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A graduate student at UVA was enjoying a ride on his bike down West Main in Charlottesville, Virginia (VA) when he encountered a city utility truck while it was making a right turn onto Fourth Street. Sadly, this encounter had tragic consequences. The bike rider hit the front right tire of the truck, suffered serious injuries and died from those injuries while being transported to the University of Virginia Medical Center, according to nbc29.com.
Reports indicate the bike rider was wearing a helmet and charges may be filed against the truck driver, though the accident is still being investigated. An important aspect of this bike accident that needs to be determined is if the truck driver failed to give a signal or did not provide enough time while turning to give the bike rider an opportunity to avoid a collision.
This accident puts a spotlight on the inherent risks bike riders are exposed to while sharing the road with massive vehicles like city trucks. Just one error, either by a truck driver or bike rider, can have tragic consequences.
A bill that would given bike riders an additional foot of clearance on roadways was defeated 54-43 in the House of Delegates back in February. If that bill passed, it would have increased the clearance when cars, trucks, SUVs, etc. pass bike riders from two feet to three feet. While the bill was supposed to increase safety for bike riders on the roads, the counterargument was that it would have had an adverse effect on drivers who try to pass.
Re-examining the issue of providing more space between bicyclists and drivers should be explored in the future. Bike riders are at such a high risk of serious injury on busy roads that something needs to be done to improve their safety.
To the family of the bike rider, my deepest sympathies go out to you. This is one of those terrible moments every family dreads.
About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm whose attorneys focus on personal injury and accident law and have experience handling truck wreck cases. Check out our truck accident case results and our free consumer guide on what to do if you get involved in an accident with a commercial truck.
We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, VA, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia, including Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Newport News, VA, if you've been seriously hurt by someone else's carelessness.
Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been named to the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009 and included among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Jim and Rick have been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2010. Fewer than 5 percent of practicing lawyers receive this honor.
In addition, our VA injury law firm was the first in the commonwealth to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms, and we have the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization. The rating indicates we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.
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