St. Petersburg Man Killed in I-4 Motorcycle Accident

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on April 5, 2014

Accident investigators with the Florida Highway Patrol say that a motorcyclist was killed on Interstate 4 recently when his bike was struck from behind by a passenger vehicle. Troopers say that the victim, a 34-year-old St. Petersburg man, was traveling westbound on I-4 near mile marker 73 in Orlando when a vehicle driven by a 23-year-old Orlando man came from behind him in the outside lane and struck the back of his motorcycle without slowing down. They say that the rider was struck from behind by the right fender of the car.

Troopers say the collision forced the rider onto the north shoulder of I-4, where his motorcycle overturned multiple times, throwing the rider from his bike and fatally injuring him. He was rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead from his injuries. After he struck the rider, the driver swerved across the westbound lanes of I-4 and struck a guardrail. Troopers say he was not injured in the accident. Troopers say that they expect to file charges against the driver, pending the results of their investigation.

In 2011, there were 8,621 motorcycle accidents on Florida roadways, which killed 451 riders and passengers and injured 7,970 more. Even when properly equipped with helmets, boots and other protective gear, riders have little to protect them from catastrophic or fatal injuries if they are struck by a larger vehicle weighing thousands of pounds. Injured riders often face a long, painful and frighteningly expensive road to recovery and many are unable to work, provide for their families or pay their bills through no fault of their own.

If you or a member of your family is injured in a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent driver, you have a right to seek damages against the driver and their insurance company to help defray the costs of recovery and compensate you for other damages. An Orlando personal injury attorney with years of experience and a proven record of success helping injured riders is essential for helping you receive the best possible outcome for your case. James O. Cunningham is an Orlando motorcycle accident lawyer who has been helping injured riders and passengers since 1977 and gives each client and their case the individual attention they deserve. If you have questions about your rights and legal options, call him today at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587) and schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

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.