Major Accident in Florida Involving a Motorcycle and Skateboard
A 23-year-old man died in a traffic accident last weekend after he was struck by a motorcycle while riding his skateboard. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the motorcycle was driving west on the Florida road when he hit the skateboarder who was in the middle of the westbound lane early Saturday morning. When the motorcycle and the skateboard collided, the rider of the motorcycle was thrown onto the roadway and his vehicle overturned. In addition to taking the life of the man on the skateboard, the accident caused the motorcyclist to sustain life-threatening injuries. The 26-year-old motorcyclist was transported to UF Health to receive treatment for his injuries.
How Pedestrians Can Avoid Being Injured by a Motorcycle
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are several steps that pedestrians can take to lower the odds of being seriously injured by a motor vehicle. First, you can increase your visibility at night by carrying a flashlight and by wearing retro-reflective clothing. Whenever possible, you should also make sure you cross the street at a designated crosswalk. Finally, although it is much safer to travel on a sidewalk, if you must travel in the street then you should move in a direction that faces traffic. That way you will be able to see cars, trucks, and motorcycles sooner and will have a better chance to avoid being in a collision. Thousands of pedestrians are killed in traffic crashes every year and pedestrians are much more likely to be killed in an accident than an occupant of a vehicle, so it is extra important to be on high alert when you are traveling on a bike, skateboard, or by foot.
How Motorcyclists Can Avoid Colliding with Pedestrians
Most importantly, motorcyclists should always remain alert for pedestrians while riding. You should look for pedestrians on both sides of the street when approaching an intersection or when making a turn. It is especially important to be on the lookout when you are riding near schools, parks, bus stops, and other places where people are likely to be walking or riding a bike or skateboard. Another situation where it is very important to be alert is when turning right at a red traffic signal. In this situation, you should make sure you come to a full and complete stop before the crosswalk. Furthermore, you should not block the crosswalk when waiting to turn right because this puts pedestrians at risk by forcing them to walk around your vehicle, where they are at risk of being struck by another vehicle. Above all, you should always respect a pedestrian who is walking through a crosswalk. A person walking through a crosswalk always has the right-of-way over motor vehicles, so you should never interfere with someone who is trying to safely traverse a crosswalk.
If you have been struck by a car, truck or motorcycle while you were walking, skateboarding, or riding your bike, then call the experienced personal injury attorneys at West Palm Beach based Pike & Lustig, LLP for a consultation. We are here to help you recover compensation for the injuries you have sustained.
