Motorcyclist Killed in Jacksonville Accident
The victim of a fatal motorcycle accident in Jacksonville has been identified by the local Sheriff’s Office. Darrin Wayne Elliott, 46, of East Hampton Avenue was killed in late October while he was riding his motorcycle in the 10000 block of Beach Boulevard. According to police, Mr. Elliott was driving west in the left lane of Beach Boulevard at around 6:45 p.m. when a Nissan SUV unexpectedly changed lanes ahead of him directly into his path.
Mr. Elliott attempted to avoid the accident by braking, but his motorcycle went down and he slid underneath the left-rear area of the SUV. Police reported that Mr. Elliott was about three miles from home at the time of the accident, and he was wearing a helmet. He was rushed in critical condition to the University of Florida Health hospital, where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and later died.
Police have stated that an investigation into the accident is ongoing, and as of yet no charges have been filed against the driver of the other vehicle.
Florida Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Florida has the third most motorcycle deaths of all states across the nation, coming in behind only Texas and California. With warm weather and high gas prices, more and more Florida citizens are purchasing motorcycles as a cost-effective alternative to standard cars. For every mile traveled, there is a 30 times higher risk of getting killed on a motorcycle than riding in a car.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported that in 2012, there were a total of 9,384 motorcycle accidents in the state. Of those, 425 motorcycle drivers were killed and another 32 passengers died. A total of 8,648 motorcyclists were injured in traffic accidents that year, as well.
According to Ride Smart Florida, for every fatality that occurs on a motorcycle, seven other people are hospitalized with serious injuries. A total of twenty-four people are sent to the emergency room with injuries for every motorcycle fatality, as well. In 2013, the total amount of hospital charges for motorcyclists treated in a Florida emergency room or hospital for a traffic accident was $534,152,069.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Drivers in regular cars are predisposed to not look for motorcyclists on the roads and to only look for vehicles that are the same size as their cars. As a result, the common response from car drivers involved in motorcycle accidents is that “I never even saw him.” Other common causes of motorcycle accidents involved with another vehicle include:
- Distracted driving;
- Texting while driving;
- Driving under the influence;
- Changing lanes without looking for motorcycles;
- Making left hand turns without looking for motorcycles;
- Disregarding traffic signals;
- Speeding;
…and other unsafe driving habits that lead to accidents with motorcycles on the roadways.
Call a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
The consequences of motorcycle accidents can cause physical trauma that can last a lifetime or even result in death. If you or someone that you know has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, or West Palm Beach, let the experienced personal injury lawyers at The Pendas Law Firm help. Call or contact the office today for a confidential consultation of your case.
