One Dead, One Injured In Florida Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycles offer an immense amount of freedom, but sadly, this freedom can sometimes lead to fatality. Unfortunately, that was the case for a Treasure Island man who suffered fatal injuries in a motorcycle accident.

The fatal crash happened on the evening of June 9 on Park Street in St. Petersburg. A 63-year-old man was riding his Harley-Davidson with a 54-year-old female passenger. The man suddenly lost control and hit a guardrail.

The man landed in the roadway due to the impact. The passenger was ejected from the motorcycle and landed in grass nearby. The man was taken to Palms of Pasadena Hospital, where he later died. The passenger is currently in serious condition at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. Neither person was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Florida Helmet Laws

When you decide to ride a motorcycle, your first instinct may be to put on a helmet. In fact, helmet use is the law in many states. Florida, however, is one of the exceptions. According to Florida Statutes Section 316.211, a motorcycle rider in Florida may ride without a helmet under certain circumstances.

In July 1, 2000, a law went into effect allowing riders to ride without a helmet or other protective headgear as long as they are over the age of 21 and have an insurance policy in place allowing for at least $10,000 in medical benefits should the rider suffer injuries as the result of a motorcycle crash.

Do Helmets Save Lives?

Even if the law does not require helmets, should riders wear them anyway? Many riders do not like wearing helmets, as they don’t necessarily have a “cool” factor. However, when it comes to looking cool or staying alive, which is more important to you?

Statistics show that helmet laws increase rider usage, which decreases the risk of injuries and deaths. In fact, in 2013, helmets saved the lives of 1,630 motorcycle riders. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 715 additional riders would still be alive had they worn helmets.

This is important data to consider, considering that motorcycles are 26 times more likely to die in an accident when compared to passenger cars. If they do survive, they are likely to suffer from head injuries, which are one of the main causes of disability and death in the United States. Head injuries can lead to a host of medical conditions and be very costly to treat.

Get Help for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim

It is easy to lose control of a motorcycle. Because of this, many accidents are caused by the motorcyclist. There are situations, however, when another motorist is to blame. In these cases, it’s important to seek legal help, especially if you are dealing with serious injuries.

If you have been involved in a serious motorcycle crash, contact the Dade City attorneys at Madonna Law Group. Let our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys assess your case. We can help you get the compensation you deserve. To schedule a consultation, call our office today at (800) 557-0411.

Resource:

tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/accidents/Treasure-Island-man-dies-in-motorcycle-accident_169034460