JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville motorcyclist and his stepdaughter were hospitalized Sunday after a car pulled from a parking lot and struck their bike, throwing both riders onto a curb and underscoring growing safety concerns for motorcyclists in the region.
Darcell, who has ridden for eight years and asked that only his first name be used, said he and the 14-year-old were traveling “maybe 12 miles an hour” after a group ride when a car emerged from a parking space. He said he and the driver made eye contact, but the vehicle accelerated and cut into their path.
“I thought she was stopping, then I realized she wasn’t. I tried to brake, but bikes don’t stop fast enough,” Darcell said. “There was no avoiding it.”
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Both were taken to the hospital. Darcell said he suffered a broken ankle and multiple abrasions — commonly called road rash — and that doctors will determine this week whether he needs surgery to insert a plate and screws. He said his stepdaughter was treated and released. Darcell credited helmets with preventing more serious head injuries.
Neighbors at the complex, he said, prevented the driver from leaving the scene until police arrived, which he estimated was about two minutes after the crash. Darcell said emergency crews separated the two injured riders into different ambulances.
The crash comes as motorcyclists and safety advocates call attention to a troubling trend: the area has recorded 40 motorcycle fatalities so far this year, a figure that riders say highlights the need for greater caution from drivers and better awareness of motorcycles on the road.
“We’re always there,” Darcell said. “Just check twice for us.” He said he plans to ride again when he recovers but will be more cautious at intersections.
Riders and safety groups commonly recommend wearing helmets and protective gear, increasing visibility with reflective clothing or lights, and that drivers double-check blind spots before pulling into traffic. In Florida, helmet use for adults is optional under state law, but Darcell urged all riders to wear them.
Darcell also said his motorcycle is repairable and that family and friends have been helping with errands while he recovers. He said his primary motivation to heal is his family.
Jacksonville police and the driver involved did not immediately respond to requests for comment.