Fatal motorcycle crash in Seminole: A 38-year-old St. Petersburg man was tragically killed May 4th in a left-turn accident in Seminole, Tampa Bay News Weekly reported. The victim was reportedly riding a motorcycle eastbound on Park Boulevard approaching 84th Lane North at about 6 a.m., when a pickup truck traveling westbound made a left turn at the intersection. The pickup truck and motorcycle collided at the intersection, and the motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet, suffered fatal injuries. The impact of the collision caused the motorcycle to break apart, IonTB reported. The driver of the pickup truck, who was also 38 years old, was not hurt.
Our thoughts go out to the family of the victim of this crash. Losing a loved one unexpectedly is heartbreaking and devastating, with far-reaching emotional and financial effects on family members.
Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Seminole
Cause of the May 4th Intersection Accident
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the accident. Without further details, it is impossible to know exactly what happened in this collision. Limited information was available – it was unclear how fast the motorcyclist was traveling. If the driver of the vehicle failed to yield to the right of way of the motorcyclist, they may be liable for the wrongful death of the victim. If the victim was travelling at a high rate of speed, they may be determined to have been partly responsible for the collision.
Florida is a “comparative fault” state which means fault or responsibility for a collision can be placed on more than one party. The court will decide, or the parties will agree to, percentages of fault. Damages for a personal injury or wrongful death action will be diminished or reduced according to percentage of fault.
Florida’s Left-Turn Traffic Laws
Florida Vehicle Code establishes that drivers turning left must yield to traffic going straight. Specifically, a driver turning left “within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction” (Section 316.122, Florida Statutes).
Every year, more than 5,000 people are killed in collisions at unsignalized intersections. Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable in intersections, because they have a smaller profile and are more difficult to see. Especially in the night and early morning hours when visibility is reduced, it can be more difficult for drivers to spot a vehicle and judge their approach speed. When a driver has to cross multiple lanes of traffic, they must scan for approaching traffic before entering an intersection. Failing to see a motorcycle does not excuse a driver from liability and responsibility for failing to yield in a crash.
Get a Free Consultation After a Florida Vehicle Accident
Accident victims are well-advised to speak with an attorney as soon as possible following an accident. Because evidence and witness recollections can be lost in the weeks and months following an accident, it is important to not delay. If you or a loved one were involved in a motor vehicle accident, contact the Coleman Law Group to discuss your potential case. An attorney at our firm can review your accident and your legal rights and options to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Your consultation is always free and we are only paid for our services if we recover money for you. Contact us to schedule your case evaluation at (877) 822-9292.
