A Mitsubishi Galant and a motorcycle collided severely injuring the motorcycle rider. The driver of the Gallant fled but was caught by police as he returned to the scene later. The motorcycle hit-and-run happened on westbound Park Boulevard at 40th Street N. around 10:30 pm, Wednesday, January 16.
According to Tampa Bay Police at the scene, the driver of the Gallant tried to turn from the far right-hand lane, across six lanes of traffic into a restaurant parking lot when it drove into the path of the motorcycle which was traveling westbound on Park Street.
As a result, the accident left the motorcyclist with severe injuries to his legs, and he ended up losing both of them. The driver of the Gallant was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident involving serious injury and driving on a suspended or revoked driving license.
Motorcycle Crashes
Any accident on a motorcycle can result in serious injury or death because of the vulnerability of the cyclist. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a person is 6 times more likely to be killed in a motorcycle accident than in a car crash. For passenger vehicles, there are 13.10 deaths out of 100,000 crashes, and the rate for motorcycles is 72.34 per 100,000 crashes.
The risk of serious injury is also much higher for motorcyclists who are at higher risk for certain types of injuries. These are:
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Deep Abrasions (Road Rash)
- Broken Bones
- Loss of Limbs
Causes for Motorcycle Crashes
One of the advantages of a motorcycle is also its greatest liability when it comes to accidents. Motorcycles are smaller giving them quickness and greater maneuverability. However, they also have a low visual profile that can contribute to crashes. Some of the leading causes are:
- Blind-spot riding
- Car drivers turning left into oncoming motorcycle
- Car drivers pulling out into path of motorcycle
Some motorcycle accidents are caused by risky driving on the part of the motorcyclist. Some of these are:
- Dooring (Open door on motorcycle traveling between cars)
- Lane splitting
- Speeding
- Aggressive Driving/Weaving
- Shoulder driving
- Impaired driving
Do I need an Attorney if I’m Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?
Many times when a driver’s seemingly obvious mistake causes an accident with a motorcycle, the rider feels that he doesn’t need an attorney. While this can be theoretically true, in actual practice it isn’t. If you don’t have a professional on your side, you are relying on the fairness of the insurance company and their lawyers.
Don’t make this mistake. Speak to an attorney that knows the law and can evaluate your case. Lastly, contact an attorney at RHINO Lawyers today. Our personal injury team is ready to start working for you to get you the compensation you deserve.
