A Virginia Beach motorcycle rider has died from injuries he suffered in a collision with a larger vehicle at the intersection of Rosemont Road and Silina Drive. The fatal accident occurred around 9 pm on September 14, 2014.
According to a report on WTKR-3, police determined the teenaged driver caused the deadly crash by failing to yield right of way to the motorcyclist while attempting to make a left-hand turn. The television station also noted that alcohol did not seem to paly a role in causing the collision, but distraction and low visibility cannot be ruled out.
As a Virginia personal injury and wrongful death attorney, I learn anew each day that mistakes by people behind the wheels of cars, trucks, SUVs and vans constitute the greatest risk motorcycle riders face. Negligent, reckless, impaired and distracted drivers often do not see motorcyclists. Shockingly, some drivers simply ignore the presence of people on motorcycles, acting as if two-wheelers must always give way to larger vehicles that are turning, changing lanes or merging.
Even if this fatal wreck was just a tragic accident, the loss of life cannot be undone and the emotional suffering of the deceased man’s friends and family members can never be fully repaired. Each driver must take every possible measure to spot motorcycles, yield right of way when appropriate and share the road with motorcyclists safely and respectfully.
EJL