Fatal Fort Lauderdale Car Bike Accident
The Broward Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal Ft Lauderdale car / bike accident that took the life of Leon Hamer of Coral Springs, Florida -- a husband, father of two girls, and physician assistant.
The fatal Broward County car crash happened in the early hours Saturday morning as Hamer, 63, and two friends were winding down a 25-mile cycling trip. A Mercedes driven by Raj Motwani, 34, of Fort Lauderdale Florida struck Hamer at Glades Parkway and State Rd 84 in Weston. No charges have been filed against the Fort Lauderdale driver though the investigation continues.
Florida and Fatal Car Bike Traffic Crashes
The year-round sunny climate in South Florida makes bicycling for all ages very appealing. Unfortunately, in 2007, Florida led the nation in fatal accidents between cars and bicyclists (119 killed), followed closely by California (109 fatalities). According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration publication, NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2007: Bicyclists and Other Cyclists...
- Some 44,000 bicyclists suffered injuries and 698 bicyclists were killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2007. (NHTSA defines bicycle riders as "pedacyclists" who ride "two wheel non motorized vehicles" as well as tricycles and unicycles, to differentiate them from motorcycle riders.)
- The average age of pedacyclists killed in car accidents in the U.S. is 40 years old.
- In Florida, 119 pedacyclists were killed in car crashes in 2007.
- In the U.S., some 52,000 pedacylists have been killed in traffic accidents since fatality estimates were first recorded in 1932.
A family spokesperson told CBS4 News that Mr. Hamer was a seasoned cyclist who took safety precautions, including wearing bright clothing, and they don't understand how he was hit. A Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer looks at all aspects of an accident when a motor vehicle strikes a pedestrian or bicyclist, to help determine liability in a personal injury or wrongful death case.
Bicyclist Hit And Killed In Early-Morning Crash
CBS4.com March 8, 2009
Related Web Resources
Federal Highway Safety Administration: Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety
