On Behalf of Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa | October 17, 2023 | Motorcycle Accidents
39-year-old Wayne Gerald Doucet was killed in a motorcycle crash on June 18, 2023, while riding his 2022 Harley-Davidson Sportster in West Palm Beach. The other driver involved was driving a 2015 Volvo semi-truck. The truck driver was turning eastbound from the Florida Turnpike onto Okeechobee Blvd and had the green light. The motorcyclist who was driving westbound had the red light.
According to the police, the motorcyclist failed to stop at the red light and crashed into the semi-truck’s steer axle. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at St. Mary’s Medical Center.
Common Causes of Fatal Motorcycle Crashes
Motorcycle and truck crashes can happen for a wide variety of reasons, mostly due to driver error. Here are the most common motorcycle accident causes:
- Drowsy driving
- Distracted driving
- Dangerous left-hand turns
- Aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failing to stop at red lights or stop signs
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Bad weather conditions
- Defective motorcycles or motorcycle parts
- Dangerous road conditions
Some motorcycle crashes can also have multiple causes. An experienced West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyer can investigate the crash and ensure that the at-fault party will be held liable for the resulting damages to the injured party.
Injuries You Can Suffer in a Motorcycle Accident
Injuries resulting from motorcycle crashes can be catastrophic. They can also lead to permanent disabilities or death. Here are some of the most common injuries motorcyclists can sustain in a crash:
- Bone Fractures – A crash can occur in a flash, and a motorcyclist’s leg can be crushed if the motorcycle falls. A rider’s upper limbs can also be fractured when they try to break a fall by using their arms or hands.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) – A motorcyclist can suffer a head or brain injury when their head hits the road, another object, or their motorcycle. The impact of the crash can fracture the skull, cause swelling and bleeding inside the skull, and result in damage to the nerves and tissues.
- Road Rash – Road rash, a type of friction burn, can occur when a motorcyclist’s skin comes in contact with the roadway surface during a crash. The severity of a road rash can range from minor scrapes to severe abrasions that will require immediate medical treatment to avoid the risk of permanent scarring and life-threatening infections.
- Internal Injuries – Internal bleeding and internal organ damage can result from penetration trauma, when broken glass or something sharp penetrates the skin during the crash, or blunt-force trauma when a powerful blow to the body doesn’t break the skin.
- Spinal Cord Damage – When the impact of the crash damages the spinal cord, it can lead to all kinds of spinal cord injuries that can, in the most severe cases, end up in paralysis and permanent disability.
Get Legal Counsel From an Experienced West Palm Beach Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
The West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyers at Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa understand full well how traumatic motorcycle crashes can be. If a loved one was killed or you were hurt in a motorcycle crash, we can help. Call 561-478-2500 or reach us online to arrange a free case review with our West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyer.
Gerald A. Rosenthal
Retired
Since opening the firm now known as Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa more than 40 years ago, Gerald A. Rosenthal has been a dedicated champion of the everyday hero – police officers, firefighters, teachers, nurses, construction workers, farm workers, and more. Passionate about preserving the civil rights of laborers, he has fought tirelessly against giant insurance companies who deny the injured workers their benefits. It’s not just the lawsuit Rosenthal fights to win – he is driven by the opportunity to restore his client’s quality of life.
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