Fatal Left-Turn Motorcycle Wreck in Port St. Lucie
A driver making a left turn against traffic pulled directly into an oncoming motorcycle’s path, killing the rider almost instantly.
According to Port St. Lucie police, this wreck occurred near the intersection of Southwest Darwin and Southwest Port St. Lucie Boulevards. A southbound motorist turned into the path of a northbound motorcycle rider. The rider, who could not avoid the crash, died at the scene.
No further details were available.
Motorcycle Crash Injuries
Compared to four-wheel vehicle occupants, motorcycle riders are much more likely to die in crashes, even in relatively low-speed collisions. Multiple restraint layers, like airbags and seat belts, usually protect vehicle occupants. But motorcyclists are almost completely exposed to injuries like:
- Head Injuries: Contrary to popular myth, motorcycle helmets do not prevent all head injuries. The motion of a collision often causes a brain injury. When riders fall off their bikes and land hard, their brains slam against the insides of their skulls. Because motorcycle helmets are a shell around the skull, they might make head injuries even worse.
- Biker’s Arm: Motorcycle accident falls usually cause this nerve injury as well. When people fall, they naturally extend their arms to break their falls. Because of the excessive force in a motorcycle wreck, this reaction often causes permanent nerve damage to the brachial plexus. These injuries are especially severe if the victim had a pre-existing condition.
- Exsanguination: Excessive blood loss is often the official cause of death in motorcycle crash incidents. Internal organs have no protective skin covering. So when they bump and grind against each other, they usually bleed profusely. Many times, doctors have a hard time stopping or even locating the source of the blood loss.
Compensation in a motorcycle wreck case usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.
If the victim did not survive, these cases are a bit different, from a procedural standpoint. Survivors are able to obtain similar compensation, either directly or indirectly under a theory like negligent infliction of emotional distress.
Liability Issues
Legally, a left-turn crash usually involves the negligence per se rule or the ordinary negligence doctrine.
Negligence per se is the violation of a safety law, which in this case is failure to yield the right of way. In Florida, tortfeasors (negligent drivers) are presumptively liable for damages if:
- They violate a safety law, and
- That violation substantially causes injury.
Additional evidence of negligence includes things like the tortfeasor’s speed prior to the crash and statements the tortfeasor made after the crash, like “I didn’t see you coming.”
Frequently, however, emergency responders do not issue citations in these cases. Many police officers see car wrecks as civil disputes, and they do not want to get involved. These victim/plaintiffs can use the ordinary negligence doctrine to obtain compensation.
Essentially, ordinary negligence is a lack of reasonable care. If the tortfeasor’s conduct fell below this standard, and that lack of care substantially caused injury, the tortfeasor is liable for damages.
Reach Out to a Tenacious Lawyer
Motorcycle crash victims are usually entitled to substantial compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced Port St. Lucie personal injury attorney, contact Eighmie Law Firm, P.A. Home and hospital visits are available.
Resource:
tcpalm.com/story/news/crime/st-lucie-county/2020/06/29/hoby-womble-motorcycle-rider-58-dead-sunday-crash-port-st-lucie/3278465001/
https://www.eighmielawfirm.com/deadly-motorcycle-wreck-in-boynton-beach/
