Police officers in Orange County are investigating a motorcycle accident which left one man dead and another in the hospital.
The accident occurred on Sept. 22, 2019, happened at the intersection of Colonial Drive and Amber Road, around 2:30 in the morning. According to the police report, the 49-year-old driver of a 2019 Lexus turned left on Amber Road. His turn took him directly into the path of a 24-year-old on a 2005 Suzuki motorcycle.
The young motorcyclist was pronounced dead on the scene, and the driver of the Lexus was hospitalized with minor injuries. Both men were residents of Orlando.
Having cars abruptly turning into their paths is a common problem for motorcyclists. About one-third of all motorcycle accidents are caused this way. A great deal of research has discovered that drivers often overlook a motorcycle on the road simply because they simply don’t expect them to be there. A driver can “look without seeing” and put everyone in danger.
To that end, most motorcyclists try to make themselves as visible as possible, especially around intersections. They’ll often use reflective gear and tape to attract attention at night, rev their pipes and try other ways to attract the attention of the drivers around them. Defensive driving and helmets are a must. Unfortunately, even those precautions can’t always protect a motorcyclist from the consequences of another driver’s mistake.
Charges are pending in this case against the driver of the Lexus. In cases like these, however, it’s often necessary for the deceased’s loved ones to press a wrongful death claim in civil court in order to recover their financial losses.