South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog
A Palm Beach motorcycle accident has claimed the life of a teenager, CBS 4 reported.
The 17-year-old was eastbound on Wiles Road when his motorcycle collided with a Ford Escape that was attempting to turn into a parking lot. The accident sent the victim flying about 70 feet before he landed on the windshield of another vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene and the driver of the other vehicle was taken to Coral Springs Medical Center for treatment.
Our Palm Beach accident lawyers encourage parents to speak with their teenagers about safe driving habits as school lets out for summer. Car accidents are the number one cause of death for teenagers ages 15 to 20, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2008, a total of 2,739 teenagers were killed in car accidents nationwide. In Florida, 195 young drivers lost their lives.
Florida motorists are at particularly high risk for being involved in a serious or fatal motorcycle accident. A total of 523 riders died in Florida motorcycle accidents in 2008, second only to California’s 537 fatalities.
The NHTSA offers resources for parents wishing to discuss safe driving habits with their teenagers. At a minimum, parents should establish clear rules with teen drivers, including:
-Absolutely no alcohol
-Seat belt use
-No cell phones or text messaging while driving
-Curfew
-Limits on number of passengers in a teen’s vehicle
Teens remain at increased risk for distracted driving accidents. The federal government’s website, Distraction.gov, reports that young drivers under the age of 20 have the highest rate of distracted driving accidents in the country.
If you have been injured in an accident in West Palm Beach, Margate, Hollywood Coral Gables or the surrounding area, contact Freeman & Mallard for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call 1-800-529-2368.