Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
An 18-year-old University of Florida freshman baseball player was injured Sept. 27 after his scooter struck a car on the Alachua County campus.
The student was ejected from his scooter after colliding with a BMW 525i. Both motorists were supposedly attempting to make a left-hand turn when the man’s scooter hit the back of the woman’s car shortly before 7:30 p.m.
The driver of the BMW was cited by the University Police Department for failure to yield to a driver turning left.
The man’s head was bleeding while awaiting emergency responders. Responders from Alachua County Fire & Rescue wrapped his head with bandages before placing him on a stretcher and transporting him to the hospital.
A Florida spokesman said the student athlete was held overnight at Shands Hospital for observation. He was supposedly released the next morning, but no further update could be provided regarding his health.
Scooter and motorcycle accidents can often result in serious personal injuries and even wrongful death. There tends to be a larger risk of serious brain and back injuries to scooter and motorcycle riders because of the lack of protection these vehicles offer. Other common injuries include head injuries, spinal cord injuries, neck injuries, broken bones, paralysis and severe burns.
If you were injured while on a scooter or motorcycle because of another person’s negligence you may be able to seek compensation for pain, suffering and medical costs. Sometimes knowing the proper steps to take following a scooter accident can make filing your claim easier. Here are a few helpful tips if you find yourself involved in a collision:
• Get Insurance Information: Make sure you ask any parties involved for their names, phone numbers, addresses and insurance information for later use. If there are any witnesses to the accident, it can be beneficial to get their personal information as well. If needed, witness testimony can often strengthen your case.
• Take Photos: Many of today’s cell phones have camera features, so try and snap some visual evidence of the accident scene. Taking pictures of your damaged scooter or motorcycle is also a good idea.
• Do Not Get Rid of Your Scooter: Keeping your damaged scooter can serve as evidence during negotiations or trial for your accident claim. No matter how damaged, your scooter should be preserved if possible. Accident reconstructionists can often use your scuffed up scooter as a starting point for recreating the collision scene.
• Keep Quiet: You should try and only give statements regarding your accident to your motorcycle or scooter accident attorney. Speaking with investigators, insurance companies or newspapers can be detrimental to your case because words can get twisted and be used against you in court.
Scooter and motorcycle accidents are unfortunately a common occurrence on busy Florida streets. Many drivers of large cars and trucks are guilty of distracted driving and can fail to observe vehicles like scooters or motorcycles on the roadways. Because the weight of a motorcycle or scooter is significantly less than a car or truck, scooter and motorcycle drivers typically sustain catastrophic injuries from wrecks.
The experienced attorneys at Whittel & Melton understand how devastating scooter and motorcycle injuries can be. We can evaluate property damage and consult with any possible witnesses to identify all potential liable parties. Contact our firm today for a completely confidential and free consultation.