Residents of Fort Myers in Lee County can enjoy beach excursions, dolphin cruises, kayaking and other fun aquatic adventures. Since it is also a tourist destination, the city tends to be crowded. This means that the roadways are also crowded, which means more accidents. Unfortunately, many people are injured or killed in vehicle accidents in Fort Myers. In 2022, a local news station reported that a two-mile stretch of Business 41 in North Fort Myers was one of the deadliest roadways in Southwest Florida because of speeding vehicles.
Vehicle Accident Statistics in Fort Myers, Florida
So far, at least six traffic fatalities have been reported in 2022 in Fort Myers. In the most recent city data reports available from 2019, there were 10 fatal car accidents in Fort Myers, and three of the people who died were pedestrians. For the years prior to 2019, these were the total fatal accidents in the city of Fort Myers:
- There were 22 fatal accidents in 2018.
- There were 21 fatal accidents in 2017.
- There were 25 fatal accidents in 2016.
Throughout all of Lee County, there were more than 12,500 vehicle accidents in 2019. The county’s total accidents included more than 7,500 injuries and nearly 100 fatalities. Despite there being less traffic on the roads in 2020, fatal crashes in Lee County increased to at least 105. At the end of December in 2021, there were at least 110 fatal accidents reported in Lee County.
Hospitals and Clinics in Fort Myers
People who are injured have several choices of Fort Myers medical offices and hospitals. The majority of Fort Myers Hospitals and clinics are part of Lee Health. Founded in 1919, Lee Health is one of the largest not-for-profit health care systems in Florida and one of the largest public health systems in the country. It has more than 2,500 medical staff and at least 14,000 employees throughout its multiple Fort Myers medical offices and hospitals. These are some of the top Fort Myers hospitals and clinics that injury victims may find useful.
Lee Memorial Hospital
This hospital was built in 1916 and has 368 beds. It is a general medical and surgical facility with ICU and cardiac ICU areas. The hospital is a level II trauma center as well. Also, the hospital has high ratings for its wound care, neuroscience, emergency, orthopedic and rehabilitation services. These are all especially useful to people who are injured in accidents. It is located at 2776 Cleveland Avenue, and the zip code is 33901. The phone number for Lee Memorial Hospital is 239-343-2000.
HealthPark Medical Center
Built in 1991, this Lee Health facility has 461 beds and specializes in acute care. Located in South Fort Myers, HealthPark Medical Center uses a modern approach to patient care. The facility offers several inpatient and outpatient services. There is also a pediatric hospital in the facility with 135 beds. HealthPark Medical Center has high rankings for its rehab, cardiology and radiology services, and it also has a full-service emergency center that has good ratings. Additionally, the hospital has made the country’s “100 Top Hospitals” list for its intensive care services. The hospital is located at 9981 South HealthPark Drive, and its zip code is 33908. To reach the facility by phone, call 239-343-5000.
Cape Coral Hospital
Acquired by Lee Health in 1996, Cape Coral Hospital has 291 beds and specializes in acute care. This is an excellent facility for people who are injured in vehicle accidents and need medical care for rehabilitation or to improve wellness. It specializes in diabetes care, weight management, chronic diseases and more. The facility has a Journey to Magnet distinction, which means that it is one of the best organizations for excellence in nursing services. Cape Coral Hospital is located at 636 Del Prado Boulevard, and the zip code is 33990. The facility’s main phone number is 239-424-2000.
Gulf Coast Medical Center
Also a Lee Health facility, this hospital was acquired in 2006 and now has 624 beds after expansions that took place in 2021. The expansions also led to a larger laboratory, pharmacy and radiology department. For people who have multiple types of health problems before or after an accident, this is one of the most comprehensive facilities for care. It specializes in general surgery, neurological issues, orthopedics and more. There is also an ICU specifically for neurological care. It has one of the larger emergency departments. Gulf Coast Medical Center’s primary address is 3681 Doctor’s Way, and 33912 is the zip code. Its main phone number is 239-343-1000.
The Rehabilitation Hospital
Located in the same campus as Lee Memorial Hospital, this center is a good place for accident victims who need additional rehabilitative care after receiving acute care. It has 60 beds and offers comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation. The facility specializes in rehabilitative care for people with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, amputations, orthopedic injuries, multiple trauma-related injuries and more. Most patients stay in the facility for an average of 13 days before being released to go home. Lee Memorial also provides other outpatient-based rehabilitation services. To contact this facility, use the same information found in the section for Lee Memorial Hospital.
Lehigh Regional Medical Center
This facility is a Prime Healthcare member. It is a smaller facility offering acute care, and it has a total of 88 beds with 53 being dedicated to acute care. For people who need hospitals and medical offices near Fort Myers and live in the far west area of the city, this may be a favorable choice for its location. Lehigh Regional Medical Center has state-of-the-art emergency care. It specializes in critical care, general surgery, orthopedics and emergency care. Although those are the services most useful to post-accident patients, there are other services as well. The hospital has high rankings for quality of care. Lehigh Regional Medical Center is located in Lehigh Acres, and the zip code is 33936. The phone number is 239-369-2101.
Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
Accidents can lead to multiple types of injuries. The severity of the injuries may depend on speed and other factors. Car drivers who are hit by larger trucks often have worse injuries. Also, pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists who are hit by cars often sustain more severe injuries. These are some of the most common types of injuries associated with car accidents.
Head Injuries
Injuries to the head may accompany a brain injury. Vision or hearing problems are frequently associated with head injuries. A fractured skull is also a common type of head injury due to impact, and some people may have penetrating injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries are classified in different levels of severity. While some may be milder and have short-term effects, severe injuries can have permanent and debilitating effects. These are some potential symptoms associated with brain injuries:
- New or worsening sensory issues
- Persistent headaches
- Slurred speech or speech difficulties
- Inability to wake
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dilated pupil or pupils
- Seizures or convulsions
- Clear fluid draining from ears or nose
- Memory loss
- Irritability or mood swings
Neck Injuries
The most common neck injury in car accidents is whiplash. Accidents often leave people with soft tissue or bone injuries in the neck. These are some common types of neck injuries:
- Cervical radiculopathy
- Sprain
- Dislocation fractures
- Upper vertebral fractures
Spinal Cord Injuries
The sudden impact of a car accident can cause severe and permanent damage to the spinal cord or spine. Back pain is a common symptom associated with soft tissue or bone damage, and some people develop nerve damage as well. Unfortunately, more severe accidents often leave people partially or fully paralyzed because of spinal cord damage. This may result in an inability to work and earn a living.
Chest Injuries
Severe impact or blunt force from objects during a crash can severely injure a person’s chest. These injuries are especially common with head-on collisions at higher speeds. Some common types of chest injuries include:
- Broken ribs
- Collapsed lungs
- Contusions
- Muscle strains
Joint Injuries
Knees, elbows, shoulders, wrists and ankles are frequently injured in accidents. The joints are often pushed into positions that they are unable to accommodate. Tendon and ligament damage are common. Soft tissue surrounding the joints is often injured as well. These are some common accident-related joint injuries:
- Joint dislocation
- Ruptured tendons
- PCL and ACL tears
- Ligament hyperextension
Pelvic and Abdominal Injuries
Seat position, victim height and other factors may affect the severity of abdominal or pelvic injuries. Fractures, contusions and organ damage may result. These injuries are common with head-on collisions or T-bone accidents.
Facial Injuries
Many people who are in severe accidents are left with cuts on their faces, and some may require surgery. These injuries lead to scars that can come with permanent nerve damage and may negatively impact mental health for some people.
Schedule a Case Consultation for Free
If you or a loved one was just injured in a car accident, call 911. After seeking initial care, call one of the Fort Myers medical offices or hospitals on this list to seek services your health care provider recommends after initial emergency treatment. Contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after that to protect your financial future. We help victims seek the compensation they need to cover medical expenses and life changes due to accidents, and our firm offers free accident case consultations. Please contact us to discuss the details of your case.
