When Someone Else Causes Your Car Crash: Understanding Liability and Your Rights in Fort Myers

Car Accident Liability: How Fault Is Established in Southwest Florida

Car accidents in Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida often lead to serious injuries, medical expenses, and lasting impacts. When a crash is caused by someone else’s negligence — such as unsafe driving habits, speeding, or distracted driving — you may be entitled to compensation. Under Florida law, liability in a car accident depends on proving that another driver’s careless or reckless conduct caused the collision.

Some of the most common causes of liability in car accidents include negligence by:

• Distracted Driving — using a phone, texting, adjusting GPS, or otherwise being inattentive.
• Speeding or Reckless Driving — excessive speed, unsafe lane changes, tailgating, or aggressive driving.
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) — operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
• Failure to Yield / Right-of-Way Violations — misjudging intersections, failing to stop, or ignoring traffic signals.
• Unsafe Road or Vehicle Conditions — poorly maintained roads, defective car parts, or inadequate lighting, especially relevant in Southern Florida’s frequent rain and storm conditions.

When any of these causes lead to a crash, a driver (or drivers) may be held responsible. Establishing liability typically involves collecting evidence such as police reports, witness statements, medical records, and sometimes expert accident reconstruction — all crucial when claims may involve serious or catastrophic injuries.

Recent Crash Statistics for Fort Myers & Southwest Florida (2024–2025)

Recent data underscores how dangerous driving remains along Southwest Florida roadways, including in and around Fort Myers and Cape Coral. According to local and statewide reports:

• In 2024, Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and local traffic reports show Lee County — home to Fort Myers and Cape Coral — had about 14,744 total crashes. That translates to roughly 40 accidents every day. 
• Of those, there were more than 5,900 injury crashes and 139 traffic fatalities during the year. 
• Non‑car accidents also pose a threat: 2024 saw 344 bicycle crashes, 320 motorcycle crashes, and 376 pedestrian‑involved crashes in Lee County. 
• The region’s roads — often crowded, tourist‑heavy, and impacted by changing weather — contribute to high crash rates and severe injuries, including head trauma, spinal injuries, fractures, and worse.

These statistics reflect a broader trend across Florida: despite efforts to improve road safety, crashes remain frequent, and the consequences remain serious. 

Given these risks, establishing liability and securing proper representation becomes critically important for anyone injured in a crash.

Why Victims Should Consult an Experienced Attorney

If you’re injured in a crash caused by someone else’s negligence — distracted driving, speeding, DUI, or other reckless conduct — proving liability is rarely straightforward. Insurance companies often attempt to minimize or deny claims. That’s where an experienced local law firm can make all the difference.

An attorney can help:

• Investigate the crash thoroughly — obtaining police reports, interviewing witnesses, analyzing accident scene data.
• Work with medical experts to evaluate and document injuries, long‑term treatment needs, and future care costs.
• Counter insurance-company tactics designed to downplay fault or assign partial blame.
• Seek full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

In a region like Lee County — with hundreds of crashes and injuries each year — victims with legal representation tend to stand a better chance at fair recovery.

Legal Representation Across Southwest Florida: Why Choose Pittman Law Firm, P.L.

Pittman Law Firm, P.L. serves residents hurt in motor vehicle accidents throughout Southwest Florida and Naples, FL. With offices in Fort Myers and Bonita Springs, Pittman Law Firm provides personalized, client‑focused representation to individuals and families in all Southwest Florida counties.

Whether the crash happened in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Naples, or any nearby region, their team understands the unique legal and traffic environment — from congested tourist corridors to busy commuting roads.

Their approach includes:

• Compassionate service and direct communication (clients speak with attorneys, not just paralegals)
• Strategic case development using local knowledge, accident data, and expert resources
• A commitment to pursuing full compensation — including medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and future care

What You Should Do Immediately After a Crash

If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Fort Myers or elsewhere in Southwest Florida:

1. Get medical attention right away — even if injuries seem minor at first. Some serious injuries don’t show symptoms immediately.
2. Call law enforcement and ensure a crash report is filed.
3. Document the scene — take photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, signage (or lack thereof), and any visible injuries.
4. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s).
5. Collect witness information — names, contact numbers, and statements if possible.
6. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney — ideally right away — to protect your rights and preserve critical evidence.

Take Action: Don’t Face This Alone

If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, or anywhere across Southwest Florida, don’t wait. Contact Pittman Law Firm, P.L., today for a free consultation. Their experienced team can help you navigate the complex legal process and fight for the full compensation you deserve — for medical costs, lost income, and future care.