In 2000, Florida repealed its law that required motorcyclists to wear safety helmets. As a result, helmet use dropped by half to about 52 percent of riders in 2002, reports the Sun Sentinel. Now, more than 10 years after the law’s repeal, state traffic officials say they have seen a slight uptick in the number of riders wearing their helmets.
A Department of Transportation (DOT) survey found that helmet use in 2010 was up slightly in Broward and Palm Beach counties to 55 and 47 percent, respectively. Safety campaigns that urge bikers to wear a helmet are credited with the increased use. In 2008, a state law mandated all motorcyclists take a training course before receiving the motorcycle rider endorsement on their driver’s license.
Traumatic brain injury caused 29 percent of motorcycle crash deaths in 2009. The public should care because the average cost to treat a motorcycle injury is about $53,000, with insurance picking up roughly half of the emergency room and hospital stays.
The DOT has found that sport bike owners are more likely to don a helmet than riders on a touring motorcycle. While many say the cost of traumatic injuries is enough evidence to reinstate the mandatory helmet law, motorcycle enthusiast groups still insist the freedom that comes from going without a helmet is worth giving riders an individual choice whether or not to wear one.
Because there is a bit of a bias when a motorcycle is involved in an auto accident, it’s important to have an experienced Florida motorcycle accident attorney on your side to make sure the investigation reveals the actual party responsible. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, Farah & Farah will be there to help you seek compensation for your injuries and lost wages. Call us at 1 (800) 614-3136.
Source: http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2011-11-14/news/fl-motorcycle-helmets-use-20111111_1_helmet-law-motorcycle-riders-motorcyclists
The Orlando Sentinel reports that it is not known why a 2007 Ford Explorer slammed into the back of a motorcycle westbound on Interstate 4 Sunday morning, October 16, in Deland around 4 a.m. The 34-year-old motorcyclist from Sanford was riding with a 32-year-old female passenger and, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the two were thrown from the bike when they were hit by the SUV and both riders were run over by two cars that did stop at the scene. Both the motorcyclist and his passenger were killed at the scene.
The driver of the Explorer did not stop; however, law enforcement found the car disabled a short while later about five miles from the crash. FHP is seeking a female “person of interest” wanted for questioning in connection to the crash.
Our condolences go out to all of the family members and friends of these two people for their tragic loss.
In a separate incident the same day, another motorcycle crash killed a man and women who were thrown from their motorcycle when they collided with a pickup truck in Port Orange on Sunday afternoon, October 16. Neither the motorcyclist nor his passenger wore a helmet and both were killed. The Florida Highway Patrol is unsure whether the motorcyclists were participating in Biketoberfest in Daytona Beach.
More than 30 motorcycle passengers and 350 motorcyclists were killed on Florida roads in 2010. Most motorcycle accidents involve collisions with another vehicle, and they often happen at an intersection when the motorist fails to yield the right of way to a motorcycle. Perhaps the driver does not see the motorcycle or maybe they are not looking. There also could potentially be something blocking the view of oncoming traffic.
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident and are seeking compensation to cover medical bills and lost wages, the Jacksonville motorcycle accident attorneys at Farah & Farah may be able to help. Call our number anytime of the night or day at 1(800) 533-3555.
Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-motorcycle-crash-interstate-4-20111017,0,5731349.story; http://www.wdbo.com/news/news/local/2-dead-after-motorcycle-collides-truck/nFHgJ/
A 45-year-old motorcyclist involved in a single-vehicle crash in New Port Richey on Tuesday evening, May 3, is fighting for his life. The biker was eastbound on Trouble Creek Road when the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) says his 2006 Suzuki veered off the road near Rowan Road. The St. Petersburg Times reports the man was traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost control and was thrown from the bike onto a concrete curb. He was taken to Bayfront Medical Center. His condition is reported to be life-threatening, and according to FHP, he was not wearing a helmet.
Let’s pray that this man pulls through his devastating injuries.
Florida Motorcycle Accidents
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that motorcycle deaths in Florida decreased in 2009 by more than 24 percent to 402 deaths for both riders and passengers. Nationally, motorcycle traffic fatalities dropped by 2.4 percent, according to preliminary data by the Governors Highway Safety Association reporting on the first nine months of 2010. One of the most effective ways to decrease motorcycle deaths is by wearing a helmet, staying within the speed limit, avoiding alcohol when on a motorcycle, and avoiding distracted motorists. However, even when a motorcyclist takes such precautions, nothing can guard against the negligent actions of a motorist, who often do not see motorcyclists before it is too late to avoid a collision.
Family members may have many questions about this Florida motorcycle crash – was the motorcycle defective? Was another driver involved? Was the motorcyclist under the influence of drugs or alcohol? What were the road conditions and was the signage adequate? The Florida motorcycle accident attorneys at Farah & Farah are always available to answer questions about a motorcycle crash you or a loved may have been involved in. The at-fault party may be held liable for the crash and for the costs associated with your injuries. Call our law offices today to learn how we can help you hold negligent parties accountable for their actions.
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) on April 19 released the results of a new study that show motorcycle deaths declined in 2010, but not by much. From 2009 to 2010, motorcycle fatalities declined from 4,465 to 4,376 nationwide, nowhere close to the 16 percent drop between 2008 and 2009. The drop in 2009 was the first time in 11 years that motorcycle fatalities had dropped. The preliminary data covers the first nine months of 2009 and was submitted by GHSA members who predict the final numbers will reflect a decline in motorcycle fatalities in about half of the states.
Oregon and Oklahoma report deaths are down 27 percent and 30 percent while Florida had an increase of eight deaths during the first six months of 2010 from 198 in 2009 to 206 in 2010. Florida ranked among the top states for motorcycle fatalities during the first six months of 2010 along with New York (22), Ohio (15), Tennessee (12), and New Hampshire (11).
In the states with good numbers to report, education programs that promoting riding sober and straight along with a motorcycle specific license may have contributed to the improved picture. However there are some areas of concern:
Motorcycle helmet use appeared to be declining from a high of 67 percent in 2009 to 54 percent in 2010. By the third quarter of 2009, motorcycle deaths had increased by about 3 percent when compared to the previous year. Fatalities dropped slightly by the second quarter.
With gas prices increasing, a surge in motorcycle use is expected along with an increased risk to riders. The Florida motorcycle accident lawyers at Farah & Farah encourages the continued use of motorcycle helmets to keep riders safe along with a reduction in speed, alcohol consumption, and an increase in driver. If you or a loved one is involved in a motorcycle crash, our experienced Florida and South Georgia attorneys will open their doors to discuss your options.
A motorcyclist is in critical condition after he collided with a motorist on Thursday, April 7, at an intersection in Orange County. The Orlando Sentinel reports that a 61-year-old driver from Orlando was traveling northbound on Jason Street when she stopped at the intersection with Lancaster Road. After she pulled her 2004 Chrysler forward, she was hit on the right side by a motorcycle driven by a 45-year-old Orlando man. He was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. The motorist was not injured in the Florida motorcycle accident. The biker was reportedly not wearing a helmet, according to a report by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Let’s hope the motorcyclist pulls through his injuries. At this time, there is no word on who might be at-fault for this collision, but an investigation by the FHP is underway and charges could be filed.
Intersections attract a high number of accidents of all kinds, but particularly for motorcycles. Red light running can often be blamed and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that in 20 percent of fatal intersection crashes, a driver failed to obey the traffic signals. Often the motorist says they did not see the motorcycle. In 2009, Florida officials reported that 376 motorcyclists were killed in accidents, along with 26 passengers. Altogether, there were 8,313 motorcycle crashes in the state that year.
The Florida motorcycle accident lawyers at the law firm of Farah & Farah has been representing people injured in motorcycle accidents since 1979. We understand that often the biker is blamed for an accident that is not their fault. A thorough investigation must be undertaken immediately along with an accident scene reconstruction to determine how the crash happened. A rider seriously injured by a motorist’s carelessness or a distracted motorist has the right to hold that driver responsible for the accident, their injuries, and related damages in a court of law.
A motorcyclist who was trying to drive around a car on the left side was struck and killed in Sarasota off Bee Ridge Road on Saturday, March 19, according to The Sarasota Herald-Tribune. The article reports that the 26-year-old rider was traveling westbound on Bee Ridge, as was the 25-year-old female motorist who was approaching the Wake Avenue intersection when the Florida motorcycle collision occurred. The driver began turning her Prius onto Wake Avenue at the same time the biker was trying to pass her. When the car struck the motorcyclist, he was thrown from the bike and killed. The biker was wearing a helmet, according to the FHP.
Our condolences are extended to the friends and family of this young man for his sudden passing.
Unfortunately for bikers, the cause of this crash is not uncommon. A motorists’ most common complaint is that they cannot see a motorcycle, and when a biker rides in the vehicle’s blind spot, that may be true. Certainly approaching to pass on the left increases the chances that a biker will fall inside the blind spot at a time the driver is turning into their path. It is a deadly combination that almost always leaves the motorcyclist seriously injured or worse.
Florida is a comparative negligence state, which means you can be considered partially at-fault for an accident yet still collect some damages, depending on your degree of fault. The Florida motorcycle accident lawyers at Farah & Farah will represent you fully and fairly in a court of law or before the insurance adjusters. Your first step is to call our offices at 1-800-533-3555.
Victims of a motorcycle crash in Florida may be able to hold the at-fault party criminally responsible for the resulting injuries or death under a bill introduced into the Florida Legislature. Under Senate Bill 608, passed by a Florida Senate committee on Wednesday, March 9, the person who causes a motorcycle accident could face criminal charges in additional to civil charges, reports WCTV.
Tina McElhenny’s son Kris and Mike Sellers son, Steven were both killed in motorcycle accidents. Both parents tell WCTV that the at-fault drivers were never charged in those fatal accidents and they support Senate Bill 608.
Florida Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle shows that over the past five years, 2,357 motorcyclists have died on Florida roads. A failure to yield and careless driving often cause an auto accident with a motorcycle. And it is frequently the fault of the motorist who simply doesn’t see the motorcycle until it’s too late.
Legislature watchers say that while lawmakers file thousands of bills each year, only about 10 percent make it through committees and are eventually signed into law by the governor. Without a strong lobby, for example, a ban against cell phone use or texting while driving has failed to pass in Florida over the past four years. This will be a bill to watch to see if the emotional pull pushes it to become law.
In the meantime, if the driver of a vehicle or motorcycle is at-fault and causes another person to suffer injuries or death, they could be held civilly liable for the injuries and deaths. That is what the experienced Florida motorcycle accident attorneys of Farah & Farah can do for the accident victim or surviving family members. We can help you seek compensation to cover a wrongful death, or in the case of an injury, the medical expenses, cost of hospitalization, surgeries, and rehabilitation for the accident victim. Contact our offices immediately following the crash so we can help preserve the evidence that will point to the at-fault party.
The northbound lanes of Interstate 95 were closed for a short while on Saturday afternoon, February 26, in St. Johns County after a motorcyclist and car collided near mile marker 318 in St. Augustine, FL. The biker had to be airlifted to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center and was reportedly the only one injured in the accident, according to The St. Augustine Record. There is no information in this report on what caused the crash or whether the motorist was injured.
Florida Motorcycle Accident Injuries
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported that there were 97 injuries from motorcycle accidents in St. Johns County in 2009 and 2 motorcycle fatalities. In Florida in 2009, there were 402 fatalities among motorcyclists and their passengers, a sharp decline from 532 the year before.
The article in The St. Augustine Record also doesn’t tell us whether or not the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, helmets decrease the likelihood of death by 37 percent, particularly by protecting the head from traumatic brain injury. We also don’t know the condition of the roadway. Debris on a highway from construction is easily maneuvered by vehicles, but can prove deadly for a biker who can lose traction on the roadway. From time to time, our experienced St. Augustine motorcycle accident attorneys have found that a motorcycle may have a defective component or tire that caused a roadway collision.
NO matter the cause of a motorcycle accident in Florida, whether it was due to a defective motorcycle part, faulty brakes, poorly designed tires, debris in the road, or another motorist’s negligence, an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help families and victims receive fair compensation from the at-fault driver or manufacturer. Call us today and we can get started by sitting down with you and discussing your Florida motorcycle crash.
Georgia motorcycle riders are being asked to respond to a proposal to set up motorcycle-only checkpoints. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reported in an article in its publication that it wants the checkpoints stopped in advance of Daytona Bike Week that runs March 4 through the 13. The organization is asking bikers to contact Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal until some questions are answered.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the state about $70,000 to conduct the motorcycle-only checkpoints. New York State previously had the same safety checkpoints for motorcyclists. The AMA believes that motorcycle safety is important but that focusing attention on crash prevention is the best way to keep everyone on the road safe. The AMA says it wants some questions answered first such as – where is the probable cause? That is usually required before someone is pulled over and questioned by police. And why do states focus their attention on motorcycles only?
Tens of thousands of bikers are expected to converge on Daytona during Bike Week and apparently Georgia wants to get a handle on the situation with the use of public money.
Florida Motorcycle Accident Statistics
There were 376 motorcyclists killed in Florida in 2009, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, a decline of 24 percent from 2008. The safety campaign was initiated in 2008 after the state realized that motorcycles made up about 6 percent of Florida traffic but 18 percent of deaths on Florida roads.
The campaign continues to be coordinated by motorcycle clubs, dealers, law enforcement, and community safety groups.
If you or a loved one is suffering after a motorcycle accident, let the experienced Florida motorcycle accident attorneys at Farah & Farah help take you through the process of identifying the responsible party and then help you seek the compensation you deserve from that party.
One of two 15-year-old Orlando brothers who were struck by a hit-and-run driver on their way to school Wednesday, November 3, has died from his injuries sustained in the Florida car accident. The teen died at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children after he and his brother were hit on Valencia College Lane in front of their home around 6:30 a.m., reports The Orlando Sentinel. The other brother was seriously injured and is recuperating at home.
Fortunately, a retired Orange County firefighter noticed a 2001 Grand Am in an Orlando Publix grocery store parking lot with a damaged hood, shattered windshield, and dented right fender. The front of the vehicle was smeared with blood and police have questioned a 29-year old suspect. Even though he has not been charged, law enforcement says a car part at the scene of the collision with the teens matches the Pontiac.
Our sympathies go out to the friends and family of this young man who was just beginning his life. Let’s hope his brother has a full recovery.
Liability Issues
The article reports the driver has a history of traffic and criminal convictions which include reckless driving, speeding, DUI, and resisting an officer. He was reportedly driving without a license.
Farah & Farah attorneys have an extensive background representing clients who have been injured by the irresponsible behavior of others on the road. A Florida wrongful death claim can be filed against the at-fault driver to cover the cost of a funeral, loss of companionship, and related damages. Our Florida wrongful death attorneys will also seek compensation for related medical costs for anyone who is seriously injured by a reckless driver. Our door is open to discuss your case.
