Articles Posted in Motorcycle Accidents

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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – A motorcyclist’s life was claimed when traveled at a high rate and ear-ended a Hyundai Sonata around 8 p.m. Thursday.

WFLA revealed that the collision happened at the 34th Street North and 34th Avenue North junction. St. Petersburg Police said that the motorcyclist — an unidentified 25-year-old man — hit the right side of the car after the Hyundai driver crossed five lanes of traffic. 

First responders took the driver to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and the motorcyclist succumbed to fatal injuries at the scene. 

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TAMPA, FL – A 24-year-old man was riding his motorcycle on I-75 and succumbed to fatal injuries when he struck the back of a van Friday night, WFLA reported. 

Florida Highway Patrol said the force of the collision knocked the motorcyclist off his bike and that he fell down in the center lane. The van driver and passenger were unharmed, and the motorcyclist — who was only identified as a man from Knoxville, Tennessee — was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Our newsroom will post more information as it becomes available. 

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Motorcycle lane splitting is not legal in Tampa or elsewhere in Florida. This means that no motorcyclist can maneuver between any two moving lanes of traffic at the same time. Regardless of what type of road you are on or how busy traffic is, it is always illegal to ride your motorcycle between other automobiles in Tampa and throughout the state.

Despite the laws, lane splitting and using emergency or bike lanes is a common occurrence witnessed by fellow motorcyclists in the Tampa Bay area. One theory as to why motorcyclists are engaging in these risky behaviors in Florida is because there may be some confusion about the laws governing the practice of lane splitting. Our Tampa Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton want to clear up any misconceptions that bikers may have about lane splitting. Even though it is legal in some states, it is strictly prohibited in Florida.

Untitled-design-64-200x300What Is Lane Splitting?

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PINELLAS COUNTY, FL – A 22-year-old man lost his life when he crashed his motorcycle into a concrete barrier on the 4th Street North off-ramp leading to I-275 Thursday. 

This fatal wreck occurred before 4:30 a.m., according to ABC Action News. Florida Highway Patrol said that, for whatever reason, he drove past the closed entrance signs before striking the concrete barrier. 

First responders rushed the man to a hospital, where he later died. Officials have only identified him as a man from South Carolina and have not released his name at this time. 

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THONOTOSASSA, FL – A fatality was reported after a crash between a motorcycle and a white Chevy car at the U.S. 301 and Williams Road before 11 p.m. Monday. 

As shown in a report from WFLA, the Chevy sustained heavy front-end damage, and the motorcycle was destroyed. It is unclear what contributed to this wreck or who died. 

More information will be posted as it becomes available. 

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SARASOTA, FL – A multi-vehicle collision involving a motorcyclist in the Bee Ridge area left at least one person injured on Saturday afternoon.

According to WWSB, the incident took place just after noon at the intersection of Bee Ridge Road and McIntosh Road.

Few details about the crash are available at this time. However, authorities confirmed a motorcyclist was involved and one person as taken to a local hospital for treatment.

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Tampa, and the entire Sunshine State, is known for its relatively warm year-round climate. Intense heat not only burn you while on your bike, but can easily lead to you becoming dehydrated without even realizing it and resulting in heat exhaustion/injury. The key to preventing a heat injury is to be prepared. The following tips from our Tampa Bay Motorcycle Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you face the heat:

  1. Dont-Sweat-It-300x300Stay hydrated. You must drink water and keep your body hydrated. Many Florida riders opt for a camelback or other hydration pack for their rides so that they can sip on their water without stopping their bike. Drink more than you think you need to ensure proper hydration. Remember, sports drinks are no substitute for H2O, but can be added along with for electrolytes.
  2. Steer clear of caffeinated beverages and alcohol. Sugary sodas may sound good, but caffeine is a diuretic, which means this pulls more water out of your body. Alcohol and biking are not a good mix, for many reasons, so it is best to refrain from drinking alcohol and biking.
  3. Give your body time to recoup. Your body can only take so much heat, so make sure you get rest and cool down. Recognize the warning signs of heat stroke, like cramps, flushed skin, nausea, dizziness, headaches, intense sweating, and extreme tiredness.
  4. Wear the right gear. Head-to-toe gear can prevent injuries from a crash, but also prevent heat injuries. When you ride in warmer temps, it is best to stay covered in mesh or moisture wicking material. Technology has provided riders with cool gadgets to fight of the heat, such as cooling vests, wrist bands, and collars that absorb water into moisture-retaining fabric so that your body can keep cool for hours.
  5. Wear sunscreen. Extreme heat means intense sun exposure that can easily burn you in minutes. You want to wear sunscreen with SPF of 30 or greater on exposed skin every time you ride in the sun to stop burns.

Fatigue can creep up on you easily when riding in extreme heats, so make sure you are protected when traveling through Tampa in the warmer temps. Don’t wait until you have extreme thirst to drink some water, as you are already dehydrated at this point. Your body loses tons of water when you sweat, so you need to replenish these lost fluids before fatigue sets in.

If you start to feel any symptoms of heat exhaustion while on your bike, then it is best to pull over and rehydrate. It is also a great idea to rest until you have recovered from dehydration.

Our Tampa Bay Motorcycle Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton cannot stress this enough: Never ride your bike if you feel groggy, disoriented, or weak. The Florida heat is no joke! Continue reading

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A 47-year-old woman was arrested and charged with her involvement in a hit and run collision with two motorcycles. 

Clearwater police said that the 47-year-old woman was charged with two counts of leaving the scene of a crash with injury.

The hit and run crash happened around 8:30 p.m. Friday evening on State Road 590 at Lucas Drive. Officers said the woman fled the scene immediately following the crash. 

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A 50-year-old Lakeland motorcycle police officer was killed in a crash Thursday morning on his way to work.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the officer was killed just before 6 a.m. when his motorcycle for unknown reasons collided with and drove over a raised concrete median between the north and southbound lanes on Lakeland Highlands Road just south of Lake Miriam Drive.

This caused the officer to lose control of the motorcycle. The officer and the motorcycle came to rest on the inside (left) lane of the northbound roadway.

He was operating his agency Harley Davidson Police Road King motorcycle. 

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said multiple passersby stopped at the crash site to help render aid to Dunn and call 911.

One woman stopped and called 911. Another woman, a nurse practitioner, began CPR on the officer.

The officer was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead at 6:53 a.m. at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. The officer, who was with the agency about five years after a dozen years with the Polk Sheriff’s Office, also served as a U.S. Marine. He was married with three adult children.

Authorities are conducting a fatal crash investigation, as it occurred in the unincorporated area of Lakeland.  

Judd said the investigation will be exhausted to determine the cause of the crash. 

Did you know that the state of Florida ranks seventh among all US states in terms of motorcyclist fatalities? This is according to a report by the Governors Highway Safety Association. Regrettably, local statistics show that thousands of motorcycle riders get hurt on Florida roads each year.

The latest data from the Governors Highway Safety Association reveals that in 2017 alone, Florida accounted for 18.2 percent of all motorcycle fatalities in the U.S. This amounts to roughly 504 deaths. In 2016, Florida was responsible for 574 motorcycle deaths. This number of motorcycle fatalities actually decreased by 70 from 2016 to 2017.

As fun as they can be, motorcycles are one of the more dangerous forms of transportation. Sadly, it is common for drivers of larger vehicles to not see motorcycles, and as a result, catastrophic accidents occur. Whether you are an experienced rider or a novice, there are a few safety tips you can be reminded of to keep you safe on the road. 

The following are a few safety precautions for motorcycle riders:

  • Maintain your motorcycle. Before taking your bike out for a spin, make sure there are no problems with your motorcycle. You do not want to discover that you’re missing a turn signal or having brake trouble when you’re already out on the road as it could be too late at that point.
  • Wear your safety gear. Helmets can protect you against fatal or life-changing brain injuries. It is also a good idea to wear eye and face protection, a protective jacket, long pants, gloves and boots.
  • Take a safety course. Regardless of if you have years of experience, you can always brush up on your skills. Taking a motorcycle safety course is always a good idea. You can find motorcycle safety courses in Florida by clicking here.
  • Follow the posted speed limit. A large percentage of motorcyclists who die in accidents are speeding.
  • Don’t operate your motorcycle drunk. Never drink and drive any vehicle. Operating a motorcycle under the influence of drugs or alcohol can be especially dangerous. 
  • Stay alert. Always be on the lookout for potholes, bumps in the road and oncoming vehicles. You cannot always rely on other drivers to look out for you.

Unfortunately, even if you do everything right on your end, sometimes accidents still happen. Our Tampa Bay Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton have handled many cases in which motorcyclists and their passengers were injured in accidents caused by other drivers doing the following: 

  • Following a motorcycle too closely
  • Failing to yield at an intersection
  • Running a stop sign or red light
  • Cutting off a motorcycle when changing lanes
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Unsafe lane changes
  • Improper turning

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A motorcyclist was killed in a crash involving an SUV early Tuesday morning in Polk County.

According to witnesses, the 22-year-old was driving his 2006 Suzuki sport motorcycles at a high rate of speed on SR 60 when he crashed into a 1993 Ford Explorer that was turning left onto Pine Grove Road from westbound SR 60.

Deputies said the impact of the crash caused the SUV to flip onto its side.

According to the crash report, the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet but it came off during the crash. First responders pronounced him dead on scene.

The driver of the SUV suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital.

The EB lanes of SR 60 were closed for nearly three hours during the investigation.

The investigation remains ongoing and no charges are anticipated, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

The Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2016, 33 percent of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were speeding, compared to 19 percent for passenger car drivers, 15 percent for light-truck drivers, and 7 percent for large-truck drivers.

Road conditions, operator errors, and driver behaviors such as speeding all play important roles in motorcycle crashes. Our Tampa Bay Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton have put together these safety recommendations for all motorcyclists:

  • Take a motorcycle education and certification course. The Florida Rider Training Program (FRTP) uses curriculum developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). FRTP Sponsors offer a 15-hour MSF Basic RiderCourse® (BRC) and Basic RiderCourse updated® (BRCu), which provides an introduction to the fundamentals of safe, responsible motorcycling. This includes the knowledge and skills necessary to ride safely on the streets and highways. You can find a list of safety courses in your area here.
  • Always wear a helmet. While a helmet is not required in Florida for riders over the age of 21 as long as they can prove they are covered by a $10,000 medical insurance policy to cover any injuries that may arise as a result of a crash, there is a general consensus that helmet use is an important preventive measure against some of the most serious accident injuries, such as head or brain injuries that can cause paralysis, permanent disability, or wrongful death.
  • Follow traffic laws and avoid speeding. Motorcycle operators are required to follow the same laws as other drivers sharing the roadways.
  • Ride in open zones. Always ride in open zones in traffic so that you have additional room to maneuver and allow you to keep away from dangerous blind spots.
  • Cover your brakes. When you are riding in traffic you must react quickly, so you do not want to be fumbling for the brake lever or pedal. Keep a finger or two on the brake lever and your right toe close to the rear brake pedal to minimize reach time.
  • Never drive drunk or distracted. Do not drink, use drugs, or take prescription medications that can cause drowsiness or other impairment when getting behind the wheel of your motorcycle. Likewise, do not use a phone while driving.
  • Maintain your bike. Keep your motorcycle working properly and undertake repairs when needed. Watch for recalls, check tires, keep your cables oiled, and consult your owner’s manual to grease the appropriate machinery.
  • Dress to be seen. Wear brightly-colored clothing to increase your visibility.
  • Drive defensively. Never assume that other drivers can see you. You need to be aware of other vehicles and drivers on the road with you.

How is Fault Determined in a Motorcycle Crash?

When it comes to a negligence lawsuit, there are four elements: duty, breach, harm and causation. All drivers, including motorcyclists, have a duty to drive safely and follow the rules of the road. If a driver breaches this duty and causes an accident, they may be liable for damages. This can be easy to determine in cases where a driver broke a traffic law, such as ignoring a stop sign. In other accidents, this can be more tricky to conclude. In some cases, the other driver’s behavior can be deemed so risky that they are charged with recklessness. This often happens when a driver is drunk. Lastly, the accident resulting from a breach must be determined to have caused harm to the plaintiff for a personal injury or wrongful death case to be filed.

What if both the motorcyclist and the other party were at fault?

It is entirely possible for a motorcyclist and a driver to be found to share the fault in an accident. Maybe the accident was caused by a speeding motorcyclist and a car who made an unsafe turn. In this type of situation, the percent that each driver was at fault will have to be determined. This is where the legal standard of comparative damages comes into play, and those who are partly responsible for an accident receive damages at a reduced rate based on the percentage that they are at fault.

Let’s say the motorcyclist was 30% responsible for an accident, so that means they will only be able to collect 70% of the damages. Keep in mind that if a motorcyclist is responsible for over 50% of the accident, they will not be eligible for damages.

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