Motorcycle accidents are often catastrophic, causing serious or life-threatening injuries or even death. This was sadly the case in a recent accident involving many vehicles, including a motorcycle.
The accident occurred on I-95 near Mims. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of a Kia swerved to avoid a vehicle changing lanes and ran off the roadway, coming to rest in another lane.
Another driver and a motorcyclist both then struck the Kia, with the motorcyclists sustaining fatal injuries. The victim was a 46-year-old man from Merritt Island. He was apparently thrown from his motorcycle after the collision, landing on a paved shoulder of the road.
Other vehicles, including another motorcycle, also swerved and crashed trying to avoid the Kia. The other drivers involved in the accident were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Practicing safety can reduce your risk of an accident
Avoiding a vehicle in the middle of the road in a case such as this may be next to impossible, but there are many tips you can follow as a motorcyclist to stay safe on Florida’s busy roads.
Keep your motorcycle properly maintained so it is always safe for riding. Wear a helmet and the proper safety equipment, such as eye protection. Wear bright colored and sturdy clothing.
Practice attentive driving. Know that other drivers often do not see motorcyclists on the road and/or do not believe they have the same rights as they do.
Be aware of other drivers and of cars pulling out from driveways, parking lots or other areas where they do not see you. Pay particular attention at intersections.
Constantly review the road and be alert for changing conditions. Position yourself properly in lanes so other drivers can see you.
Follow all traffic laws, such as using turn signals for all turns and lane changes. Never ride while drowsy or intoxicated.
No matter how safely you drive, accidents like the one above can come out of nowhere and happen in an instant. The injuries you suffer in a motorcycle accident are often serious or permanent.
Negligent driving is the cause of many motorcycle accidents in Florida
You can hold a negligent driver responsible for the costs of your accident. These include the costs of your medical care and any other losses, such as lost wages or pain and suffering.
It is important to know how to prove negligence, since Florida recently changed its negligence law from pure comparative negligence to modified comparative negligence.
This means that if the other driver claims you were also negligent in the accident and a court finds that more than 50% of the fault is yours, you cannot recover any damages.
This can be financially and emotionally devastating, as you may be left with outrageous medical bills and be unable to work yet receive no compensation.
Therefore, gathering evidence after a motorcycle accident to build the strongest case possible is vital.
