A deadly motorcycle accident near The Villages should serve as a tragic reminder of the importance of strapping on a helmet before hitting the road on two wheels.
A 63-year-old Weirsdale man was killed in a crash in early May when his motorcycle collided with another bike, Villages-News reports. The man was thrown from his motorcycle after rear-ending the bike in front of him.
The accident reportedly occurred just before midnight on a Saturday. A 55-year-old Summerfield man was slowing to a stop on his motorcycle when the Weirsdale man slammed into him, Florida Highway Patrol told Villages-News.
Both men were thrown from their bikes. Neither was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
The Weirsdale man was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by Marion County Fire Rescue. The other motorcyclist was sent to HCA Ocala Hospital with serious injuries, according to Villages News.
More than 3,000 motorcycle accidents have happened in Florida already this year, including 60-plus in Marion County alone, Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles data show. A total of 161 people have been killed in those collisions, with five motorcycle accident fatalities in Marion County.
Bikers are especially at risk of serious injury or death when motorcycle crashes happen because they have little physical protection from oncoming vehicles. Florida law requires anyone getting on a motorcycle to wear protective headgear and eye protection.
Hitting the road without the helmet is essentially an invitation for a serious or even life-threatening injury. Bikers who do not wear helmets have a significantly higher risk of injury or death than those who use the safety devices.
Helmets reduce the risk of death for motorcyclists by nearly 40 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Motorcyclists who wear helmets are also nearly 70 percent less likely than others to suffer head injuries in the event of a crash.
Suing for Wrongful Death Over Motorcycle Accidents
When a person is killed in an accident in Florida, his or her loved ones have the right to seek compensation from those responsible for the crash.
That includes compensation for financial losses associated with the accident, as well as for loss of support, love and companionship and for pain and suffering in some cases.
No amount of money can ever allow you to go back in time and stop an accident from happening. Compensation can, however, help ease some of the financial strain that often comes with losing a loved one.
Speak With a Villages Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle or other accident, it is vital to seek the advice of an experienced injury attorney. Villages accident attorney Tim Babiarz has been fighting for people and families across the community for more than two decades.
Our office is conveniently located in the Villages. We are also proud to represent clients throughout the area, including in Ocala, Leesburg, Lady Lake, Wildwood, Summerfield and beyond. Call (352) 205-7559 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Villages accident attorney.
