Many residents in the Tampa area are familiar with the Lakewood Ranch community. If you live near this area, you’ve probably heard that a road project will soon begin to ease congestion between Manatee and Sarasota counties. Officials are hoping that this will reduce the number of accidents on Deer Drive, Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, Lorraine Road, and the surrounding areas. To date, there have been many serious accidents along these stretches of road, and unfortunately, some have involved motorcycles. If you’re a motorcyclist and you drive in this area, here are a few things to keep in mind in the event of an accident.
Construction
The Florida Department of Transportation has contracted out a project that will build 9.2 miles of four lane roads to serve the new planned Waterside community, and add additional north-south connections between Manatee and Sarasota counties. This project will improve about 2 miles of Deer Drive, 1.7 miles of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, and two separate segments of Lorraine Road. This project is expected to be completed during 2017. Officials hope that this project will help alleviate current congestion, and help prepare the area for the Waterside development project, a planned community with over 5,000 residential units that will take approximately 20 years to complete.
Motorcycle Safety
Even though this project should help reduce traffic problems in the area, many local drivers and motorcyclists are concerned that not enough is being done to keep drivers safe. If you own a motorcycle, you know how difficult it can be to stay safe, and accidents are more likely during construction projects. If you’re a motorcyclist, your top priority should be to always stay visible to other drivers. Pay close attention to what you wear while riding, and avoid driving through construction zones early in the morning and late at night if possible. Cars may have to swerve or stop suddenly in a construction zone, and if you’re not visible to them, an accident may occur. Wear high visibility colors and reflectors whenever possible, always use proper hand signals, and always wear a helmet.
What to Do If You’re in an Accident
What to Do If You’re in an AccidentIf you’re involved in a motorcycle accident, you should immediately call a personal injury attorney in Lakewood Ranch, FL. Many bikers find it overwhelming to deal with the stress of getting back to work and recovering from injuries while talking to insurance companies about coverage for medical bills. You may quickly find that the insurance company is unwilling to help as much as they should in the event of an accident.
If you’ve been hit while riding your motorcycle, you should contact a motorcycle accident lawyer in Lakewood, FL, to discuss your legal rights. Good motorcycle accident attorneys can help hold the culpable driver accountable while working to get the insurance companies to provide as much financial assistance as is necessary. Additionally, injury attorneys typically don’t charge upfront to help you with your case, and they don’t get paid unless you win. Hiring a good personal injury lawyer in the Lakewood Ranch area will reduce stress and allow you to focus on moving on after an accident.