That guy definitely sounds like he has a chip on his shoulder. He might have a special bias against sportbike riders, too. I'm sure that his demeanor with you was arrogant and callous. He probably could have been more sensitive to the fact that your close friend was seriously injured.

Two things prompt me to analyze his "justification" for issuing citations:

1. It is possible that he didn't realize the severity of your friend's injuries. He's not a doctor, so the possibility exists that he thought your friend was only suffering some bumps and bruises, maybe a broken bone. Like I said, this is a possibility, not a certainty.

2. Under Florida Traffic Law, he may be justified in issuing a Careless Driving and an Unlawful Speed citation. Witnessing these events doesn't seem to be part the elgibility for issuing these tickets. Evidence that these events occured seems to suffice. Because your friend crashed, there is evidence that he was driving carelessly and that his speed was unsafe for conditions. The law states that all vehicles will reduce speed around corners. The law also states that any person operating a vehicle upon the streets or highways within the state shall drive the same in a careful and prudent manner, having regard for the width, grade, curves, corners, traffic, and all other attendant circumstances, so as not to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person. Failure to drive in such manner shall constitute careless driving and a violation.

So, although it really stings and pisses you (and me) off, the officer's issuance of the tickets seems to be justified. I think he could have handled it better, perhaps issuing no ticket in lieu of the injuries he sustained. Unfortunately, it sounds like he used your friend's accident to "prove his point" about sportbike riders.

What this shows me is that dealing with cops is a lot like eating mixed nuts. Sometimes you pull out a nice cashew, sometimes you pull out a burned peanut. You hardly remember the cashew, but the acrid taste of the burned peanut lingers in your mind for a while longer and makes you leery of the rest of the nuts.