motorcycle accidents

Motorcycle Safety a Year-Round Concern in SWFL

October 1, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Riding is a year-round activity in Florida. While motorcycles are being stored for the winter throughout the northern parts of the country, motorists should expect to see them hitting the streets in large numbers here in Southwest Florida.

In fact, winter is the busiest time for bikers in our area. When the rain ends and cooler temperatures return, solo bikers and large riding groups make their way onto our local highways and byways. A number of large motorcycle events—from Cape Coral Bike Night to Daytona Bike Week —will also draw riders to our area from across the nation.

For more than half a century, our motorcycle injury attorneys have been fighting for the rights of motorcycle riders and their families in Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties. Riders are often blamed for collisions in the court of public opinion, but statistics show that more than half of all crashes involving a passenger vehicle are the fault of the passenger vehicle’s driver.

Cape Coral Bike Night Season Opens Oct. 12

September 12, 2019 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner is once again proud to provide headline sponsorship for the 2019-2020 Cape Coral Bike Night Season.

For more than a decade, we have been a leading sponsor and participant in this event, which has grown into the largest family-friendly motorcycle event in Southwest Florida. The event has featured an increasing number of headline musical acts; this year’s season kicks off October 12 with “zz’s best,” one of the best “ZZ Top” tribute bands, on the main stage.

You can find our booth at the edge of the main-stage viewing area along SE 47th Terrace, where we will be promoting motorcycle safety, accident prevention, and rider rights.

The City of Cape Coral has made a number of infrastructure and other improvements for the upcoming season. This year’s other dates are December 14, February 8 and April 11. The events run from 5 to 10 p.m.

Florida Motorcycle Accident Awareness Needed Every Month

June 11, 2017 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Tragedy struck recently when a motorcyclist was killed in a Florida motorcycle accident in Melbourne, leaving behind to mourn him his pregnant 22-year-old wife and their 1-year-old daughter.

Florida Today reports the 22-year-old welder had just finished work for the day and was on his way home when the crash happened. News accounts have few details, but here’s what we can say: Motorcycle accidents claim far too many lives in Florida every year.

May was Motorcycle Accident Awareness Month, but the truth is, this is an issue that affects Floridians daily – directly or indirectly. These are people’s fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, wives and husbands. They are the people we rely on, and those we love. This young man who had his whole life ahead of him has now become a statistic in what is an appalling toll of casualties in Florida and nationwide. Continue reading ›

Report: Florida Motorcycle Accident Deaths Up 30 Percent

April 10, 2017 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Last month marked the 76th annual Daytona Bike Week, where hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists thundered into Florida to enjoy the warm climate and camaraderie.

While initial reports were that motorcycle accidents surrounding the event had tapered off, this news was dampened by recently-released figures from AAA, which reported Florida had a stunning 30 percent uptick in motorcycle deaths in 2015. Perhaps not surprising given that number, Florida was also reported to have the highest number of motorcycle deaths in the nation. It held the same top spot last year.

AAA reported there were 26 motorcycle accident deaths in Lee County, which means it tied for sixth place statewide for the most rider deaths in 2015. Miami-Dade reportedly ranked No. 1 with 67 motorcycle crash deaths that year, and Hillsborough ranked No. 2 with 48 fatalities. Continue reading ›

$18.5M Motorcycle Accident Settlement Reached for Man With Critical Injuries

March 31, 2017 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

An injury lawsuit has been resolved with an $18.5 million settlement on behalf of a man who suffered critical injuries in a motorcycle accident two years ago.

The claim was filed against both the state’s department of transportation, as well as a construction contractor whose employee made an illegal U-turn without warning on a highway on-ramp, straight into the motorcyclist’s path.

Although claims against the government and government contractors are often wrought with complications and technicalities, this case shows they are often worth pursuing. Such matters should only be handled by experienced attorneys from well-resourced law firms that can capably prepare for a trial, if necessary. Continue reading ›

Report: Bike Week & Biketoberfest Motorcycle Deaths at Historic Low

March 30, 2017 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Every year, tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts come roaring into Florida or travel from various corners of the state to attend the two biggest annual motorcycle events on the East Coast: Bike Week and Biketoberfest, both held in Daytona Beach. The former is held every spring and the latter every fall. These yearly events draw huge crowds and are great for local and state economies.

However, motorcycle accidents also spike during that time. Officials have estimated nearly 500 people have died in motorcycle accidents in Flagler and Volusia counties between 2005 and 2015, with more than one-third of those crashes involving one of the areas two big biking events. That’s according to an analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted by the Daytona News-Journal. Those incidents have included:

Motorcyclists crashing into utility poles at 45 mph.
Motorcyclists drifting into oncoming traffic on S.R. 40.
Motorcyclists losing control and being thrown from their rides.

Just at the most recent Bike Week, one man died and three were injured in a Saturday crash when two motorcycles collided. The following day, a female rider was killed in another crash.

Still, there may be a silver lining in the analysis. That is that motorcycle deaths at these two massive events appear to have been at a historic low in 2015 (the last year for which final numbers are available). Continue reading ›