Broward Injury Lawyer Blog

The Memorial Day holiday weekend is a common weekend for everyone to get out. Whether you're getting out of town or just getting outside, most of us have an extra day to enjoy at our leisure.

Unfortunately, this time serves up some serious risks for accidents -- vehicular, pedestrian and bicyclist risks increase with holiday traffic. Our Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyers are asking drivers to be on the lookout for our walking and riding friends. With our sunny Florida weather, both residents and visitors will be outdoors, heading to the beach, out running errands and getting in some exercise during this long weekend. With this increase in traffic, we need to increase our awareness to help prevent accidents.

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), there are going to be more than 400 traffic accident fatalities during the long Memorial Day weekend. Another 44,000 traffic-related injuries will be reported.

According to the Florida Drivers Association, it's the motorist's responsibility to do everything possible to avoid an accident with a pedestrian. Bicyclists, skaters and skateboarders in a crosswalk or driveway are considered pedestrians. As a driver, you're required to yield to pedestrians at intersections with traffic signals. You've also got to yield to pedestrians crossing the street or driveway at any marked mid-block crossing, driveway or intersection without traffic signals.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there were close to 500 pedestrians killed in the Sunshine State in 2010. We were ranked as one of the most dangerous states in the country for these kinds of accidents. Memorial Day weekend is among the deadliest times of the year.

If you're on the upper end of the age scale, you should be extra careful out there. The NHTSA reports that older pedestrians (over the age of 64) accounted for close to 20 of all pedestrian fatalities and an estimated 10 percent of all pedestrians throughout the U.S. who were injured in 2010.

If you've got young ones in your family you better be careful, too. Nearly a fifth of all children between the ages of 5 and 9 who died in traffic accidents in 2010 were pedestrians. Children under the age of 16 accounted for more than 5 percent of all the pedestrian fatalities recorded in 2010. They accounted for close to 25 percent of all pedestrians injured in traffic crashes during that same time.

But we're not leaving the responsibility entirely up to the drivers. We're also asking pedestrians to practice smart travel out there, too. Be one step ahead of the traffic around you and avoid busy, fast-paced roadways. Always make yourself visible to vehicular traffic, whether you're on foot or on your bike.

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day and look out for the safety of travelers around you.

Continue reading "Florida Bicyclists and Pedestrians Out Heavy through Memorial Day" »

We've been doing a lot of talking about bicycling safety since Florida was named the most dangerous state in the nation. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the state of Florida saw more bicyclist fatalities in 2012 than any other state.

Bicycling.com offers some important resources for staying safe. Our Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident lawyers encourage you to listen up and to spread the word through National Bike Safety Month. Please review the following and share with your loved ones. Whether you're old or young, a bicyclists or a driver, we can all do our part to help reduce the risks of these accidents.

Biking to Prevent a Fall:

-Make sure you're always looking ahead. You don't want to stare into the directions that you don't want to steer. Our bodies naturally steer us into the area we're looking. Look where your tires need to go.

-Prep your pedals. Don't use clips on your pedals that are too tight. You want to be able to predict a fall and prepare for it. Once you start to fall, commit to it. Don't back out and risk even more injury.

-Keep it loose. When heading over a bump or over a pothole, the last thing you want to do is tense up and lock your limbs. Make sure your body is loose and ready to absorb any kind of movement.

-Keep yourself stable. When you're pedaling slow or you're heading up a hill, you want to leave space between you and your bike. This will help you to keep your bike stable.

Unfortunately, you can't escape your way out of every crash. But there are ways to help you skirt the damage. There are five major principles to falling properly. Listen up!

1. Go with the energy. Avoid throwing your arms out to catch yourself in the fall. This is where you run the risk of fracturing or breaking an arm or wrist. Your safest way to fall is to tuck and roll.

2. Take away the energy. When falling backwards, avoid putting your arms out to break your fall. Again, you run the risk of fracturing or breaking a bone. Simply tuck your chin and roll your back. Keep your arms out to the side to help stop the momentum. You want to slap the ground with your arms.

3. Lower your center of gravity. Keep your hips low to the ground to reduce inertia. You have a shorter distance to fall and less risks of getting injured.

4. Hang on. When falling, you may want to push the bike away from you with your hands and your feet. That's fine, unless you're falling to the side. When this happens, you want to hang on to the handlebar. Try to let the bar hit the ground first and absorb some of the impact.

Continue reading "Avoiding Injury in Fort Lauderdale Bicycle Accidents " »

Safe Cycling is a focus throughout the entire month of May, which is National Bicycle Safety Month.

Not only is it a time to brush up on your safe biking skills, it's a time to celebrate our freedom to ride. And officials in Broward County have a complete calendar of bicycling events going on in the area for the month-long safety campaign.

According to a recent study from the U.S. Department of Transportation, there are roughly 57 million people in the country, or more than 25 percent of the population over the age of 15, who ride bicycles. Most of these riders are out there bettering their health and getting exercise, while others ride for recreational purposes.

Our Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident lawyers understand that there are many places to bike in the area. It's so bikeable that officials have created BIKE Broward, an Interactive Bicycle Trip Planning program. The route planner, funded by the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), is a joint effort by Florida International University GIS Center and University of Florida Geomatics Program at Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center. It is designed as a planning tool for bicyclists. Assistance was received from the Broward County Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee and various cyclists and transportation professionals.

Although officials are working to help you create the safest biking route possible, it's important for you to make that route as safe as you can. This means you've got to be on your best behavior and practice safe riding skills.

According to the recently-released statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Florida is the most dangerous state for these kinds of accidents. In 2011, there were close to 150 bicyclists killed in traffic accidents throughout the year. That's more fatalities than any other state. And those risks are only going to get worse as we head into summer.

It seems like a no-brainer, but did you know that the proper use of a bike helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 88 percent? In Florida, children under the age of 16 riding a bike or as a passenger on a bike are required by law to wear a helmet, according to the Borward Sheriff's Office.

Before strapping on your helmet and heading out, you want to make sure that your bike is in good-working condition. Make sure that tires are inflated, the chain is lubed and everything looks well maintained. You want to wear brightly-colored clothing or reflective material to help ensure that motorists see you. When you're seen out there, your risks for an accident decrease. Use hand signals and abide by road laws and street signs, markings and crossings. It's the law. Your alertness and defensive biking may be the only thing to save you from a potentially fatal accident with a careless driver.

Continue reading "Broward Bicycle Accidents a May Focus" »

According to the newly-released statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number of bicyclist fatalities in the state of Florida is on the rise.

In 2010, there were fewer than 85 bicyclists killed in the Sunshine State. That's a significant increase compared to the 2011 statistics, where we saw close to 150 bicyclist fatalities. We were ranked as the most dangerous state in the entire country based on these fatality statistics.

Our Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident lawyers understand that transportation officials have been boasting about a decline in the number of traffic accident fatalities, but many of them forget to note that the number of bicyclist fatalities is actually on the rise. From 2010 to 2011, our nation saw a close to 10 percent increase in the number of these fatalities. In 2011, there were close to 700 bicyclists killed in traffic accidents across the nation. There were an additional 50,000 bicyclists injured in these same accidents. These crashes, injuries and fatalities accounted for about 2 percent of the people who were injured in traffic accidents throughout the year.

This is especially important in the state of Florida because many enjoy cycling for transportation, recreation and fitness. Our state is blessed with beautiful biking weather year round, making for the perfect conditions to get out and pedal. Unfortunately, this weather contributes to the increase in our risks for accidents.

Bicyclists are asked to be especially careful when traveling during the evening hours. As a matter of fact, a majority (or 30 percent) of these accidents happened between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:59 p.m. The second most common time frame for these accidents was between 8:00 p.m. and 11:59 p.m.

Throughout the year, the average age of bicyclists killed in traffic crashes was 43. Over the last 10 years, the age of injury and fatality victims has been on the rise.

Of all bicyclists, those between the ages of 45 and 54 had the highest fatality rate based on population. The highest injury rate occurred among those between the ages of 16 and 20.

If you're a guy, you face the highest risk. As a matter of fact, close to 90 percent of those who were injured or killed in a bicycling accidents in 2011 were male.

Any kind of change to help to correct these numbers is going to have to come from drivers. All too often, driver inattention is credited for causing these accidents. We all have to remember that these two-wheeled travelers have rights to our roadways, too. And those rights need to be protected.

Take that extra second to actually look for a bicyclist before turning or making a move in traffic. That extra second could help to save a life and keep you out of a legal headache.

Continue reading "Bicycle Accidents on the Rise in Florida, New Statistics" »

Pedestrian accidents are a serious concern here in South Florida. A lot of our travels are done by foot and by public transportation. While we may see it as just another part of daily life, there are elderly pedestrians out there who see it as a huge obstacle, for their health and their safety.

According to Transportation for American, there will be close to 20 million Americans over the age of 64 by 2015. These Americans will be living in areas where public transportation is poor or non-existent. And that serves up a serious problem when you consider that many of these residents are moving about town without a driver's license. They rely on alternative forms of transportation to get to appointments, doctor meetings and everywhere else they've got to go. As that number rises quickly, and as the baby boom generation ages, infrastructure in South Florida has not kept face.

Unfortunately, the lack to transportation availability for these aging residents leaves them on the side of the road and in harm's way. According to a recent publication from Transportation for America, "Aging in Place, Stuck without Options," there are a number of metro areas across the county that are leaving elderly residents with few ways to get around. Our Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyers understand that this is only going to increase the risks of pedestrian accidents for our elderly residents.

In this report, researchers break down metro areas by the number of residents in each of these areas and rank them by how many people will be considered elderly in 2015 and what kind of transportation options will be available to them. As you might know, the state of Florida ranked very poorly.

For example, Miami is estimated to have more than 57,000 residents between the ages of 65 and 79 with poor transit access in 2015. That means than more than 15 percent of our population is going to be stuck without options.

But this is an issue that spans across the nation. Local governments and cash-strapped states are going to be turning to the federal government for funds to help meet these needs. This is super important as Congress gets ready to enact a new, long-term transportation authorization.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were close to 500 pedestrians killed in traffic accidents in 2010.

Transportation for America reports that Florida is home to the four deadliest metro areas in the nation for pedestrian accidents, Orlando, Tampa/St.Petersburg, Jacksonville and Miami/Fort Lauderdale/Pompano Beach.

It's important that we keep our elderly residents independent and thriving. But it's important that we do this by helping them to get to where they need to be safely.

Continue reading "Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Risks Impact the Elderly" »

Distracted drivers are causing a real headache on our roadways -- especially for bicyclists and pedestrians. In a perfect world, we'd like to believe that everyone is on their best behavior behind the wheel. But the truth of the matter is that drivers are paying more attention to their phones and text messaging devices than anything else.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), at any given daylight moment across America approximately 650,000 drivers are using their cell phone or manipulating an electronic device while driving.

Our Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident attorneys understand that cyclists need to be more cautious than ever. We can't expect drivers to be looking for us. All too often, bicyclists and pedestrians are being injured and killed on our roadways because drivers are looking at their phones instead of the road. Throughout National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, drivers are asked to get off their phones and pay more attention to their surroundings.

According to the NHTSA's "SAFETY 1N NUM3ERS" online monthly auto safety newsletter, about half of all surveyed drivers say that they're free to take incoming calls while behind the wheel. Twenty-five percent say that they're willing to make calls while driving. Only about half of drivers say that they never make calls behind the wheel.

Let's do the numbers:

-More than 210 million licensed drivers in the U.S.

-More than 100 million answer phone calls behind the wheel.

-Roughly 50 million make phone calls while driving.

-At any given moment in time, there are roughly 660,000 drivers on a cell phone or using an electronic device while driving.

In 2010, there were well over 3,000 people killed in distracted driving car accidents in the U.S. These were 3,000 fatalities that were completely preventable. In addition, there were nearly 400,000 people injured in these accidents.

"Distracted driving is a serious and deadly epidemic on America's roadways," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

According to recent studies, close to 75 percent of drivers support laws banning cell phone use behind the wheel. Another 95 percent support laws banning texting while driving. When asked, drivers felt that the fines for breaking these laws should be at least $200. In far too many cases, drivers just don't seem to care. When they're out there behind the wheel, their cell phones matter more than you safety. Many drivers think that they can multitask safely. That's nothing more than a myth, according to researchers.

As you might know, Florida is one of only a few states that has yet to enact any kind of distracted-driving measure. We're allowed to talk on phones and text message behind the wheel without any fear of getting a ticket. But just because we're legally allowed doesn't mean that we should. Save a life -- possibly yours -- and hang up the phone while driving.

Continue reading "Cell Phone-Using Drivers Endangering South Florida Cyclists and Pedestrians" »

The risks for pedestrians and bicyclists are on the rise in South Florida, and our funds to help to reduce such risks are dwindling. According to the Sun Sentinel, the Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) snagged close to $3.5 million from the government to assist safety projects in the area, like constructing more pedestrian bridges, enacting strategies to slow traffic, building new recreation trails and add bike lanes to neighborhoods. This year, we're getting less than $2 million for these same projects.

"Traditionally in Palm Beach County, that has been the go-to source to build pedestrian and bicycle facilities that haven't been built as part of a roadway project," said Bret Baronak with Palm Beach MPO.

Our Palm Beach bicycle accident attorneys understand how important these modes of transportation are in our area. Many residents rely on two wheel and their own two feet to get to and from where they've got to be each day. Our beautiful South Florida weather provides the perfect conditions to get out there and to enjoy our paradise. Unfortunately, that paradise and safety is quickly endangered by the irresponsible habits of drivers and the poor designs of our roadways. These vulnerable travelers face some serious risks out there for some catastrophic accidents. That's why it's so important that we receive federal funding to help to make our roadways safer by reducing the risks for everyone.

Safety advocates are bringing up the funding issues for a number of reasons -- the number one being the increase in traffic deaths. We saw a more than 15 percent increase in the number of traffic accident fatalities in Palm Beach County and a more than 10 percent increase in Broward County.

Back in January, officials with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) kicked off new safety initiatives for bicyclists and pedestrians in both counties. It was an awareness campaign that included bus ads, billboards and television ads to remind people to be cautious around these vulnerable travelers. These campaigns were launched here because these were the areas with some of the highest accident rates in the state.

As a matter of fact, Palm Beach ranks as the fifth most dangerous in the state while Broward ranks as second -- only behind Miami-Dade.

From 2008 to 2011, there were close to 25 bicyclists killed in Palm Beach County, There were 40 killed in Broward. During that same time, there were more than 110 pedestrians killed in Palm Beach and close to 200 in Broward.

Every year, we submit proposals to help to protect these travelers. In past years, we had the help of separate funding, like from Safe Routes to School.

We may not have the funding, and we may not have the infrastructure we need, but that doesn't mean that we give up. It's still important for everyone to travel in unison and remember that we all have rights to be out there. Keep an eye out for bicyclists and pedestrians and help to keep our roads safe for everyone.

Continue reading "Palm Beach Loses Funding for Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs" »

A 46-year-old from Fort Lauderdale was seriously injured in a recent motorcycle accident that happened in Glades County. According to Florida News Zap, the cyclist was heading west on 731 just after 1:00 p.m. when he failed to negotiate a left-hand curve. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) reports that the biker left the roadways, slammed into a traffic sign and flipped over.

He was taken to Lee Memorial Hospital where he was listed in critical condition. Accident reports indicate that he was wearing his helmet when the crash happened.

Our Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident lawyers understand that it's that time of year again when we see a surge of motorcyclists on our roadways. The spring season brings out two-wheeled motorists from around the nation -- and many of them head to the Sunshine State. That's why we're asking motorists of all types to be on the lookout. Safe and alert driving habits can help to save lives.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 4,500 motorcyclists killed in traffic accidents in the U.S. in 2010. In addition to those fatalities, there were another 80,000 motorcyclists who were injured in the same incidents.

Unfortunately, these numbers are on the rise.

In the state of Florida, there were more than 360 motorcycle riders killed in 2010. That's a number that's far too high! As a matter of fact, we were ranked as the second most dangerous state in the country for these kinds of accidents. In 2010, we saw close to 7,500 motorcycle accidents.

But who's at risk?

According to Ride Smart Florida, drivers between the ages of 45 and 54 are most likely to be injured and killed in a motorcycle accident. Following closely behind were the riders who were between the ages of 25 and 34.

Regardless, motorcyclists of all ages need to be careful out there. As you may have noticed, we can't rely on the safe driving habits of others to keep us safe. We've got to take matters into our own hands and drive defensively to stay out of harm's way.

Make sure you're aware are abiding by the speed limit. You also want to make sure you stay out of drivers' blind spots, always use a blinker, never travel too closely to other vehicles and be cautious when changing lanes. All of these scenarios prove to be alarmingly dangerous for our two-wheeled friends.

While “sharing the road” has been encouraged for many years now, there are still a number of drivers who fail to recognize the presence of motorcyclists on the roadways. This lack of recognition triggers some of the most devastating accidents seen throughout the country.

Be safe, be cautious and be alert out there!

Continue reading "Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accidents Risks Abound this Spring" »

We're losing thousands each and every year and it's all a result of dangerous driving habits -- distracted driving in particular. While some might not think it's dangerous, the results can be deadly.

In 2010, we lost more than 3,000 people in distracted driving accidents. Another 420,000 were injured. These numbers might actually be much higher as officials don't think that all of the accidents are reported as involving distraction. And that's why officials with the National Safety Council (NSC) are using the entire month of April to help to get drivers to hang up the phone.

Our Fort Launderdale accident attorneys understand National Distracted Driving Awareness Month carries a message we all need to hear. The problem is that many drivers say that they know the possible consequences of distracted driving, yet many of them aren't willing to make the proper changes to reduce the risks.

You can start off this month by taking the pledge to drive cell free. Get your friends and family members to pledge along with you, too.

After you've done that, officials with the NSC have a few other tips to get your National Distracted Driving Awareness Month underway:

-Put away the cell phone when you're behind the wheel. Turn it off, toss it in the glove compartment or throw it in the back seat.

-Get more familiar with the risks of cognitive distractions. The more you know, the less likely you'll be to engage in this potentially dangerous driving habit.

-Talk with your friends. Let the people around you know about the dangers that are associated with distracted driving.

-If you call someone who is driving, let them know it's no big deal to call them back once they've come to a safe stop.

This campaign is especially important here in the state of Florida since we are one of the last states in the country to enact any kind of distracted driving laws. Drivers in the state of Florida can take their attention off the well and place it on cell phones all they want. This is why we see so many of these kinds of accidents year after year. It's important that drivers throughout the state understand these risks and embrace National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The safe of everyone here relies on it.

“I am on a mission to get all 50 states to pass legislation to end the dreaded epidemic of distracted driving,” said USDOT's Ray LaHood.

But Florida doesn't seem to be listening. Step up, sign the pledge and hang up the phone behind the wheel. We don't need a law to tell us what's right and wrong.

“People have to realize that it’s that message that you have to get across, that might be the last message you send,” said Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) spokesman Joe Sanchez.

Continue reading "Lauderdale Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents Often Caused by Distracted Drivers" »

The month of March is one of the busiest we see in the area. People from all over the country enjoy our sunny and sandy beaches and soak up that Florida sunshine.

With all these visitors, and with kids let out of school for spring break, we see a significant increase in traffic on our coast. Our Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident attorneys know walkers have traditionally faced some of the greatest risk.

A motor vehicle encounter can be deadly for walkers, even when the vehicle is moving at slow speed. Because of our year round sunshine and because of the popularity of our beaches, Florida continues to be ranked as one of the most dangerous states in the country for these kinds of accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there were close to 500 pedestrians killed in Florida in 2010. During that year, we were ranked as the second most dangerous, only behind the state of California.

Unfortunately, pedestrians can't always rely on drivers to keep them safe.

On average, a pedestrian is injured every 8 minutes in the U.S. Most of these accidents happen because drivers aren't paying attention at the wheel and because our on-foot travelers aren't using crosswalks. It's important that we all obey traffic signals. By taking basic precautions and being aware of one’s surroundings, the likelihood of an unnecessary collision can be dramatically reduced.

As we head through the month of March, we're asking drivers to be on alert. Make sure you're looking for pedestrians as you head through our city. It's important to remember that pedestrians can be unpredictable and can be found almost anywhere -- so be on the lookout. You're riding in what could be considered a deadly weapon to a pedestrian.

For the pedestrians, the City of Fort Lauderdale offers some important tips to help to keep you safe out there.

-Make sure that you're walking where you're supposed to. Stay off of freeways and other restricted zones.

-Always use a sidewalk when one if provided.

-If sidewalks are not available, walk on the edge of the road or on the left shoulder of the road, facing the traffic flow.

-Cross only where it's legal to do so.

-Make sure that drivers can see you. Always wear bright-colored clothing and retro-reflective materials. When you're traveling at night, carry a flashlight with you.

-Be cautions when crossing. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them. You want to make sure they see you.

-Never walk under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

-Be careful at intersections, where drivers may fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians while turning onto another street.

-Use extra caution when crossing multiple-lane, higher speed streets.

Enjoy your spring break, but please do so safely.

Continue reading "Spring Break Pedestrian Risks Abound in Fort Lauderdale" »

The total number of traffic accident fatalities has increased for the first time since 2005. According to preliminary estimates from the National Safety Council (NSC), there were more than 36,000 people killed in traffic accidents in the U.S. in 2012. That's a five percent increase from the year before and the first increase since 2005.

As we sit in the heart of tourist season and we head towards Spring Break, we're looking at some of the highest risks for accidents. This is especially prevalent in the Fort Lauderdale area, where we've got oodles of bicyclists and pedestrians along our roadways. They're some of the most vulnerable travelers.

Our Fort Lauderdale injury lawyers understand that as the economy improves, the risks for accidents will increase. When residents and visitors are doing better financially, they're more likely to spend at the pump and to travel. With more total vehicle miles traveled and more travelers along our roadways, accident risks skyrocket. That's why it's more important than ever to be cautious, alert and defensive out there. Safe traveling habits can help to keep the risks at bay.

According to these preliminary estimates, the cost of injury accidents that required medical attention jumped about 5 percent as well. The costs for all accidents, including property damage, administrative costs, loss in wages and productivity, employer costs and medical expenses, was more than $276 billion.

“NSC is greatly concerned with the upswing in traffic fatalities on our nation’s roads,” said the NSC's Janet Froetscher.

The City of Fort Lauderdale offers drivers some safe traveling tips. We want to help to protect motorcyclists, pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers alike. Review the following safety tips:

-Always stay alert. Keep distractions out of the driver's seat. You want to keep your hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road and your mind on the task at hand -- driving.

-Don't drink and drive. Not only is it dangerous, but it's against the law. NEVER get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.

-Keep an eye out for pedestrians and cyclists. There's a lot of them along our roadways and they have rights, too. Acknowledge those rights and steer clear of these travelers.

-Keep an eye on your vehicle. Keeping up with the maintenance of your car can help to prevent accidents. Keep an eye on the fluids and on the condition of your tires to help you to maintain control out there.

-Be cautious when driving at night and during inclement weather. In both scenarios your visibility is reduced and your risks for accidents increase. Make sure you slow down and allow plenty of room between you and other travelers to maximize your time to react to any dangers.

Continue reading "Fort Lauderdale Traffic Safety -- Accidents on the Rise" »

Driving at night can be dangerous, particularly as we enter the height of season, which includes spring break. Broward pedestrians face some of the highest risks.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), about 40 percent of drivers worry about hitting a pedestrian or an animal while driving at night. Another 25 percent of drivers worry about not seeing road markings.

Our Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyers understand the problems that nighttime driving pose to the safety of all travelers. According to a recent study, about 70 percent of drivers fear evening driving. This fear stems from a lack of visibility. We base about 90 percent of our movements at night behind the wheel on what we can see. When our visibility is reduced, the risks for accidents skyrocket.

With tourist season in full swing and Spring Break right around the corner, we've got pedestrians and bicyclists along our roadways at all hours of the night -- especially in the downtown area. These spots are popular for both residents and tourists as they provide plenty of entertainment. Unfortunately, they also present some serious risks for collisions between motor vehicles and pedestrians and bicyclists.

Although there's 60 percent less travel during the evening hours, this time sees about 40 percent of fatal traffic accidents. There accidents can be avoided with a little awareness.

Officials with MADD offer you some safety tips to help your nighttime driving. Review the following tips and share them with friends and family members to help to reduce the risks of accidents for everyone.

Safe Nighttime Driving:

-Before you head out at night, make sure you're well rested. The last thing you want to do is drive while feeling sleepy at the wheel. Try to avoid driving while your internal clock says you should be sleeping. If you've got to drive during this time, make sure you're well rested.

-Check your vehicle's mirrors. Make sure they're clean, clear and positioned properly.

-Have your headlights checked. Make sure they're angled to positions that help you. Oftentimes little bumps and turns can throw off the angling of your headlights. Make sure to have them realigned.

-Make sure that your windshield wipers are in good working order. You also want to make sure that your windshield wiper fluid is topped off. The last thing you need is to be stuck on the road at night when it's dark in inclement weather without the ability to keep your windshield clean.

-Stay alert. You want to keep your eyes moving. Keep an eye out for pedestrians. bicyclists and other travelers along our roadways. The last place you want to direct your attention toward is a cell phone, a GPS or on another passenger.

-Never outdrive your headlights. This means that if you can’t stop within the area that’s illuminated in front of you, then you’re driving too fast.

Continue reading "Darkness Posing Risks for More Broward Pedestrian Accidents" »