A Florida teenager was hospitalized after the motorcycle he was riding collided with a sport utility vehicle. The accident occurred at the intersection of McClelland Street and School Avenue in Pensacola on October 9.
According to officers, the teenager was traveling southbound on McClelland Street when he failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of School Avenue. He then collided with a 2002 Ford Explorer driven by a 30-year-old. The driver was taken to the North Okaloosa Medical Center with minor injuries while the biker was flown to Baptist Hospital, where he was listed in serious condition.
While motorcycles do not necessarily crash more than any other type of vehicle, the accidents involving them are far more likely to be serious. In 2006, there were 35 times more fatalities per mile traveled from motorcycles than from other types of vehicles. The fact is that motorcycles represent an inherently dangerous form of travel due to the lack of protection afforded to riders. Even when wearing a helmet, bikers do not have the protective layer offered by cars and so even a minor collision can result in serious injuries.
When motorcycles do crash, more often than not these accidents involve another vehicle. Of accidents involving other vehicles, 78 percent of the time the collision is a head-on one where a car strikes a motorcycle from the front. Because of the direct impact of these collisions, bikers are often seriously injured or killed. These types of accidents can happen anywhere, but they most frequently occur at intersections or when passing a vehicle.
Both motorists and motorcyclists have a responsibility to follow the rules of the road. This includes observing traffic signals, following speed limits and observing other vehicles and pedestrians. Because motorcycle drivers are at higher risk for serious injuries on the road, they must be especially vigilant about their safety.
However, even the most careful motorcyclists can still be injured as a result of a collision with another vehicle and it is not always their fault. In these situations, these bikers do not have legal options. Call the Bradenton motorcycle accident lawyers at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh for more information.