What Can You Do To Avoid Injury During The Summer?
Summer is finally around the corner. And with it comes tons of outdoor fun, beautiful weather, and incredible activities like boating, summer sports, and swimming. But, with all that fun comes inevitable accidents that often put you and your loved ones at risk for personal injury. If you or your loved one is involved in a summer accident because of negligence, an injury lawyer can help you acquire the financial recovery you deserve.
Here are some common injuries people experience during the summer and ways you can avoid them:
CAR ACCIDENTS
Did you know that most car accidents that occur throughout the year happen during the summer months? The days between Labor Day and Memorial Day are considered the 100 deadliest days. Additionally, the reason for the rise in car accidents is because of the following reasons:
1) Summer Break
College and high school students are off during the summer. For some of them, it is about time for them to have endless fun, and with it comes young and inexperienced drivers on the road. Also, most teenagers attempt to try alcohol during the summer break, and they may end up driving under the influence, which can lead to deadly accidents.
2) Beautiful Weather
Summertime comes with lovely weather days that are perfect for a drive. However, while it’s warm and sunny in the summer, drivers tend to be more comfortable and confident behind the wheel. While this isn’t a bad thing, it may cause drivers to make risky decisions that cause car accidents.
Solutions
Here are several tips you can use to avoid summer car accidents.
- Avoid distracted driving and pay more attention while on the road.
- Ensure that you don’t text, eat, or check social media when driving. Being too overconfident behind the wheel can have dire consequences, especially if you are distracted.
- Avoid impaired driving. Don’t drive while using a cell phone. Ensure there’s always a designated driver or a taxi/Uber/Lyft to help you get home safe after a party. This also goes for teenagers. Tired driving can be as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than intoxicated driving, too.
POOL INJURIES
During the summer, swimming pools are a beacon for fun and adventure, with both adults and children enjoying spending time in them. Despite the fun they offer, they can also pose a danger. According to a CDC report, at least 3,536 people have died annually from 2005 to 2014 due to drowning. Apart from drowning, other accidents like swimming pool disembowelment, electrocution, and traumatic brain injury also occur. Some reasons why these types of accidents occur include:
1) Not Learning How To Swim
There are plenty of children and adults who don’t know how to swim. This often causes complications whenever an accident occurs in the pool.
2) Lack of Supervision
It only takes less than 5 minutes for a child to submerge and drown. By running that quick errand and leaving your child in the pool for a slight minute, you may have be coming back to an emergency. According to the Florida Department of Health, Florida ranks very highly among all states for minor child deaths by drowning.
3) Intoxication
According to the CDC- Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, at least 70% of adult deaths and accidents in a swimming pool happen because of alcohol intoxication. Prolonged sun exposure tends to accelerate the effects of alcohol like lack of coordination, impaired judgment, and slow response, making swimming much more risky and intense.
Solution
Here are several tips to ensure that you and your loved ones are safe as you enjoy the cool water during a hot summer.
- Learn proper swimming skills, as this will help keep you and your loved ones safe. It also significantly reduces your chances of drowning. For children who are too young to learn how to swim, always ensure that they have a float while in the swimming pool. Teach them how to swim as soon as possible, too.
- Never leave your kids in the swimming pool unsupervised. If you must go, ensure that there’s a responsible adult present with them.
- If you must swim while drinking alcohol, ensure that you monitor your intake and stay hydrated.
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
Although motorcycle accidents aren’t quite as common as car accidents as there are less motorcycles on the road, they are still severe. The summer months often see a significant increase in these accidents, mainly because of the pleasant weather bringing about a lot of motorcycle riding. Some reasons these motorcycle accidents occur are because of:
1) Driver Negligence:
Both motorcycle and vehicle drivers can act negligently, which eventually leads to a motorcycle accident. They can fail to yield, get distracted while driving, fail to pay attention to the road signs, or even speed.
2) Bad Weather
Despite the warm and sunny days, summer can sometimes bring on light showers. This can significantly reduce visibility and make the roads pretty slippery.
3) Driving Under the Influence
Another significant cause of motorcycle accidents is driving under the influence. Alcohol can severely affect a driver’s judgment, and they can easily change lanes or make turns that can cause accidents.
Solution
As a motorcycle driver, always ensure that:
- It would be best if you never drove impaired. Marijuana, alcohol, and prescription drugs can significantly impact your judgment while on the road.
- Respect other motorcycles and road users. By respecting the road rules, you get to keep both you and other road users safe.
- Wear your appropriate safety gear. Wearing suitable safety boots, jackets, pants, and gloves can save you from having devastating injuries whenever an accident occurs.
PLAYGROUND ACCIDENTS
According to the CDC- Centers for Disease Control, at least 200,000 children ages 14 and below are treated in emergency rooms for injuries sustained while playing. From that number, 20,000 are treated for traumatic brain injuries, while the rest are treated for abrasions, fractures, or contusions. Among all of the causes, the most common cause for a playground accident is falls.
Solution
Here are some tips you can use to ensure that your child is safe:
- Supervision. Closely supervise your child to ensure they don’t get injured when using the playground equipment.
- Ensure that you remove any tripping hazards like tree stumps, rocks, or exposed concrete footings or paddings.
- Avoid wood or metal swing seats.
Remember, if an accident occurs, seek medical attention immediately. Once you have done so, our team at Hale Law P.A. will be at hand to offer you legal representation and ensure you get back on your feet after the accident. We care about our clients, and we will use our experience, resources, and education to ensure that your case is handled to the best of our ability. For more information, visit our website: https://halelaw.com/sarasota-personal-injury-attorney/car-accidents/
Hale Law
2803 Fruitville Road Suite 240
Sarasota FL 34237
941-735-4529
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