile while you were walking down the road and not have some jury or some insurance company try to blame you for something that you know you haven’t done other than being in the wrong place at the wrong time. At Goldstein Buckley Cechman, Rice & Purtz, we are committed to working through all those factors of the case with you to put together the most comprehensive and detailed analysis we can to try and get your case resolved early for full value but if not, to take your case through the process in order to seek justice for you. 4) Going to Trial Your pedestrian accident injury claim may or may not need to go to trial. It certainly depends upon the factors involved in a case, including who was at fault for the crash or if there is shared responsibility between the automobile driver and the pedestrian. Those are arguments that insurance companies like to have many times in pedestrian accident cases to try and save themselves some money, to be completely honest with you. Your pedestrian accident injury case also involves your damages, your medical expenses, both in the past and what you’re going to need in the future, your wage losses, your loss of future earning capacity, and then certainly those intangible or non-economic damages, your pain and suffering and how the accident has affected you and continues to affect you. There are certain points in times where if we put together the right information early on with you in your pedestrian accident injury case, we can get a good and substantial offer from the insurance companies. There are other times where insurance companies simply don’t play fair because they want to make you work through the process. That’s where getting qualified attorneys, like us at Goldstein Buckley Cechman, Rice & Purtz, onboard to handle your case and help you navigate those waters can work to seek maximum value for you, whether that be early on in the case, some point in time in the middle, or through the trial of your pedestrian accident injury case. It all is based upon what you and what we can work to put together with you to seek full justice in your case. Have you or a loved one recently been injured in a pedestrian accident in Florida and have questions? After reading our 4 pedestrian accident tips that may help your case, contact our experienced Southwest Florida pedestrian accident lawyers today for a free consultation and case evaluation. Like us on Facebook

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.

Did you get hit while walking and now suffering injuries? You must act quickly and start your pedestrian accident claim before it’s too late! Call us today. Differences Between Pedestrian Accident and Car Accident Cases Pedestrian accident injury claims differ in multiple ways, shapes, and forms than automobile accident claims. A lot of times, it comes down to what Florida law says about the duty owed as a result of a crash involving a pedestrian. Pedestrians have certain duties and responsibilities under the law but the law more times than not is more favorable to pedestrians and puts certain duties and responsibilities on auto drivers to make sure they’re looking out for pedestrians certainly here in sunny southwest Florida where we’re out and about quite a bit just based upon our community and lovely weather that we have. The occurrence of the accident and putting the pieces together in a pedestrian accident case is vitally important from the very beginning. As opposed to an auto accident case where someone runs into the back of you while you’re at a stop sign, it’s pretty clear in that circumstance who’s at fault for the accident, but in pedestrian cases, it can become more involved. It’s certainly important that you get an attorney onboard early, that you document not only your injuries and your damages but the scene of the incident early on so that we, your attorneys, can go about dealing with the insurance companies using the law in Florida to our benefit to show who certainly was at fault for the accident more times than not it being that motor vehicle driver who simply wasn’t paying attention in looking at for pedestrians. As far as damages goes, the damages in a pedestrian accident case and the damages in an auto accident case are very similar and pretty much overlap in Florida, the biggest difference, again, being who was at fault for the accident and trying to put those pieces together early on. At Goldstein Buckley Cechman, Rice & Purtz, we’re committed to getting on the ground level with you early on in the case to make sure we are putting together the best case we can to show who certainly it was that was at fault for the crash. Pedestrian Accident Insurance Investigation After a pedestrian accident, it is never a good idea to talk to the insurance company for the adverse party, the driver that was likely involved in striking you while you are a pedestrian. It’s never advisable to speak with them until you have spoken with an attorney that you trust and that you know will handle your case for you. Getting an attorney involved early makes the most sense for you so that insurance companies do not try to take advantage of you when they seek to take your statement or simply call you to ask you how you’re doing after an accident. There are ulterior motives that are involved. We at Goldstein Buckley Cechman, Rice & Purtz deal with insurance companies all day, every day. We know their tactics. We know the way they approach these things. Getting us involved in your case early on will allow us to help you navigate those waters and will help you to not let the insurance company take advantage of you when you’re at your most vulnerable. Mistakes After a Pedestrian Accident Claim The most common mistakes people make in a pedestrian accident injury case in Florida is simply not documenting what occurred at the point in time that it occurred, witnesses, getting names, taking photographs, making sure that the right folks arrive at the scene, calling the police, making sure that things are not moved or touched, and also working to really help at the ground level to put all of this together so that when you hire the right attorneys, the ammunition already exists. The other most fatal mistake we see in pedestrian accident cases is folks sometimes just think they’re going to get better. It may be something where you were on your bicycle or you were walking across the street and a car bumps into you while you were in the crosswalk. Folks may go to the ground and think they’re just bruised, maybe battered, and will feel better over the course of a couple of days and they don’t seek medical care and treatment. They don’t document all those things at the scene. They don’t go about making sure they’re contacting the authorities and they simply, like we all do sometimes, just think this is a minor blip on the radar screen and we’re going to get better. Ultimately, more times than not, that doesn’t happen. Things get worse over the course of time. Pain starts to set in and intensifies. If you dismiss that early on in the process and just think it’s going to get better, you potentially left a whole lot out that your attorney can work with in order to maximize the value for your case and seek justice for you. At Goldstein Buckley Cechman, Rice & Purtz, we are committed to getting on the ground with you early on making sure that we are taking the right approach helping you help us document exactly what we need to maximize the value of your case. Have you or a loved one recently been injured in a pedestrian accident in Florida and have questions about pedestrian accidents? You must act quickly and start your pedestrian accident claim before it’s too late!  Contact our experienced Southwest Florida pedestrian accident lawyers today for a free consultation and case evaluation. Like us on Facebook

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.

Pedestrian Accidents Involving Cars in Southwest Florida With each new year, millions of Americans will be taking to the road, not by means of a vehicle, but as pedestrians. Every year, Americans make New Year’s Resolutions. One of the most popular resolutions for many is to be more active and to get in shape. With the beautiful weather and mild winters in Southwest Florida, many Floridians and “Snow-Birds” will take to the road on their venture to better health. While walking, jogging or running may seem like a great, safe way to get active, there are some safety precautions to take when strolling along the roads in your community to avoid pedestrian accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2015, 5,376 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States and nearly 129,000 pedestrians were treated in emergency room departments for non-fatal crash related injuries. While drivers carry a responsibility to pay attention to all of their surroundings while on the road, pedestrians equally share this responsibility while crossing the roads or walking on sidewalks. Laws for Pedestrians Sharing the Road with Vehicles Drivers of vehicles are not the only ones who have laws to follow, there are laws for pedestrians as well. Some of these laws include: Pedestrians must walk on the sidewalk, not the road when one is provided. Pedestrians must obey all traffic signals just like vehicle operators and only cross when the pedestrian light is green, provided they still look to make sure traffic has stopped. Pedestrians have the right of way on marked crosswalks but must still look to ensure that the road is safe to cross. Pedestrians may not stand on roadways paved for vehicle traffic to solicit employment, business or ride. These are just a few of the laws for pedestrians. Learn more about Pedestrian Laws Preventing Pedestrian Accidents Injuries Always walk on the sidewalk or a path. If a sidewalk is not available, then walk on the shoulder of the road facing the traffic. Always cross the street at designated crosswalks. If walking early in the morning or late in the evening, wear bright reflective clothing and carry a flashlight to increase your visibility when it gets dark. If your local park or recreation area has walking paths, take advantage of those areas for your daily walks and avoid venturing out near the roads and traffic altogether. If You Are Hit by a Car While Walking or on Your Bicycle If you or someone you know has been hit by a car as a pedestrian, it is important to seek advice from an attorney experienced in pedestrian accidents. Selecting an experienced attorney can help you receive the compensation you deserve. The attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz have been helping clients for over 50 years. We provide a free consultation to discuss your case and determine what can be done to protect your rights. Call today to schedule your appointment.

Personal Injury Resulting from Lyft or Uber Accidents in Florida Throughout the year, many Americans depend on ride-sharing companies, like Uber and Lyft, to provide them a safe ride home. This has brought a marked rise in Lyft and Uber accidents in Southwest Florida. Since hailing a taxi cab has become a thing of the past, most people turn to their cellular devices and tap on apps. Uber and Lyft are ride sharing or ride-hailing services which have been offering transportation services to billions of people in the U.S. and worldwide. Uber Statistics Uber has 40 million monthly active riders (TechCrunch) Uber hit 2 billion rides in June 2016 (The Verge) Uber is in over 450 cities globally (Uber Newsroom) Uber is the most used taxi app in 108 countries (Advertising Age) Lyft Statistics Lyft has over 3 million active monthly riders (TechCrunch) Lyft is in over 300 cities globally (Lyft) 74% of Lyft riders also use Uber (The Verge) Complications of Florida Uber Accidents or Lyft Accidents Accidents which involve ride sharing or ride hailing companies can be legally complicated. Finding which insurance company will be responsible can be quite challenging. Does the driver of the ride sharing company have the proper insurance? Do Uber or Lyft bear responsibility for the action of their drivers? What happens if the Uber or Lyft driver were not at fault? When accidents involving ride sharing or ride hailing companies occur contacting an attorney can help you sort out the dilemma with the insurance companies. Who To Contact If You’re in an Accident While Using Uber or Lyft If you are a victim of a personal injury accident involving companies such as Uber or Lyft, the attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice and Purtz can assist you. We can help untangle the insurance coverage situation to allow you time to focus on your recovery from the crash. Our team of experts have over 5 decades of experience in personal injury cases. Consultations are free. Call today to schedule your appointment. Justice Starts Now.

Parking Lot Car Accidents Whether you are a pedestrian or a driver, parking lots can be an especially dangerous place mainly due to increased traffic congestion. Often, pedestrians and drivers are lulled into a false sense of security, because the pace of traffic is much slower than on the roads. Accident Statistics There are several statistics that illustrate the seriousness of parking lot accidents. 1 out of 5 motor vehicle crashes take place in a parking lot 14% of all automobile insurance claims involving damage to a vehicle take place in parking lots On average, there are 206 fatalities/year One quarter of all parking lot accidents involve vehicles travelling in reverse How to Avoid Parking Lot Accidents Abide by signage such as stop signs or speed limit signs Use headlights and park in well lit areas Avoid traffic congestion – parking further away from your destination will reduce the likelihood you are involved in a collision Avoid distractions such as phone usage What to Do If You’re In A Crash Parking lot accidents can be tricky to navigate because oftentimes these are relatively minor compared to an accident on a road or highway. According to the InsuranceHotline.com you should treat this type of crash as if it were any other vehicle accident. The Insurance Hotline offers these recommendations: If possible, move your vehicle out of the way Check vehicle occupants for injuries – Call 9-1-1 if necessary If you feel safe to do so check on the safety of the occupant(s) of the other vehicle Report the accident to authorities – when in doubt it is better to be safe than sorry Contact your insurance company to report the accident Who to Call If Injured In an Accident Accidents can happen anytime. While many of these accidents are minor, the consequences can linger. From minor injuries to fatalities or even financial loss, it is important to seek qualified legal counsel to assist you. The attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice and Purtz have over 5 decades of legal experience to serve you. Give us a call today to schedule a free consultation.

Can’t wait to celebrate the end of 2020? Be careful! Unfortunately, personal injuries on New Year’s Eve and Day are not uncommon. Causes of personal injuries on New Year’s Eve can include: Car accidents Drunk driving Slip-and-fall accidents Premises liability accidents Fireworks accidents Pedestrian accidents Dog bite accidents While officials are not quite sure what to expect for New Year’s Eve 2020, they do know that alcohol consumption has increased by 14% over a year ago, including 17% for women, according to a report published in the JAMA Network Open. Also, alcohol sales at the beginning of the pandemic in March rose 54%, according to a Nielsen survey, with health experts explaining that people are turning to alcohol to cope with a life-altering global crisis. Personal Injuries on New Year’s Eve from Drunk Driving According to SafeAuto.com, compared to an average night on the weekend, there are 71% more crashes with drugs or alcohol as a contributing factor between Dec. 31 at 6 p.m. and Jan. 1 at 6 a.m. In just that 12-hour period, alcohol and drug related car crashes skyrocket. As a result, the National Safety Council estimates that 384 people may die on U.S. roads this New Year’s Day holiday from 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 to midnight on Sunday, Jan. 3. In addition, nationwide, alcohol-impaired fatalities (involving blood-alcohol content of 0.08 g/dL or higher) in 2018 represented 29% of the total traffic fatalities. Also, curing the 2018 (latest available data) New Year’s Day holiday period, 39% of fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver. New Year’s Eve Safe Driving Tips Before heading out to New Year’s celebrations this year, drivingschool.net recommends the following tips: Designate a driver who will not drink on New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day. If drinking, spend the night with a friend or family member to avoid needing to drive home. Never allow someone who has been drinking to get in the driver’s seat of a vehicle. Take their keys. Don’t ride with someone else who has had even one or two drinks. It’s better to call a friend or family member for a ride, even if it’s embarrassing then to get behind the wheel and cause a serious accident. Call the police if they see an impaired driver out on the road. SoberRides.org provides a desktop and mobile site with options for how to get home safely. If you host a party, contact a local cab company to provide rides for your guests, or have a trusted designated driver ready to take guests home if necessary. According to MedicalDaily.com, hosts could be held responsible if someone leaves their home and kills or hurts someone in an alcohol-related collision. Other Personal Injuries on New Year’s Eve Drunk driving is not the only source of personal injuries on New Year’s Eve. Other injuries can include: Pedestrian accidents. New Year’s Day is one of the most hazardous day of the year for pedestrians. Be sure to stay on paths and watch traffic. Cross at crosswalks and frequent well-lit areas. Projectile Champagne corks. To avoid a forceful cork explosion, chill Champagne to at least 45 degrees and place a towel over the top of the bottle when opening, pointing away from yourself and others. Fireworks. Keep fireworks away from children and pets. Sparklers burn at temperatures of 2,000 degrees! Keep a bucket of water handy, light fireworks one at a time and stay clear. Better yet, leave fireworks to the professionals. Anxious pets. Many pets have anxiety about fireworks and noise and can bite, run away, cause accidents or become lost. Keep them indoors and comfortable. Make sure fences and gates are secure, and that your pet has a current ID tag or microchip. Gunfire. Some cultures have a tradition of celebratory gunfire at midnight. It’s illegal, and falling bullets can be fatal. According to the American Safety Council, a young teen was killed in 1999 in Phoenix by a bullet that was fired into the air more than a mile away. Personal Injuries on New Year’s Eve May Happen! We all want to enjoy a safe and happy new year. We hope you don’t need to call us, but when accidents or injuries do occur, we offer free consultations and are here to help you understand your rights. From our family to yours, we wish you a happy, healthy and safe 2021. With nearly 60 years of experience in the community and five offices throughout Southwest Florida, we are your personal injury experts.

The team of Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz was proud to support Rev it Up Bike Night at the Shell Factory on Jan. 16. Food specials and Happy Hour benefited Shell Factory’s nature park foundation, and our team was on hand to answer questions about motorcycle law and safety. As experienced trial lawyers, Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz assist clients who have suffered injuries or losses as a result of a motorcycle injury. We seek all sources of compensation available to our clients such as medical expenses, loss of wages, rehabilitation and other possible long-term expenses in order to help them make a full financial recovery. Proud to Support Rev It Up Bike Night Join us at the next bike night at the Shell Factory on March 19, we’d love to meet you! And we’ve got water bottles, grocery bags, highlighters, pens, chip clips, magnetic clips, lip balm and keychains to share.