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The Associated Press reported on Sunday, December 7, 2014, that a woman travelling on Snake Road, in the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation, struck and killed a 300 pound bear.  A Seminole Police spokesman, Gary Bitner, told the Associated Press that the woman could not avoid the bear. The impact of the accident made Caroline Billie's vehicle inoperable. Three vehicles stopped on the dark road to give Ms. Billie assistance.  In doing so, they in turn were involved in an accident when an SUV heading in the opposite direction sideswiped one of the stopped vehicles in the dark and sent it onto the shoulder of the road hitting people who were standing there. Three "Good Samaritans" died and eight were injured, some seriously, as the result of the accident.

"This accident is a tragedy for all those involved. Dark roads, large animals and moving vehicles are a bad combination. In order to assist anyone who may be in a similar situation, we would like to review the Humane Society of the United States' defensive driving tips when driving in areas with animals which may be either in the road, or crossing the road," said Personal Injury Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Large Animals On Roads

• Follow speed limits. Many animals are hit simply because people drive too fast to avoid them. Taking it slow makes the roads safer for other drivers and pedestrians, too.
• Watch for wildlife in and near the road at dawn, dusk and in the first few hours after darkness. Keep in mind that where there is one animal, there are probably others—young animals following their mother or male animals pursuing a female.
• Be especially cautious on two-lane roads bordered by woods or fields, or where streams cross under roads. Most animal/vehicle collisions occur on these roads. Slow down to 45 mph or less.
• Scan the road as you drive, watching the edges for wildlife about to cross. This will also make you more aware of other hazards such as bicyclists, children at play and slow-moving vehicles. 
• Do not throw trash out car windows. Discarded food pollutes the environment and creates a hazard by attracting wildlife to the roads. 
• Use your high beams whenever possible.
• Lower your dashboard lights slightly. You will be more likely to see your headlights reflected in the eyes of animals in time to brake.

"Large animals have recently been found in more built-up areas than the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation. Here in Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties bears are sited weekly in residential and commercial areas. Since these sightings have become more frequent, it is important for all drivers to have a plan for what they will do should an animal cross their paths while driving," recommends Attorney Spivey.

Lee County Vehicle Accident Attorney,Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit  SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.