What Happened
The accident took place near the intersection of 6th street and Maryland Avenue SW on February 25, 2013. When EMT’s arrived the cyclist was said to be in serious condition with life threatening injuries and was quickly rushed to a local hospital. Police have not yet released any details of the accident other than the at fault driver remained on the scene.
The Virginia Personal Injury Lawyers’ Perspective
Cycling is a great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors, but comes with an inherent risk. Cyclists are a very small slower moving object and may not always catch the eye of a driver. Even if a driver does see the cyclist does not mean they are out of harm’s way. For instance, in North Carolina (NC) two cyclists were riding together when a pickup truck drove up behind them. When an opening to pass the cyclists arrived the driver took the opportunity. The driver did not realize the exit he needed to take was immediately upon him, so he cut back into the lane to make the exit. When this happened the pickup truck clipped the front tire of one of the cyclists and caused the rider to be thrown to the ground. The speed limit of the road and how a cyclist is struck can lead to numerous types of injuries. The most common bicycle crash injuries include broken legs, broken neck, shattered pelvis, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and in worst case scenarios death. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 618 cyclists were killed and 52,000 injured in crashes with motor vehicles in 2010 alone. However not every bicycle accident occurs along the side of a highway, it also very common to see a cyclist hit at an intersection inside of a crosswalk. According to Virginia Statute 46.2-800, a person who is riding a bicycle in a crosswalk has all of the same rights and duties as a pedestrian. This means the laws that protect a pedestrian also protect a cyclist within a crosswalk.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a bicycle accident a great first step is to contact a Virginia (VA) personal injury lawyer. Speaking with a personal injury attorney will give you a confidential analysis of your legal rights and a possible opportunity to pursue compensation. Bicycle accidents present unique legal issues that make them entirely different from typical auto accidents. Our personal injury lawyers have the knowledge required to represent victims of a bicycle accident with over 100 years of combined legal experience and a proven track record of success.
Potentially Helpful Info
If you or a member of your family suffered serious injuries in a traffic accident caused by another driver, consider downloading this free report written by Virginia personal injury attorneys to begin learning about your legal rights and options. Our firm also offers this free guide to lawsuits involving brain and head injuries.
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