A Florida man lost his life on the night of Dec. 21 when his motorcycle was struck head-on by a wrong-way driver in Poinciana. Emergency workers from Polk County Fire Rescue pronounced the 40-year-old Kissimmee man dead at the scene. They arrived within minutes of the collision because the accident took place in front of PCFR Station 37 on Cypress Parkway. The wrong-way driver has not been charged, but officials say the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Dangerous Passing Maneuver
According to a Polk County Sheriff’s Office report, the man was proceeding eastbound on Cypress Parkway on a Suzuki motorcycle when he was struck head-on near Laurel Avenue by a Mitsubishi SUV that was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane. Deputies say that the 23-year-old man behind the wheel of the SUV was attempting to pass another vehicle when he struck the motorcycle. The accident took place at approximately 9:15 p.m.
Motorcycle Fatalities in Florida
Motorcycle fatalities tend to be higher in states with weather that allows riders to use their machines all year. According to figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more motorcyclists are killed in Florida than in any other state. In 2017, almost 600 riders lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents in the Sunshine State. That figure is almost 12% higher than the number of motorcyclist killed in California, which had 256,276 more registered motorcycles.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits
The family members of riders who are killed in motorcycle accidents may file wrongful death lawsuits when the facts suggest that the motorist responsible was intoxicated, distracted or driving recklessly. When pursuing this kind of litigation, experienced personal injury attorneys may seek damages to cover the lost income of a breadwinner as well as expenses like funeral and burial costs. Contact Burnett Law, P.A. today for expert legal guidance and representation in wrongful death cases.