Tampa Bay Injury Attorney Blog
A scooter rider was seriously injured early Tuesday morning in a crash that closed the southbound lanes of Interstate 75 near Fletcher Avenue for an hour, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The 32-year-old scooter driver was slowly operating the scooter in the southbound outside lane at about 6 a.m. when he was struck from behind by a 2011 Toyota Sienna. The driver was attempting to pass the scooter, troopers said.
The impact threw the man from the scooter, troopers said, and he landed on outside grass shoulder.
He was taken to Tampa General Hospital for treatment of what was reported to be serious injuries, troopers said. The Toyota driver was not injured in the crash.
Both were cited. The scooter driver received a citation for impeding traffic while the driver of the Toyota was cited for careless driving, the Highway Patrol said.
Careless driving is defined as failing to drive a vehicle in a careful and practical manner. Careless driving can include:
- Tailgating
- Failing to yield properly
- Improper passing of another vehicle
- Improper lane changing
- Running a red light
- Speeding
- Failure to stop for an emergency vehicle
- Making an improper turn
Driving carelessly can result in a serious car accident. Sometimes motorists drive carelessly with the intent of not getting caught and other times motorists do this without even realizing what they may be doing. Our Tampa Bay Auto Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton urge you to take the following precautions to avoid driving carelessly:
- Always use a turn signal when changing lanes or making a turn
- Obey all traffic signals and signs
- Avoid being distracted by a mobile device
- Do not drive aggressively and tailgate the vehicle in front of you
It is up to all motorists sharing the road to drive properly, so when even just one person fails to follow the rules of the road, serious accidents can occur.
If your or someone you love has been injured by a careless driver, then we can help you seek financial compensation for your injuries. Call us today at 813-221-3200 for a free consultation or contact us online.