Man Killed In Pasco County Motorcycle Crash
It’s easy to drive in a straight line, but once you have to go around a curve, things start to get complicated. Many drivers and motorcycle riders have a hard time negotiating curves, especially if they are speeding.
Sadly, this recently happened to a man from Land O’ Lakes. The 38-year-old man died in a motorcycle crash in Pasco County on the morning of April 13.
The man was driving a Kawasaki motorcycle north on Pasco Road. The rider was speeding as he approached SR-52. He tried to negotiate a curve in the roadway, but failed. The motorcycle went off the paved surface and hit a light pole. The man suffered serious injuries. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Negotiating a Turn
When a rider fails to negotiate a curve, the most common outcomes include:
- Running off the road. If the rider enters too fast or doesn’t lean properly, they may go wide and leave the roadway, potentially hitting guardrails, trees, or ditches.
- Lowside crash. The bike loses traction and slides out from under the rider, usually if braking or leaning too hard.
- Highside crash. This happens when a wheel regains traction suddenly, throwing the rider off.
- Collision. Traffic or roadside obstacles become hazards if the rider drifts out of their lane.
Effectively negotiating a curve on a motorcycle requires skill. Here’s a simple breakdown on how to do it:
- Slow before the curve. Reduce your speed using both brakes while you’re still upright.
- Look through the curve. Keep your eyes on where you want to go, not right in front of you.
- Lean with the bike. Shift your body weight into the turn while maintaining a relaxed grip.
- Roll on the throttle. Slightly accelerate through the curve to stabilize the bike.
- Use countersteering. Push the handlebar in the direction of the turn (push right to go right).
If you enter a curve too fast, here’s how to safely recover:
- Don’t panic. Stay calm and avoid grabbing the brakes, which can cause a skid.
- Look through the turn. Focus on where you want to go.
- Lean more if possible. Increase your lean angle gradually to tighten your turn. Motorcycles have a lot of capabilities and should be able to handle it.
- Smooth throttle control. Gently roll on the throttle to stabilize the suspension.
- Avoid braking too hard. If braking is absolutely necessary, do it smoothly.
Contact Us Today
Motorcycle accidents are often caused by other vehicles, but sometimes rider error is to blame. Going around curves while speeding is a recipe for disaster.
If someone caused your motorcycle crash, get the help you need from the Dade City & Zephyrhills motorcycle accident attorneys from Madonna Law. We understand the serious injuries and challenging road to recovery motorcycle accident victims face. Call (800) 557-0411 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation with our office.
Source:
pasconewsonline.com/news/land-o-lakes-man-dies-in-motorcycle-crash-on-pasco-road/article_648a1334-01df-4611-881d-386d8e2a61a5.html
