Criminal Charges Filed in Fatal Hit-and-Run Motorcycle Accident

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on January 15, 2011

A motorcycle accident on U.S. 92 claimed the life of one man and resulted in criminal charges for another for leaving the scene of an accident. Florida Highway Patrol investigators say the 24-year-old motorcyclist died from injuries he suffered when a Honda driven by a Plant City man pulled out in front of him. Troopers say that the victim was traveling eastbound on his motorcycle on U.S. 92 around 7 p.m. on February 18 when a 1997 Honda Accord turned left onto U.S. 92 from the Plaza Mexicana parking lot. The driver of the Honda was attempting to head west on U.S. 92, but pulled directly into the path of the rider.

Accident investigators say the rider locked up his brakes and attempted to take evasive action, but didn’t have enough room to avoid striking the Honda. The impact threw the victim from his motorcycle into the path of a Ford Explorer, which avoided striking the fatally injured rider, but did strike the motorcycle. Witnesses said that the driver of the Honda fled the scene of the accident moments after the accident occurred. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the accident scene. State troopers eventually found the driver of the Honda and charged him with leaving the scene of a fatal accident and driving without a valid driver’s license. After his arrest, he was taken to Hillsborough County Jail and held on $17,000 bail.

Orlando personal injury attorney James O. Cunningham would like to remind readers that 413 people died in Florida motorcycle accidents in 2009 and thousands more were injured. Our state consistently ranks in the top three states in the country for motorcycle accidents and people injured and killed in these accidents. Sadly, most of these accidents are caused by negligent drivers and could be avoided if drivers operated their vehicles more responsibly.

Are you one of the thousands injured in Florida motorcycle accidents each year? Do you want to know more about your legal options? Call Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham today at 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. Mr. Cunningham has been helping injured people receive the fair and just compensation they deserve since 1977 and has won numerous awards for professionalism, achieving successful results for his clients and dedication to his clients. Call him today, and get an experienced motorcycle accident attorney on your side!

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.