South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog
A recent fatal motorcycle crash involving two brothers on separate bikes has us mindful how speed can increase the dangers of being involved in a motorcycle accident in Coral Springs, Tamarac, Weston and elsewhere in Florida.
Wink News Now reports two brothers were each riding motorcycles on Sea Mist Drive when one tried to pass the other and caused a collision between the two motorcycles. Upon impact, one man was thrown into some bushes and sustained serious injuries. He remained in critical condition. The other brother was thrown to the road and suffered a fatal injury. He was pronounced dead at Englewood Community Hospital. The accident report indicates that witnesses suspect the two motorcycles were traveling at almost 100 mph. A third motorcycle was allegedly involved in the accident as well. The rider reportedly left the scene after removing his bike from the bushes and stating he was unharmed. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.
Lake Worth motorcycle accident attorneys know that motorcycles can be extremely dangerous, especially when traveling at high rates of speed. The faster the rate of speed, the more difficult it is to stop or react to a dangerous situation. Plus, motorcyclists aren’t protected by an outer shell like motorists in vehicles, so ejections, roll-overs and loss of control usually result in serious injury or fatality.
In 2010, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported that there were 350 motorcyclists killed and another 6,686 injured in traffic crashes. This is almost 7 percent fewer than 2009. Conversely, there were more motorcycle passengers killed in 2010 (33) than in 2009 (26), which equates to an increase of almost 27 percent. Of the almost 7,500 motorcycle crashes in 2010, 725 passengers were injured on motorcycles. Strangely enough, when comparing helmet use to no helmet use, 4 percent of motorcyclists killed were wearing a helmet while driving compared to 4.5 percent killed while driving and not wearing a helmet. A higher percentage of motorcycle passengers were not killed when a helmet was worn. The age group most at risk of being injured or killed in a motorcycle crash in 2010 was 45 to 54 year olds.
Since 2004, there has been a minimum of 350 motorcyclists killed each year, with the high being reported at 521 in 2006. Over the last 10 years, the fewest motorcycle injuries in any one year was just slightly less than 5,000, and that was in 2002. The highest number of injuries was reported three years ago, at 8,519.
There are fewer motorists using roadways as the economy continues to regain its composure during tough times. It is possible that for this reason, overall traffic fatalities are down slightly in 2010 from 2009. Still, we shouldn’t take for granted the act of being cautious and always striving to be better drivers on Florida roadways no matter what the circumstances.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a motorcycle accident in Delray Beach, Margate or anywhere in South Florida, contact the accident attorneys at Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC. For a free, no-obligation appointment with an experienced attorney call 1-800-561-7777.
Additional Resources:
Motorcycle crash kills 1 brother, injures another, Wink News Now.
Two Killed in a Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, August 5, 2011.