Prevent Summertime Accidents with Simple Precautions
There is no question that Florida’s sunshine, beautiful beaches, and warm weather beckon to all who love summer. However, if you fail to make safety a priority, a fun summer activity may quickly turn into an accident that results in serious injuries ranging from paralysis to broken bones.
The Rainy Season
As warmer weather moves in, so does the state’s rainy season. The risk of car accidents increases with the heavy and frequent downpours. These sudden rain showers can result in lowered visibility and flooding can create hazardous driving conditions. The Florida Highway Patrol has reported as an increase in the total number of car accidents that occur during the rainy season. In fact, according to the Federal Highway Administration, wet, slick road conditions present serious dangers to motorists. In fact, with more than five million accidents occur each year, 25% of these are the result of poor weather conditions.
This means that people on the roads need to be more cautious about their driving behavior as the weather changes. They should slow down, turn on their headlights, check their tire treads and increase following distance to prevent an accident.
Avoiding Water-Related Accidents
One of the biggest draws to Florida is the miles and miles of pristine white beaches. However, the activities you may participate in can be dangerous if you don’t exercise caution. Various water activities such as swimming, parasailing, and boating are ideal for beating the summertime heat. When participating in these activities, it is essential that both children and adults wear life jackets. Also, parents should never leave their kids to pay in or around swimming pools without proper supervision.
According to information from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the number of boating accidents in 2015 was higher than they had been in over a decade. The data collected has shown that the primary cause of fatal boating accidents was boaters who fell overboard.
Some of the other factors that led to fatal water-related accidents in Florida included alcohol, inattention, and collisions. In fact, intoxication played a role in more than 19% of the crashes that were reported. These statistics show why it is so important to have a designated sober driver when on a boat.
Another water related activity that is popular in Florida is parasailing. However, this can become an extremely dangerous activity if safety is overlooked. Make sure to find a parasailing company that has competent, trained staff members who don’t ignore the weather warnings or uses old or malfunctioning equipment. Also, be sure the company you use is licensed and make sure no red flags are up before you hit the water.
Do You Need an Attorney?
Unfortunately, the summer months see an uptick in the number of water-related accidents in Florida. If you are injured because of someone else’s fault or negligence, then you need to contact a personal injury attorney in Florida. To learn more, contact the lawyers at Leifer & Ramirez by calling 561-440-8531.
