"On Memorial Day, Americans honor the men and women who tragically died serving in the United States military to protect all of us. Many Americans will visit cemeteries or memorials, hold family gatherings, and go to parades, all to honor these fallen heroes. We at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. join others in honoring these brave Americans and wish everyone a safe holiday weekend,” said Florida Accident Attorney Randall Spivey. “However, many Floridians and visitors not only are honoring fallen service people at this time but also are remembering family members and friends who tragically died in Memorial Day traffic accidents. Please do not drink and/or take drugs and drive. Choose a designated driver, so you and your family may enjoy future Memorial Day holidays.”

Florida Ranks No.3 in Deadly Accidents

Florida is one of the most dangerous states for motorists during the Memorial Day weekend, according to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In the study, the Sunshine State ranked third behind Texas and California. Further NHTSA statistics showed:

• Over the past decade, Texas, California, and Florida saw the most total traffic fatalities during the Memorial Day weekend.
• 53 percent of fatal crashes occurred between 6:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m., and 39 percent involved at least one inebriated driver.
• 64 percent of all fatal traffic crashes during the holiday weekend involved a single vehicle, and 56 percent involved a vehicle leaving the roadway.
• 12 percent of fatal crashes took place on interstate highways.

Teen Vulnerability During Memorial Day Weekend

Teens are very vulnerable during the “100 Deadliest Days” – Memorial Day through Labor Day. This is when there is a dramatic increase in teen crashes. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) reports that teen drivers have a higher rate of fatal crashes because of immaturity, lack of driving skills and experience. Teenagers may speed, make mistakes, wear seatbelts less often, and become distracted more easily, especially if they have teen passengers.

FDOT encourages parents to be the best line of defense to ensure that teens have a safe ride. “Parents have more influence on their teens than they may think.”

Lives Are Changed Forever

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) wants the public to know that lives are changed forever following a drunk or drugged driving crash.

How Alcohol & Drugs Affect Driving

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human, reports that driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens, or heroin, poses a significant threat to public safety.  They can impair perception cognition, attention, balance, coordination, and other brain functions that are necessary for safe driving. Impaired driving has been linked to reckless driving, car crashes, and fatal accidents.

Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can also be dangerous and many come with warning labels that patients should not drive when taking these medications.

Florida Accident Attorney Assists Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents

For over 25 years, Florida Accident Attorney Randall Spivey has successfully represented injured victims of drunk-driving accidents throughout Florida, including Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, and Port Charlotte.

He has obtained over $219,000,000 in settlements and verdicts for his clients, such as:

• A multi-million-dollar judgment for a Fort Myers victim of a DUI accident who received brain injuries when a drunk driver crossed the center line and hit him, and
• A multi-million-dollar jury verdict for an injured client who suffered fractures to his hip, pelvis, and both feet because of a drunk driver in Collier County.

Should you or a loved one be seriously injured because of the negligence of a drunk and/or drugged driver, contact Spivey Law 24/7 at 239.337.7483, toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or online at SpiveyLaw.com after seeking medical treatment. There are no costs or attorney fees until a monetary recovery is made for you or your loved one.