A 12-year-old boy was seriously injured last month after he was struck by a vehicle while riding his bike in Lake Worth, according to News Channel 5. The accident happened on Lake Worth Road in the parking lot of an IHOP and a Dunkin Donuts.
According to witnesses, the Lake Worth bicycle accident happened when the boy was riding through the parking lot and was struck by a Honda SUV that was making a turn. Reports indicate that the tires of the vehicle ran over the boy. The boy told officials that he “hurt all over.” The driver said that he didn’t see the boy in time and wasn’t able to stop or swerve to avoid the crash. According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the boy’s lungs were severely bruised and he sustained some abrasions but was last listed in stable condition.
Our Lake Worth bicycle accident attorneys understand that Florida was ranked as the most dangerous state in the United States for pedestrian and bicycle accidents. According to Transportation for America, there were nearly 5,200 people who were killed while walking and riding in the state from 2000 to 2009. These accidents cost the state more than $22 billion. The Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach areas of the state were the most dangerous with more than 1,550 fatalities during this time period.
Our Lake Worth Law Firm would like to ask residents to make safe travel a New Year’s resolution. With safe traveling habits from both motorists and bicyclists we can all be cautious of one another and avoid some potentially fatal traffic accidents. This is the 5th entry of a 6-part blog discussing simple New Year’s resolution for safer roads.
Safe Biking Tips, from the Sun Sentinel:
-Always right on the right-hand portion of the street unless you’re making a left-hand turn.
-Equip the front of your bike with a white light and a reflector.
-Make sure your bike has a reflector and a red light if you’re riding at night.
-Make sure that all bicyclists under the age of 16 are wearing a helmet. Make sure they’re wearing it properly, too!
-There should never be more than one person on a bike. Only ride more than one person on a bike if you’re riding one that is specifically designed for more people.
-Children should be carried in a sling or in a backpack, trailer or child seat when biking.
-You should always have at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.
-Bicyclists should always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are walking along crosswalks and sidewalks. Signal loudly before passing them.
-Ride as close as you can to the right-side curb unless you’re passing someone, avoiding an obstacle or making a left turn.
-Never ride parallel to more than one other bicyclist when traveling on the same street lane.
-Wear reflective clothing to be more easily seen by passing motorists.
The Lake Worth bicycle accident attorneys at Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC have been successfully and aggressively representing accident victims and their families throughout South Florida for years. Call us today to schedule a free and confidential appointment to discuss your case at 1-800-561-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Poor Visibility a Common Factor in Pedestrian or Bicycle Accidents in Margate, Port St. Lucie, Elsewhere, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, September 27, 2011
Small Children at Risk of Severe Injury in Fort Pierce Bicycle Accidents, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, June 26, 2011