In a press release, Col. Czernis said that Florida state troopers and officers in the MCC will work together to watch for drivers operating their vehicles in unsafe, negligent and potentially hazardous ways and issue citations as necessary. They will pay special attention to unsafe driving habits that often contribute to collisions between passenger vehicles and large trucks and school buses. The campaign is part of the Florida Highway Patrol’s Be Smart, Drive Smart, Florida! Program, which is a series of measures to raise awareness about dangerous driving and reduce deaths and injuries from Florida auto accidents on the state’s streets and highways.

Col. Dees highlighted the dangers and disadvantages that passenger vehicles and pedestrians have in collisions with larger vehicles that outweigh them by many thousands of pounds. He said, “Because of vehicle size, weight and the cargo tractor trailers haul, the impact of a crash with a commercial truck can be catastrophic.”

It is very likely that both Dees and Czernis have responded to many auto accidents between large trucks, pedestrians and passenger vehicles where the pedestrian or occupants of the passenger vehicle died or sustained serious injury. The physics of a large truck weighting tens of thousands of pounds colliding with a person or a passenger vehicle weighing four thousand pounds or less dictate that the damage to a person or vehicle hit by the truck is disproportionate.

Florida trucking accident lawyer James O. Cunningham has been helping Florida truck accident victims recover the financial compensation they deserve since 1977. With his vast legal experience, accident victims and their families get much-needed help with catastrophic medical bills, lost wages and other accident-related damages. He offers free consultations and isn’t afraid to take on the big insurance companies. Call Orlando trucking accident attorney James O. Cunningham today to schedule a free consultation.

Emergency response personnel say that the victim was eastbound on Indiantown Road about 6:20 a.m. when a 53-year-old pickup truck driver pulled his truck out of the Sierra Square Shopping Center and drove into the path of the oncoming motorcycle.

Lt. Frith said, “For years, this guy [the driver of the pickup] has had a routine—he works at Pratt Whitney and stops there for a cup of coffee.” However, when the driver pulled out of the parking lot this time, he looked through the motorcycle and pulled right out in front of him,” he said.

Having no time to react, the motorcycle rider hit the door of the truck.

Lt. Frith also said, “For some reason, especially when the motorcycles are close, people look over them and through them. We suggest riders wear a reflective vest…or something.”

Only California and Texas have more deaths caused by motorcycle accidents each year than Florida. Although the victim killed in the motorcycle accident was wearing a helmet, the State of Florida does not require motorcycle riders over the age of 20 to wear a helmet while riding. Florida’s agreeable climate for motorcycle riding coupled with higher gas prices has inspired more people to save money by riding a motorcycle. However, the rising number of riders means more motorcyclists will be injured and killed by negligent drivers.

If a motorcyclist is injured or killed due to the negligence of another motorcyclist or driver, he or she may be able to recover financial compensation from the negligent party or the negligent party’s insurance carrier to pay medical bills, reimburse lost wages and for pain and suffering. Orlando motorcycle accident attorney James Cunningham has been helping accident victims receive just compensation since 1977. If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed in a Central Florida motorcycle accident, call The Law Offices of James O. Cunningham to schedule a free consultation.

FHP officers investigating the pedestrian accident scene said that one victim was a 23-year-old Sarasota man and the other victim was believed to be around 19-years-old. His name and address had not been released when the article was published. Troopers said that a witness to the accident called 911, and emergency response personnel called the FHP. A FHP spokesperson said that the 18-year-old driver of the truck remained at the accident scene.

A FHP spokesperson said, “The law says when you’re walking along the roadway, you have to walk off the roadway. You can’t walk in the street. Number two, you’re supposed to walk against the flow of traffic. These individuals were walking in the roadway, with no street lighting. It’s a very dangerous situation to be in.”

The stretch of road where the victims were hit has a posted 60 mph speed limit. If the truck driver was going the speed limit, he would have been traveling at 87 feet per second.

Although the article suggests that the two victims were responsible for the dangerous position, hundreds more Floridians are injured and killed each year. Many are struck by motorists who are distracted by cell phones, driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs or disobeying a traffic signal. No matter what negligent behavior distracts or impairs a driver’s ability to react and avoid striking a pedestrian, they can still be held responsible for their actions.

Orlando pedestrian accident attorney James Cunningham has helped the victims of pedestrian accidents and their families since 1977. In well over three decades of practicing personal injury law, Mr. Cunningham has helped countless pedestrian accident victims receive the financial compensation they deserve to help offset the steep costs of hospital care and rehabilitation. If you or a member of your family has been hurt in a pedestrian accident, call Florida pedestrian accident lawyer James Cunningham today to schedule a free consultation.