As the coronavirus pandemic has swept across this country, most residents find themselves under some sort of stay at home order. As of April 1, 2020, Gov. Ron DeSantis has also issued a stay at home order for Florida residents. In other parts of the country where these orders are in place, life has come to a standstill. This has significantly reduced traffic, but the personal injury attorneys at Colson Hicks Eidson still want to warn drivers and pedestrians that they need to be safe. Do not be lulled into a false sense of security because the streets are less crowded.
Stay At Home Orders And Traffic Safety
“I’m issuing an executive order directing all Floridians to limit movements and personal interactions outside the home to only those necessary and essential activities,” said Gov. DeSantis when he issued the stay at home order for Florida. This order, effective for 30 days at this time, urges residents only to leave their house for certain reasons. This can include trips to the grocery store, pharmacy, and more. People are also allowed to go out and exercise, so long as they maintain social distancing at all times.
This means that there will still be vehicles on the roadway. If we have learned anything about other states under stay at home orders, this also means that there will be plenty of pedestrians out exercising (running, walking, biking, etc.).
While there have been reports that some states have seen traffic accidents cut in half due to stay at home orders, we are worried that this could create a false sense of security for drivers and pedestrians alike. Some people may begin to pay less attention to their surroundings. For residents in Miami and other areas in Florida, we are used to traffic and having to watch out for others around us.
At Colson Hicks Eidson, we urge drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists to:
- Stay off of phones or other devices to minimize distractions in and around the roadway.
- Continue to follow all traffic laws, including yielding appropriately at marked crosswalks.
- Do not drive over the speed limit, even if there is less traffic (the police have no problem writing tickets during the stay at home orders).
As COVID-19 continues to spread across the state and the country, we have to depend on each other. This means keeping each other safe in and around the roadways.
Our Personal Injury Team Can Help
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a traffic collision that was caused by another person’s careless or negligent actions, contact a skilled attorney today. At Colson Hicks Eidson, our award-winning personal injury attorneys have experience helping clients in Florida and throughout the United States. Our goal is to investigate your case in order to secure any compensation you may be entitled to. This can include:
- Coverage of your medical bills
- Compensation for lost income if you cannot work
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Possible punitive damages against a grossly negligent party
When you need a personal injury attorney in Florida or anywhere in the United States, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling us at 305-476-7400.
