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.

Driving on our roadways may now be more dangerous than ever with a number of recent vehicle-related safety recalls. Defective vehicle products can greatly increase your risk of being involved in a car accident in West Palm Beach and elsewhere throughout the United States, especially if you never hear about these recalls.

Luckily, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers consumers with a list of recalls. These recalls can be independently conducted by a manufacturer or ordered by the Administration. On their website, you can access public reports describing a number of safety-related defects of vehicle records or noncompliance with federal motor vehicle safety standards.

Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys urge that all residents sign up, through the agency's website, for government alerts regarding major events that result in a recall determination, a description of the remedy and a schedule for the recall. Vehicle recalls can occur because of defective manufacturing of vehicles, tire, car seats, etc.

The NHTSA's job isn't done after they've informed the consumer about these recalls. They follow-up to ensure that the manufacturers provide owners safe, free, and effective remedies according to the Safety Act and Federal regulations.

An NTSHA recall notification letter contains the following information:

-A description of the defect or noncompliance.

-A description of the potential risks or hazards posed by the problem. This includes any warning signs of the problem.

-A description of the free remedy, including when the remedy will be available and how long the repair will take.

-A description of what the vehicle's owner can do if they're unable to have the problem fixed within a reasonable time and without charge.
Safety Defect/Noncompliance Notices Received in June:

-Volvo is recalling 2010 S60 models because the fuel pump may not be compatible with all fuel pumps and components. The result is an insufficient fuel transfer in the pump unit.

-Porsche is recalling 2010-2011 911 Turbo, Turbo S, GT3, GT3 RS and GT2 RS because the center locking hub and wheel assemblies can wear prematurely.

-Affinia is recalling their aftermarket front suspension lower ball joints.

-BMW has recalled certain models of their 2011 X3's because the control module in the electric power steering unit could malfunction. This malfunction could result in a sudden loss of power steering.

-Kawasaki is recalling their 2009-2010 KLX250 motorcycles because the fuel tank could leak from cracks at the spot welds on the side mount tabs.

-Ducati is recalling 2011 Diavel motorcycles because the brass inserts installed in the chain can deform over time.

-Mazda has recalled the 2008-2009 models of the Mazda3 and the Mazdaspeed3 because the ground terminal of the windshield wiper could have been inadvertently bent when it was initially assembled.

-GMC is recalling 2011 Cadillac Escalades,Chevrolet Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban and the Tahoe because the immediate steering shaft attaching bolts may not have been tightened correctly.

-Toyota has recalled its 2011 Siennas and Venzas because of the possibility that the front drive shaft could break because of insufficient heat treatment.

Luckily, there were no tire or car seat recalls in June. For more updates, please register with the NHTSA. Staying updated with recent vehicle recalls can help to keep you and your family safe on our roadways.

Continue reading "Get Vehicle Recall Information to Decrease Your Risks of a Serious Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale and Elsewhere" »

The Sun Sentinel recently reported on the tragic death of motorcyclist who was killed when he was hit by a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction.

Our Palm Beach injury lawyers and Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident attorneys know that many times motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle are not the fault of the rider but of the driver.

As in this case, a 48-year old Coconut Creek man and father of two was killed, west of Boca Raton, when he was struck by a driver traveling south in northbound lanes. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office reports the rider was traveling north on State Road 7, near Grand Verde Way, around 3:00 a.m. on his Harley Davidson Sportster when he was hit by a 2000 Lexus GS 300.

The 60-year-old driver of the vehicle was headed south in the northbound lanes of State Road 7. When the rider saw the car he changed lanes to get out of the way. Unfortunately the driver realized he was in the wrong lane and changed lanes too. The rider was thrown from his Harley and died on impact. The driver of the Lexus crashed into the center median. It is unknown why the driver of the car was in the wrong lane and the crash remains under investigation.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 5,290 motorcyclists were killed and an additional 96,000 were injured in 2008.

According to Ride Smart Florida Florida had 402 motorcycle fatalities and 8,202 injuries in 2009.

The following was true for Florida motorcycle crashes during 2008:

-38 was the average age for fatalities.
-31 percent of fatal accidents occurred in March, April and May.
-32 percent of fatalities were from a traumatic brain injury.
-46 percent of those injured did not have insurance.
-41 percent of fatal crashes were alcohol-related.
-$47,440 was the average cost for a hospital stay.

As of July 2008, Florida requires mandatory training to get a motorcycle endorsement. Training includes at least 12 hours of classroom time and at least 6 hours of motorcycle riding time.
Keep yourself safe while riding:

-Always wear a properly fitting DOT helmet.
-Don't speed and know your bike's limitations.
-Never tailgate other vehicles.
-Use your signals, don't weave through traffic or ride on the shoulder.
-Make yourself visible, use your headlights and don't ride in vehicle blind spots.
-Use both your brakes at the same time, nice and steady.

Continue reading "Motorcycle Accidents Common on Palm Beach Roads" »

Daytona Beach plays host to half a million bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts each year as Bike Week begins March 4th and runs through March 13th. And to think this all started back in 1937 when the first motorcycle race took place on a 3.2 mile beach and sand course.

Though participant's young and old have a great time our Palm Beach injury attorneys and Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident lawyers know the grim side to the festive 10-day event. Back in 2006 a record 21 bikers lost their lives during the event or driving to or from it.

It is likely the recent accident in Orlando that closed Florida's Turnpike as reported by
My FOX Orlando was a rider traveling to the event.

The horrific crash occurred just south of Orange Blossom Trail around 6 p.m. Wednesday night involving a motorcycle and tractor trailer. When emergency services arrived at the scene they found the motorcyclist trapped under the axel of the massive truck. A heavy duty wrecker was called to the scene to lift the truck off the victim.

The rescue effort took 70 minutes to extricate the victim from under the truck, who was then flown by helicopter to Orlando Regional Medical Center. All of Florida Turnpike's southbound lanes were closed for almost 3 hours until the accident was cleaned up.

In 2008, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 5,290 fatalities and 96,000 injuries to motorcyclists. Florida ranked 2nd in motorcycle fatalities with 523, California was 1st with 537.

We should always be mindful of motorcycles on our roadways, ABATE of Florida Inc. offers this advice:
-Expect to see motorcycles, constantly check for them as you would for pedestrians.
-Before you pull out or turn at an intersection check multiple times for motorcycles.
-Don't tailgate a motorcycle.
-A vehicle has many blind spots, turn your head to see what is around you.
-Motorcycles are typically painted in dark colors and don't stand out due to their size so don't rely solely on mirrors to spot them riding around you.

Continue reading "Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accidents a Bike Week danger" »

Scooters accidents in Fort Lauderdale are a common danger during the winter tourist season. In fact, fatal accidents involving scooters and mopeds have more than doubled in recent years, prompting lawmakers in a dozen states to consider legislation aimed at improving safety, the USA Today reported.

Our Fort Lauderdale injury attorneys and West Palm wrongful death lawyers represent clients who are injured in scooter accidents, motorcycle accidents or other accidents involving tourists and/or rented equipment in South Florida.

Scooters, mopeds and motorcycles are often rented by the hour to tourists. In other cases, they are utilized by residents who enjoy the freedom and the economical means of travel. Inattentive motorists are frequently the cause of accidents. And accidents involving scooters and motorcycles often lead to very serious or fatal injuries.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports the number of fatal accidents each year that involve mopeds doubled from 2005 to 2009, from 48 to 96. Those figures likely do not account for all fatalities because of problems associated with classifying scooter and moped accidents in various states.

If motorcycle accidents are any indication, than Florida is a very dangerous state indeed: 1 in 10 of the nation's fatal motorcycle accidents occurred in Florida in 2008, resulting in 523 of the country's 5,290 motorcycle deaths. More than 96,000 riders were injured that year in accidents nationwide.

Only California (537) reported more motorcycle deaths than Florida.

The following safety tips are provided by Mopeds.net:

-Wear safety equipment: Including a helmet. Avoid wearing sandals, short sleeves and shorts. Wear gloves and a jacket made out of tough material.

-Obey traffic laws: Do not run red lights. If the moped does not activate the light, get off and push the sidewalk activator button. Keep to the right side of the road unless making a left turn.

-Remain Observant: Watch your surroundings. Don't rely upon other motorists to see you. Use your mirrors and remember that the cars behind you can be just as dangerous as those beside or in front of you.

-Use Safe Riding Practices: Ride defensively. Avoid riding at night whenever possible. If you must ride at night, make sure your headlight is operating properly and wear brightly colored clothing.

Continue reading "Fort Lauderdale scooter accidents a winter danger " »

Motorcycle crashes declined dramatically in Broward and Palm Beach counties last year, a drop that state officials credit to safety training and driver awareness campaigns, according to the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel.

Our Palm Beach injury lawyers and Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident attorneys hesitate to celebrate. Certainly news that 126 fewer people were killed in Florida motorcycle accidents during 2009 is excellent news. But the fact remains that 376 motorcycle riders were killed, representing about 1 in every 7 of the state's 2,563 fatal traffic crashes. And, when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration releases national figures in the coming weeks, Florida will likely once again join California as the nation's most dangerous states for motorcycle riding.

We won't let that keep us from celebrating the good news. But we urge South Florida riders -- and particularly new riders -- to keep the decline in perspective. Per mile traveled, motorcycle riders are 37 times more likely to die in a crash than the occupant of a passenger car. The majority of those accidents are the fault of another driver, usually someone who fails to yield the right of way.

Motorcycle deaths declined 24 percent across Florida last year, after more than a decade of steep increases, according to 2009 crash statistics released by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Broward County fatal motorcycle accidents declined by 38 percent. In Palm Beach County, fatal motorcycle crashes declined by 47 percent.

Florida began a major push to increase motorcycle safety in 2008, after reporting that motorcycle accidents were responsible for 18 percent of the state's traffic fatalities, despite making up just 6 percent of its traffic.

While the number of riders seriously injured in motorcycle accidents also declined, the state reports that more than 7,400 riders were seriously hurt as the result of a motorcycle crash in Florida last year.

Continue reading "Florida motorcycle accidents decline, riders still at high risk in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm" »

The Florida Department of Highway Safety has just released a comprehensive look at 2009 traffic safety and this is the first in a series of posts by the South Florida injury lawyers at Freeman & Mallard.

We believe taking a comprehensive look at the data will allow motorists to avoid car accidents in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm and the surrounding areas. Knowledge is power and knowing where, when and why accidents are happening can be a powerful tool to help keep you and your family safe on the road.

The good news for motorists is that fatal crashes in Florida dropped to the lowest rate on record last year. The number of fatal accidents decreased 14 percent to 2,563 from the 2,983 fatal crashes reported in 2008.

As the Sun-Sentinel reported, fatal Palm Beach car accidents were down 30 percent, from 198 in 2008 to 151 last year. Fatal Broward County car accidents dropped 20 percent, from 228 to 189.

"While multiple factors influence the numbers, the declining trends are a testament to the emphasis that law enforcement agencies, safety advocates and businesses have placed on saving lives on our roadways," said DHSMV Executive Director Julie L. Jones.

Most advocates cite less traffic and travel amid the downturn in the economy as the primary reason for the reduction.

Other highlights include:

-Alcohol related traffic fatalities declined 14 percent, from 1,169 deaths to 1,004. Note that those statistics still indicate that drunk driving is responsible for more than one-third of all fatal Florida traffic accidents.

-Fatal Florida motorcycle accidents declined by 24 percent, from 532 to 402.

-Fatal Florida bicycle accidents dropped 15 percent, from 118 to 100.

-Pedestrian fatalities in Florida decreased slightly, from 502 to 482.

-Fatal Florida accidents involving teenagers dropped by more than 20 percent, from 193 to 153.

In coming posts, we will take a more in-depth look at these statistics and see what can be learned by motorists that will help keep them safer on the road. Please check back often for updates.

Continue reading "South Florida injury attorneys to examine new data regarding Florida traffic fatalities in 2009" »

A Fort Lauderdale scooter accident claimed the life of a rider on Tuesday night when a Jeep Grand Cherokee reportedly collided with the scooter while making a left turn at an intersection, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

The accident happened about 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of Davie Boulevard and Southeast Third Avenue. The 2010 Jeep was making a left turn onto Third when it collided with the 2008 KNRO Scooter, which was westbound on Davie Boulevard. The rider was pronounced dead at Broward General Medical Center.

Scooter and motorcycle accidents are a common danger in the Fort Lauderdale area and throughout Florida. As we reported recently on our South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, more fatal motorcycle accidents occur in California and Florida than anywhere else in the nation. In 2008, a total of 523 riders were killed in Florida accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Federal statistics show that more than half of all accidents are caused by motorists. Frequent causes include a motorist turning in front of a rider or failing to yield the right-of-way. Rider inexperience is another common cause and anyone injured on a rented motorcycle or scooter should contact a Fort Lauderdale injury lawyer to discuss their rights.

MotorWorks offers the following scooter safety tips:

-Wear bright reflective clothing and a helmet.

-Avoid riding in another motorist's blind spot.

-Obey the speed limit and never driver faster than your skills or weather conditions allow.

-Signal well before you turn or make a lane change. Consider using hand signals in addition to electronic turn signals.

-Use extra caution at intersections and entrances to parking lots and driveways -- don't let another motorist's actions take you by surprise.

-Keep both hands on the handlebars and both feet in appropriate locations while riding.

-Never leave a scooter unattended with the engine running.

-Reduce speed when riding on bumpy roads.

-Be especially aware of traffic behind you. Different speeds can lead to a rear-end collision.

-Don't rely on mirrors, which allow for only a partial view. Be aware of blind spots.

Continue reading "Fatal Fort Lauderdale scooter accident reportedly caused by careless motorist" »