Pinellas County, FL – Park Street Motorcycle Crash Claims 2 Lives

Pinellas County, FL (September 18th, 2024) – An accident involving a car and a motorcycle claimed the lives of two people and left a third seriously injured in Pinellas County Tuesday night. 

The accident, involving a 24-year-old St. Petersburg woman who was driving a Subaru Impreza, and a 49-year-old man from Mary Esther, who was driving a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, occurred at the intersection of 46th ave and Park Street at approximately 10:47 p.m. Tuesday night. 

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 24-year-old Subaru driver was traveling westbound 46th Avenue North. She pulled into the Park Street intersection after briefly stopping at a stop sign, failing to yield to the motorcycle. The two vehicles collided, and both drivers died at the scene. A third victim, a 23-year-old man who was a passenger in the Subaru, was seriously injured and transported to a local hospital for treatment. No further details pertaining to the accident have been released at this time.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Florida?

Motorcycle accidents are a fairly common occurrence in Florida. According to FLHSMV crash dashboard, there were around 9,540 accidents involving motorcycles in 2023. Among these accidents, there were 624 fatalities, and 8,186 injuries.

Why Are Fatalities so High?

Fatalities in motorcycle accidents are high due to various factors, including:

• Less protection offered than other types of motor vehicles
• Harder to spot than other motor vehicles
• Body does not absorb shock as well as a car

You can reduce the risk of getting into a motorcycle accident that causes severe injury or fatality by wearing a helmet, driving sober, obeying traffic laws, and paying attention to your surroundings.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

There are many dangers surrounding motorcycles and their usage. The more you know about the common causes of motorcycle crashes, the easier it is to take precautions to lessen your chances of an accident. 

Some common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

Speeding

Driving fast can seem thrilling, but it is a dangerous hobby. The faster you go, the harder it can be to control your vehicle. Additionally, your stopping distance increases the faster you go, meaning you have to begin slowing to a stop much sooner than you would if you were going slower. Going faster also increases the force of impact that’s generated if you hit something, which increases your chances of experiencing severe injuries, or even causing death.

Driving Under the Influence

When an individual consumes alcohol or partakes in the use of certain drugs, it can seriously affect reaction timing, awareness, and cognitive thinking. This can lead to said individual making dangerous decisions, whether he or she realizes it or not. 

Lane Splitting 

Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist drives between two lanes to get around traffic.

This is a common tactic used amongst motorcyclists who are navigating busy or congested roads. While it sounds harmless, lane splitting can lead to accidents and severe injuries. Other motorists might not spot the motorcyclist in time and strike them while trying to merge lanes or turn.

Dangerous Road Conditions

While road conditions are out of the control of most individuals, they still pose a significant risk to drivers and motorcyclists alike. Things like ice, rain, unrepaired roads, debris, loose gravel, and uneven roads can all cause severe accidents or injuries. This is especially true for motorcyclists, due to the lack of protection offered by their motorcycles.

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one suffered losses in a motorcycle accident, and you need legal assistance, contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney at our law firm as soon as possible. Our motorcycle attorneys at Magazine & Light Law Group have a track record of success in Florida injury cases, and we can help you recover maximum compensation. We offer free consultations and there are no fees unless we win your case. Contact us today at 727-499-9900.

Jim Magazine

James (Jim) Magazine is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial lawyer who has spent his career helping injured victims. Jim is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1990 and is also admitted to practice at the Appellate level and admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

Years of Experience: More than 30 years
Florida Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions:
Clearwater Bar Association
West Pasco Bar Association