Biktoberfest Accidents Leaves Pregnant Woman Dead and Three Injured

A car accident involving a 27 year old man who was drinking and driving leaves a 22 year old pregnant woman dead and several others injured during the annual motorcycle festival in Daytona Beach. The Sun-Sentinel reports that a Jeep Cherokee driven by Joshua Blades crossed into the path of three motorcycles Friday night, causing the deadly accident and then fleeing the scene.

All the passengers were thrown from the motorcycles, and though they were all wearing full face helmets and jackets, they sustained serious injuries. Reports state that there was a police officer about 300 feet east of the intersection who witnessed the accident. A second officer was able to catch the driver a few minutes later. The report states that Blades left the scene of the accident because he was drinking while on probation, and he feared someone was dead.

A second motorcycle accident was reported Saturday, and a man is now critical condition after sustaining head injuries.

Biketoberfest draws about 500,000 people each year, but sadly it often involves serious motorcycle accidents. In 2006, 6 deaths were reported.

Auto/Bicycle Safety Tips From a Top Fort Lauderdale Accident Lawyer

Several recent South Florida accidents underscore the need for both bicyclists and drivers to follow
motor vehicle laws and
bicycling safety regulations. In North Lauderdale, two boys riding bikes on Tam O’Shanter Boulevard near Rock Island Road were struck by a motorist. According to police, one boy was towing the other boy who
was also riding a bike, when they were struck. Both boys were taken to the hospital with non-life-treating injuries. In a second accident, a Boynton Beach man was not so lucky. He was riding a motorized three-wheel bicycle when he was struck: he later died from his injuries.

Many people are not aware that bicycles are classed as vehicles and riders are considered drivers. As such, Fort Lauderdale accident lawyer Joseph M. Maus says that Florida Statutes require bicyclists to follow the same rules of the road as the drivers of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. In addition, there are specific regulations that apply to bikes, such as the requirement that, if being ridden at night, bicycles must have a front light that can be seen for 500 feet and a rear light that can be seen from 600 feet away. Furthermore, Florida law requires bicyclists under 16 years of age to wear a properly fitted helmet that meets nationally recognized standards when riding: the helmet increases cycling safety and helps make cyclists more visible to drivers.

The Fort Lauderdale accident lawyer notes that there are simple steps that can be taken by both motorists and cyclists to help increase cycling safety:

• Teach children that bicyclists must obey the traffic controls and signals just as motorists do.
• Drivers should not follow a cyclist too closely and should move over, if possible, to give the rider room.
• Tape emergency information (contact information, medical conditions, etc) inside the brim of the bicyclist’s helmet in case the unthinkable happens.
• Bicyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic (with traffic).
• Drivers should be watching the bicyclist as they approach them, in case the bicycler falls or swerves unexpectedly. This isn’t the time to look away from the road to change a radio station or reach for something on the seat beside you!
• Bicyclists can not lawfully wear a headset, headphone or other listening device while riding.
• Drivers must use their turn signal during the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.
• Did you know that you can get a DUI while cycling if you ride while under the influence of alcohol or drugs? You can, because, as mentioned before, bicycles are classed as vehicles and riders are classed as drivers.

The most important safety tip this Fort Lauderdale accident lawyer gives is that it is extremely important to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, especially for children. The cyclist’s head is hit in 38 percent of accidents and head injuries account for more than 60 percent of bicycle-related deaths. In addition, it is estimated that between 45 to 88 percent of a bicyclist’s brain injuries can be prevented just by wearing a helmet. Children don’t always think of safety first, so it is important to start them out right when they learn how to ride a bike: require them wear a helmet at all times while riding.

For more information, contact Fort Lauderdale accident lawyer Joseph M. Maus, P.A.at 1-866-556-5529, visit his website at http://www.mauslawfirm.com, or email him today.

Fort Lauderdale Accident Lawyer Offers Auto/Bicycle Safety Tips

Because the Sunshine State has such nice weather, many people enjoy outdoor activities such as walking, roller blading, and cycling. Along with great weather, however, Florida is also known for its high number of auto/bicycle accidents. In fact, Florida holds the dubious "honor" of being the state with the highest number of bicycle fatalities in the country. Part of the problem is that the state lacks bicycle lanes, part of it is due to cyclists sometimes neglecting to follow the rules of the road, and part of the problem is that motorists often don’t see cyclists until it’s too late. In short, drivers in South Florida need to watch out for cyclists.

Fort Lauderdale accident lawyer Joseph M. Maus notes that many people are not aware that bicycles are classed as vehicles and cyclists are classified as drivers. Florida Statutes requires cyclists follow the same rules of the road as the drivers of cars, trucks, etc.in addition to the regulations specific to bicycles. For example, bicycles are required to have front lights that can be seen for 500 feet and both a reflector and a rear light that is visible from 600 feet away when being ridden at night. Over half of fatal bicycle crashes in Florida occur after sunset, even though most cycling is done during daylight hours.

Here are some tips to help increase cycling safety:

• A bicyclist must obey all traffic controls and signals.
• Always wear a helmet when riding – it’s the law! In addition to safety, a helmet helps make cyclists more visible.
• It’s a good idea to tape emergency information (contact information, medical conditions, etc) inside the brim of the helmet.
• A bicycle rider or passenger under 16 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet that is properly fitted, fastened securely, and meets a nationally recognized standard.
• Cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic (with traffic).
• At least one hand must be kept on the handlebars at all times while riding.
• No person shall operate a bicycle while wearing a headset, headphone or other listening device, other than a hearing aid or instrument for the improvement of defective human hearing.
• It is unlawful to drive any vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You can get a DUI for cycling while impaired by drugs or alcohol!
• A signal of intention to turn must be given during the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.
• Don’t follow too closely behind a cyclist.
• Be careful when opening vehicle doors along roadways or sidewalks.

It can’t be stressed enough how important it is to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, especially for children. Every seventh fatality from a bike accident is a child. A cyclist’s head is hit in 38 percent of accidents. Riders who don’t wear helmets are 14 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash then those who wear helmets, and head injuries account for over 60 percent of bicycle-related deaths. It is estimated that between 45 to 88 percent of a bicyclist’s brain injuries can be prevented just by wearing a helmet.

For more information if you have suffered an auto/bicycle injury, contact Fort Lauderdale accident lawyer Joseph M. Maus, P.A.at 1-866-556-5529, visit his website at http://www.mauslawfirm.com, or email him today.