Lakeland Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

A motorcyclist was killed in a crash in Lakeland, FL about 9 p.m. Saturday, November 28, 2009, Polk County authorities stated.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, Raymond Leo Horn III, 21, of Lakeland, FL,was driving a 2005 Kawasaki north on U.S. 98 North in Lakeland, FL, about 9 p.m., reports said.

A 2001 Hyundai, driven by Jaimee Lynn Piechota, 21, of Massachusetts, was driving south on U.S. 98 North in Lakeland, Fl, and pulled in front of Horn when turning onto Wedgewood Estates Boulevard and crashed into the motorcyclist, who was driving north on U.S. 98 in Lakeland, Fl, according to Polk County police reports.

Lakeland police blocked off northbound traffic on U.S. 98 between Sleepy Hill Road and Wedgewood Estates Boulevard in Lakeland, FL as they investigated the crash.

The impact of the crash ejected Horn from the motorcycle and he was declared dead at the scene, police said. Piechota received minor injuries and was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center for treatment. Piechota was wearing a seat belt and Horn was wearing a helmet, reports said.

According to the recently released, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles annual Traffic Crash Statistics Report for 2004, 388 motorcycle riders killed in crashes on Florida roads during 2004, over 51% were wearing safety helmets. The crash facts also demonstrate that riders wearing safety helmets were more likely to sustain injuries than non-helmeted riders. In each of the statistical focus topics presented in the study, the percentage numbers were very close between helmeted and non-helmeted riders, except for non-injury crashes.

In conjunction with the Florida legislature, American Bikers Aimed Towards Education(ABATE) is putting Billboards throughout the state to encourage drivers to be aware of motorcycles and to drive alertly. To take personal responsibility for their driving actions and to think about the way they operate their vehicles.

In my experience as a personal injury attorney, practicing in Polk County, FL, I represent victims of motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle accidents are typically very serious accidents as victims may sustain serious fractures or even fatalities. In such cases, it is critical to hire an experienced lawyer to investigate the crash and pursue damages.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, on Sunday, September 27, two Polk county residents were killed in the five-vehicle crash on U.S. 98 North that began when a 2005 Chevrolet pickup veered into the wrong lane of traffic Saturday afternoon, officials said. Killed in the accident were the driver of the Chevrolet pickup, Bessie R. Sanders, 65, and the driver of a 1990 Ford pickup, Jonathan Champion, 51, the patrol said. Both were wearing seat belts.

The accident occurred about 3:50 p.m. Saturday along a curve near the Big Cypress Golf and Country Club, Lakeland, FL, were the speed limit is 60 miles per hour.
The FHP stated that the preliminary investigation determined that Sanders was driving north on U.S. 98, Lakeland, FL, when her pickup began to veer into the southbound lane of traffic, where it struck Conroy's southbound motorcycle head-on. That crash threw Conroy and his passenger off the motorcycle and caused a series of collisions.

Michael J. Champion, 27, of Lakeland FL, a passenger in the Ford pickup, traveling south behind the motorcycle, shifted toward the shoulder in an attempt to avoid the accident, but struck the left front of the Chevrolet pickup. The force of the crash caused Champion's truck to turn on its roof on the west shoulder and Sanders' pickup to rotate counterclockwise 180 degrees. Champion was seriously injured and taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Lakeland, FL. He was wearing a seat belt.

A 2001 Toyota sedan, driven by Harry Bouldry, 61, of Crystal River, Lakeland, FL was heading south behind the Ford pickup and collided with the rear of Sanders' pickup.
The force of the collision pushed the Toyota into the northbound lane, where it side-swiped a northbound 1999 blue Ford sport utility vehicle, driven by Richard Denmark, 51, of Lakeland FL.
Neither Bouldry or Denmark were injured. Both were wearing seat belts. Both their vehicles had minor damage, the FHP said.

Paul J. Conroy, 55, of Odessa, a community north of Tampa, was the driver of the 2000 Harley motorcycle who was critically injured and taken Tampa General HospitalTampa, FL. His passenger was killed, the patrol said. Neither one was wearing helmets.

Champion was seriously injured and taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Lakeland, FL. He was wearing a seat belt.

Failure to wear seat belts cost more lives per capita in Polk County than any other large county in the state. Out of the 71 Polk County fatalities in 2006, Polk County ranked fourth among Florida's top 10 most populous counties, behind only Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, all of which are much larger.

Polk county crash rates has nearly doubled any other large county in 2006. These are the most recent figures available.

These crash statistics were released in conjunction with the launch of Click It or Ticket, an annual national law enforcement effort designed to increase seat belt use.
One of the most positive changes in Polk county statistics is the decrease in motorcycle-related deaths, stated by Sgt. Steve Gaskins, Lakeland, FL, a spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol. In 2007, 14 motorcyclists were killed, down less than 33 percent in 2007 from 21 percent from the year before.

Statewide, 517 motorcyclists were killed last year who were not wearing helmets, down less than 1 percent from 521 in 2006. Forty-two percent were not wearing a safety helmet.

Edmond Albert Sutton, age 27, of Winter Haven, FL was shot to death, Thursday, May 14th by Polk County, FL deputies, Ivan Navarro, Kevin Loder and Christopher Diaz.

According to the Lakeland Ledger, Polk County, FL Assistant State Attorney, Robert Antonello, explained in his letter to the Polk County Sheriff's Office how the May 14th shooting occurred. In his letter, Antonello states Sutton was suffering from permanent brain injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident. As a result, Sutton had a history of severe mood swings and violent behavior toward family members.

The night of the shooting, Sutton's family called for help because Sutton had attacked his mother, and they wanted him forcibly held for psychological evaluation under the State of Florida's Baker Act proceedings.

The three deputies responded to the call and approached the barn on Lucerne Park Road where Sutton was located. Upon announcing their presence, Sutton answered the door holding fully loaded rifle and leveled the weapon at Deputy Navarro, who was about 15 feet away. Antonello's letter further explains Sutton refused instructions to drop the weapon, and aimed at the rifle at Deputy Diaz.

At that moment, all three officers opened fire on Sutton, continuing until Sutton slumped and dropped his rifle. Sutton, who was hit several times, died from the gunshot wounds.
The deputies reported that they had reasonable belief that Sutton would have killed them if they did not take action.

As stated in this article, Sutton was suffering from a traumatic brain injury as a result of previous motorcycle accident. Many times, accident victims, who sustain traumatic brain injuries as a result of the accident, exhibit significant personality changes. These victims frequently become aggressive, which transcends into all aspects of the life, from personal relationships to occupational responsibilities. They are forever changed by the accident.

It is crucial that victims suffering from traumatic brain injuries undergo the proper medical car to diagnose and treat their condition. Traumatic brain injuries are often overlooked, which is why it is crucial for victims to hire a qualified lawyer to assist with the process. In my practice as a personal injury lawyer in Polk County, FL, I have assisted clients with traumatic brain injury. It takes a great deal of patience and understanding to represent these clients because of their aggressive behavior. However, in the end it is rewarding to help these victims obtain the medical care and compensation they deserve.