South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog

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" »