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It is hard to believe, but it is time to start thinking about New Year’s resolutions for 2026. The New Year is just weeks away, and 2026 will be here before we know it.

As Fort Myers personal injury lawyers, we regularly speak with people who have suffered life-altering injuries—and we have worked closely with numerous accident victims throughout 2025. The team at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. understands the serious financial and non-financial losses these injuries can cause, and we know how critical it can be for accident victims to recover the financial compensation they deserve.

With this in mind, we encourage everyone to set New Year’s resolutions focused on protecting their safety and legal rights in 2026. Here are some suggestions:

Resolutions to Stay Safe on the Road

Many of the people who come to us for help are dealing with serious injuries they suffered in car, truck, and SUV accidents. Motor vehicle accidents are among the leading causes of traumatic injuries in Florida, and yet, most motor vehicle accidents are avoidable.

While you may not be able to protect yourself from dangerous drivers entirely, there are steps you can take to mitigate the risk of being involved in a serious collision. To help yourself stay safe on the road in 2026, you can:

• Be sure to leave on time so you are not tempted to speed or drive aggressively
• Follow the rules of the road (i.e., using your turn signals and obeying all traffic signs)
• Never drink and drive
• Only drive when you are feeling awake and alert enough to be safe
• Put your phone out of reach and avoid in-car distractions
• Stay up-to-date on your vehicle’s maintenance

Resolutions to Stay Safe on the Water

Boating is a way of life for many Florida residents, and charters and jet ski rentals are also popular vacation activities. With so many people on Florida’s inland waterways and coastal waters, boating accidents are a very real concern as well.

Just as you should prioritize your safety while you are driving, you should also prioritize your safety while boating. To help yourself stay safe on the water in 2026, you can:

• Check the forecast and conditions before you leave home
• Encourage everyone on board to be safe
• Ensure that you have life jackets and adequate safety equipment onboard at all times
• Make sure you know and follow the rules of the water
• Never assume that other boaters know what they are doing
• Stay up-to-date on your boat’s maintenance (including outboard or inboard maintenance)

Resolutions to Stay Safe in Your Surroundings

While we rarely think about it, accidents can (and do) happen just about anywhere. Whether you are shopping, visiting downtown, or exploring a new beach town, there is a risk that you could be injured due to circumstances beyond your control.

With this in mind, we encourage everyone to take some simple steps to stay safe in their surroundings next year. Here are some recommendations from personal injury lawyer Randall L. Spivey at Spivey Law Firm:

• Avoid dimly lit areas and areas where you might be vulnerable, including venues with inadequate security
• Avoid other potential safety hazards, such as dangerous-looking staircases and elevated areas without handrails
• Do your best to watch out for spills and other slip hazards, and err on the side of caution if you are unsure whether an area is unsafe for walking
• Observe caution signs, broken elevator and escalator signs, and other signs that are there for your safety
• Only cross the street at crosswalks or intersections, and check for oncoming traffic, even if you have the right of way
• When renting e-scooters and e-bikes, do not assume that drivers will see you or respect your right to share the road

Resolutions to Stay Safe in General

Regardless of where you are and what you are doing, your health and safety should always be among your top priorities. Whether you are at home, at work, or out for the evening, there are simple steps you can take to help ensure you are as safe as possible.

For example, in addition to the recommendations above, you can inspect new and used products for signs of damage or defects. You can wear safety equipment when necessary, and you can make wise decisions when something seems risky, or a situation feels “off.” While you might never know if your decision kept you safe, you will know that you are not living with the consequences of a decision you regret.

Resolutions to Protect Your Legal Rights

Of course, even if you prioritize your safety and make sound decisions, there will always be risks beyond your control. With this in mind, we encourage everyone to ensure they understand how to protect their legal rights in 2026. While we hope you never have to pursue legal action after a serious accident, we also encourage you to ensure you are prepared to do so if necessary.

So, what should you do if you get injured in an accident in 2026? In the immediate aftermath of a serious accident, protecting your legal rights starts with getting the help you need. This means that you should see a doctor right away, and you should talk to a personal injury lawyer with Spivey Law Firm as soon as possible. You should be sure to keep any photos, videos, or other evidence you may have as well, and you should take detailed notes about the accident at the first available opportunity. While there are no guarantees, each of these steps will help maximize your chances of recovering the financial compensation you deserve.

Contact the Fort Myers Personal Injury Lawyers at Spivey Law Firm for Immediate Assistance

Since 1995, Randall L. Spivey has been an attorney in Florida dedicated to helping the injured. Because of that dedication and his experience, he is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorney by the Florida Bar Association.  In Florida, less than 1% of all attorneys are Board Certified in Civil Trial Law. Further, he is rated by Martindale-Hubbell as a Preeminent Attorney, which is the highest level for professional excellence and the highest level of skill and integrity. Randall L. Spivey is also recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer for attaining a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement by Super Lawyers magazine. Further, Randall Spivey has been selected as a Top 100 Trial Lawyers, an honor given to only a select group of lawyers for their superior skills and qualifications in the field.

We hope that adopting the New Year’s resolutions we have recommended above will help keep you safe in 2026, but if they do not, our Fort Myers personal injury lawyers are here to help. If you need to speak with a personal injury lawyer about your legal rights, you can call Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. at 239-337-7483 or toll-free 888-477-4839 or contact us online at SpiveyLaw.com for a free consultation.