Archive for the 'Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents' Category

Statistics Show More Serious Injury without Strict Florida Helmet Laws

Published on July 8, 2010 in Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents. 0 Comments

Prior to July 2000, Florida motorcycle laws required all riders to wear a helmet. This law was repealed to only require helmet usage for riders under 21 and any rider without $10,000 minimum health insurance coverage for serious injury. Following this change, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted analysis of helmet usage, serious injury accidents, fatal accidents, and hospital expenses. 

Immediately after the law change there was a substantial drop in helmet usage. Unfortunately, other numbers rose sharply, especially cases of fatal motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclist fatalities increased by 81% when comparing the 2001-2003 numbers to those in 1997-1999 (prior to the law change). 

Within 6 months of the law repeal the number of non-fatal serious injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents began to increase. There was a 40% increase in motorcyclists admitted to hospitals with serious injuries, and head injuries increased by 82%. 

These increases in incidents also led to an increase in medical expenses. In 1999 the average cost for a traumatic head injury was $428,347. Following the law repeal, as a result of the increase in incidents with helmetless riders, that cost rose to $605,854 in 2001. 

Florida motorcycle helmet laws may not be as strict as they once were, but statistics have shown that a decrease in helmet use has led to more serious injury and fatal accidents.

If you are seriously injured in a motorcycle accident a South Florida motorcycle accident lawyer from 24/7 Injury Law can help. Call today to set up a consultation – 888-984-4878

Pedestrian Killed in Fatal Accident Failed to Yield to Traffic

Published on July 1, 2010 in Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents. 0 Comments

June 23, 2010 – Lake Worth, FL – Failure to yield to traffic has been determined as the cause of the fatal accident that killed a West Palm Beach man. 

WPBF.com reports that a 30-year-old man was crossing the 600 block of North Military Trail around 2 a.m. June 20 when he stepped into the median and into the path of an oncoming vehicle. 

The driver of the 2002 Jeep Liberty that struck the pedestrian victim was a 61-year-old woman who was uninjured in the crash. She had been driving southbound in the inside lane of Military Trail when the victim entered the median. The right front side of her SUV hit the victim on his right side. 

The pedestrian victim was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center where he was pronounced dead an hour after the accident. Police determined he failed to yield to oncoming traffic. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2008 Florida Crash Statistics, there were 2,978 fatalities as a result of car accidents in Florida. 

As a service to the residents of South Florida, our firm will frequently publish blogs about local traffic accidents. We do this to raise awareness about the common types of motor vehicle accidents that occur in South Florida that may result in serious injury or traffic fatalities. 

Common accidents include, but are not limited to: 

  • single-car accidents;
  • accidents caused by hazardous road conditions; and
  • accidents caused by aggressive driving or distracted drivers. 

If you have been identified in this blog or you are the victim’s family member or friend and would like the blog removed from our website, please feel free to contact us and we will promptly accommodate your request.

Hallandale Beach Bicyclist Run Over, Killed By City Bus

Published on June 23, 2010 in Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents. 0 Comments

June 22, 2010 – Hallandale Beach, FL – A male bicyclist sustained fatal injuries while exiting a Wal-Mart parking lot in Hallandale Beach on the evening of June 17. 

The bicyclist, whose name is being withheld pending notification of family, was exiting the Wal-Mart parking lot around 8:30 p.m. when he struck the Broward County Transit bus near its rear door. The man, described in his 60s or 70s, fell underneath the bus as it was moving and was crushed following the collision. 

Hallandale Beach Fire Rescue was on the scene immediately and transported the bicyclist to Memorial Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Responding Hallandale Beach Police Captain Thomas Honan said it appeared that the bicyclist was responsible for the collision. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2008 Florida Crash Statistics, there were 2,978 fatalities as a result of car accidents in Florida. 

As a service to the residents of South Florida, our firm will frequently publish blogs about local traffic accidents. We do this to raise awareness about the common types of motor vehicle accidents that occur in South Florida that may result in serious injury or traffic fatalities. 

Common accidents include, but are not limited to: 

  • Single-car accidents;
  • Accidents caused by hazardous road conditions; and
  • Accidents caused by aggressive driving or distracted drivers. 

If you have been named in this blog or you are the victim’s family member or friend and would like the blog removed from our website, please feel free to contact us and we will promptly accommodate your request.

Miami Driver Left Elderly Pedestrian to Die

Published on June 16, 2010 in Car Accidents and Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents. 0 Comments

June 14, 2010 – Miami, FL – While standing on the corner of SW 24th Avenue, 73-year-old Ramon DeMola was unaware his life was about to tragically end. 

Sources at CBS4 Miami have released information regarding this fatal hit-and-run accident. DeMola was standing on the corner or 24th and 8th street when an SUV jumped the sidewalk and struck him with the passenger side of the vehicle. He was dragged for several yards until shaken loose from the SUV. The driver reportedly stopped momentarily before fleeing the scene, neglecting to offer help. 

DeMola was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Trauma Center where he later died from his injuries. 

Witnesses said the driver appeared to be on her cell phone as she approached the intersection. There was no reason determined as to why she drove up on the sidewalk where she hit DeMola. The vehicle was a white or light gray, possibly late-model Kia driven by a Hispanic woman in her mid to late 50’s with straight, black hair. The vehicle will most likely have damage to the passenger side near the windshield. 

Miami police are asking anyone with information to call the department at 305-603-6525 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2008 Florida Crash Statistics, there were 2,978 fatalities as a result of car accidents in Florida. 

As a service to the residents of South Florida, our firm will frequently publish blogs about local traffic accidents. We do this to raise awareness about the common types of motor vehicle accidents that occur in South Florida that may result in serious injury or traffic fatalities. 

Common accidents include, but are not limited to: 

  • Single-car accidents;
  • Accidents caused by hazardous road conditions; and
  • Accidents caused by aggressive driving or distracted drivers. 

If you have been named in this blog or you are the victim’s family member or friend and would like the blog removed from our website, please feel free to contact us and we will promptly accommodate your request.