Motorists & Bicyclists Respecting the Road

January is almost over and if your New Year's resolution is to get more exercise, bicycling is a great way to get fresh air and enjoy the cooler winter temperatures.  Unfortunately, bicycling can be a very dangerous activity as well.  When bicyclists share the road with motorists, they put themselves at great risk – especially if the drivers are not paying attention to their surroundings.  In the state of Florida the bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle and a passenger on a bicycle is considered a vehicle passenger. Bicyclists must adhere to and obey the same traffic laws as drivers of other motor vehicles. These laws include stopping for stop signs and red lights, signaling and safe lane changes, riding with the flow of traffic, using lights at night, and yielding the right-of-way when entering a roadway. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Florida had the second-highest bicycling-related fatality rate in the U.S. in 2008. Although tourism, climate, and population growth may be a contributing cause, the number of deaths have declined in the past 5 years.

A 2010 safety report by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles states the following interesting facts:  

• In 2009, Florida experienced 100 deaths and 4,425 injuries of bicyclists in traffic crashes.

• Forty-eight percent of bicyclists killed in a traffic crash, die in daylight.

• Saturday is the most deadly day for bicyclists with 16% of fatalities occurring on this day.

• Four-lane highways claim the lives of bicyclists more than any other roadway, at 35%.

• Florida law requires children age 16 and under to wear safety helmets while cycling.   

There is only one road shared by both bicyclists and motorists and each must  treat each other with care and respect. Strict adherence to the law is the foundation for this respect. If you’ve been the victim of a bicycle accident because of speeding, alcohol use, or a distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation.  Contact attorneys Gonzalez & Cartwright at 888-888-3903 right away, before speaking to any insurance companies. While they’ll do all they can to transfer the blame to you, we can help you determine the full extent of your injuries and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Visit www.gonzalezcartwright.com for additional information.

Trucking Accidents And The Dangers of Florida Roadways

Although transportation of commodities, freight and cargo through the state of Florida is common and necessary, the addition of more and more large commercial vehicles traveling on our roadways directly impact the rising number of crash fatalities and collisions. Cement trucks, moving trucks, fire engines and dump trucks are essential to maintaining our infrastructure and residential areas. Yet, these giants of the road account for numerous accidents and deaths on our nation’s roadways.

The United States Department of Transportation estimates that over 500,000 truck accidents occur every year. The highest number of truck accidents occur in California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. In addition to driver skill level, fatigue is another factor that makes trucking accidents so common. These vehicles can weigh in excess of 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, which can be up to twenty times the weight of an average passenger car. Because of their sheer weight alone, an accident involving a large truck can have devastating consequences. Many truck accidents leave victims with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, back and and other serious, permanent injuries, which ultimately destroy families.  

According to the statistics released by The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT): 

•  In 2008, there were 11,500 Florida Trucking accidents. These accidents lead to 290 fatalities and more than 6,400 injuries. Medium trucks with four rear tires accounted fro 72 fatal accidents and 2,596 injuries that year. Heavy trucks contributed 77 fatalities and 1,939 injuries. Tractor-trailers accounted for 145 fatalities and 1,867 injuries.

•  Each year, commercial truck accidents result in about 5,000 fatalities across the nation. In 2008, 4229 people in the US died in trucking accidents.

•  Of the 2008 fatalities related to truck accidents, 3,139 of the people who lost their lives in trucking accidents were passengers in vehicles other than a truck.  Another 413 people were bicyclists or pedestrians. In 2008, 430 truck drivers and truck passengers were killed in truck accidents.

•  Multi-vehicle truck accidents claimed the lives of 247 truck occupants in 2008.

•  Truck accidents are most common in the daytime and in rural areas. In 2008, 68% of US fatal truck accidents took place outside of city areas. 66% of these  fatal accidents took place in the daytime.

• The trucking industry made $610 billion in revenues in 2008 and the number is expected to more than double by 2015. Between 1997 and 1999, the average cost of a trucking accident was $62,613.

•  In 2008, 9 people were killed and 171 were injured in Florida by riding in the bed of a truck. Most of the injuries and deaths involved persons between the ages of 15 and 44.

If you or a family member have been involved in an accident with a large vehicle and have questions or need to understand your rights, call attorneys Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. today at 888-888-3903 to schedule a free consultation. Visit www.gonzalezcartwright.com for additional information.