Lakeland Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

When you mix a motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed and alcohol, you have a recipe for a nasty accident.  That is apparently what happened when a Pinellas Park, FL man rammed his motorcycle into a fence.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, Scott Alan Deeran, 40, of Pinellas Park, FL, was riding on his motorcycle through a neighborhood only several blocks from where he lives. 

Pinellas Park Police reports indicate that Deeran was traveling at a high rate of speed heading south on 56th Way North in Pinellas Park, FL, when he attempted to make a right angle turn onto 82nd Terrace, also in Pinellas Park, FL.  When Deeran attempted to make the turn, he lost control of his motorcycle sending him crashing into a fence on the 5600 block of 82nd Terrace in Pinellas Park, FL. 

Deeran was transported from the scene of the accident to Bayfront Medical Center where he was treated for life-threatening injuries.  He was later listed in critical but stable condition.

Police reports suggest that alcohol may have played a factor in the accident.

Mothers Against Druck Driving listed statistics posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that state that an estimated 10, 839 people will be killed this year in drunk driving accidents.  That is an average of 1 person every 50 minutes.  It also states that an astounding  1 in 3 people will be involved in a drunk driving accident sometime in their lifetime.  The article continues to state that one person every minute is injured as a result of a drunk driving accident.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a civil attorney with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Winter Haven, Florida. Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Polk County, FL. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

We all know how dangerous it is to ride on the back of a motorcycle, let alone, being the passenger on a motorcycle without the use of a helmet.  According to the United States Department of Transportation, the number of fatalities that the state of Florida recorded in the two years after the Florida Helmet Law was repealed has increased by 71%.  The fatality rate in Florida is identified as 75% higher than the national average.  The U.S. Department of Transportation also states that Florida has seen a 21% increase in fatalities per every 10, 000 registered motorcyclists. Regardless of these statistics, motorcyclists still get onto their motorcycle and put their lives in danger everyday.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, this is exactly what happened in early November when a couple was out for a bike ride.

The Lakeland Police Department reports indicated that David Jackson, 55, of Summit, NY, and Karin Nolette, 45, of 1119 South Blvd in Lakeland, FL, set out for a early Saturday morning bike ride heading southbound on S. Florida Avenue in Lakeland, FL.  Reports indicate that as they were attempting to turn left into Lake Miriam Square in Lakeland, FL, then came into the path of a 2003 Honda sedan that was being driven by Michael Symmes, 60, of Lakeland, FL, who was heading northbound on S. Florida Avenue in Lakeland, FL.  Symmes’ Honda struck the motorcycle being driven by Jackson, killing Nolette at the scene.

Jackson, the driver of the motorcycle, was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition.  Symmes, the driver of the Honda, was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and experienced non-life threatening injuries.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a civil attorney with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Winter Haven, Florida. Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Polk County, FL. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

An early morning motorcycle ride turned bad when two Lakeland, FL residents ran into the back of a car, ejecting them from their bike and sending them to the hospital.

According to the Lakeland Ledger and the Lakeland Police Department, Victor Paez Jr., 33, and Bethzaida De Jesus, 28, both of Lakeland, FL, where riding on a motorcycle headed northbound on South Florida Avenue in the left lane just north of Hillsboro Avenue in Lakeland, FL when they approached a Ford Taurus being driven by Ryan Ward, 26, of Lake Wales, FL.  Reports indicate that Ward’s car was slowing down in order to change lanes, when the motorcycle struck the vehicle from behind.

The impact of the crash forced the motorcycle to begin to slide into the middle of the road, ejecting both Paez and De Jesus.

Paez and De Jesus were transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, Florida, with life threatening injuries.  It is not known if they were wearing helmets at the time of the crash.

Reports indicate they were not sure if alcohol played a factor in the crash.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, the Motorcycle Industry Council estimates that in 6.8 percent of households, nationally, own at least one motorcycle. The III goes on to state that in 2010, the number of motorcycle fatalities rose .7% in 2010.  In 2009, they reported a 15.9% decline in the number of fatalities reported nationally.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a civil attorney with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Winter Haven, Florida. Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Polk County, FL. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

A twist of fate left a 47-year old father in critical condition after being hit by a pickup truck that left the scene leaving the man severely injured.

According to the Lakeland Ledger and Channel 13 News.com, at approximately 1:50 a.m. in mid-November, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to a hit and run involving a motorcycle and a pickup truck on Cypress Gardens Blvd. and Register Road in Winter Haven, FL.  The reports place Timmy Kelly, 47, of Winter Haven, FL, driving his 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle heading east on Cypress Gardens Blvd. in Winter Haven, FL. when a red GMC Sierra pickup truck struck Kelly’s motorcycle.  Deputies have been unable to indentify the driver of the truck when reports were printed.

Kelly was airlifted to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he was treated for several injuries including a broken jaw and severe facial injuries.  Kelly reportedly was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.   Kelly remains in critical condition at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

Efforts on behalf of Kelly are widespread including a fundraising motorcycle ride in honor of Kelly to assist his family for the medical cost that the accident has caused.  Kelly’s family has also used various media outlets to assist the deputies in finding the driver of the pickup truck

The Florida Motorcycle Helmet Use Observational Survey and Trend Analysis conducted by the Center for Urban Transportation Research concluded that helmet use in the state of Florida has dramatically declined since the revision of the Florida Helmet Law, Florida Statute 316.211,  was revised and became effective on July 1, 2000.  The report goes on to say that Florida’s motorcycle crash-related fatalities have grown steadily since 1999. Between 1999 and 2001, motorcycle fatalities rose by 66 percent in Florida compared to a 28 percent increase in national motorcycle fatalities during the same period.  It concluded that in 2001, 2.5 percent of all traffic injuries in Florida involved motorcyclists compared to 2.0 percent nationally

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a civil attorney with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Winter Haven, Florida. Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Polk County, FL. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

It is said that most car accidents happened within miles of your residence.  This was the case for one Lakeland, FL woman in mid-September.

According to TBO.com and the Lakeland Ledger, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Carolyn Duff, 52, of 1612 E Main Street, in Lakeland,FL, was driving her 2006 Suzuki motorcycle down E. Main Street in Lakeland, FL.  As she approached a curve in the road around the 1500 block of E. Main Street, in Lakeland, FL, Duff crossed of the center lane and collided with a 1997 Nissan Frontier pickup truck being driven by Robert W. Miller, of 3940 Longhorn Drive, in Lake Wales, FL.  Miller was traveling west on E. Main Street in Lakeland, FL.  Duff’s motorcycle struck the front of the truck and she was ejected from the bike.

Lakeland Police Department reports indicate that Duff was not wearing a helmet and was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by Polk County EMS.

According toFlorida Statute 316.211(3)(b), motorcycle riders, ages 21 years and up, are not required to wear a helmet while riding their bikes as long as they are able to show proof of insurance of up to $10,000.  This has led to a 48.6% increase in the number of deaths that the state of Florida sees each year according to studies conducted by the American Journal of Public Health.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a civil attorney with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Winter Haven, Florida. Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Polk County, FL. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

Anyone behind the wheel of a car has, most certainly, been driving down the road when a motorcycle traveling the way above the speed limit comes dangerously close to your car as you are driving.  People commonly react by asking; why would anyone drive so fast on such a dangerous bike?  Tragically, a motorcyclist was seriously injured while driving his motorcycle down a busy interstate.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, Devon Lane Seymour, 27, of Lakeland, FL was driving his 2004 Suzuki motorcycle headed east on Interstate 4 near mile marker 36 in Lakeland, FL.  Seymour was driving at an incredibly high rate of speed when he spotted a Florida Highway Patrol trooper sitting in the center median searching for speeding drivers.  Seymour, who was clocked by a state trooper at 136 miles per hour, lost control of the motorcycle while attempting to slow down.

When Seymour lost control of the bike, it caused the motorcycle to overturn and skid down the highway approximately 400 feet before finally coming to a stop.

Seymour, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident, was transported from the scene of the accident to Lakeland Regional Medical Center and was listed in critical condition upon arrival.

In October 2003, the National Highway Transportation Administration established standards for motorcycle helmets to ensure a certain degree of protection in a crash in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218.  Since then, the use of DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets in 2009 stood at 67 percent, a gain from 63 percent in 2008.  The National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) has found that helmets are estimated to be 37-percent effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle riders and 41-percent for motorcycle passengers; NHTSA esti- mates that helmets saved the lives of 1,829 motorcyclists in 2008.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a civil attorney with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Winter Haven, Florida. Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Polk County, FL. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

Once summer hits, you can be sure that teachers and administrators are ready to start their long awaited and well deserved summer vacations. They head off to visit families and friends and visit various locales throughout the world. Unfortunately, a local administrator’s vacation ended with a tragic accident on the open roads of Phoenix, Arizona.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, Billy Hardee Jr., 56, of Winter Haven, FL was driving his Harley Davidson 1300 from Winter Haven, FL and was headed on a trip across the United States. Hardee made his way to Virgina to meet up with his riding partner, Morris Blueford, an old college roommate of Hardee’s. Hardee also stopped to visit with his son while in Virgina.

Another stop along Hardee’s trip took him to Toronto to visit his daughter. After that visit, Hardee and Blueford headed for California to continue visiting with Hardee’s family and friends.

En route to Florida and approximately 30 miles outside of Phoenix, Blueford, who was riding his motorcycle ahead of Hardee, turned back to find that his riding partner and friend, was no longer riding behind him. Blueford immediately turned around to search for Hardee. He was found lying on the side of the road and being assisted by Arizona Highway Patrol Troopers. Hardee was taken to an Arizona hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Although circumstances surrounding the accident are unclear, Hardee apparently veered off the side of the road and was ejected from his bike. It is uncertain whether Hardee was wearing a helmet or not.

As stated in reports published by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, of the 20,807 rural fatalities that were reported in 2008, 2,416 occured on interstates nationally. The same report indicated that of the 15,956 urban accidents reported, 2,259 occurred on interstates nationally.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a civil attorney with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Winter Haven, Florida. Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Polk County, FL. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, Lakeland Police Department responded to a motorcycle accident at approximately 8:45 p.m. on Sleepy Hill Road in Lakeland, FL.
Shawn Lee Stidham, 30, of 4804 Creek Meadow Trail in Lakeland, FL, was driving his 2009 Honda motorcycle west on Sleepy Hill Road in Lakeland, FL. Police reports indicate that around the 1100 block of Sleepy Hill Road near Kennedy Boulevard in Lakeland, FL, Stidham lost control of his motorcycle sending him onto the sidewalk and slamming into a concrete pole. Stidham was ejected from the motorcycle as a result of hitting the pole. At the time of the incident, Stidham was not wearing a helmet.

Stidham, the driver of the cycle, was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he later died of his injuries.

Many motorcycle drivers take a great risk when riding their bikes, typically at high rates of speed, without the use of a helmet. On July 1, 2000, the State of Florida passed into law, Florida Statute 316.211(3)(b), which states that motorcycle riders, ages 21 years and up, are not required to wear a helmet while riding their bikes as long as they are able to show proof of insurance of up to $10,000. According to the American Journal of Public Health, Florida motorcycle drivers have experienced an increase of 48.6% in deaths related to accidents when a helmet is not used in the first year after the amendment was put into law. They also state that Florida comprises 9% of all motorcycle drivers throughout our nation. Laws requiring all motorcyclists to wear a helmet are passed in 20 states and the District of Columbia, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a civil attorney with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Winter Haven, Florida. Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Polk County, FL. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

Motorcyclists on the streets of Polk County, FL present dangers that many don’t think about when driving their cars to their destinations. People carelessly drive through the streets with their minds occupied on where they need to go, or what they are going to do once they get there. Sadly, many drivers simply do not see motorcyclists when they are approaching. This may have been the case when a Lakeland, FL woman turned left, and struck a motorcycle driver.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, 23-year old motorcyclist Andrew John Fus, of 249 Azalea Avenue in Lakeland, FL, was headed south on Kathleen Road in Lakeland, FL, when a 2007 Dodge Caravan, driven by Linnwood Davis, 53, of 1212 Providence Road in Lakeland, FL, was driving north on Kathleen Road in Lakeland, FL. As Davis attempted to turn left onto West Fifth Street in Lakeland, FL, she pulled her Caravan out in front of Fus and struck his 2009 Yamaha motorcycle. Unable to avoid the crash, Fus hit the van’s rear passenger side and was thrown off of his motorcycle.

According to the Lakeland Police Department report, Fus was sent to Lakeland Regional Medical Center with severe injuries.

According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles 2009 Traffic Crash Statistics Report, motorcycle crashes are down 13.6% from 2008 from 9,618 to 8,313. The number of motorcyclists that were injured in those accidents is also down 12.7% from 8,519 to 7,435 from 2008 to 2009. This could be a direct correlation to more and more motorcyclists taking the required classes to ride a motorcycle or more drivers paying attention to cyclists.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a civil attorney with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Winter Haven, Florida. Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Polk County, FL. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

Out for a drive on their motorcycle turned deadly for two Lakeland residents on Monday evening. According to the Lakeland Ledger, Michael Mitts, 38, and Laura Nalley, 30, both of Lakeland, FL, were out for a ride on their 1992 Yamaha FZR 1traveling south on North Chestnut Road near Ivey Lane in Lakeland, FL at approximately 7:30 pm on Monday night. Mitts, who was driving the motorcycle, collided with 20-year old Lakeland, FL resident Rakesha Corbett’s 1996 Ford Thunderbird as she attempted to back out of her driveway onto North Chestnut Road in Lakeland, FL. According the Florida Highway Patrol report, Mitts made an attempt to avoid the collision by pressing on the brakes and, consequently, lost control of the motorcycle sending the Yamaha crashing into the Ford. The windows in the Ford Thunderbird were shattered littering North Chestnut Street with glass. Mitts’ Yamaha motorcycle was found on the west side of the street with its front tire disconnected and thrown away from the cycle.

Troopers reported that Nalley, the passenger on the motorcycle was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Mitts was not. Fortunately, Corbett only received minor injuries from the incident and her 10-year old passenger was not injured.

Motorcycle accidents accounted for 94, 462 of the over 5.5 million accidents that occurred through the United States. According to the 2009 national statistics published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2009, on average, cyclists ranging in ages from 25-34 accounted for 12.19 fatalities per every 100, 000 people. The trend reported cyclists ages 35-44 count were lower at 9.87 fatalities per every 100,000 people. The same report reported that in 2008, a total of 5, 312 motorcyclists were killed in vehicle accidents. That is a fatality rate of 68.52 per 100,000 registered motorcycles.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a civil attorney with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Winter Haven, Florida. Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Polk County, FL. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

Everywhere you turn when driving, you see a bumper sticker that warns you to watch out for motorcycles.

According to a 2009 report completed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, of the 30,797 fatal traffic accidents that occurred nationally, 4,462 of those deaths were attributed to motorcyclists. Motorcyclists alone comprised 14.4% of fatal vehicle crashes that occurred in 2009.

This was the case of a lone motorcyclist on a Thursday evening in April in Polk City, FL. According to the Lakeland Ledger, 38-year old Brian O’Neal Smith of 18125 Commonwealth Avenue in Polk City, FL, was driving his yellow and black 2008 Honda CBR 1000 motorcycle at around 7:05 p.m. north on Old Dade City Road in Polk County, FL headed toward the intersection of Rockridge Road in Polk City, FL. According to the Polk County Sheriff ‘s Office report, Smith was traveling at a high rate of speed as he approached the intersection, which led him to lose control of his motorcycle. Once Smith lost control of his cycle, he was thrown into the east shoulder of the road and collided with a steel guardrail. Upon impact with the steel guardrail, Smith was ejected from his motorcycle, sending him crashing into several support posts behind the guardrail and finally coming to rest in a drainage ditch between the steel guardrail and barbed wire fence. Although Smith was wearing a helmet, he was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Smith’s motorcycle continued to travel down the guardrail and finally came to rest back into the roadway. No other vehicles were involved in the incident.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a civil attorney with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Winter Haven, Florida. Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Polk County, FL. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nationally, 90,000 motorcyclists were injured in traffic accidents in 2009. Moreover, 4,462 motorcyclists were killed across the United States in 2009. Of those over 4,000 deaths, 413 fatalities occurred in the State of Florida. Those statistics place Florida as the second highest for motorcycle deaths across the nation.

Sadly, another motorcyclist joined those above referenced statistics in a Thursday morning crash in Polk County, FL.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, around 11 a.m., Donald D. Allen, 69, of 355 Lake Huron Drive in Mulberry, FL, was driving north on State Road 33 near Polk City, FL approaching Double Diamond Drive near Polk City, FL. Allen was riding his 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle behind a pick up truck being driven by Robert Heidler, 35, of 1010 Sunshine Drive in Lakeland, FL. Heidler was driving his pickup truck while towing a boat behind. As noted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Heidler was starting to make a left hand turn onto Double Diamond Drive near Polk City, FL, Allen drove his motorcycle into the southbound lane of S.R. 33 near Polk City, FL and attempted to pass Heidler. Allen’s Harley Davidson motorcycle struck the driver side of Heidler’s pickup, throwing Allen from his motorcycle and landing onto Double Diamond Drive near Polk City, FL. Unfortunately, at the time of the incident, Allen was not wearing a helmet.

Polk County Sheriff ‘s Office deputies responded to the crash and Allen was flown from the crash site and taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, FL. Allen was pronounced dead upon arrival to the medical facility.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a civil attorney with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Winter Haven, Florida. Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Polk County, FL, including those injured in motorcycle accidents. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

It seems like every time you turn on the television, you are hearing about another police deputy that has been killed at the hand of a citizen that they work so bravely to protect. Fortunately, the following does not depict an officer killed, but illustrates the dangers of working as a deputy and just how life threatening their line of work can be.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, Polk County Sheriff motorcycle deputy, Steve Neil, 40, of Winter Haven, FL was in Saint Petersburg, FL assisting with a charity event when he was involved in a collision with another motorcyclist.

Neil, along with four other Polk County Sheriff Office deputies, was in Saint Petersburg, FL on Sunday, March 20th as part of a benefit to support the families of the fallen officers from the Saint Petersburg, FL Police Department. According to the Saint Petersburg, FL Police report, at approximately 11:20 a.m., Neil was riding down the 3300 block of First Avenue South in Saint Petersburg, FL alongside other motorcyclists when driver, Michael Christopher Girard, 32, of Brooksville, FL, drove his motorcycle in front of Neil. Neil made an attempt to slow down, but, unfortunately, was unable to slow down fast enough and struck Girard’s motorcycle. As a result, Neil’s bike fell to the ground and went skidding down the road. Fortunately, Neil was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Polk County Sheriff Office spokesperson, Donna Wood, made a statement saying the Neil was taken to Bayfront Medical Center only suffering minor injuries and was expected to be released from the hospital the same day.

Neil and his fellow officers were in Saint Petersburg, FL to assist with “Bikes for Badges,” a benefit motorcycle ride sponsored by radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge. The charity event was organized to support the families of fallen Saint Petersburg, FL Officer David Crawford, Sgt. Thomas Baltinger, and Officer Jeff Yaslowitz. This event provided donations to the families of these fallen officers in hopes to provide some financial support.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, a total of 14 officers were killed in the State of Florida between the years of 2007 to 2009, with only 4 deaths occurring in 2009.

Attorney Tania L. Rivas is a civil attorney with Rivas Law Group, LLC located in Winter Haven, Florida. Attorney Rivas represents injured victims in Polk County, FL, including those injured in motorcycle accidents. Attorney Rivas is fluent in Spanish and represents only victims, never insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured, call us toll free at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation with Attorney Rivas. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless you win.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, over the weekend, two men were killed in separate car accidents in Polk County, FL.

The first accident occurred on Saturday night at approximately 8:00 pm. The driver, 25-year old, Christopher Ross Williams, whose address is undetermined, was traveling west around the 700 block of Masterpiece Road in Lake Wales, FL. Polk County Sheriff Office deputies stated that while traveling on Masterpiece Road, Williams “failed to negotiate curves ” near Lake Starr Boulevard in Lake Wales, FL and lost control of his 2004 Chevrolet Silverado spinning out of control. Williams’ truck flipped several times, ultimately, ejecting him from the vehicle. Williams was the only person in the vehicle at the time of the crash.

According to Polk County Sheriff’s Office, an investigation into the crash is still pending, although they believe impairment seemed to be a factor in the accident.

According to Century Council, there were 770 fatalities in the state of Florida in 2009. Nationally, the death toll rises to 10,839.

The second accident happened approximately 12 hours later on the 1600 block of Lake Shipp Drive in Winter Haven, FL.

According to the Polk County Sheriff Office report, William George Scott, 65 of Winter Haven, FL had stepped out of his home for a morning walk in the Lake Shipp Heights Mobile Home Park when he was struck and killed by a motorcycle around 8 am. The 2008 Buell motorcycle was driven by Patrick Keith Polk, 36, of 2578 14th St. S.E. in Winter Haven, FL. The motorcycle left the road and veered to the side of the road striking Scott, of Winter Haven, FL. Polk continued driving south on the paved shoulder of Lake Shipp Drive in Winter Haven, FL after hitting Scott. The motorcycle carried Scott several more feet before he fell from the vehicle. Polk was then thrown from the cycle approximately 50 feet after Scott fell from the motorcycle. The vehicle continued to drive forward for another 900 feet before it came to a complete stop.

William George Scott was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Patrick Keith Polk, was airlifted, by helicopter, to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where is is currently listed in stable condition. Deputies stated that Polk was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

An investigation into the accident is still underway. Driving under the influence seems to be a concern in the early stages of the investigation.

According to the NHTSA, in 2009, 4,092 pedestrians were killed and an estimated 59,000 were injured in traffic crashes in the United States.

Rivas Law Group, LLC is a personal injury law firm located in Winter Haven, FL. Tania L. RIvas is fluent in Spanish and is dedicated to meeting the legal needs in Polk County, FL. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, please call us toll free at 877-299-5539 for a free legal consultation. You are not responsible to pay any legal fees or costs unless we obtain a recovery for you.

Around 7 pm on Friday night, 24-year old Jake Delvalle, of Plant City, FL, was killed when he was thrown from his motorcycle. Sadly, the motorist who struck Delvalle fled the scene of the accident, Florida Highway Patrol reported.

On Friday evening, Rudolfo Bautista Perez, of Plant City, FL, was driving his 1997 Honda Accord when he pulled out of a shopping plaza headed west on US 92 and entered the path of Delvalle’s motorcycle. Delvalle, the Plant City, FL motorcyclist, attempted to avoid the incident by locking up his brakes, but, unfortunately, Delvalle crashed into the Honda ejecting him from his bike. Florida troopers noted that while Delvalle was thrown from his cycle, Perez continued to drive away from the scene.

A third driver was involved in the accident. The driver, 21-year old Bonnie Banda, of Dover, FL, was driving her Ford Explorer when she came up on the accident, striking the motorcycle a second time.

Paramedics pronounced Delvalle dead at the scene. The other drivers involved in the accident were unharmed.

As stated in the St. Petersburg Times, Florida State Troopers later sought out Perez, of Plant City, FL, and arrested him. He has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving a death and operating a vehicle without a driver’s license. He is currently being held in the Hillsborough County Jail on $17,000 bail.

According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles crash statistics report, fatalities involving motorcyclists are down 25.1% from 502 to 376 deaths in 2009.

Rivas Law Group, LLC is a personal injury law firm located in Winter Haven, FL. Attorney Tania L. Rivas is committed to meeting the legal needs of Polk County, FL and handles a variety of injury cases, including car accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured, please call us at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free legal consultation.