A Wellington resident died on Tuesday, January 4, after his motorcycle collided with a left-turning Porsche outside the Walmart Supercenter in Royal Palm Beach, according to a recent article by the Palm Beach Post.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) told the Post that the crash happened on Tuesday morning around 8 AM. Tavian O’Brien, 24, was riding a Suzuki GSX-R750 motorcycle east on Belvedere Road when he changed lanes near State Road 7 and accelerated to pass another vehicle. That was when the motorcycle collided with the passenger side of a 2015 Porsche that had been westbound on Belvedere and was turning south into the Walmart parking lot, according to PBSO. Sadly, O’Brien was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Porsche’s driver did not report any injuries, and the sheriff’s report did not indicate whether driver was facing any charges in the crash.
Motorcycle accidents involving passenger vehicles are a common occurrence. One report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that in nearly half of crashes between motorcycles and cars, the car was attempting a left turn. Right turns can also bring cars into the path of a motorcycle before the bike can stop.
There are many factors that may contribute to a driver turning in front of a motorcycle. Speeding, ignoring traffic signs, distracted driving such as texting or eating, low visibility, and other issues can all be reasons why a driver violates the motorcycle’s right of way. However, another prevalent reason drivers give for turning in front of a motorcycle is that they simply didn’t see it. Because motorcycles are small and more difficult to see, motorists are encouraged to “look twice and save a life.” It’s also important to remember that drivers making turns should always yield to other traffic.
Notice: As a personal injury law firm, we frequently provide legal analysis and opinion on news stories in the hope that the family and friends of the victims may gain some valuable insight into our theories of negligence surrounding the available facts. Respectfully, our hearts and thoughts are with those who have suffered a catastrophic injury or death.
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