A recent motorcycle accident in the Villages in Citrus County in Central Florida serves as a reminder of the dangers of operating a motorcycle in a state in which many drivers are elderly and may not have the reaction time of a younger driver. According to a report regarding the accident from the Villages News, the motorcycle turned into the path of a 72 year old motorist who was unable to stop her car in time to avoid colliding with the motorcycle. Both the motorcycle’s operator and his passenger, who were both wearing helmets at the time of the crash, were ejected from the motorcycle and were killed in the collision. The elderly driver was attempting to make a left turn at the time the motorcycle crossed in front of her vehicle.
Florida Law Governing the Operation of Motorcycles
Under Florida law, Florida motorcyclists are required to obey the same traffic laws as other drivers. These include observing all posted speed limits, stopping at stop signs and red lights, and obeying all other local and state traffic safety laws and ordinances. Motorcyclists also are not permitted to travel more than two bikes across in a single lane, cannot pass an automobile in the same lane that the car is traveling in and cannot drive between lanes of traffic.
Florida Laws Regulating Motor Vehicle Drivers When Motorcycles Are Present
Under Florida law, there also are laws that apply to car drivers when motorcycles are present on the road. This is due to the unique dangers of motorcycle accidents for the motorcyclists and their passengers. When another vehicle collides with a motorcycle, the motorcyclist takes the full impact of the collision unlike a passenger in a vehicle. The impact typically throws the rider from the motorcycle causing even more injury from the impact with the road or other immovable objects. Therefore, there are very specific laws that apply to motor vehicle operators to ensure the safety of motorcyclists and their passengers. For instance, Florida Statute Section 316.209 specifically provides that “All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane.” Accordingly, if a car’s driver is attempting to travel in the same lane as a motorcycle, then the driver would be violating Florida law. The same would be true if the driver of the motor vehicle attempted to (or did) cut off a motorcycle.
Contact The Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys of Lytal Reiter Smith Ivey & Fronrath if You Have Been Involved in an Accident Involving a Motorcycle in Florida
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Florida, contact the experienced car and motorcycle accident attorneys at the law firm of Lytal Reiter Smith Ivey & Fronrath, P.A. today. We have achieved great success in representing clients in collisions caused by motorists who were not taking proper precautions as required by Florida law when motorcyclists were present during our firm’s attorneys’ 250 combined years practicing law. Contact us today at (561) 655-1990 for a free consultation regarding your situation.
