Last Tuesday, Patrick Whelan, a 46-year-old motorcyclist of St. Augustine, was struck by a Ford SUV whose driver was attempting to make a left turn from U.S. 1 onto Palencia Village and entered Whelan's lane. Whelan was ejected from his motorcycle and landed in the intersection. He was airlifted to Shands Jacksonville Hospital. His leg was severed in the accident and he is suffering from other serious injuries, according to the St. Augustine Record.

Whelan is the owner of the St. George Tavern on St. George Street in St. Augustine. The driver of the Ford SUV was not injured.

Just like car motorists suffer death and terrible injuries when colliding with heavy trucks, motorcycle riders are regularly the victims of accidents caused by larger vehicles, with the same consequences. In a previous fatal motorcycle accident reported this same week, the cause must have been distracted driving.

In this case, the crash could have been caused by either distraction or by a lack of visibility of the motorcyclist. A surprising number of bike crashes are the result of the other vehicle driver not seeing the motorcyclist. Studies have shown that wearing a bright or fluorescent vest and keeping the headlights on helps reduce the risk of motorcycle accidents.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle crash caused by someone else, call the Ormond Beach accident attorneys of Johnson & Gilbert immediately for a FREE discussion of your case.