New Smyrna Beach Boy Critically Injured in Bicycle Accident

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on October 21, 2013

A New Smyrna boy is hospitalized in critical condition after he was struck by a car while riding his bike in New Smyrna Beach. Accident investigators report that the 11-year-old was riding westbound on Paige Avenue near the intersection with Corbin Park Road when he was struck by a 2002 Honda Civic driven by a 19-year-old New Smyrna Beach woman. They report that the woman was traveling south on Corbin Park Road when she collided with the boy as she traveled through the intersection. Paige Avenue has a stop sign at the intersection but Corbin Park Road does not. At this point in their investigation, Florida Highway Patrol troopers told reporters that they did not yet know whether or not the boy had stopped at the stop sign before entering the intersection.

After emergency responders arrived at the accident scene, the boy was airlifted to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Women, where he is currently listed in critical condition with undisclosed injuries. Volusia County Sheriff’s dispatch Sgt. Ted Richard told reporters that the boy was not wearing a helmet when he was struck and that EMTs performed CPR on the boy before loading him into the helicopter for transport to the hospital. FHP troopers report that their investigation is ongoing and have not yet determined if charges will be filed against the driver of the Honda.

In 2011, 120 bicyclists were killed in Florida bicycle accidents, a nearly 58 percent increase from the 76 riders killed in 2010. While the number of fatal Florida bicycle accidents was up sharply, the number if riders injured in collisions with automobiles remained steady at 4,600 in 2010 and 4,632 in 2011.

Orlando bicycle accident attorney James O. Cunningham would like to remind drivers that bicyclists have as much right to use Florida roadways as drivers of motorized vehicles. Mr. Cunningham would also like to remind bicyclists that they are required to obey the same rules of the road as drivers. In other words, it is everyone’s responsibility to make Florida roadways safer for bicyclists. However, given the bicycle accident statistics listed above, there is plenty of room for improvement.

If you or a close family member has been injured in a bicycle accident caused by a negligent driver, you may be approached by the at-fault driver’s insurance company offering a check in exchange for your signature on some documents. Before you sign any papers, have them reviewed by an experienced Orlando personal injury lawyer, such as Mr. Cunningham. Invariably, signing these papers prevents injured parties from seeking additional damages against the driver and their insurer and could leave you and your family with steep medical bills with no legal recourse for compensation. If you would like to speak with an Orlando personal injury attorney with nearly four decades of experience helping injured riders, call Mr. Cunningham today at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587) and 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.