Two Motorcyclists Killed in Crash on I-95
Police are still investigating a crash that occurred on 1-95 that killed two motorcyclists and left a female driver seriously injured. The accident occurred after 9:00pm on Interstate 95 at Atlantic Boulevard when a woman driving a Honda Accord lost control of her vehicle and veered into the center median. The driver of a Suzuki motorcycle then veered to the left, striking the median wall, and was ejected from his motorcycle. He was taken to the hospital where he later died from his injuries. A third man on a Suzuki motorcycle hit the woman’s car after it had rotated off the wall and into the path that he was driving. This motorcyclist died at the scene from injuries sustained.
The accident is still being investigated as to what caused the woman to lose control of her car causing the initial accident, as well as the situation surrounding the motorcyclists. Prior to the accident, the Florida Highway Patrol stated that there were reports of motorcyclists traveling at a high rate of speed. Investigators are still trying to determine if those reports were linked to the crash.
Required Equipment for Motorcyclists in Florida
Each state has its own set of laws regarding motorcyclists and what they can and cannot do. While many states no longer require a motorcyclist to be wearing protective headgear, Florida is not one of them. In the state of Florida, a person is not allowed to operate or ride on a motorcycle unless they are properly wearing protective headgear that is securely fastened on their head. An exception to this rule is that a person does not have to be wearing protective headgear if they are over the age of 21 and they have at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of a crash while operating a motorcycle.
Another rule that many may not be aware of is the fact that in Florida, a person may not operate a motorcycle unless they are wearing an eye-protective device. The rule for protective eyewear applies only to those driving the motorcycle, not those riding.
Common Motorcycle Injuries
While many accidents cause serious injuries, motorcycle injuries tend to be more serious due to the limited barrier surrounding them. Some common injuries that occur in a motorcycle accident are as follows:
- Bone Fractures: Due to the fact that motorcycles are not able to stand alone, many injuries that result in a bone fracture will occur from the motorcycle falling on top of them. Due to the fact that an accident can occur in seconds, many don’t have time to steady or balance the bike, which results in the bike falling on top of them and results in a bone fracture, most commonly in the leg. Wrist and arm fractures may also occur from a rider trying to break their fall after an initial collision.
- Road Rash: Because there is no protective barrier surrounding the motorcycle, many motorcyclists are ejected from the bike upon impact during a crash. This may cause the motorcyclist to make contact with the surface of the road causing road rash. Road rash, which is a skin abrasion, can range from mild (first degree) to severe (third degree), depending on the circumstances.
- Head Injury: While wearing protective headgear can reduce the chance of a head injury, a head injury, including traumatic brain injury, is one the leading causes of death and disability in motorcycle accidents. Again, due to the fact that there is no protective barrier surrounding the motorcycle, the chance of a rider falling off a bike and hitting their head is much higher than those in an enclosed vehicle.
Have You Been the Victim of a Motorcycle Accident?
Motorcycle accidents can be very serious and cause a person to be permanently disabled for the rest of their life. At Boone & Davis, our Florida attorneys will fight for your rights and help to get you the just compensation that you deserve. Contact us today so we can get to work.
