Bike Accidents

Lakeland police report that the driver of a 1994 Ford Ranger truck was turning left into the parking lot of the Lakeland Yacht club at Cleveland Boulevard and Lake Hollingsworth Drive when he collided with three bicyclists heading in the opposite direction.

One of the riders, a 61-year-old man, was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center with severe injuries. A second rider was transported to the hospital with minor injuries, while a third required no treatment. The impact of the bike crash in Florida snapped a high-end carbon bike in two and mangled the tires of another.

The accident happened at Lake Hollingsworth, a popular destination for both pedestrians and bicyclists. A bike path goes around the perimeter of the lake and all three of the cyclists were in the bike path when the collision occurred. The cyclists were all wearing helmets.

One cyclist on the scene told a local newspaper, “Typically traffic is OK, but just at this intersection right here a lot of people don’t pay attention to what’s happening. I’m a defensive driver, so I’m a defensive rider … I only trust myself.”

Police are still investigating and no charges have been filed.

Only Trust Yourself

Bicyclists on Florida’s roads and highways are vulnerable and the best way to stay safe is to ride smart. Smart riding means: wearing a helmet; using lights at night; scanning the road around you; never riding against traffic; using hand signals; and obeying all traffic laws. On top of that, bicyclists have to constantly watch for inattentive or negligent motorists who may not see them.

If you have been injured while riding your bicycle due to the negligence of another, Farah & Farah’s Polk County bicycle injury lawyers will work with you to determine liability and to see that you get compensated for damages and for your medical bills. Call (800) 533-3555 so we can begin discussing your case today.

Sources: http://www.nhtsa.gov/Bicycles; http://www.theledger.com/article/20120301/NEWS/120309985/1338/news00?Title=Two-Bicyclists-Hurt-in-Accident-With-Truck-

A 15-year-old bicyclist who was hit by a pickup truck last week in Flagler County has died from his injuries, reports Channel 4. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) report, the teen was riding his bicycle about 8:40 p.m. on Friday, August 26, on Seminole Woods Parkway just south of State Road 100 when he was hit by a pickup truck driven by a 31-year-old. Blood-alcohol tests were taken on the truck driver at the scene and results are pending. The youth was taken to Halifax Trauma Center where he died Monday, August 29. Unfortunately the teen was not wearing a helmet. Charges are pending against the pickup truck driver.

Our sincerest condolences go out to his friends and family members for the loss of this young man. There is nothing sadder than the loss of a child.

Maybe because it’s summer we’ve been reporting on a lot of deaths involving bicyclists this season. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that in 2009, Florida had 100 fatalities and 4,425 injuries resulting from bicycle-related accidents. According to federal statistics, Florida had the highest number of fatal bicycle crashes of any state in 2008, which includes California where the population is approximately twice that of Florida’s. Approximately two percent of all traffic fatalities and injuries nationwide involve bicyclists. Unfortunately, alcohol is often involved in accidents and fatalities involving bicyclists who have just as much right to be on the roadway as motor vehicles.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bike crash, we certainly hope you seek out the experience and compassion of a Jacksonville bicycle accident attorney to help you through this difficult time and to identify the at-fault party who is responsible for compensating you for your loss financially. Though that does not bring back your loved one, in some cases it can cover medical bills and lost wages and compensate you for pain and suffering.

Sources: http://www.news4jax.com/news/29026009/detail.html and http://www.flhsmv.gov/html/VulnerableUsersRpts/Bicyclists2010.pdf

A 16-year-old cross country runner was hit by an SUV in Mandarin while he was biking to practice about 6:30 a.m. on Greenland Road Thursday, August 18. The teen was taken to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center with life-threatening injuries and in critical condition. Channel 4 reports he was not wearing a helmet. A witness says that the lights were flashing on the road and the teen proceeded to cross, as did the SUV. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says it does not know yet whether the driver will face any charges. On the online news article, people who drive Greenland Road commented saying drivers often exceed the 45 mph speed limit.

According to the Florida Driver’s Handbook, a flashing red light means exactly the same thing as a red light – stop! It indicates an intersection is dangerous. A flashing yellow lights means move forward with caution. It too is used at dangerous intersections, near school crossings or sharp curves in the road.

An investigation must determine the speed of the SUV driver at the time of the collision and whether or not the driver slowed down at the intersection with the flashing yellow light. A search into cell phone use at the time of the collision might indicate they were a distracted driver.

With school beginning on Monday, August 22, drivers need to be conscious of more pedestrians on the sidewalks and near the roadways. Our prayers will go out to this young man for a speedy recovery. Please keep him in your thoughts as well and slow down and pay attention! Driving is serious business.

Sources: http://www.actionnewsjax.com/content/topstories/story/Child-on-bicycle-hit-by-SUV/7twAjFCtiku1A5XzbGkjJw.cspx?rss=1, http://www.news4jax.com/news/28901832/detail.html and http://www.123driving.com/flhandbook/flhb-traffic-signals.shtml

There has been another bicyclist involved in a fatal accident on County Road 214 in St. Johns County, the second such fatal collision in a month. On Wednesday afternoon, May 11, an 18-year-old died when he was hit by an oil tanker truck, according to a report in The St. Augustine Record. According to the article, the teen was riding southbound on Ryan Road about 12:30 p.m. and when he crossed the C.R. 214 intersection and was struck by a Coomes Oil Co. tanker heading westbound on C.R. 214. Even though first responders treated the teen at the scene, he died as he was being transported to a local hospital.

The newspaper reports that the driver of the oil tanker is not expected to be charged, though an investigation into the fatal Florida bicycle crash is ongoing. The roadway had to be closed Wednesday afternoon while investigators assessed the site. And investigators from the Florida Motor Carrier Compliance office had to inspect the oil truck.

Our condolences are extended to the friends and family of this young man. We are sorry for your loss.

C.R. 214 is actually the extension of King Street, which runs through downtown St. Augustine then west of Interstate 95. There are no sidewalks or bike lanes, and people who have commented on the article say the road is unusually narrow, about 20 feet instead of the usual 24 feet. With some large trucks more than eight feet wide that leaves very little room for cyclists who must ride in the roadway. The raised reflectors sometimes cause riders to head more toward the center of the road, says one writer.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Florida had 100 bicyclist deaths and 4,425 injuries of bicyclists in traffic crashes in 2009. About 48 percent of those bicycle crashes occurred in daylight. In the previous year, Florida had the highest number of fatal bicycle crashes of any state. One out of every seven fatal bicycle crashes in the country occurred in Florida. While California’s population is approximately twice that of Florida’s, Florida had more fatal bicycle accidents.

The Farah & Farah law firm believes it is the responsibility of all of us to Share the Road with all forms of transportation and people who choose alternative forms should be admired. Call our Florida bike accident lawyers if you or a loved one have been involved in a bicycle accident with a motorist. A thorough investigation will help determine who is responsible for the costs associated with the injuries.

Channel 4 reports that a 65-year-old bicyclist from Arizona who was participating in a bicycling promotion campaign was killed in Newberry when he was struck by a pickup truck. According to the article, the truck was traveling eastbound on SR 26 near Northwest 298 Street just before 1 p.m. when it drifted from its lane and hit the bicyclist. who was riding on the side of the road. The man was thrown from his bicycle and was taken to Shands Medical Center in Gainesville, where he was pronounced dead. Charges are pending against the pickup truck driver. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet.

The bicyclist was participating in a Share the Road campaign and was traveling from High Springs to Newberry to promote awareness of other modes of transportation and a greater appreciation of keeping all travelers safe on the roads. Our condolences are extended to the friends and family of this man who was killed while promoting a good cause.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the number of bicyclist and passenger fatalities in Florida decreased 15 percent between 2008 and 2009 from 118 to 100. Bicycle and passenger fatalities decreased 2.5 percent from 121 to 118 in 2008 as well. However, even though bicycle accident fatalities in Florida are decreasing, all motorists should exercise extreme caution and care when driving to prevent a bicycle accident from occurring, as should bicyclists.

Statute 316.2065, Florida’s bicycling regulations, say that every person riding a bicycle has all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle including stopping for traffic lights and stop signs, riding with the flow of traffic, using lights at night, following the speed limit, and riding in a designated bike lane or as close as possible to the right-hand curb. Bike riders under the age of 16 are required to wear a bicycle helmet. Even when these regulations in place, bike crashes in Florida can still result.

The Florida bicycle accident lawyers at Farah & Farah urge bicyclists and motorists to treat each other with respect and follow the law to keep everyone safe on Florida’s roadways. If you are involved in an accident, contact our law offices today to learn how we can help.

The Florida Times-Union reports that a bicyclist, who was struck by a car recently, has died from his injuries. The paper reports the bicyclist was taken to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center after the collision at 10:30 p.m. at Edgewood Avenue West and Avenue B in Jacksonville . The driver of a westbound Dodge Stratus hit the 58-year-old cyclist at the intersection as the bicyclist was trying to cross Edgewood outside of a crosswalk. No charges have been filed against the driver.

Florida Bicycle Collisions
In its most recent report in 2009, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that there were 100 deaths and 4,425 injuries of bicyclists in traffic crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2008, there were 716 bicyclists killed in the U.S. with 52,000 injured. Florida topped the nation in 2008 with the highest number of fatal bicycle crashes. One of seven fatal bicycle crashes occurred in Florida, outranking even California, which has twice the population of our state. Thirty percent of bicyclists killed in Florida in 2009 were between the ages of 25 to 44, and 29 percent were older than age 55, while teenagers made up 11 percent of bicyclists killed in Florida.

The Jacksonville personal injury attorneys at Farah & Farah have an open door policy in talking about your accident injuries. While federal officials promise that future transportation improvements will take into consideration cyclists and pedestrians, that does very little to stop the trend we’re seeing. We all need to Share the Road with other forms of transportation.

A 15-year-old from Bradenton is in critical condition after being hit by a car along U.S. 41 just north or Orlando Avenue in Manatee County in Bradenton, on Monday, January 31. The Tampa Tribune reports that the teen was on his bicycle in the left lane of the road near 46th Avenue Drive West when he rode into the path of a 2003 Buick that was driving southbound on U.S. 41 around 1 p.m. The teen was not wearing a helmet and hit the windshield of the 2003 Buick, then was thrown over the roof of the vehicle.

The 78-year-old driver was not injured in the Florida bike accident. The teen was taken to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg. There is no word on whether or not he is improving. Let’s pray that he is.

Unfortunately, accidents like this one are not uncommon in Florida.

The latest statistics from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles report that there were 100 bicycle and passenger fatalities in traffic accidents in the state in 2009, a decrease from 118 in 2008. About one-quarter of all crashes involve pedestrians or bicyclists.

People need to understand that folks who choose bicycles as a mode of transportation have a right to “Share the Road” with other motorists. If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in a bicycle accident in Florida, the Florida bicycle accident attorneys at Farah & Farah will advocate for you so that the at-fault party is held responsible for your injuries, lost wages, or wrongful death. You have a right to the road and we will be there by your side to fight for you and your family.

News4Jax.com reports that a 26-year-old Navy pilot, who returned home to Jacksonville from the Middle East last July, died on Sunday, December 5, after a fatal bicycle collision with a hit-and-run SUV the previous Friday, November 28, on East Coast Drive at Third Street in Atlantic Beach.

The man was riding his bicycle around 1:50 a.m., riding with several other pilots in his squadron, when police say a white or light-colored 1998 or 1999 Izuzu Rodeo, Amigo, or Honda Passport, traveling at a high rate of speed, clipped his bicycle. The victim was taken to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center where he was in critical condition for five days until he lost his fight for life.

Our condolences go out to the friends and family of this man who was with the HSL-44 based at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville. If you have any information about the hit-and-run driver, you are asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500 or Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.

Florida Hit-and-Run Accident Statistics
For some reason, the number of hit-and-run car accidents in Florida is increasing. In Jacksonville alone, there were more than 2,000 in 2007 and 2008, compared to 349 hit-and-run accidents in 2006.

Leaving the scene of an accident may seem like a good idea at the time if the driver is intoxicated or driving on a suspended license, but leaving the scene of an accident that has resulted in injuries turns a misdemeanor charge into a felony and the offender may face up to 30 years in prison.

The Florida car accident attorneys at Farah & Farah are always available to answer any questions family members may have if they have lost a loved one in a hit-and-run car crash in Florida. We are here to help you at this difficult time.

MyFoxTampaBay.com reports that a 64-year-old bicyclist was struck and killed by a motor vehicle as he rode on the outside edge of the lane on U.S. 41 in Tampa near 30th Avenue North on Tuesday morning at around 5 a.m. on November 16. The bicyclist was struck from behind by a Jeep Laredo and was thrown from the bike and into a pole. He was not wearing a helmet. There is no word yet whether any charges will be filed this fatal Florida bike accident.

In Tampa Bay, there have been 9 bicyclists hit and killed since July.

Florida Bicycle Accident Fatalities
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports in 2009, bicycle fatalities declined from 118 in 2008, to 100 in our state. Pedestrian fatalities also declined, from 502 in 2008 to 482 in 2009. Unfortunately, about one-quarter of all Florida car crash fatalities involve bicyclists and pedestrians.

The bottom line is that we are all expected to share the road and look out for each other. Too often, bicyclists say that motorists will drive very close to them and honk the horn or throw something out the window at the bicyclist in an attempt to throw him off.

If you are a bicyclist who has been harassed or injured by a motorist, the Florida bicycle accident lawyers at Farah & Farah will open its doors to offer you a complimentary and comprehensive consultation on your Florida bike crash case.

A Clearwater bicyclist is recovering from his injuries after being hit by an off-duty Belleair police officer at Drew Street and Old Coachman Road Sunday afternoon of October 31, reports TampaBay.com. The officer was driving westbound through the intersection when the bicyclist rode into his path. There is no word in this story about who had the right-of-way or the seriousness of the injuries to the unnamed bicyclist.

Our prayers go out to him with hopes that he recovers fully from his injuries. Being hit by a car can leave a vulnerable bicyclist with broken bones, a head and spinal cord injury, or worse. Recovery can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and involve a lengthy stay in the hospital, repeated surgeries, and physical therapy.

Share the Road
The Share the Road program in Florida is more than a specialty license tag. Proceeds from sales of the tag fund education and bicycle awareness safety programs, that emphasize sharing the road with cars, pedestrians, and bicycles. With more and more individuals using alternative transportation, bicyclists are finding some motorists display a disdain for the healthy bikers. Some report being forced off the road or having things thrown at them out of car windows. Other bikers say that a car will pull up alongside and beep the horn to scare them.

Some of Florida’s greenways and trails are the state’s best kept secret. The bottom line is that if we all share the road, and motorists and bicyclists can co-exist peacefully. The Florida bicycle accident attorneys at Farah & Farah would be happy to discuss your case if you have been the victim of a motorist who does not like to share the road.