A 27-year-old man was tragically killed Monday, April 5th in an intersection motorcycle accident in St. Petersburg, WTSP News reported. The fatal crash involved a motorcycle and Toyota Camry sedan, and occurred at the intersection of 18th Avenue S. at 34th Street S., at 4:35 PM.
A St. Petersburg Police Department press release reported the driver of the sedan was traveling northbound on 34th St. S, turning west onto 18th Avenue S. when it collided with the southbound motorcycle. The motorcycle struck the Camry and then another vehicle before catching fire. The impact of the collision caused the motorcyclist to be ejected. He was taken to a hospital where he died of his injuries. The driver of the Camry, an 80-year-old man, suffered minor injuries.
Motorcycle Accident in St. Petersburg
Our thoughts go out to the family of the victim of this crash. The sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one in a traffic collision is shocking and devastating.
Left Turn Motorcycle Accident Liability
Left-turn accidents are often not survivable or lead to catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries, multiple broken bones, or spinal cord injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlighted left-turn accidents in their 2017 motorcycle accident report. In 42% (1,098) of all fatal crashes involving a motorcycle and another vehicle, a car was turning left while a motorcycle was going straight. Because motorcycles have a smaller vehicle than passenger cars, it is common for drivers of passenger vehicles to not look for them. However, failing to see an approaching motorcycle does not excuse a driver from their actions.
Florida’s vehicle code states that the driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction. A violation of this section is usually a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation.
A driver who is responsible for causing a Floria motorcycle crash resulting in injury or death may also be liable for a victim’s personal injury or wrongful death. Damages for a serious injury or death may be substantial. However, without a skilled lawyer representing your interests, it may be challenging to recover the full amount you are entitled to.
Contact the Coleman Law Group After a Florida Motorcycle Accident
At the Coleman Law Group, we have seen and experienced firsthand the devastation of motorcycle accidents. If you have been impacted by a motorcycle accident, we are here to offer our support, knowledge, and resources.
If you are looking for a skilled and experienced lawyer to pursue a personal injury or wrongful death claim, we can aggressively advocate for your legal rights and protect you from attempts to blame you or your loved one for a crash. Under our contingency fee arrangement, we are only paid for our services if we recover money for you. To speak to a St. Petersburg motorcycle accident lawyer about your potential case, call us at (877) 822-9292.
