The accident mortally injured the woman, who was pronounced dead at the scene, and critically injured the teen, who was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center. Accident investigators say the vehicle that ran over them was a large white or silver sedan or sport utility vehicle. Police say that they do not yet know why the woman and teen were lying in the road.

This accident was all too familiar to Altamonte Springs residents. They have seen many pedestrian and bicycle accidents in the area over the years and have been outspoken in their quest to increase safety and awareness about the problems. They say that their accident problems have persisted for decades due to drivers cutting through the area between State Roads 434 and 436.

“Traffic problems like this, they’ve really been something that we’ve been petitioning the county for, for over 20 years, and nothing gets done,” said one concerned neighbor. “We’ve wanted speed bumps, we’ve wanted better patrolling. None of it has happened, and I hope that whoever ran over our friends, I hope that their conscience will bring them back.”

State troopers are looking for a white or silver car with a damaged or missing right headlight and other front-end damage. Anyone who may know something about the accident is asked to contact CrimeLine at (800) 423-TIPS.

Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham has been following developments in this case closely and is very sad to see two more hit-and-run accident victims added to our area’s reputation, however bizarre the circumstances may be. For more than 34 years, he has aggressively and successfully represented injured people and helped them receive the compensation they need to pay medical bills and provide for their families while they recover from their injuries. If you would like to speak with an Orlando personal injury attorney who works hard for each client and handles each case personally, call 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000 today to schedule a free consultation.

He said that as the number of bicyclists on the roads has increased, so has the inconvenience and the hazards of sharing the road with them, particularly on the winding, sloping roads in some parts of Orange and Lake Counties. He was especially upset over a recent incident where he had to avoid striking a large pack of riders and had to leave the road, resulting in a punctured tire.

“I was so mad I could spit,” he said. “They’re sharing the road with cars going 40 miles per hour or more, and they are spread four or five across, and they won’t let cars try to pass.”

Bicycle riders have to obey the rules of the road just as drivers do, but not all bicyclists observe the rules and ride their bikes in a manner that puts others and themselves at risk. Florida laws require bicyclists to come to a full stop at stop signs and ride in single file on streets and highway for their safety. The disregard of some cyclists to observe the rules of the road and the dangerous conditions they create has resulted in Lake County deputies issuing warnings to some cyclists.

“If people don’t start heeding our warnings, then we’ll have to take it to the next step, which will affect their pocketbooks,” said one sergeant in the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. “We hate to do that, because maybe they don’t realize that what they’re doing is wrong. They’re required to stop at stop signs, use hand signals to show they’re turning and to ride in single file closest to the curb.”

As bicycle ridership has increased, so has the anger of some motorists who have been observed honking, screaming, intimidating and forcing bicyclists off the road, leading to some injuries. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, if a bicyclist is injured or killed by a motorist, they may be able to recover medical expenses and other accident-related costs that are compensable under Florida law.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to aggressive bicyclists or aggressive drivers, Orlando personal injury attorney James O. Cunningham may be able to help. He has represented accident victims and their families since 1977 and has the experience and resources to accept cases of any size. If you have questions about the laws that apply to your situation and want to know your options, call Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham today to schedule a free consultation.