Car Accident Injures Three in Fort Myers
A car accident in Fort Myers recently injured three people and closed down traffic for hours. The crash happened around 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of N. Tamiami Trail and Pondella Road. According to the North Fort Myers Fire Department, the seriousness of the accident and debris field shut down the major thoroughfare for hours after the accident.
The police report states that a blue Subaru was driving southbound on N. Tamiami Trail when the driver blew a red light and collided with a black car turning left onto Pondella Road. The force of the crash sent the black car hurtling yards away in the intersection and spun the blue Subaru 180 degrees. The accident sent three people to area hospitals for their injuries.
One witness to the accident said that he saw the blue Subaru whiz right past him into the intersection. “They came zooming by me on my right side,” and then he saw the crash. When he went to look, the witness says that he saw two unconscious women in the Subaru and one man who was bleeding in the black car. Onlookers helped the man while others waited for ambulances to arrive for the women.
As of now, the Fort Myers police and fire departments are looking into the cause of the accident. So far, the names of those involved have not been released, and no charges have been filed.
Running Red Light Accidents
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, running a red light in a vehicle is the leading cause of traffic accidents in urban areas. Over 22 percent of all car accidents in urban areas are caused by a vehicle running a red light. It is estimated that the total economic impact of red light accidents is $7 billion annually for medical bills, lost wages, insurance rate increases, and property damage.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a report that found that over 20 percent of drivers found that running a red light is the second most dangerous driving behavior on the road, right after driving under the influence. On average, two people die every day across the United States because a vehicle ran a red light. Over half of the red light accident fatalities were drivers and passengers in the other vehicle.
Between 2007 and 2011, an average of 751 people died each year from red light running accidents, around 63 people every month. In addition, 2011 alone saw 118,000 people injured because of accidents involving a driver running through a red light.
Our Lawyers Can Help
Call or contact our experienced personal injury lawyers today if you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in the Fort Myers, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach, or Jacksonville areas. The Pendas Law Firm understands how serious the consequences of an accident can be and we are here to help you get the compensation that you deserve.
