Reports indicate that a motorcycle rider crashed into a truck on Sunday driven by Leesburg City Commissioner Jay Hurley.
The motorcycle rider’s identity has not yet been released, but he was treated on the scene and flown to Orlando Regional Medical Center.
The Leesburg Police Department asked the Florida Highway Patrol to help investigate the collision since it involves a top city official.
A hit-and-run crash in Stuart on Monday that left a motorcyclist hospitalized is the result of a texting driver, according to police.
The suspect, a 29-year-old man, was texting while driving when he struck the motorcyclist and fled the scene.
A citizen driving near the intersection of Indian Road and Willoughby Boulevard in Stuart on Monday reported the incident to police when he noticed the man hit the biker and failed to stop.
The 911 operator confirmed the location of the citizen and police arrived a short time later and arrested the man. According to Martin County police, the man admitted that he was texting while driving and thought he had killed the motorcyclist.
The suspect was arrested and faces several charges. The victim, whose identity has not yet been released, is still recovering in the hospital.
This is the county’s first texting-and-driving case, according to reports.
Texting has become a very popular means of communication between friends and family. However, texting while driving is not only dangerous to other drivers, but to everyone else sharing the roadway. There are a growing number of auto accidents in Florida and throughout the United States that are caused by texting drivers. If you were involved in a car accident that was caused by a driver who was texting or talking on a cell phone, it is in your best interest to speak with an injury lawyer who can help you proceed with a personal injury lawsuit. A Florida Auto Accident Injury Lawyer can advise you of your rights as a victim and help you file a claim to recover damages for your injuries.
There are many expenses that are involved in a Florida car accident. The at-fault driver whose negligence caused your injuries should be held responsible for your suffering. By filing a personal injury claim you can get the money you need to pay for:
A Mount Dora man injured while riding his 2008 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide motorcycle last month passed away recently.
According to Florida Highway Patrol troopers, the 51-year-old died Monday, Dec. 30, at 1:03 p.m. at Ocala Regional Medical Center. His 49-year-old wife, also of Mount Dora, remains at ORMC.
The accident took place at 3:10 p.m. Dec. 7 at County Road 25 and Sunset Harbor Road.
If you have lost someone you love in a motorcycle accident that was the fault of another motorist, you should speak with a Marion County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Whittel & Melton as soon as possible .
According to officials, a 2004 Mini Cooper driven by an 83-year-old Eustis man was heading north on CR 25, approaching Sunset Harbor Road. At the same time, the deceased and his wife were traveling south on CR 25 on their motorcycle, also approaching Sunset Harbor Road. The 83-year-old motorist failed to yield the right of way of the motorcycle and turned left, causing the front of the Mini Cooper to smash into the Harley bike.
Authorities claim that neither the deceased nor his wife was wearing a helmet.
In 2013, there were 54 traffic related deaths reported in Marion County alone.
In the last decade, there has been a decrease in the number of many types of motor vehicle accidents throughout the state of Florida and the rest of the country. However, due to the increasingly popularity of motorcycle travel, these types of accidents have been on the incline. When a motorcyclist is killed in a preventable accident caused by the carelessness or recklessness of another driver, the biker’s family may be able to seek compensation for their loss.
Two boys riding dirt bikes are recovering in the hospital after being hit by a car on Christmas Eve.
The boys, 13 and 16, were riding their bikes around Southwest 66th Terrace and Southwest 28th Street when a Nissan Altima hit them around 4 p.m. Wednesday, according to a Miramar Police spokeswoman.
The two boys were transported to Memorial Regional Hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
The driver of the Altima reportedly stayed at the scene after the accident. Police are still investigating the incident.
Dirt bikes and ATV’s, otherwise known as all-terrain vehicles, can be fun for individuals of all ages, but they are also notorious for being very dangerous. Dirt bike and ATV accidents can result in serious injuries, paralysis and even death. If you or someone you care for has suffered an injury from dirt bike or ATV accident, it is important to consult with a Broward County Injury Lawyer at Whittel & Melton immediately. We represent individuals who have been injured on a dirt bike, motorcycle or ATV throughout Broward County, including the cities of Coconut Creek, Cooper City, Coral Springs, Dania Beach, Davie, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Hollywood, Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Lauderhill, Lazy Lake, Lighthouse Point, Margate, Miramar, North Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Parkland, Pembroke Park, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Pompano Beach, Port Everglades, Sea Ranch Lakes, Southwest Ranches, Sunrise, Tamarac, West Park, Weston and Wilton Manors.
A Kissimmee biker was ejected from his motorcycle and killed in a hit-and-run crash Tuesday morning that shut down eastbound Interstate 4 for almost four hours, resulting in a traffic backup of at least five miles.
Law-enforcement officers are currently looking for the motorist that fled the scene of the lethal collision. Police are searching for a gray pickup, possibly a Ford F250 or F350, that they believe ran over the 47-year-old motorcyclists and kept going, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Police are also keeping an eye out for other drivers who may have hit the biker.
The crash occurred shortly after 7 a.m. when a car travelling east in front of the motorcycle struck road debris that flipped a strip of blown-out tire into the air, according to a Florida Highway Patrol spokesman.
The debris hit the motorcyclist in the head and knocked him off his Yamaha bike near Osceola Parkway.
The motorcycle came to rest on the grassy shoulder about a half-mile from the crash.
Troopers reopened I-4 just before 11 a.m.
Hit-and-run motorcycle collisions are becoming increasingly common in Florida and throughout the United States. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents have actually increased a staggering 15 percent throughout the last decade. Even more disturbing is that the NHTSA reports that hit-and-run car and motorcycle accidents account for up to 700,000 collisions each year.
The number of people killed in motorcycle crashes throughout the state of Florida and nationwide is on the rise.
While the number of motorcycle fatalities nationwide dropped to about 4,200 in 2009, the number of deadly crashes in 2011 increased to just less than 5,000.
Preliminary data shows that nearly 4,000 motorcyclists across the country died between
January and September 2012.
Florida ranks third in the nation with 287 deadly motorcycle crashes in the first nine months of 2012. Texas steals the top spot with 358 people killed and California takes second with 318.
Although the numbers throughout Florida show an increase in motorcycle deaths, in Tampa, the extreme jump in numbers this year is especially disturbing.
This time last year, Tampa saw three motorcycle fatalities. This year, 13 deaths have already been reported.
Tampa police claim the increase can be blamed on several factors – impaired drivers, inexperienced bikers and motorists speeding or driving recklessly.
In response to what appears to be a concerning problem, Tampa police are cracking down with zero tolerance for speeding, reckless driving and other violations.
Florida is a wonderful place to ride a motorcycle because the weather here is usually quite pleasant all year round. However, because of our tropical temperatures, this usually means there are a larger number of bikers sharing the roadways which ultimately leads to a higher instance of motorcycle accidents. When you have been involved in an accident while riding your motorcycle, you will need a Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorney to help you handle your case. Motorcyclists involved in accidents are at risk of sustaining very serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord trauma and death. By working with a Florida Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Whittel & Melton, you can rest assured that we will aggressively fight to recover compensation for your medical costs, rehabilitation and all other expenses that accrue as a result of the at-fault party’s negligence.
Kendrick, FL – A 22-year-old motorcyclist who crashed into a dump truck Tuesday morning is still in critical condition at Ocala Regional Medical Center.
The driver of the truck, a 57-year-old Summerfield man, was not injured.
According to Florida Highway Patrol troopers, the motorcyclist was heading north on Northwest Gainesville Road at about 6:40 a.m. on a 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX 10 when the dump truck, coming from the opposite direction, failed to see the motorcycle and executed a left-hand turn. The pair collided, and the bike became pinned under the driver’s side front wheel of the truck.
A blood sample was taken from the truck driver.
The crash is still under investigation.
Motorcycles are a lot smaller than trucks, so it can be more difficult to spot them on the roadways. But this does not mean that bikers do not have a right to be on streets and highways with other automobiles. Drivers of cars, trucks and SUVs must pay extra careful attention for motorcyclists, pedestrians and bicyclists who may be on or near the road. Unfortunately, because motorcycles are smaller than most automobiles, this generally means that riders suffer severe injuries or even death when involved in a traffic collision. The most common motorcycle accident injuries include head and neck injuries, broken bones, spinal cord trauma, traumatic brain injuries and death.
Country music singer Wynona Judd’s husband, and drummer for her band, lost his leg recently in a motorcycle collision in South Dakota.
The accident occurred when Judd and her husband, Michael Scott “Cactus” Moser, went for a ride together on separate bikes before one of her scheduled concerts.
According to reports, Moser’s left leg was severed at the accident site and doctors in Rapid City, South Dakota, amputated the leg above the knee. He also underwent surgery for his hand.
Moser apparently collided with an oncoming vehicle.
Judd was not involved in the accident.
Suffering an amputation can be devastating. Losing a limb can affect your job, social life and everyday routine tasks. A victim may need numerous surgeries and months of physical therapy. While medical benefits may cover some of the initial hospital bills and therapy costs, future medical bills, prosthetics, lost wages, pain management medications and other costs can add up quickly. The Florida Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton work aggressively to help amputation victims gain the compensation they need to cover any and all costs related to their accident injuries.
Nearly 22 percent of amputations are performed after a person has endured serious suffering as a result of a car accident or a workplace injury. Sadly, most amputations are performed on bikers injured in motorcycle collisions. Anytime someone loses a limb it changes their life forever. Recovering from an amputation can be a never ending battle, as a person is forced to deal with both physical and emotional pain. In addition to the pain and suffering caused by the loss of a limb, the financial load can be a heavy burden to bear. On average, the medical cost of an amputation adds up to around $91,000, not to mention the estimated $510,000 for lifetime medical treatment and ongoing care.
According to a new federal study released Thursday, fewer motorcyclists are killed in states that have helmet laws.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention performed a study that found nearly five times as many no-helmet motorcycle deaths occur in states that have less restrictive laws.
Researchers with the CDC looked at a government tally of fatal traffic crashes, focusing on the counted 14,283 motorcycle deaths from 2008 through 2010.
This number included 6,057 bikers not wearing a helmet. Research shows about 12 percent of those deaths occurred in the 20 states that require everyone on a motorcycle to wear helmets.
Not only do helmet laws save lives, they lower the costs to society as well, according to the CDC.
The CDC Director claims that more than $3 billion in economic costs were saved in 2010 due to helmet use. If all bikers would wear helmets, another 1.4 billion could have been saved.
More money is apparently saved per registered bike in states that require helmets than in states with fewer restrictions, $725 versus $200, CDC researchers estimated. During the time the study was conducted, three states – Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire – had no helmet laws in place and another 27 states only required helmet laws for teen bikers or other particular riders.
A total of 20 states had universal helmet laws set in place for bikers.
Motorcycle riders have argued that it should be their choice whether or not to wear a helmet, claiming only a small percentage of motor vehicle accidents involve motorcycles.
While motorcycles account for about 3 percent of the registered vehicles on the road, 14 percent of the people killed in traffic accidents are bikers, according to the CDC.
The state of Florida has a partial helmet law, mandating bikers under the age of 21 wear a helmet, while bikers over the age of 21 are not required to wear a helmet with proof of a medical insurance policy. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risks of serious injuries and save lives. While biking provides riders with a sense of freedom, it is important to understand that motorcycles are inherently dangerous, thus requiring the use of proper safety equipment.
The CDC encourages bikers to be responsible on the road and follow these safety guidelines:
• Always wear a helmet.
• Wear protective clothing that can provide some level of protection from injuries.
• Never operate a motorcycle after consuming alcohol.
• Do not partake in reckless driving or tailgating.
• Maintain a safe speed and always exercise caution when traveling over gravel or slippery surfaces.
The Florida Motorcycle Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton assist motorcycle injury victims and the families of those who have lost a loved one due to the negligence of other motorists throughout the state of Florida. We help bikers that were injured while wearing or not wearing helmets. Unfortunately, many insurance companies try and blame helmetless riders for injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents even when it is clear that another driver’s negligence caused the accident. At Whittel & Melton, we understand that every accident has its own set of unique circumstances. We can deal with the insurance coverage issues specific to your case and guide you through the legal process of bringing a motorcycle injury or wrongful death case.
A 22-year-old motorcyclist remained in critical condition Tuesday afternoon after being involved in a collision with a 100-year-old driver.
The Florida Highway Patrol claims a 2003 Buick Century made a left turn into the motorcyclist’s path.
The 22-year-old was ejected from his motorcycle and taken to Tampa General Hospital.
The Buick’s driver, apparently born in 1911, suffered minor injuries.
No charges have been filed as of yet. The investigation is pending.
The sunny, warm climate of Florida tends to entice a large number of motorcycle enthusiasts each year. However, when the number of motorcycles on the road is increased this invariably leads to a surge in motorcycle collisions. Many factors can contribute to a motorcycle crash, including:
• Weather Conditions
• Speeding
• Riding Skills
• Road Hazards
• Reduced Visibility
Motorcycle accidents often leave passengers with severe injuries due to the lack of standard safety features that other passenger vehicles are equipped with. Motorcycles are not outfitted with the protective metal frame, safety belts and airbags that provide safety to occupants of passenger cars, so motorcyclists likely experience catastrophic internal, brain and spinal cord injuries when involved in a wreck. These severe injuries can wind up costing you a substantial amount of time and money to recover from, and you may be unable to cover the cost of your medical bills due to time missed from work.
The Florida Motorcycle Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton know the financial difficulties many motorcycle injury victims face following an accident. You may require assistance to carry out daily tasks and be physically unable to work. You could be facing the stress of recovering from your injury, while at the same time trying to figure out how to cover household costs. At Whittel & Melton, we strive to help those injured in accidents recover financial compensation from the liable party. We can investigate your accident claim and put our resources at work for you while you focus on your road to recovery.
Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog