An early morning crash in North Fort Myers had lanes of southbound I-75 closed for two and a half hours. According to Fox Four News, two people were injured in this wreck. Officials with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) said that a 34-year-old driver, Ryan Suta, stopped his car facing west, blocking both of the southbound lanes of I-75 on the Caloosahatchee Bridge.

At about 5:30 a.m., 26-year-old Rachel Robel was headed south on I-75 when she came upon the parked car. In the dark early morning hours, she was unable to stop in time to avoid hitting him. She struck the right side of his car. She and her passenger, 31-year-old Jordan Izzo, both sustained injuries during the crash. Suta was cited for careless driving by the FHP. Very few details have been released on how this could have happened, and why Suta’s car was stopped sideways in the middle of the roadway. This crash is likely still under investigation.

Car Accidents in Florida by The Numbers

• Motor vehicle wrecks are the leading cause of death for children, teens and young adults.
• Over 30,000 people die in crashes every year across the U.S.
• Each year in Florida, total crash-related deaths cost $3.16 billion.
•  About $40 million of that is in medical costs, and $3.12 billion is measured as costs related to work loss.

After a Car Accident in Southwest Florida

After any kind of wreck, you should always take care of your medical needs first. Once you’ve been evaluated by a doctor, you can worry about dealing with your insurance company, the other party’s insurance company and getting compensation for your injuries. Victims are likely facing expensive medical bills, lost wages from missing work and other damages associated with car accidents. If another person’s careless or negligent actions sent you to the hospital, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. It’s not always easy to deal with insurance companies. In fact, in spite of faithfully paying monthly, quarterly or annual premiums, it’s not uncommon for victims to have trouble with their own insurance companies too. Let a skilled Southwest Florida car accident attorney handle the details, while you get back to your real life.

Legal Disclaimer: The above guidelines are educational in nature and do not create an attorney/client relationship. It is highly recommended that all Florida accident victims contact an experienced local Florida personal injury attorney to assist them with specific facts and circumstances regarding their motor vehicle accident. If you have been the victim of a motor vehicle accident in Florida, then feel free to contact Attorney Weldon toll free at (877) 730-5180 or via e-mail atinfo@weldonrothman.com

Richard L. Weldon, II is an experienced Florida personal injury attorney who has obtained the AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell. He is the managing attorney of Weldon & Rothman, PL – a Southwest Florida law firm with offices in Naples, Fort Myers, and Sarasota.