It’s All Fun and Games on Spring Break Until…

With beautiful weather, sandy beaches, and a laid-back vibe, it’s no surprise that Florida is the most popular spring break destination in the U.S. In fact, an estimated 570,000 students visited the Sunshine State in 2022, and this year will likely bring even more. While spring break can be a time for students to relax and make memories with friends, it’s also notorious for carrying a wide variety of safety risks, from alcohol- and drug-related accidents to sexual assaults and more. Here are a few of the most common dangers for spring break visitors:

• Car accidents. In Miami and other Florida cities, the roads tend to be congested at all times of the year—and the chaos is only amplified during the spring break season. In addition to more congestion, various factors increase the risk of car accidents, including drunk driving and drivers who are unfamiliar with the local roads. With all of these factors at play, it’s not only drivers and passengers who are at risk—pedestrians, bicyclists, and anyone else who uses the roadways face a heightened risk of being injured by a vehicle.
• Assault, including sexual assault. From bar fights to armed robberies, spring break typically brings an increase in violent crime, of which visiting students may be both the perpetrators and the victims. Another serious threat is sexual assault, which tends to become more common with heavy alcohol and drug consumption. Drink spiking is a common problem and difficult to prove when the evidence is gone. But many sexual assaults are committed from this.  While many violent crimes cannot be prevented, it’s important to remember that commercial properties—such as hotels, restaurants, and bars—have a legal duty to provide adequate security measures, including proper lighting, surveillance cameras, and security guards, in order to deter crime on the premises.
• Slip-and-fall incidents. Often caused by spills or people tracking in water after swimming in a pool or the ocean, slip-and-falls are common incidents that can lead to a variety of serious injuries, including broken bones, lacerations, and head or spinal cord injuries. When these incidents occur on business properties, the business owner may potentially be held liable if they failed to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition or failed to warn visitors of known hazards.
• Water-related injuries. Swimming in the ocean, lakes, pools, and hot tubs is one of the most popular activities when visiting Florida for spring break. But they carry risks of a wide variety of injuries, from burns due to scalding hot tub water to potential drownings. These risks are heightened when swimmers are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as is often the case among spring break visitors. Parasailing, jet skiing and scuba diving are also popular vacation activities that occur in or around the water.  These too are accompanied by serious risks of injury or death, especially if not performed carefully.

While no one plans to become injured on spring break, it’s a relatively common occurrence, particularly among young people who may be experimenting with drugs and alcohol and not paying close attention to their surroundings. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury while visiting Florida for spring break, consulting an attorney can help you understand the legal options that may be available to you. Contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Leighton Panoff Law today to find out how we can help!