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With Memorial Day in the rearview mirror, it is officially summertime in Florida. The beaches and bars are getting crowded, daylight is lasting well into the evening, and residents and visitors alike are enjoying all that Florida has to offer. Our Fort Myers injury lawyers encourage everyone to stay safe regardless of how they choose to have a good time. 

Of course, in some circumstances, accidents cannot be avoided. Even if you prioritize your own safety, there are still numerous factors that will be beyond your control. In these scenarios, it is important to prioritize your health and your legal rights—as doing so will allow you to get back to enjoying your summer as quickly as possible.

10 Summer Celebration Safety Tips for Florida Residents and Visitors

What can you do to minimize your risk of getting injured while enjoying summer in Florida? Here are 10 tips for staying safe while having a good time from the Fort Myers injury lawyers at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

1. Drink Responsibly

No matter how you choose to spend your summer, it is important to always drink responsibly. Drinking to excess can be dangerous not only for yourself but also for those around you. If you go out for a night on the town, make sure you have a safe ride home—and make sure you do not put yourself in a position where you could potentially get behind the wheel when you are too drunk to drive.

One of the easiest ways to do this is to leave your keys at home. If you get a ride to the bar or nightclub, you will not have any choice but to get a ride home. Alternatively, if you plan on driving, make sure you also plan on giving your keys to someone who will not give them back to you until the next morning.

2. Avoid Driving Distractions

Along with making sure you are sober, it is also important to make sure you are focused on the task at hand. Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents in Florida, with handheld cell phone use (i.e., texting) being the single most common factor in these accidents.

Whether you are on vacation in Florida or you are a local but are not sure exactly where you are headed, you should always set your GPS directions before you shift into drive. If you might be tempted to answer calls or texts (or check for social media updates) while driving, turn off your phone or put it out of reach until you reach your destination.

3. Be Careful When Walking, Scootering or Biking Downtown

If you find yourself walking, scootering, or biking in downtown Fort Myers or any of Florida’s other coastal beach towns, be sure to put safety first. Do not assume that drivers will see you or wait for you to get out of their way. Pedestrian accidents, scootering accidents, and biking accidents are all far more common than they should be, and while you may be entitled to financial compensation if you get hit, you should try to avoid putting yourself in harm’s way if possible.

4. Be Careful When Golf Carting

The same goes for golf carting. While golf carting is a fun, quick, and easy way to get around, it can also be dangerous if you aren’t careful. Just like car, truck, and SUV drivers, golf cart drivers need to obey the rules of the road. Golf cart drivers also need to accept the reality that the car, truck, and SUV drivers around them might be drunk, distracted, or making poor decisions behind the wheel. Unfortunately, golf cart accidents frequently result in serious injuries, and these injuries can lead to long, painful, and expensive roads to recovery.

5. Observe Basic Swimming Pool Safety

While Florida residents are fortunate to be able to swim year-round, Florida’s swimming pools get much more crowded during the summer months. Whether you are swimming at a party, at a vacation rental, or at a hotel or water park, it is important to observe the basic tenets of swimming pool safety. Overcrowding, slippery pool decks, and unclean pools are all common causes of swimming pool accidents, and diving into a shallow pool can be extremely dangerous. Walk (do not run), never swim while drinking, and use your common sense to help keep yourself as safe as possible.

If you have children who will be swimming, it is a good idea to give them some basic rules to follow as well. Children who are swimming should be supervised at all times, and gentle reminders can help keep everyone safe if children start to make dangerous decisions.

6. Follow the Rules of the Road

Car accidents can have numerous different causes. However, most car accidents happen when drivers fail to follow the rules of the road. While you might not be able to make other drivers follow the rules of the road, you can help minimize your risk of being involved in an accident by doing your part to prevent dangerous situations. Obeying the speed limit, stopping at stop lights and stop signs, and observing all traffic signs and lane markings will help make sure you are not responsible for putting yourself (or anyone else) in harm’s way.

7. Follow the Rules of the Water

Similarly, most boating accidents happen when boat captains fail to follow the rules of the water. Boating is a popular summertime activity in Florida, and it can be a great way to enjoy the summer sunshine while avoiding the crowds at beaches, amusement parks, and other venues. While Florida’s coastal and offshore waters may not have traffic signs and lane markings, rules still apply. All boaters should familiarize themselves with these rules, as not knowing what you should (and should not) be doing can increase your risk of ending up in a dangerous situation.

8. Know the Signs of Drunk Driving and Boating

Even if you commit to driving and boating sober, other people will not. This is an unfortunate reality—and it is a reality that presents increased risks during the summer months. With more drunk drivers on the road and more drunk boaters on the water, it is important to know the signs of impairment. If you observe any of the following, try to keep a safe distance to protect yourself and your passengers:

• Failing to stay within a driver’s lane (or steer a straight course on the water)
• Failing to maintain a consistent speed
• Going excessively fast or excessively slow
• Drinking in the driver’s seat (or at the helm)
• Making obvious mistakes like almost hitting signs (or buoys) or other vehicles (or vessels)

9. When in Doubt, Err on the Side of Safety

Ultimately, one of the best ways to stay safe while having a good time during summer is to err on the side of safety. When in doubt, put safety first. Even if this means slowing down or letting a reckless driver or boater get in front of you, you will get to your destination soon enough—and when you do, you will be glad you did not take unnecessary risks along the way. The same goes for things like swimming and participating in water sports. If something seems dangerous, there are plenty of other ways to have a good time during the summer in Florida.

10. Do not Ignore Your Symptoms (or Costs) if You Get Injured

Finally, if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident while celebrating this summer, it will be important not to ignore your symptoms (or your costs) if you get injured. Getting treatment should be your first priority, and you should make sure you do what is necessary to protect your legal rights. The costs of accident-related injuries can add up quickly, and while you might want to focus on getting the most out of summer, you owe it to yourself to make sure you seek the financial compensation you deserve.

Contact the Fort Myers Injury Lawyers at Spivey Law Firm

We hope you can avoid getting injured this summer, but if you are injured by the negligence of another, we are here to help. Our Fort Myers injury lawyers have decades of experience helping local residents and visitors recover just compensation. To discuss your legal rights with injury lawyer Randall L. Spivey in confidence, please call Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. at 239-337-7483 or statewide at 888-477-4839 or request a free consultation online at SpiveyLaw.com today.