North Fort Myers Motorcycle Car Accident Seriously Injures Biker and Passenger
A 20-year-old North Fort Myers motorcycle operator and his 18-year-old passenger sustained serious injuries on Sunday when a car crossed their path in Cape Coral, Florida.
According to Cape Coral police, Brett Michael Barnard was driving his motorcycle when a car drove in front of him at Pine Island Road and Andalusia Boulevard. Both Barnard and an unnamed passenger were ejected from the motorcycle and suffered serious personal injuries. Both were wearing helmets. No further details about this Florida motorcycle crash were available pending an investigation.
Florida Motorcycle Accident Statistics and Fatalities
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that...
- Florida motorcycle accident deaths are on the rise: 566 in 2007 compared to 365 in 2003.
- Of Florida's 566 motorcycle-related deaths for that year, 273 were wearing helmets, 265 were not wearing helmets, and 28 deaths were classified as "unknown" helmet usage.
- Florida law states that motorcyclists over age 21 are not required to wear helmets, though there is a medical insurance minimum of $10,000 required (American Motorcyclist Association).
When a serious motorcycle-car accident occurs, a Fort Myers motorcycle accident lawyer may be asked to get involved to help the family of an injured biker sort out the details of the crash, and determine who may be liable for personal injuries or death. Motorcyclists and their passengers are at risk on Florida's highways and streets, in part because they are physically more exposed to other traffic and surroundings. Motorcycles require more distance to brake and stop--which car and truck drivers sometimes fail to realize.
North Fort Myers man, 20, seriously hurt in motorcycle crash
NewsPress.com April 26, 2009
American Motorcyclist Association:
Florida State Motorcycle Laws (scroll down the page)
Related Web Resources
NHTSA: Motorcycle Safety Awareness Planner
Florida Dept. of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles:
Florida Rider Training Program
