Motorcycle Accident in Florida Keys

Longtime Keys resident and biking enthusiast, Marlin Joyce Gunter, died on Saturday near mile marker 29 while driving her motorcycle. At the time of the incident, Marlin Joyce Gunter was aboard a 2004 Harley driven by Thomas Bateman. They were allegedly rear ended by a 1993 Chevrolet car which pushed the motorcycle into a 1990 Jeep vehicle. Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) reported that the impact caused the motorcycle riders to be thrown onto the highway. Marlin Joyce Gunter was confirmed dead at Fishermen’s Community Hospital as a result of the car vs. motorcycle accident. Bateman remains in critical condition in an induced coma at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Gunter’s death was reportedly the 17th traffic related death south of Florida City this year.

Ironically, for the past year, Joyce Gunter fought and won her battle against cancer. At the time of the car accident, Joyce Gunter was working hard to regain her strength and in fact, she had recently begun riding motorcycles again after her fight with cancer.

By far, helmets remain the most effective way to prevent motorcycle accident related fatalities. In 2008, 43% of fatally injured motorcyclists were not wearing helmets. The U.S. Department of Transportation discusses a brief statistical summary of motorcycle accidents. Florida’s growing population and growing number of motorcyclists only increase the probability of motorcycle accidents, car accidents, and car vs. motorcycle crashes. Interestingly enough riders aged 45-54 were the age group who experienced the largest number of motorcycle related deaths in Florida. Most motorcycle accidents in Florida occur in Miami-Dade, Volusia, Hillsborough, Palm Beach, Broward, Duval, Orange, Pasco, and Brevard counties.If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, it is important that you remember the following things: 1) remain at the scene of the incident; 2) try to check and identify what your injuries are; 3) call the police and file a police report; 4) get the other driver’s information, including insurance information; 5) make sure that you see a doctor or seek medical attention even if you have just a few symptoms or complaints; 6) take pictures of your vehicle, the other driver’s vehicle’s, your injuries, the other person’s injuries, and the scene of the accident; 7) gather any documents proving your inability to work, medical expenses, etc.It is very important to contact an attorney that is experienced in handling motorcycle accidents. If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as you can in order to make sure that the needed evidence to prove your case is preserved. Jeffrey R. Davis, P.A. has vast experience dealing with motorcycle accidents. There are many factors in any case that can affect the amount of damage that you receive to compensate you for your injuries, hiring an attorney like Jeff Davis to handle your motorcycle accident case can help you obtain the justice that you deserve.