RSSOviedo Woman Killed in Central Florida Bicycle Accident
A 77-year-old Oviedo woman was fatally injured recently in a bicycle accident near Winter Springs. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the woman was struck by a van while crossing Tuskawilla Road at Willa Springs Drive. Troopers report that the victim was struck around 11:30 a.m. and died from her injuries at the scene of the accident. The driver of the van and her three passengers were uninjured in the accident. Troopers have not yet determined whether or not they will press charges against the driver.
Many Central Florida residents prefer walking or riding a bicycle to driving, but they also know that Florida is an especially risky place for either activity due to a number of factors, including these:
- The high volume of vehicular traffic on Florida roadways
- Roads that were built to accommodate vehicles instead of pedestrians and bicyclists
- Drivers’ ignorance of or outright failure to observe bicyclists’ right to share the road
- Drivers who disobey posted speed limits
- Drivers distracted by cell phones, eating, reaching for dropped objects and other distractions
- Drivers who run red lights
- Drivers who operate their vehicles under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
- Many other factors that make our state, and Central Florida in particular, dangerous for bicyclists and pedestrians
While it is true that some bicyclists also engage in negligent behavior that increases their risk for being injured or killed in an accident, the vast majority of bicycle accidents are caused by negligent drivers, and recent trends indicate that the problem is getting worse. In 2010, 76 Floridians were killed, and at least 4,610 suffered non-fatal injuries in collisions between bicycles and vehicles. The following year, bicycle accident fatalities rose an astonishing 58 percent to 120 Floridians killed in bicycle accidents.
Orlando bicycle accident attorney James O. Cunningham would like to remind readers that all Floridians have a right to use our state’s roadways. He urges bicyclists to practice defensive riding and wear proper protective gear and advises drivers to slow down, turn off their cell phones while driving, drive sober and observe bicyclists’ right of way. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident caused by a negligent driver and you would like to speak with an experienced Orlando personal injury lawyer, call Mr. Cunningham today at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587) to schedule a free consultation.
James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.