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On January 21, 2013 Cecilia Douglas and her two young daughters died following a vehicle crash on Alligator Alley in Collier County, Florida.  After crashing into a truck, the vehicle landed upside down in a canal. First responders were unable to get the victims out of the submerged vehicle.  The Florida Highway Patrol reports that the vehicle's depth and the tinted windows may have hindered the rescue attempts as the tool they usually use didn't work, according to NBC-2 Investigators "Getting Out Alive".

The Florida Highway Patrol reports that about 4800 car accidents each year end up with a vehicle submerged in water.

The NBC-2 investigators, along with the Golden Gate Fire Department, found that in addition to the water's pressure, the type of window tinting affects whether the available window-breaking tools will work.  After-market installed window tinting seemed to hold the glass together more firmly making it more difficult to shatter.  Test vehicles with no tinting, or factory-installed tinting broke more easily and quickly.

"There's always going to be obstacles and there's no way to prepare for everything, but at least having something you can shatter the glass with gives you a better chance to get out of the vehicle," said Golden Gate Fire Assistant Chief Nolan Saap.

Lifesaving Resources, a private corporation which provides training and consulting services in aquatics safety and water rescue advocates the SOS-GO or PO-GO escape principles which should be used prior to calling 911:   

SOS-GO

S =         Stay Calm

            Assess the Situation

            Slow your Breathing

O =      Open your Window(s) or Door(s)

S =       Disengage your Seatbelt

GO =   Get Out!

            or

PO-GO

P = Punch (open) your Seatbelt Release

O = Open your Window or Door

GO = Get Out!

Florida Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey, Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. believes, "Drivers should 'be prepared'.  In addition to having a tool available in the vehicle to break glass, using the SOS-GO or PO-GO principles could save drivers and their occupants from serious injury or death."

Fort Myers Personal Injury Lawyer, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by less than 2 percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 1,500 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at  239. 337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com  for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.