Broward Injury Lawyer Blog
At least two people have died in separate Fort Lauderdale accidents while driving through the Interstate 595 construction zones we all know about. Drivers are urged to be cautious when driving through these areas as the roadwork doesn’t look like it’s going to let up any time soon. You should be cautious for the next two years as a matter of fact, because that’s how long this project is expected to last.
In the first accident, a woman from Dania Beach was killed and another person was severely injured after the two were thrown roughly 30 feet from their motorcycles and they headed down an ramp. In the second accident, a woman from Sunrise was killed in a three-car accident, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). The first accident happened just before 2:00 a.m. when the two motorcyclists lost control of their bikes while navigating an on ramp heading toward the southbound lanes of Florida’s turn pike, according to the Sun Sentinel.
Our Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident lawyers understand that from February through September of 2011, there were five motorcyclist deaths along Interstate 595 resulting from bikers flying off ramps. On the ramp from westbound 595 to the southbound lanes of the turnpike, drivers are forced to make a sharp left turn on a bridge going over 595. Although there are warning signs along this portion of the roadway, drivers say they aren’t enough.
According to Laila Haddad, a spokeswoman for the reconstruction project along 595, says that the area in which the recent motorcycle accidents happened is in fact well lit and isn’t actually a part of the construction project.
As we round out the rest of the month of April, we’d like to start gearing up for National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), May is used every year to help raise awareness about these vulnerable travelers on our roadways. Motorcyclists face some of the highest risks for death in the event of a motor vehicle accident. All travelers need to work together to help keep our roadways safe for everyone, especially in the area’s construction zones.
Drivers of passenger vehicles are to remember that motorcyclists have the same privileges and rights as all other drivers on our roads. During the month of May and for every other month of the year, drivers of all vehicles are asked to “share the road” with motorcyclists and keep an eye on their vehicle’s surroundings to help keep everyone safe. Be cautious when traveling through constructions zones, intersections and other areas with a lot of traffic movement. Be sure to keep an eye on all of your surroundings at all time. Don’t make the mistake of overlooking one of these vulnerable drivers and causing a potentially fatal accident.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident in Broward County or in any of the surrounding areas, contact Fort Lauderdale Accident Lawyer Richard Ansara at 954 761-3641 or toll-free at 877-277-3780 to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your rights.
Additional Resources:
Two die in separate I-595 crashes, construction zone challenges drivers, by Michael Turnbell and Erika Pesantes, Sun Sentinel
More Blog Entries:
Pedestrian Accident in Fort Lauderdale Forces Traffic Reroutes, Broward Injury Lawyer Blog, April 17, 2012
Fort Lauderdale Bicycle Accident Injures Young Rider, Broward Injury Lawyer Blog, April 16, 2012
