Motorcyclists may be some of the most vulnerable motorists on the road. Unlike people who drive cars, motorcyclists do not have a metal frame, air bags or a seat belt to protect them in a car accident.
When a motorcyclist is hit by a car, the results can be devastating. Negligent driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents. When a driver becomes distracted or chooses to drink and drive, it could end in the wrongful death of another motorist, as in this recent Boca Raton case.
On Saturday, a 48-year-old man was riding his motorcycle outside Boca Raton when a car driving on the wrong side of the road slammed into him. The motorcyclist attempted to avoid the oncoming vehicle by moving to a different lane, but the car also changed lanes, causing the two vehicles to collide.
The 48-year-old motorcyclist was thrown from his bike. He was pronounced dead at the scene. It is unclear at this time what caused the crash, but records show that the man who was driving the wrong way has been cited for speeding in the past.
The motorcyclist had an 8-year-old daughter and a 13-year-old son who he spoke with daily even though they live with his ex-wife in a different state. His ex-wife said their daughter is spending time with her grandparents because the woman and her son have been unable to stop crying. She called her ex-husband an excellent father.
This man’s tragic death instantly deprived two children of a father who loved them. This case should serve as a reminder to all drivers how important it is to take every safety precaution possible when operating a vehicle.
Source: Sun Sentinel, “Motorcyclist killed near Boca by car headed wrong way, investigators say,” Jerome Burdi, 18 April 2011
