February 12, 2010

Motorcyclist Killed in Brooksville

A 55-year-old Kissimmee man died Sunday afternoon when he lost control of the motorcycle he was driving. The St. Petersburg Times reports the accident happened just west of Brooksville near B.W. Stevenson Road. According to the Florida High Patrol, the man was traveling east on Cortez Boulevard. He lost control of his 2000 Harley-Davidson motorcycle on a curve, hitting a concrete median and a reflective pole before the bike left the highway. The man was thrown from the motorcycle. Hernando County Fire Rescue pronounced him dead at the scene. The FHP said the man was not wearing a helmet. It’s unknown whether alcohol was a factor in the accident.

Our condolences for the loss of this man go out to his family and friends.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to Florida Highway Patrol statistics from 2008, there were 9,618 motorcycle crashes that year. 17.8% of all traffic fatalities affected motorcycle drivers and their passengers. While the number of these fatalities was down from 2007 by 3.3%, 532 motorcyclists and passengers were killed in 2008. 45% of those victims were not wearing helmets.

Helmets Save Lives
In July, 2000, the State of Florida passed a law exempting adult motorcyclists (21 and older) from wearing helmets as long as they had medical insurance in the amount of $10,000. According to a study published in 2004 in the American Journal of Public Health, motorcycle occupant fatalities increased by more than 20% the year after the law was changed. Study author, Andreas Muller, PhD, concludes that “exempting adult motorcycle riders from wearing motorcycle helmets is counterproductive for motorcyclists’ health and unnecessarily increases insurance and medical care expenses.”

Continue reading "Motorcyclist Killed in Brooksville" »

December 28, 2009

Motorcycle Crash

A Sarasota man has died after a motorcycle wreck in Jacksonville this week.

The 40-year-old was hospitalized after the wreck on New Berlin Road in Jacksonville on Tuesday.

The man reportedly lost control of his Kawasaki, while traveling north around 2:15 p.m. He was wearing a helmet say police and there were no other vehicles involved in the crash. The man hit a guard rail and was thrown from the bike. He was pronounced dead at the hospital Thursday night.

In another motorcycle accident in Jacksonville a motorcycle and car collided Thursday night. A 59-year old man was on his Harley when it collided with a Honda Civic at New Kings Road and I-295. Police report the vehicle turned in front of the motorcycle as it was attempting to enter I-295. The rider was thrown from the motorcycle. He was not wearing his helmet. He is listed in critical condition at Shands. The driver and passenger in the Civic were wearing their seat belts and were not injured.

Continue reading "Motorcycle Crash" »

November 12, 2009

Palatka Motorcycle Accident and Brain Injury Attorneys

With a population of about 10,800 as of July 2007 estimates, Palatka, Florida has a population density of about 1,553 people located within its 6.96 square mile, city limits. Located in Putnam County, Palatka is a city of commuter residents, with only about 20% of its residents both living and working within the city limits. As such, traffic in Palatka is an issue that all residents have to deal with. Unfortunately, with such an influx of traffic entering and exiting Palatka, vehicular accidents are bound to occur. Motorcycle accidents are one type of accident in particular that afflicts a large number of motorists each year. Fortunately though, a skilled Palatka motorcycle accident attorney can assist an injured individual with all aspects of their personal injury case.

More often than they do in passenger car accidents, catastrophic injuries can render motorcycle accident victims forever impaired. When catastrophic accidents result in brain injury, injured motorists can experience significant setbacks. Hospital fees, physical therapy costs, and even wages lost, both past and future, may be sought from negligent parties that caused the accident. In such instances, it is critical that experienced Palatka brain injury attorneys are consulted so as to protect the rights of injured motorists in a court of law.

If you have been injured in a Palatka motorcycle accident, legal help is available. Don’t hesitate to contact the personal injury law firm of Farah and Farah. Our skilled motorcycle accident attorneys will examine the circumstances of your accident, and will see to it that your rights are not trampled upon in a court of law. If your injuries are catastrophic, our Palatka brain injury lawyers will seek compensatory damages on your behalf to help assist with the costs associated with your accident. If you are injured in Palatka, please contact Farah and Farah for a free consultation of your injury case:

(386) 328-2889
417 St. Johns Avenue
Palatka, Florida 32177


View Larger Map

November 10, 2009

Amelia Island Motorcycle Accident and Brain Injury Attorneys

The “Isle of Eight Flags” is home to Amelia City and Fernandina Beach, and is more commonly known as Amelia Island. Housing a population of a little more than 68,000 people, Amelia Island, Florida is part of the Sea Islands and is 18.2 square miles in land size. With tourism as the island’s main economic source, a large number of tourists and beach-goers visit Amelia Island each year.

Those unfamiliar with Amelia Island’s roads may not exercise the most cautious driving practices while visiting. While all vehicular accidents are dangerous, those involving motorcycles pose an even greater chance of injury occurring, particularly to a motorcyclist that does not have the luxury of being confined within the framework of a car to protect against impact. When such accidents occur, it is essential that an Amelia Island motorcycle accident lawyer is promptly consulted in order to ensure that the rights of the motorcyclist are not infringed upon as an accident victim.

Injuries resulting from vehicular accidents can range from minor bruises to catastrophic brain injury. While it is the hope that no one is injured during an accident, catastrophic injury afflicts motorists all too often, particularly motorcyclists. Such injuries can be life altering, especially brain injuries, and can seriously impair an individual’s ability to lead the life he or she had become accustomed to prior to the incident. When brain injury or any other catastrophic injury does occur, it is critical that an Amelia Island brain injury attorney is consulted to ensure that the negligent party responsible for the accident is held accountable for playing a detrimental role in causing injury.

If you have been injured in an Amelia Island accident while riding your motorcycle, don’t hesitate to contact the motorcycle accident attorneys at the personal injury law firm of Farah and Farah. Our skilled attorneys will examine the circumstances of your accident, and will see to it that your rights are not trampled upon in a court of law. If your injuries are catastrophic, our Amelia Island brain injury lawyers will seek compensatory damages on your behalf to help assist with the costs associated with your accident. If injured, please contact Farah and Farah at our Amelia Island office today for a free consultation of your injury case:

(904) 261-4440
501 Centre St.
Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034


View Larger Map

November 5, 2009

Jacksonville Beach Motorcycle Accident and Brain Injury Attorneys

Like most coastal locales, Jacksonville Beach, Florida is a popular tourist location that attracts a large number of visitors each year. With a year-round population just shy of 22,000 as of July 2007, Jax Beach has seen a steady increase in its number of residents each year. Only 7.7 miles in land size, Jax Beach can quickly become congested with residents and visitors, particularly its roadways.

With so many people visiting Jacksonville Beach each year, multiple modes of transportation are often incorporated by motorists. Motorcycle travel is especially popular, especially while traveling along a picturesque coast. However, many motorists may not grant some motorcyclists the roadway respect that they rightfully deserve. Furthermore, with dangerous driving practices, such as illegal lane sharing, motorists absolutely have to be vigilant while operating their larger motor vehicles. When motorcycle accidents take place as a result of another driver’s negligence, a skilled Jacksonville Beach motorcycle accident lawyer can help injured victims seek compensation for property damage, medical bills, treatment, and many other expenses brought on by a serious injury.

When motorcycle accidents occur, the potential for catastrophic injury is generally much greater for the motorcyclist than it is for the driver of a passenger car or other larger vehicle. Accidents can be devastating to a motorcyclist, resulting in severe consequences such as a brain injury. With nothing more than a helmet protecting a motorcyclist, the likelihood of such an injury occurring is significant, and the probability that a motorcyclist’s life will be forever altered is likely.

Personal injury sustained during vehicular accidents can be overwhelming, regardless of the type of vehicles involved. Luckily, the motorcycle accident attorneys at the personal injury law firm of Farah and Farah will examine the circumstances of your accident, and will hold negligent parties responsible for your accident accountable for their actions. If you have sustained catastrophic injuries, our brain injury lawyers will see to it that your rights are not infringed upon in a court of law. If you have been injured, please contact Farah and Farah at our Jacksonville Beach office for a free evaluation of your injury case:

(904) 249 2585
472 Osceola Avenue
Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250


View Larger Map

November 3, 2009

Jacksonville Motorcycle Accident and Brain Injury Attorneys

Jacksonville, Florida is the 12th most populated city in the United States. Housing a little more than 800,000 people at the time of the 2007 U.S. Census, Jacksonville is one of the more popular points of interest in Florida. With a total area of 874.3 square miles, Jacksonville hosts a nice mix of residents, vacationers, and passers-through each and every year.

Commuting in Jacksonville is essential for a variety of reasons. Residents may find themselves commuting to work, vacationers may find themselves commuting to a tourist spot, and passers-through may simply travel over Jacksonville roads while on the way to another location. Regardless, Jacksonville’s roads and highways can be congested places, and alternative methods to traditional automobile travel are often adopted by numerous individuals. Motorcycle travel is one such method of alternative transportation in Jacksonville, and when motorcyclists are injured due to another motorist’s negligence, the cyclist may need the legal advice and assistance of a skilled Jacksonville motorcycle accident lawyer.

At Farah and Farah, we understand that the results of a vehicular accident involving a motorcycle can be catastrophic. Motorcyclists do not have the luxury of being surrounded by the reinforced confines of a car, and their direct exposure to impact can lead to grave injury, such as a brain injury, that may leave the individual forever impaired. This is why our experienced Jacksonville brain injury attorneys are also available to assist any brain injury victim who was injured by another person’s negligence, whether in a motorcycle accident or in another type of accident.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Jacksonville or have suffered a brain injury, don’t hesitate to contact the personal injury law firm of Farah and Farah. If your injuries are catastrophic, our brain injury lawyers will examine the circumstances surrounding your accident to determine where negligent action played a contributing role towards your injury. Please contact Farah and Farah at our Jacksonville office for a free consultation of your motorcycle accident or brain injury case:

(904) 396-5555
10 West Adams Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202


View Larger Map

October 29, 2009

Lake City Motorcycle Accident and Brain Injury Attorneys

Often referred to as the “Gateway to Florida,” Lake City is located in Columbia County and has become a much desired tourist attraction as well as a stop for those on their way to Southern Florida. Lake City has a population of approximately 12,000 and is situated in a county whose population is only increasing (Columbia County has close to 68,000 inhabitants as of 2006). Within its densely populated area, Lake City comes into contact with its degree of motorcycle accidents as a result of negligent motorists failing to see motorcyclists on the road. When another driver’s negligence causes a motorcyclist to suffer catastrophic injuries, the motorcyclist may be able to seek compensation with the assistance of a skilled Lake City motorcycle accident attorney.

Motorcycle collisions in Lake City can have serious repercussions on a motorcyclist, drastically affecting an injured victim’s quality of life for many years. Brain injuries are one of the most frequent afflictions that affect motorcyclists. The experienced brain injury attorneys at Farah and Farah have been assisting motorcycle victims and other personal injury victims obtain the compensation they need to receive proper medical attention and rehabilitative care after a brain injury.

At Farah and Farah, our personal injury law firm has an invaluable pool of resources and legal knowledge that you need to reach a successful outcome in your injury case. To find out how we may be able to help you receive compensation for pain and suffering, loss of wages, medical treatment, and much more, contact us today. For a free and confidential consultation of your injury case in Lake City, call Farah and Farah at our Lake City office:

(386) 754-7534
212 N. Marion Ave Suite 208
Lake City, FL 32055


View Larger Map

October 27, 2009

Orange Park Motorcycle Accident and Brain Injury Attorneys

Located in Northeast Clay County, Orange Park is a suburb of Jacksonville situated just south of Jacksonville, Florida. As a lively community rich in history and culture, Orange Park has a great deal to offer. Clay County, which Orange Park is located in, is also a bustling region of Florida. With a population in excess of 180,000 and a high population density, hundreds of residents and visitors take part in the pleasure and thrill of riding motorcycles. Similar to many densely populated cities, Orange Park is not immune to motorcycle accidents that are caused by negligent motorists failing to yield to motorcyclists or even see them on the road.

At Farah and Farah, our skilled Orange Park motorcycle injury lawyers have devoted many years to protecting the rights of motorcycle accident victims. When another driver’s negligence causes a motorcyclist to suffer serious injuries, the motorcyclist may be able to seek compensation to help pay for loss of wages, pain and suffering, medical treatment, and many other financial burdens brought on by a serious injury.

Motorcycle accidents in St. Augustine can have catastrophic repercussions on a motorcyclist, significantly affecting an injured victim’s quality of life for many years, if not indefinitely. Brain injuries are one of the most recurrent injuries that affect motorcyclists when collisions take place. The experienced brain injury attorneys at Farah and Farah have been assisting motorcycle victims and other personal injury victims receive the compensation they require to obtain appropriate medical care and rehabilitative attention after a brain injury.

To learn more about how the attorneys at Farah and Farah may be able to help you receive compensation for the physical suffering, emotional grief, or property damage caused by your motorcycle accident or brain injury accident, contact us at our Orange Park office for a free and confidential consultation of your injury case:

(904) 264-0700
1534 Kingsley Avenue
Orange Park, Florida 32073


View Larger Map

October 22, 2009

St. Augustine Motorcycle Accident and Brain Injury Attorneys

The prominent community of St. Augustine boasts being home to the oldest port in the continental United States and finds itself often referred to as “the nation’s oldest city.” The estimated population of St. Augustine was 12,157 in 2004. With its museums that reflect life of the early Spanish explorers who settled in St. Augustine, beautiful beaches and classic architecture, the city continues to attract numerous tourists in Northern Florida. Considering that St. Augustine is situated approximately 40 miles south of Jacksonville and 60 miles north of Daytona Beach just 5 miles east of Interstate 95, one can only imagine just how many residents and passersby traverse through the area.

With a region that encompasses such a vast area and a population that is only increasing, St. Augustine experiences its share of motorcycle accidents as a result of negligent motorists failing to see motorcyclists on the road. When another driver’s negligence causes a motorcyclist to suffer serious injuries, the motorcyclist may be able to seek compensation with the help of an experienced St. Augustine motorcycle accident lawyer.

Motorcycle accidents in St. Augustine can have catastrophic repercussions on a motorcyclist, significantly affecting an injured victim’s quality of life for his or her remaining years. Brain injuries are one of the most frequent calamities that motorcyclists endure, even when a helmet is worn. The skilled brain injury lawyers at Farah and Farah have been helping motorcycle victims and other personal injury victims obtain the compensation they need to receive proper medical attention and rehabilitative care after a brain injury.

The attorneys at Farah and Farah have been protecting the rights of motorcycle and brain injury victims, as well as many other personal injury victims, for over 25 years. Our firm has an invaluable pool of resources and legal knowledge that you need to obtain a successful resolution of your injury case. To find out how we may be able to help you receive compensation for loss of wages, pain and suffering, medical treatment, and much more, contact us today. For a free and confidential consultation of your injury case in St. Augustine, call Farah and Farah at our St. Augustine office:

(904) 797-7977
301 Plantation Island Drive
Suite 206A
St. Augustine, Florida 32080


View Larger Map

October 20, 2009

Brunswick, Georgia Motorcycle Accident and Brain Injury Attorneys

Located about thirty miles north of Florida, the city of Brunswick is situated in southeastern Georgia. Nicknamed “the shrimp capital of the world,” the area is also well-known for being the center of Georgia’s shrimp and crab industries. Home to the fourth-largest automobile port in the eastern United States, the city's economy encompasses agricultural processing, manufacturing, and bulk cargoes. In 2007, the city proper had an approximate population of 16,235 and an estimated metropolitan population of 101,792.

Brunswick’s metropolitan area is the twelfth-largest in the state of Georgia and includes the counties of Glynn, Brantley, and McIntosh. With a region that encompasses such a large area and a population that is on the rise, a handful of residents and visitors alike who ride motorcycles may find themselves involved in a motorcycle accident at no fault of their own. When another driver’s negligence causes a motorcyclist to suffer serious injuries, the motorcyclist may be able to seek compensation with the help of a skilled Brunswick, Georgia motorcycle accident attorney.

Motorcycle accidents in Georgia can have devastating consequences on a motorcyclist, greatly influencing an injured victim’s life forever. Brain injuries are one of the most common calamities that motorcyclists suffer, even when a helmet is used. At Farah and Farah, our experienced brain injury lawyers have been assisting motorcycle victims and other personal injury victims in receiving the compensation they need to receive adequate medical attention so that the road to rehabilitation after a brain injury can be a smooth one.

In devoting over 25 years to assisting injury victims, the dedicated and aggressive attorneys at Farah and Farah are prepared to take on any motorcycle accident or traumatic brain injury case. All you have to do is call. For a free and confidential consultation of your injury case in Georgia, call Farah and Farah at our Brunswick, Georgia office:

(912) 466-8896
4216 Coral Park Drive,
Suite 107
Brunswick, GA 31520

View Larger Map

September 29, 2009

Naked Motorcyclist – 5th DUI

It sounds like a comedy skit, except it is not funny. A man was driving his motorcycle naked on I-75 in Marion County early Tuesday morning. A Marion County deputy was driving when he stopped the naked man, a 45-year-old, at a red light. There were no answers to the question why he was naked but the deputy did get an answer from his breathalyzer test – a blood alcohol level above .08. The man was legally drunk. This was not a surprise.

The motorcyclist was charged with what was his fifth DUI. Jail records showed he was later released on $20,000 bail.

The U.S. is the most lenient nation when it comes to DUI. In Europe, many countries say if you drink, you don’t drive. The general standard for DUI there is 0.05 BAC. Caught over the limit, you are cited and your car is towed. You can lose your license and go to jail for a first offense.

In Dubai, for example, drinking and driving brings you a six month jail sentence. No questions asked. No exceptions. Zero alcohol tolerance.

Zero tolerance means different things in different places. It is illegal in every state for someone under the age of 21 to purchase and publicly possess alcoholic beverages. 46 states, including Florida, have established lower blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) for young drivers. That’s because the federal government reports nearly one-third of all deaths of 15-to-20 year olds result from motor vehicle crashes and one third of them are alcohol-related. In Florida it is .02 for those under the age of 21 driving a vehicle under the state’s “Zero Tolerance” policy.
In Florida an “Enhances Penalty” will be brought if the driver has a BAC particularly high, typically .15 to .20. DUI offenders with a BAC at or above those levels can expect to face additional jail time.

Florida’s “Implied Consent” laws mean that someone driving who is suspected of DUI must submit to some form of a chemical test such as breath, blood or urine testing. If they refuse? They can lose their license usually for six months to a year.

Continue reading "Naked Motorcyclist – 5th DUI" »

September 15, 2009

Racing Motorcyclist Loses Control in St. Augustine

A man lost control on a motorcycle early Thursday morning on the State Road 312 bridge in St. Augustine, according to police.

He was reportedly racing a car on the well-traveled bridge when he lost control around 1 a.m. But this time the rider was lucky. He was flown to Shands Medical Center in Jacksonville and had a possible broken arm and leg. No word on whether he was wearing a helmet.

Charges may be pending against the motorcyclist. There is no word on what happened to the car he was racing. This was the third crash on the SR-312 bridge this week.

In 2000, when Florida eliminated the legal requirement that motorcycle riders wear helmets, if they are over the age of 21 and carry at least $10,000 in medical insurance, motorcycle fatalities increased by 81 percent. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports there was a 40 percent increase in the number of injured motorcyclists admitted to hospitals.
If you think this doesn’t affect you, think again.

The average head injury treatment was more than $45,000 a decade ago and head-brain-skull injury treatment averaged more than $428,000. By the years 2001 and 2002, those numbers had increased to more than $610,000. Fast-forward seven years and you can see how the cost of treating injuries following a motorcycle accident is an unnecessary burden on society.

Continue reading "Racing Motorcyclist Loses Control in St. Augustine" »

August 27, 2009

Six Motorcycle Officers Crash in Ormond Beach Funeral Process for Harley Dealer

Six officers, escorting a funeral party for Bruce Rossmeyer in Ormond Beach Tuesday, were involved in a motorcycle crash, according to an article. The irony here is pretty amazing. The six were accompanying one of the largest Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealers in the country who died last week on a motorcycle in Wyoming.

The officers from various agencies were riding along with the funeral party in Florida when the lead rider slowed down. The others behind him did not and that caused a chain reaction motorcycle crash in Florida involving six motorcycles at the corners of North Halifax Drive and Granada Boulevard. They represented the police and fire departments of Daytona Beach, as well as the Ormond Beach and Port Orange police departments.

Rossmeyer was in Wyoming on his way to a motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota when he passed a truck pulling a trailer on the left just as the truck was making a left turn. He didn’t see Rossmeyer, 66, and turned into him. Rossmeyer died instantly.

The officers were wearing their helmets and sustained minor injuries. Two of the officers were hurt, though not seriously and they damaged their motorcycle. Rossmeyer was not wearing his helmet when he died. In 2000, Florida decided to repeal is mandatory helmet law and that year there were 933 motorcyclists killed in the state, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that motorcycle deaths tripled after that time.

It was Rossmeyer who put Daytona Beach on the map as the Harley-Davidson center of the country, along with the image of freedom taking to the road.

Continue reading "Six Motorcycle Officers Crash in Ormond Beach Funeral Process for Harley Dealer" »

August 21, 2009

Jax Beach Police Officer Discipline after Series of Accidents

A Jacksonville Beach police officer will have to give up 50 hours of vacation time as his punishment for causing a motorcycle accident that seriously injured the rider. According to a story, the motorcycle accident in Florida happened on Florida A1A last May. The officer who has worked for Jacksonville Beach for 20 years was found to have violated police policy by failing to yield the right of way to the motorcyclist. The man was ejected from his motorcycle and fractured his left leg. The officer said he just failed to see the motorcycle in the left lane.

When the accident occurred, the officer has just concluded six months of probation for showing up off-duty but intoxicated at the police department. Police Chief Bruce Thomasson says, “It was clear that your actions were both negligent and careless.” Thomasson says that the officer has positives on his record as well.

Five days of vacation is equal to 50 hours because police work in ten hour shifts.

Continue reading "Jax Beach Police Officer Discipline after Series of Accidents" »

August 17, 2009

Florida Harley Motorcycle Dealer Killed

Anyone from Daytona Beach, Florida knows the area is synonymous with Harley-Davidson motorcycles and also is synonymous with one of the largest Harley-Davidson dealers in the country, Bruce Rossmeyer. Ironically, Rossmeyer was on a motorcycle trip around the country when he died in a motorcycle crash on his way to a rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, according to a report.

Rossmeyer, 66, and five of his friends were traveling on Highway 28 around 11 in the morning when they approached a pickup truck pulling a camper. Four of the motorcycles passed on the left, but when Rossmeyer tried to do the same thing, the driver put on his left turn signal and turned left. Rossmeyer hit the truck’s driver door. He was not wearing a helmet and died at the scene.

We are so sorry for the passing of this man who was as known for his contributions to the community and children’s charities. He helped found the Camp Boggy Creek for children with life-threatening illnesses as well as the Boys & Girls Clubs. Rossmeyer always said the kids in the club reminded him of himself when he was a young man and got in a lot of trouble. He leaves behind his wife Sandra and five children.

Rossmeyer was an entrepreneur with 13 Harley dealerships in Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Mississippi and Tennessee.Additionally, Rossmeyer co-owned three car dealerships. He also owned a complex in Daytona Beach that includes shops and restaurants which employed about 500.

Continue reading "Florida Harley Motorcycle Dealer Killed " »

June 5, 2009

Jacksonville Beach Personal Injury Accidents Occurring Out of the Ordinary

The injury suffered by a sunbather is just one of several Jacksonville Beach personal injury accidents involving police cars. After the May 1 run-over of Ann Marie Giffin, the Florida Times Union’s Shorelines newspaper, which covers the beaches, conducted a review of auto crashes involving city police.

The report found that 25 crashes involved police over a one-year time period from 2008 to 2009. Among them, the beach run-over of Giffin, and also in May, Cpl. Robbie Bacon collision with a motorcyclist. The biker fractured his left femur after he was ejected from his bike in the motorcycle accident in Jacksonville Beach. That officer is still on the job, however and is on administrative duty.

Police officers are expected to uphold the law and show model behavior on the road. During the survey period, eight crashes involved officers who were at fault in Jacksonville Beach. The other eight involved no injuries and just minor damage.

The public is slow to forgive when officers do not protect but instead harm the public. In regards to the motorcycle accident, Cpl. Bacon had returned from a forced probation after showing up at the department off-duty but drunk. He returned to work one week after the accident. Alcohol or drugs were not involved, according to Police Chief Bruce Thomason. From a legal point of view, Bacon could be considered a liability unless his force can vouch for him.

Interestingly, the review shows that the majority of auto accidents occur when a police car is backing up, usually when someone runs into them. Overall, with at least 50 to 75 miles per shift, Jacksonville Beach police cars are relatively problem free with very few police chases, which definitely endanger the public. Let’s hope they stay this way.

If you have been injured by another person’s negligence in a pedestrian accident, car accident, or motorcycle accident, the skilled Jacksonville Beach auto accident lawyers at Farah and Farah have the knowledge and resources to get you the compensation that you deserve. Call us today at 800-533-3555 for a free consultation.

March 23, 2009

Flordia Car versus Motorcycle Accident Kills Pregnant Woman

Charges may be filed against a 22-year old motorcyclist from Georgia who was involved in a car accident in Florida last weekend that took the life of a pregnant woman.

According to an account from the Florida Highway Patrol, 32-year-old Vanessa Parker Sinclair, who was eight months pregnant, was on I-95 near the intersection of State Road A1A in Nassau County north of Jacksonville when a motorcycle approached her vehicle quickly from behind.

Witnesses say Ms. Sinclair tried to get out of the way of the motorcycle driven by Jen Young Lee, 22, of Savannah, and traveled from the middle lane to the right lane. Unfortunately, the motorcycle was trying to pass on the right side at the same time. When Sinclair discovered what was happening, she diverted the car back to the middle lane, but lost control of the Chevrolet. It rolled and she was killed along with the baby she was carrying.

Sinclair became one of about 10,000 fatalities every year from rollover accidents in Florida. Fortunately the children in the back were not seriously injured. Lee broke his leg when his motorcycle overturned but was hospitalized in fair condition.

Investigators must determine if there was excessive speed, if the vehicle was road worthy and try to recreate the Florida car accident with the help of witnesses.

Continue reading "Flordia Car versus Motorcycle Accident Kills Pregnant Woman" »

March 18, 2009

Jacksonville Motorcycle Accident Passenger Hit by Falling Ladder

This would qualify as a freak accident.

A passenger on a motorcycle traveling in the Jacksonville area was hit by a ladder that fell from a pickup truck, according to a report. The 59-year old woman is in the hospital with critical head injuries from the Florida motorcycle accident.

The Florida Highway Patrol says the female passenger was sitting a bit higher than the driver on the Harley on which they were riding, and that’s why she took the brunt of the hit.

The couple is from West Virginia. The woman was not wearing a helmet.

The driver of the truck that improperly secured its ladder has been identified. No word yet on whether charges will be filed, but that certainly should be a consideration in addition to seeking the help of a top motorcycle accident lawyer in Jacksonville.

It is inexcusable for a ladder to fall off a truck and not have any backup rope to at least keep it with the vehicle so an auto accident in Florida like this doesn’t happen.

No word on the insurance condition here, but what do you do if you find out the driver doesn’t have insurance?

Continue reading "Jacksonville Motorcycle Accident Passenger Hit by Falling Ladder" »

February 23, 2009

Florida Motorcycle Accident Deaths Down Slightly

An Elkton, Florida man, Brandon C. Marlow, 22 was not wearing a helmet, when he slid his motorcycle under a car in St. Augustine last Tuesday. According to the Florida HighwayPatrol, Marlow was trying to avoid a vehicle when he forced the bike down. He was hospitalized in critical condition.

Marlow was lucky. Jerry Williamson, 42, died in February when he crashed his Harley Davidson into a car that turned into his lane in St. Pete Beach.

Benjamin Mower died last month in Florida when he crashed his motorcycle into a car. He was 19-years-old.

Florida tops California and Texas for the number of motorcycle deaths – 489 in 2008.
And today there are many more motorcycles on the road. The St. Petersburg Times tracked the numbers in an article. 350,000 motorcycles were sold in 1997, reports the Motorcycle Industry Council. The number rose to 1.2 million in 2006.

Continue reading "Florida Motorcycle Accident Deaths Down Slightly " »