Motorcycle Accident

A rear-end accident on State Road 50 near the intersection with Remington Road has claimed the life of a 41-year-old motorcyclist, according to Florida Highway Patrol officers. They say that the victim was in the center westbound lane of Colonial Drive waiting for a red light to change when he was struck from behind by a Honda sport utility vehicle driven by an 18-year-old Clermont man. Accident investigators say the accident occurred around 12:03 a.m. Just as the light changed from red to green, the Honda SUV collided with the rear of the victim’s motorcycle, sending it across the intersection and ejecting the rider.

The driver of the SUV told police that he had not noticed the rider or the fact that the motorcycle had not begun to accelerate as he approached the intersection. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, and charges are pending against the SUV driver. Neither he nor his passenger in the SUV was injured in the accident.

Victims of rear-end accidents often suffer devastating, if not fatal, injuries due to the physics involved in this type of accident. When a person sitting in or on a vehicle in a stationary position is struck from behind, the impact throws the body forward but the head, neck and limbs are driven back with frightening force. In an instant, the muscles, ligaments and vertebrae of the victim’s neck are hyper extended, stressing and usually permanently altering the ability to keep the spinal cord aligned. These injuries often result in the following:

• Paraplegia
• Quadriplegia
• Chronic, severe pain
• Loss of bladder and bowel control
• Loss of freedom and mobility
• The inability to work and provide for a family
• Many other difficulties that significantly impair quality of life

Sadly, these physical, emotional and financial difficulties are common for victims of all types of motor vehicle accidents, and, in many cases, the at-fault driver’s insurance company tries to avoid paying for medical care and other expenses caused by their client. If you or a member of your immediate family has been injured in an accident, you need an experienced and aggressive Orlando personal injury lawyer on your side to deal with insurance companies and help you through this difficult time. Call James O. Cunningham today at 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000 to schedule a free consultation with an Orlando personal injury attorney who puts the needs of his clients first!

A recent accident that seriously injured a motorcyclist has resulted in the rider and the driver who struck him with his pickup truck having citations for different moving violations. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the accident occurred on U.S. 19 just north of County Road 351A when the 21-year-old driver of a 2007 Chevrolet pickup truck violated the right-of-way of the motorcyclist by driving directly into the rider’s path. A 41-year-old passenger in the truck also suffered injuries in the collision. The 52-year-old motorcyclist was riding a 2006 Yamaha when he attempted to enter the four-lane divided highway but was cut off by the pickup truck.

The rider was issued a citation for failing to have a motorcycle endorsement on his driver’s license and was taken to Shands at the University of Florida shortly after the crash where he is listed in serious condition. The truck driver received a citation for violating the rider’s right-of-way. Troopers say he either overlooked the cyclist trying to lawfully merge with traffic on the freeway or deliberately failed to observe his right-of-way to intimidate the rider. The motorcyclist was attempting to merge onto the freeway from an onramp on the left when the left side of the pickup struck him.

Regrettably, this is an all-too-familiar scenario for Florida motorcyclists. They report that they have to be extra alert for drivers of passenger cars and trucks who deliberately try to intimidate them by failing to observe their right-of-way, following too closely from behind, slamming on their brakes in order to make the rider take evasive action and other negligent acts. Some Florida drivers dangerously think that our state’s streets and highways are for their use and no one else’s, and they use these road rage episodes to frighten riders. In many cases, these episodes lead to serious motorcycle accidents that injure and kill riders.

Have you or someone in your family been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by a driver engaged in these or other negligent acts? If so, you may be entitled to damages to help pay medical bills, replace lost wages and cover other related costs. For more information about your rights and legal options, contact Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham today at 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000. Mr. Cunningham has represented riders and their families since 1977 and is very skilled and experienced in helping them receive compensation through settlements and court awards. Call today to get an aggressive Orlando personal injury attorney on your side!

An Orange County motorcycle accident has killed one rider and seriously injured another, according to accident investigators with the Florida Highway Patrol. FHP officials say that the accident occurred on State Road 520 at Beachline around 11:00 a.m. on September 3. They say a motorcycle carrying two riders was being pulled over by an Orange County Sherriff’s Deputy for speeding when it was struck from behind by a pickup truck. Officers say the rider had slowed to pull over when the truck came from behind quickly and collided with the motorcycle without slowing to avoid the collision.

FHP troopers said the collision threw both riders from the motorcycle and they suffered critical injuries. The man driving the motorcycle was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he is listed in critical but stable condition. His female passenger was airlifted to Florida Hospital East, where she was pronounced dead from her injuries. The accident closed the westbound lanes of S.R. 520 for a few hours while FHP troopers investigated the accident, and charges are pending against the pickup driver.

It’s difficult to imagine that a driver could fail to notice the oscillating lights and loud siren of a police vehicle attempting to pull someone over, but that appears to be what happened in this tragic motorcycle accident. Troopers have not yet released details about the accident, but the driver of the truck could have been texting or talking on a cell phone, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, eating while driving, reaching for an object on the floor or otherwise failing to devote full attention to the safe operation of the vehicle. If officers determine that the truck driver was negligent, he or she may be liable for damages in a wrongful death and/or personal injury case.

If a negligent driver has injured you or a close family member and you want to speak with an Orlando personal injury lawyer to learn more about the law, your rights and your legal options, call James O. Cunningham today at 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000. He has been helping injured people throughout Florida since 1977 and has a reputation of working hard to help each client receive the maximum amount of damages. He assists clients from law offices conveniently located throughout Central Florida. Call today to get an experienced Orlando personal injury attorney on your side.

A September 22 collision between a motorcycle and a car has claimed the lives of the motorcyclist and the driver of the car. Orlando police say that the 24-year-old motorcyclist was riding his motorcycle on an undisclosed Orlando street when he collided with a 2009 Saturn Vue driven by a 33-year-old Orlando man. Witnesses say that the motorcyclist had been traveling at a high rate of speed before the accident occurred. When police arrived at the accident scene, they found the rider had been ejected from his bike and hurled through the windshield of the car, suffering mortal injuries. The driver of the Saturn also died from his injuries. Orlando police are withholding additional details about the accident while conducting their investigation.

Regular readers of this blog know that we often discuss how aggressive driving on the part of automobile drivers usually contributes to fatal motorcycle accidents in our area. However, it is important to note that sometimes it is the motorcyclists who engage in risky, negligent behavior that causes motorcycle accidents. It must be said that negligent drivers are far more likely to cause motorcycle accidents that result in serious and fatal injuries for bikers. Victims of accidents caused by negligent motorcyclists are entitled to the same rights and damages as injured bikers are. Examples of motorcyclists operating their bikes in a risky and negligent manner include the following:

• Riding while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Speeding
• Running red lights
• Road rage
• Riding too fast for conditions
• Talking on a cell phone or reading texts while riding
• Tailgating
• Other negligent behavior that endangers everyone on and near the roadway

If a negligent motorcyclist has injured you or someone in your family and you want to pursue damages, contact Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham today at 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000. Mr. Cunningham has skillfully and aggressively protected the rights of injured people since 1977 and works hard to ensure that all clients receive the fair and just compensation they deserve.

An Orlando woman riding her motorcycle on the morning of August 25 died from injuries she suffered when her motorcycle was struck from behind. Accident investigators say the victim was riding her 2003 Yamaha motorcycle westbound on Clarcona Ocoee Road near Shale Ridge Trail shortly after 8 a.m. and had slowed for traffic in front of her when she was struck by a 2004 Nissan pickup truck. Witnesses say the 24-year-old man driving the truck made no effort to stop before striking the victim and the impact caused the victim to become trapped in the wreckage. She was reportedly dragged hundreds of feet before the truck came to a stop.

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An Orlando man who has been observed traveling at very high speeds on his motorcycle died from injuries he received when he crashed his bike into another vehicle on Interstate 4. Florida Highway Patrol accident investigators say the crash occurred around 4:30 a.m. on August 30 on I-4 near State Road 417. Witnesses say the 28-year-old victim was observed traveling at excessive speeds all the way from Volusia County when he crashed right into the rear of a pickup truck driven by a 29-year-old Sorrento man. After colliding with the truck, the victim was thrown onto the roadway, where he was struck by at least one vehicle that did not stop. The victim, who was wearing a helmet, died at the scene.

Troopers say they don’t expect to file charges against the driver of the pickup, but they are seeking the driver or drivers who struck the victim after the collision and drove away. Troopers were quick to point out that they only want to question the driver or drivers and that, depending on the outcome of the interview, they may or may not face charges for leaving the scene of an accident. FHP spokesperson Sgt. Kim Montes said that drivers aren’t always aware that they have struck someone on the road.

“In a lot of these cases, people don’t know they ran over a person,” Montes said. “They think they ran over an animal or debris and they may not notice until later, when they see blood on the car.”

Anyone who may have witnessed the accident or knows anything about it is encouraged to contact the Florida Highway Patrol.

As previously mentioned, sometimes motorcycle riders operate their bikes in a negligent manner and cause accidents. They have the same responsibilities as motorists and given the high rate of motorcycle accidents in Florida and riders’ lack of protection even when properly equipped, you would hope that they would operate their bikes with more care. If you or a close family member has been struck and injured by a negligent rider and you have questions about your legal options, call Orlando motorcycle injury lawyer James O. Cunningham today at 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

A recent central Florida motorcycle accident has claimed the life of a 19-year-old former student and football player at Lake Brantley High School. The accident remains under investigation, but police say it occurred on the evening of July 12. Investigators say a car heading south on North Hunt Club Boulevard in Seminole County attempted to turn left onto Winchester Place, turning in front of the man riding a Suzuki who was traveling north. The motorcyclist did not have time to take evasive action and struck the side of the car.
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Florida Highway Patrol accident investigators believe that alcohol was a contributing factor in a fatal motorcycle accident that claimed the life of an Apopka man on June 5. Police say the 37-year-old suspect was driving his van out of the Loyal Order of Moose lodge parking lot near Orange Blossom Trail and Rosamond Drive around 9:00 that evening when the accident occurred.
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A well-known local Harley-Davidson dealership owner may be gone now, but his legacy endures at Bike Week. The annual festival Bruce Rossmeyer founded draws tens of thousands of bikers and bike enthusiasts to Daytona Beach. Family members have taken on the task of running the family business, and they are taking the helm of organizing and promoting the Bike Week event and showcasing the family’s dealerships, Destination Daytona.

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A humorous and ostensibly harmless trend among some Florida motorcycle riders has also shown a troublesome and negligent side. Recently, law enforcement officials have caught a number of Florida riders operating their bikes without any clothes on. Naked motorcycle riding might present a hazard for distracted drivers, but in some cases these riders are operating their bikes under the influence of alcohol and that is a far greater concern. According to Ocala police, the first incident occurred in mid-September when an officer pulled over a drunken rider.

The police say they noticed the naked rider early one morning on I75 and pulled him over for running a red light. The 45-year-old rider admitted that he had been drinking and a breathalyzer returned blood alcohol levels of .178 and .162-both dangerously over Florida’s legal limit of 0.08. The naked rider told police he had been drinking at a local restaurant. Police found a shirt and shawl hanging around the motorcycle’s handlebars and requested that the rider wear them. Records indicated that this drunken driving conviction was the rider’s fifth offense.

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