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“Local meteorologists are very busy during this hurricane season making sure the public is informed about any severe weather changes. We are entering the busiest hurricane-potential time period. As we learned from Hurricane Irma, and previous hurricanes which hit Florida, we must take hurricane season seriously,” said Cape Coral Car Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) urges motorists not to wait. Have an emergency preparedness plan in place.

“It’s never too early to make an emergency preparedness plan to ensure the safety of you and your family,” said DHSMV Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes. “Don’t wait. Have predefined emergency plans, which include keeping your vehicle properly maintained and registering or updating your emergency contact information at: Emergency Contact Information (ECI).”

DHSMV recommends that vehicle owners “Check for recalls; make any necessary repairs, and inspect tires for adequate tread depth and proper inflation. Motorists should always follow all posted signs and law enforcement instruction, and dial *FHP (347) for assistance or to report unsafe driving conditions.”

When inclement weather is predicted and everyone is leaving the area, traffic is a problem. Everyone evacuating is headed in the same direction: north. Traffic accidents are bound to happen. As we saw during Hurricane Irma, many people were injured or died on Florida’s roadways.

One example of such an accident is a Florida Highway Patrol (FPL) report. A 53-year-old man from Sebring and a 42-year-old woman from Wauchula were involved in a head-on collision during the Hurricane Irma-time period. Lt. Gregory Bueno of the FPL confirmed that the area where the accident occurred was affected by rain and other hurricane-related conditions at the time of the crash.

What should you do if you are injured in a traffic accident?

“Being injured in a traffic accident can be devastating. Part of the preparation for evacuating during a hurricane must be a plan for what to do should you be injured in a traffic accident,” said Attorney Spivey.

Here are some recommendations drivers should keep in mind every time they get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle:

• Seek medical attention – Injured drivers and passengers only have 14 days from the date of the accident to seek medical attention for any injuries, according to Florida personal injury protection laws. Even if you do not feel like you have been injured, it is imperative that you seek medical attention. Some injuries do not become evident until some time has passed.
• Record necessary information – If safely possible, get all insurance information, witness information, and take photos of the scene. You may not get another opportunity to see the vehicles again. If authorities take photos, you should take the same photos from the same angle.
• Be careful what you say – A consultation with a qualified attorney who knows the traffic laws is necessary to help you understand who is at fault in the crash.
• Consult an experienced attorney – The attorney you choose to represent you is very important. Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. has the experience to handle your personal injury lawsuit. Time is important. Florida has a statute of limitations beyond which you may not be able to file a claim. Also, the more time passes, the more that can be forgotten, and evidence may be lost.

Cape Coral Car 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.