Injury Law Blog : Florida Injury Lawyer & Attorney : LaBovick & LaBovick Law Firm: Serving West Palm, Boynton, North Palm, West Palm Beach, Jupiter

Motorists, please be aware that leaving the scene of an accident prior to the police coming is a crime.  Recently a Port St. Lucie woman, Matilda Nunez was arrested and charged with a felony for leaving the scene of an accident that she caused involving a teen Bicyclist.

It is Summer and school is out. This means that more kids and people are on the road riding bicycles.  As drivers we should be aware of this and pay careful attention to where we are going, this will help cut down  on avoidable bicycle accidents.  In the case involving Ms. Nunez, she was distracted by her cell phone, when she injured the teen bicyclist that was crossing the driveway, according to reports in the Palm Beach Post..

Car Accidents sometimes can't be avoided. But in most instances, when drivers are paying attention to driving and not talking on the cell phone or texting while driving, accidents can be cut down tremendously. In an effort to promote roadway safety for Bicyclists we are sharing important stats involving bicycle accidents.

According to the Bicycle Helmet Institute there is extensive data on Bicycle Accident Statistics and motor vehicles. Here are a few statistics parents and Cyclists should be aware of:

• There are 73 to 85 million bicycle riders in the US, including 45 million over age 6 who rode more than six times in 2008.
• 700 bicyclists died on US roads in 2007. Over 90 percent died in crashes with motor vehicles.
• The "typical" bicyclist killed on our roads is a sober male over 16 not wearing a helmet riding on a major road between intersections in an urban area on a summer evening when hit by a car.
• About 540,000 bicyclists visit emergency rooms with injuries every year. Of those, about 67,000 have head injuries, and 27,000 have injuries serious enough to be hospitalized.
• 43,000 cyclists were reported injured in traffic crashes in 2007. 
• There were 1 in 8 of the cyclists with reported injuries had a brain injury.
• Two-thirds of the deaths here are from traumatic brain injury.
• A very high percentage of cyclists' brain injuries can be prevented by a helmet, estimated at anywhere from 45 to 88 per cent..

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued the following Bicycle Stats in
November, 2008

• There were 698 Bicyclist deaths in 2007:  (Down from 773 in 2006).
• There were 43,000 Bicyclist injuries in traffic in 2007: (Down from 44,000 in 2006).
• The average age of a bicyclist killed on the highways was Age 40.
• The average age of a bicyclist injured on the highways was age 30.
• The number of Bicyclists killed that were 15 years old and under was 107.
• The number of Bicyclists injured that were 15 years old and under was 12,000.
• The number of Bicyclists killed that were 16 to 34 years old was 163.
• The number of Bicyclists injured that were 16 to 34 years old was 16,000.
• The number of Bicyclists killed  that were 35 to 54 years old was 262.
• The number of Bicyclists injured that were 35 to 54 years old was 10,000.
• The number of Bicyclists killed  that were 55 years and older was 262.
• The number of Bicyclists killed  that were 55 years and older was 4,000. 

In a prior post on the LaBovick Injury Law Blog, we shared "Rules for The Road" and safety tips for  cyclists.  Here is look at  Seven tips ever cyclist should be aware of. It would not hurt drivers to take a look at these tips as well.  As a Personal Injury law firm, we want to help make the roadways safer for all, Pedestrians, Drivers and Bicyclists included.

7 Tips and Rules for the Road for Bicyclists

• Protect Your Head. Wear a Helmet.
• Assure Bicycle Readiness. Use proper size and function of bicycle.
• Ride Wisely. Learn and Follow the Rules of the Road.
• Be Predictable. Act Like a Driver of a Vehicle.
• Be Visible. See and Be Seen at All Times.
• “Drive” with Care. Share the Road.
• Stay Focused. Stay Alert.

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The end of school signals the beginning of summer and the time of the year when many young, inexperienced teenaged drivers will be on the roadways. Whether these minor drivers are heading to their part-time jobs or out for a day of fun in the sun, the number of teen drivers on the roads during the summer months increases significantly. Because of their inexperience and risky behaviors behind the wheel, teen drivers are often the victims of devastating car crashes. Even though teen drivers only represent approximately 7 percent of the driving population, teen drivers account for approximately 14 percent of all traffic-related fatalities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among teens in the United States.

While teenagers may be inexperienced drivers, this fact does not imply that all teens are unsafe drivers. Teenaged drivers simply need to be more aware of their surroundings and take extra precautions while on the road. Teen drivers should avoid distractions while driving, such as changing the radio, texting while driving, or having too many passengers in the car. Because many accidents involving teens occur at night, teen drivers should safeguard against accidents by paying close attention to all traffic laws, being aware of other drivers, and being free of distractions. Car crashes involving teens not only affect the teens involved in the crash but their families, employers, and society in general. According to studies conducted by the American Automobile Association (AAA), the cost of teen car crashes in 2008 was more than $34 billion for medical bills, property damage, and other related expenses.

In 2003, Florida was ranked number 4 among the 50 states with the worst teen fatal crash rate. In 2008, 4 of the 10 deadliest hotspots for teen fatalities among the 50 largest metro areas were found in Florida. The CDC reports that more than half of all teen car accidents occur on weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), and approximately half of all teen accidents occur between 3pm and midnight. However, teens do not have to become a statistic over the summer months. By using good judgment and making mature decisions, teens can safely enjoy their summer and their time behind the wheel. Teens should make sure they drive the speed limit, do not drink and drive, do not ride with someone that has been drinking, wear their seatbelt at all times, and limit the number of passengers in their vehicle. By following some simple driving rules and safety regulations, teens may save their lives as well as the lives of others.
 

Parents have a talk with your teen about driving safety. Take a look at the following list of suggested topics to include in the conversation:

Suggested Safety  Rules for Teen Drivers - provided by the NHTSA

Alcohol: Absolutely No Alcohol (No exceptions)
Seat belts: Always Buckle Up! - (In Florida, it is the law June 30th)
Cell phone/texting: No talking or texting while driving  (Set an example and use a headset)
Curfew: Have the Car in the Driveway by 10 p.m. (depending upon circumstances)
Passengers: No more than one at all times (this simple rule has saved many lives)
Graduated Drivers License: Follow your state's GDL law
Parental Responsibility: Set your house rules and consequences

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