Summer is a time to enjoy all kinds of fun activities. Although many of
these can be enjoyed all year long in Florida, the longer days mean that
more and more people will be out and about. This can raise the risk of
something going wrong and causing injuries – especially those that
could have been avoided if not for someone else’s negligence.
Let’s take a look at five injury-prone summer activities and learn
more about how you can stay safe.
Watercraft Recreation
Summer means that more people than usual will enjoy boating and watercraft
activities more than usual. With more recreational vessels registered
in Florida than in any other state, there are bound to be accidents and
injuries that occur.
Protect yourself from a
boating accident injury by ensuring your vessel is in good condition. Before leaving the dock
or launch ramp, perform a thorough safety check to make sure everyone
has a personal floatation device and knows how to use it. Make sure to
obey all maritime traffic laws and keep a sharp eye out for people and
obstacles in the water, not to mention other vessels.
Bicycling
People enjoy bicycling all year round in Florida, but there can be a noticeable
uptick in the number of people enjoying this outdoor activity during summer.
Whenever you’re on your bicycle, always make sure to follow all
applicable traffic laws. Watch out for other drivers and never assume
they’re looking out for you (even if they should be!).
Bicycle accidents involving cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles can
result in
catastrophic injuries, which may include
head or
spinal cord injuries. Less serious accidents may still involve broken bones, severe lacerations,
and other injuries that may require costly medical care.
ATV Riding
Riding an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) can be a thrill, but make sure you’re
wearing protective clothing and a helmet. Riders can fall or get thrown
from their ATVs in an accident, which can lead to broken bones, lacerations,
as well as head and neck injuries. Always make sure you know what’s
ahead of you on the path and keep an eye out for other riders.
Holiday Travel
Holiday travel isn’t necessarily a “summer fun” activity,
but there are more motorists on the roads to contend with during summer,
especially on holiday weekends such as the Fourth of July and Labor Day.
If you’re traveling among holiday traffic, be extra vigilant for
other motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and road hazards. The last thing
anyone wants is to deal with an
injury from a car accident!
Fireworks Use
Florida is more permissive than most states when it comes to personal fireworks
use on the Fourth of July. While shooting off a firework on any other
day of the year (except New Year’s Eve and Day) is illegal, Florida
residents can do so on Independence Day.
While state law is very permissive, make sure your local laws and ordinances
permit this activity! Above all else, of course, exercise extreme caution
and safety if you choose to handle fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices
on July 4.
Burn injuries and the
loss of limbs (particularly fingers) are very common injuries sustained during that
time of year!
Is Someone Else Responsible for Your Injuries?
Although most summer injuries won’t spark lawsuits, those that were
caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness can. If you
were injured and believe a responsible party should be held accountable
for what occurred, our attorney at Paulsen Law Group can help you pursue
legal action.
Learn more about legal options that may be available to you by scheduling
a free consultation. Contact us online
now to get started.