A minivan hit a bicycle from behind on N. Mallory Street in Hampton, Virginia (VA), and sent the bike rider to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. The nearly fatal rear-end collision occurred at about 5:40 am on July 9, 2012, at the intersection with Shelton Road.
Police told reporters that the bicyclist was wearing a helmet but did not disclose whether the man suffered traumatic brain injuries. The authorities continue to investigate the accident and did not immediately charge the at-fault driver with violating any traffic laws.
The Virginia Personal Injury Lawyers’ Perspective
Even when a TBI does not occur, bike riders rarely walk away unscathed from a crash with a car, truck or van. The difference in size, weight and speed between the vehicles, coupled with the reality that the bicyclist has no body but his or her own to absorb the impact, means that injuries or deaths are practically guaranteed. Consequently, bicyclists’ health and lives are sometimes literally in the hands of drivers. All vehicles must share the road safely, yielding right of way when appropriate and following at proper distances and speeds.
Potentially Helpful Info
Our Virginia personal injury firm publishes a free report for victims of crashes caused by another driver.
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We also maintain an extensive online library of attorneys’ answers to frequently asked questions about traffic accidents that result in serious injuries.
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