Articles Posted in Motorcycle Accidents

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Earlier today, a motorcyclist ran into a city of Delray Beach utility truck on Linton Boulevard near August Circle. Police say the cyclist is in critical condition after the collision sent him flying. The name of the injured cyclist has not been released, but he was wearing a helmet and is being treated for injuries at Delray Medical Center.

Police say they are investigating how the motorcycle accident occurred.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 76,000 motorcyclists were injured in traffic accidents in 2004. Another 4,008 motorcyclists died on the road, which represents an 8% increase over 2003 statistics. A serious accident can have life-changing results for those involved, including head injuries, broken bones, and even death.

Motorcyclist in intensive care after crash in Delray Beach, South Florida Sun Sentinel, April 29, 2009
Traffic Safety Facts, 2004 Data (PDF)
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On Sunday, a Tampa motorcycle accident left one man dead and critically injured his wife, who was riding on the back of the cycle. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, neither one was wearing a helmet.

Troopers said Gregory L. Lewis, 55, was driving a Harley-Davidson northbound on Interstate 275 when he veered across multiple lanes and hit a concrete wall. The impact of the motorcycle crash sent Lewis and his passenger, 52-year-old Bonnie Lewis, over the wall. They landed on the grassy shoulder below.

Gregory Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Emergency medical responders took Bonnie Lewis to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she was listed in critical condition as of Monday.

One dead, another critically injured after I-275 motorcycle accident, TampaBay.com, April 13, 2009
Motorcycle Accident Claims Life Of Mansfield Man, WMFD.com, April 13, 2009 Continue reading

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In Florida, 24-year-old Miramar resident Errol Michael Etosha Dodd died on Sunday when he lost control of his motorcycle on I-95 and fell down 60 feet onto the riverbank. The deadly Florida motorcycle accident happened around 3:30 in the morning as Dodd was making his way from I-95s to the New River bridge. He was riding toward the bridge overpass when he struck an SUV that he was trying to pass. Dodd’s motorcycle then hit the concrete barrier before plunging off the road.

This is not the first time that someone has died on or close to one of the many ramps on I-95. In April, a 30-year-old man jumped over the low-lying barrier to relieve himself and fell. In February, three men died when their car fell onto the riverbank after vaulting the exit ramp.

The Florida Department of Transportation Is taking a new look at the ramp design. They are also taking steps to improve the signs and lighting. A 4-foot chain link fence will be installed onto the I-95’s barrier walls close to the New River overpass.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 5,154 motorcycle deaths in 2007, which is the highest number of motorcycle accidents to occur within a year since the NHTSA began collecting crash statistics 28 years ago. This means that of the 41,059 motor vehicle deaths that occurred in 2007, motorcycle fatalities made up 13% of the overall total. The NHTSA also reported a significant increase in motorcycle injuries from 88,000 in 2006 to 103,000 in 2007.

While some motorcycle crashes happen because of a motorcyclist’s negligence, there are many catastrophic accidents that occur because another motorist was negligent, there was an unsafe condition on the road, or the motorcycle was defective.

While Florida’s PIP (personal injury protection) provides drivers some coverage when they are injured in motor vehicle accidents regardless of who was at fault, this coverage does not extend to motorcyclists.

Motorcyclist’s 60-foot plunge renews calls for safety at I-95 ramp, Sun-Sentinel.com, August 25, 2008

Related Web Resources

Florida Department Transportation

Bodily Injury Locations in Fatally Injured Motorcycle Riders (PDF)
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In Pembrooke Pines, police have identified the motorcyclist that died after he was struck by a car in a Florida traffic accident. Miami resident Ricardo F. DeCastro died on Wednesday when the motorcycle he was riding was rear ended by a Honda Civic driven by Miami Gardens resident Larry Beltran.

Police report that Beltran was following too closely behind DeCastro, which led him to crash into the motorcycle. DeCastro was thrown from the motorcycle and then struck by Beltran, before he was able to stop his car. An investigation is ongoing and no criminal charges have been filed.

If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash that you believe was caused by another party’s negligence, a good Florida motorcycle crash attorney can help you file a claim or lawsuit against the liable party or parties.

2006 Motorcycle Accidents Facts

• About 104,000 motorcycles were involved in traffic crashes.

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 4,810 motorcycle deaths.

• These deaths comprised 11% of all traffic deaths that year.

• 88,000 motorcyclists were injured.

Our Florida motorcycle crash law firm has law offices in Miami, Port St. Lucie, and West Palm Beach. Our personal injury and wrongful death lawyers work with experienced accident reconstructionists and medical experts to prove our clients’ cases so that they can receive the maximum recovery for their injuries and losses.

Motorcyclist killed in Pembroke Pines identified as Miami man, Sun-Sentinel.com, July 24, 2008
Florida State Motorcycle Laws, American Motorcyclist
The Hurt Report
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The wife of Timothy Powers, the 49-year-old Vero Beach motorcyclist who was killed in a crash with a tractor-trailer on US 1 on January 24 is suing the trucker and the driver’s truck company for wrongful death.

The Florida Highway Patrol says Powers could not see the truck due to the heavy morning fog. He tried safely laying down his motorcycle but was thrown off as the truck struck him as it tried to make a U-turn. Powers died at the truck accident scene.

In her lawsuit, Jennifer Powers is accusing truck driver Felix Villa of negligence. She also alleges that Torres Trucking & Tree Hauling Corp was vicariously liable for her husband’s death.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were 5,212 truck accident fatalities in 2005-a large truck being defined as a truck with a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 lbs.

18-wheeler trucks, tractor-trailers, big rig trucks, large delivery trucks, and other large trucks can be a serious injury hazard to motorcyclists, the drivers and passengers of other cars, pedestrians, and bicyclists if a truck driver is negligent on the road and causes a traffic accident. Trucking companies are prepared to deal with these injury cases, and many of them will act fast to minimize liability on their part.

Our South Florida truck accident law firm is knowledgeable about dealing with large truck companies, their representatives, and their insurance companies, and we will protect your right to financial recovery.

We know how to investigate the truck crash scene and the vehicles involved to prove liability, and we will zealously pursue your compensation for you.

Vero Beach widow files lawsuit against truck driver, TC Palm.com, July 1, 2008

Large Truck Fatal Crash Statistics, 1975-2005, FMCSA.dot.gov

Related Web Resource:

Truck Safety Coalition
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In St. Lucie County, the female passenger who was ejected from a motorcycle during a motor vehicle crash on Friday has died from her injuries. Elizabeth Williams, a 40-year-old Vero Beach resident, and driver Nicholson Pierre were riding a motorcycle on US 1 when a jeep, driven by Charles Curtis, pulled in front of them.

The motorcycle hit the Jeep’s front bumper, and Williams and Curtis were both thrown from the motorcycle. Pierre was also treated for injuries. He has been charged with failing to yield.

According to the Insurance Information Institute’s Web Site:

• There were 4,810 motorcycle fatalities in 2006.
• Approximately 104,000 motorcyclists were involved in motor vehicle collisions during the same year.
• Motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than the passengers of other motor vehicles.

Motorcycle injuries are usually catastrophic injuries and can include traumatic brain injuries, severed limbs, spinal cord injuries, neck injuries, helmet injuries, paralysis, coma, severed limbs, and wrongful death.

Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

• Driver inexperience
• Speeding
• Drunk driving
• Failure to yield
• Driver inattention

In South Florida, our motorcycle accident lawyers can help you file a claim for personal injury compensation from a negligent motorist or the manufacturer of a defective motorcycle. We will work with accident reconstructionists and medical experts to get you the maximum recovery. If we are unable to negotiate a settlement, we will file a Florida motorcycle crash lawsuit and go to court.

Vero Beach woman dies from accident injuries, TCPalm.com, June 11, 2008
Motorcycle Crashes, III.org

Related Web Resource:

Motorcycle Accident Statistics Continue reading

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In Florida, the wife and children of Tampa Master Patrol Officer Victor Guerrero say they plan on suing Pasco County for his wrongful death. The 20-year police veteran died on May 1 when his motorcycle was struck by a government Ford F-150 pickup. The truck reportedly crashed into the motorcycle while turning left in front of it on US 41. Guerrero was thrown across the lane and onto the shoulder of the road.

The family reportedly plans to sue the county for $200,000 in damages. This is the maximum allowed under Florida law related to civil lawsuits against governments. Guerrero’s family intends to ask the Florida Legislature to pass a claims bill that will let them receive damages above this financial cap.

The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing its investigation of the crash. The motor vehicle driver, county employee Daniel Whipple, says he did not see Guerrero’s motorcycle.

Motorcycle Accidents
If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a Florida motorcycle crash, one of our South Florida motorcycle collision lawyers can discuss your injury case during a free consultation.

The state of Florida does not require motorcyclists to wear helmets. This makes it even more important for motorists to take extra care when sharing the roads with motorcyclists.There were 521 motorcycle deaths in Florida in 2006. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that 4,810 motorcyclists died across the United States during the same year.

Motorcycle riders are prone to serious injuries when they are involved in motor vehicle accidents. They don’t have anything-except for protective gear-to protect them from the force of a crash or being thrown from their motorcycle onto the road. Motorcycle collision injuries can include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, severe burn injuries, and permanent disfigurement.

Our South Florida motorcycle crash lawyers can help you file a claim or lawsuit for financial recovery against the negligent party. We have law offices conveniently located in Miami and West Palm Beach and we work with clients throughout Florida.

Officer’s Family To Sue County Over Fatal Crash, The Tampa Tribune, May 19, 2008
The Florida Wrongful Death Statute

Related Web Resources:

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, Motorcycle-USA.com, May 5, 2008

Motorcycle Safety, NHTSA Continue reading

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