An 84-year-old motorcyclist from Ohio recently died in a single-vehicle accident on I-75 in Sumter County.
The man had exited the interstate near Mile Marker 306 when he failed to properly negotiate a curve, Villages-News reports. His motorcycle left the roadway and slammed into an embankment in a drainage retention area.
The man died on the scene, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report. An 80-year-old woman who was traveling as a passenger on the bike was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.
The tragic accident underscores the serious risks facing even the most experienced motorcycle riders. Nearly 350 people have died in motorcycle accidents across the state so far this year, according to data from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
It comes about two months after a 40-year-old Webster man died in a motorcycle crash on I-75 in Pasco County. The man’s motorcycle reportedly collided with a tractor-trailer near mile marker 281.
A 22-year-old Dade City man died in June after his motorcycle also collided with a tractor-trailer on County Road 476B. The motorcyclist was reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed and was unable to stop in time to avoid the collision.
Wrongful Death Claims for Motorcycle Accidents
Anyone who is injured in a motorcycle accident in Florida has the right to seek compensation from those responsible for the crash. Negligent drivers - and their insurers - are often on the hook, but defective vehicle manufacturers and government authorities responsible for maintaining roads may also be to blame.
In the tragic situation in which a person dies in a motorcycle accident, his or her family members can seek similar compensation from those responsible by suing for wrongful death. The money damages in these cases will not bring back or replace your loved one, but compensation can help cover some of the economic consequences, such as the loss of his or her earnings and companionship, as well as mental anguish and suffering, medical and funeral expenses.
Florida restricts wrongful death claims to the deceased person’s spouse, children, parents, and certain other blood relatives, depending on the circumstances.
To get compensation for wrongful death, you have to be able to prove fault. Motorcycle and other traffic accident claims are based on negligence, a legal theory that holds people and entities liable when they do not live up to a certain “duty of care.”
Villages Injury Attorney Tim Babiarz Can Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle, car, truck, golf cart, or other accident, it is vital to seek the advice of an experienced lawyer. Villages injury 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 injury attorney.
