July 3, 2011

Fatal Motorcycle Accident Reported in Osceola County Florida

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Florida is a popular state for motorcyclists given the year-round sunshine and warm temperatures. Unfortunately, Florida also ranks as one of the deadliest states in regards to fatal motorcycle crashes each year.

In rural eastern Osceola County a motorcyclist died after riding into a trailer pulled by an RV. The 59-year-old deceased man was from DeLand, but his identity was not released because the next-of-kin had not been notified. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the accident occurred on U.S. Highway 192, east of Hibiscus Road. The motorcycle fell over after it struck the rear of the trailer, and the driver was thrown onto the road, said the FHP. The reports said the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet. The RV occupants were not injured.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, 413 people died in motorcycle accidents in Florida in 2009. In addition, there were a total of 8,313 motorcycle accidents in Florida in 2009, with 7,435 resulting in injury, according to figures from the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR). While any motorcyclist faces the risk of an accident, the CUTR statistics show that certain populations face more of a risk than others. Listed below are the top five risk groups according to the CUTR findings for 2009.

• Males ages 45-54: 1,465 victims out of 6,803
• Males ages 25-34: 1,338 victims out of 6,803
• Males ages 35-44: 1,242 victims out of 6,803
• Males ages 55-64: 900 victims out of 6,803
• Males ages 21-24: 771 victims out of 6,803

Regardless of what the numbers say, any rider can sustain serious injuries from a Florida motorcycle accident such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or even death. For more information, see motorcyclist strikes rear of trailer, dies on U.S. 192

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Automobile Accidents , Brain Injury , Motorcycle Accidents , Spinal Cord Injuries , Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

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July 7, 2010

Former Motocross Champion Raising Money for Spinal Cord Injury Research

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Former motocross champion Jimmy Button and his trainer will be cycling from San Diego, California to Daytona Beach, Florida – a journey of over 2,400 miles – in 2011 to raise awareness and money for spinal cord injury research.

Button suffered a paralyzing injury to his spinal cord during a practice crash at the San Diego Supercross 10 years ago. He is one of a very few spinal cord injury victims to make a complete recovery.

Button’s goal is to raise $1 million to be donated to the University of California-Irvine Reeves Irvine Research Center in California to fund spine injury research. Donations can be made at www.milesformiraclestoday.com.

While there is of yet no “cure” for spinal cord injury, there is prevention. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA), most spinal cord injuries could be prevented by:

• Following correct safety procedures and using the right protective equipment at work
• Exercising regularly
• Lifting heavy objects in the right way (letting leg muscles do the work)
• Warming up properly prior to physical activity
• Checking the depth of any body of water before diving in
• Practicing defensive driving and always wearing a seat belt
• Wearing approved helmets when riding a bicycle, motorcycle, skateboard, skates or rollerblades
• Not taking unnecessary risks while riding a horse, skiing, rock climbing, hang-gliding or jumping on a trampoline

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Spinal Cord Injuries

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