Legal News for Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorneys. A Fort Myers man died from severe motorcycle crash injuries.
Studies suggest helmet use decreases chance of TBI’s caused by motorcycle accidents significantly.
Fort Myers, FL– A 34-year-old fitness director, Joseph Kundtz, died from the post motorcycle crash injuries he acquired after colliding with a one-way sign on Sunday, November 29, 2009. The fatal car crash occurred at around 2:28 a.m., on U.S. 41 at San Carlos Boulevard in Ft. Myers, Florida, according to News-Press.com.
The motorcyclist was reportedly driving a 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle when it struck a median in the road, which caused the driver to loose control of his bike and inevitably causing it to slide on it’s side, according to Kamau Leigh, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) trooper. Kundtz was transported by emergency medical services (EMS) to Lee Memorial Hospital after the accident on Sunday, but was pronounced dead by the hospital staff on Monday. According to the FHP officer at the motorcycle crash site, Kundtz reportedly lacked a helmet.
On July 1, 2000, the State of Florida repealed a law requiring all motorcyclists to wear protective headgear while operating a motorcycle. The current law only requires persons under the age of 21, or those with less than $10,000 of medical insurance to wear a helmet. Studies conducted by the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) www.nhtsa.gov/ show that motorcycle fatality statistics increased by 81 percent when comparing the years 2001-2003 to 1997-1999. The number of motorcyclists who were admitted to hospitals after sustaining injuries in motorcycle accidents was increased by 40 percent. Also, there was an 82 percent increase in the number of individuals being admitted to the hospital for head injuries acquired in such accidents.
It is not only motorcyclists, but also bicyclists who are at risk of acquiring a traumatic brain injury (TBI). It is very important to make use of protective headgear, particularly with children who are at an age where a serious head injury could damage their ability to speak properly as well as retain information and continue learning at a “normal” level. It is said that wearing a helmet increases your chance of avoiding a head injury by approximately 70 percent, so why take the chance?
Legal News Reporter: Sandra Quinlan- Legal News for Florida Motorcycle Accident Lawyers.
