The Orlando Sentinel reported that a fatal accident occurred in the early morning hours of September 30, 2014 involving a car and a motorcycle. The accident occurred when Edward Foster’s Pontiac Vibe pulled out in front of Robert Heery’s 2007 Harley-Davidson on Cypress Parkway at San Clemente Avenue. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported that Heery was not wearing a motorcycle helmet at the time of the accident and medical examiners pronounced Heery dead at the Poinciana Medical Center.

Tips for Staying Safe While Riding

When you are involved in a car accident you can sustain serious, if not life threatening injuries. However, when you ride a motorcycle your chances of serious injury increase exponentially due to the lack of protection a motorcycle affords. Even a simple fender bender between a car and motorcycle can produce catastrophic and permanent injuries.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) recognizes that riding a motorcycle is not as safe as driving a car. The DHSMV therefore provides several tips to both drivers and motorcyclists:

Tips For Drivers

  •  Never try to share a lane with a motorcyclist. Give a motorcyclist the full lane to maneuver.
  • Motorcyclists are smaller and more difficult to see than cars. It is important to check mirrors and blind spots while changing lanes and entering intersections.
  • Don’t tailgate a motorcyclist. A motorcycle can stop at a more rapid speed than a car due to its light weight. It is important to provide enough distance between your car and a motorcycle.
  • A motorcyclist’s turn signal on does not necessarily mean he or she is turning. In contrast to cars, many motorcycle signals do not self-cancel, so be vigilant if a motorcyclist has a turn signal engaged.

Tips for Riders

  •  Ride for the road conditions. Minor variations in road conditions can pose major hazards to motorcyclists.
  • Do not tailgate. This will provide more time to maneuver in case of an emergency and will better allow a driver the ability to see you.
  • Wear a helmet and protective gear. Many severe and life threatening injuries occur because riders do not wear a helmet and protective leather. The pavement will always win the battle.

Motorcycle accidents can produce tragic and lifelong injuries. If you ride a motorcycle, please try to do so in the safest and most responsible manner.

Compensation for Tampa Motorcycle Accidents

If you ride a motorcycle and have been involved in an accident, your injuries may require multiple doctor visits and a long road to recovery. From our office in Brandon, we help clients in Tampa, New Tampa, Plant City, throughout Hillsborough County, and the state of Florida. Contact an attorney at Reed & Reed by calling (813) 438-5960, or you can contact us through our website to schedule a consultation.