Florida Man Dies in Orlando-Area Motorcycle Crash

The Orlando Sentinel has reported that a Leesburg man was killed after his motorcycle crashed into a pickup truck. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the accident happened on Thursday, September on County Road 561 in Lake County.

The 67-year-old biker was traveling northbound at approximately 2:40 p.m. when a pickup truck made a left turn in front of him. The bike and truck collided, throwing the man from his motorcycle. The driver of the pickup truck was taken to Baptist Medical Center with minor injuries. The FHP is reportedly still investigating the crash and charges are pending.

Motorcycle-car collisions are the consequence of the two types of vehicles sharing the road. Crashes involving other vehicles make up 56 percent of all motorcycle accident deaths and, in the vast majority of these cases (78 percent), the car strikes the motorcycle from the front, as was the case in Florida. Due to the size difference between the vehicles and relative lack of protection afforded to bikers, collisions involving vehicles are often fatal to motorcyclists.

Accidents like the one in Florida are not uncommon. Vehicles making left turns without their drivers observing oncoming motorcycles account for 42 percent of all motorcycle-car accidents. While motorists are tuned in to other cars and trucks, they often fail to be on the lookout for smaller vehicles like motorcycles. Although weather conditions and the time of day can sometimes account for this apparent lack of visibility, it is often simply the result of drivers who are not being careful about those with whom they share the road.

After a serious motorcycle accident in Florida, it’s important to consult a knowledgeable Orlando personal injury lawyer to help you explore your options for seeking compensation.