The Mercury News recently ran an article discussing the search for the family of a 67-year-old bicyclist that was struck and killed in Watsonville. Police believe the male victim to be a transient, and are still attempting to identify him so that next-of-kin can be notified of his accident. The bicyclist reportedly veered in front of the white Mercedes automobile that struck him, was airlifted to Regional Medical Center in San Jose, and later succumbed to head trauma and other injuries the night of the accident.
In this particular case, although the driver of the vehicle did flee the scene of the crash, it does appear as though the driver was responsible for causing the accident. According to the report, police suspect that the bicyclist may have lost control as he veered into the car’s path. Police have tested the motorist’s blood alcohol concentration, and are awaiting the results before pursuing any sort of charges against the motorist.
When automobiles collide with bicyclists, the result is almost always dismal for the bicyclist. In cases where driver negligence is to blame, victims of bicycle accidents have the right to seek compensatory damages from negligent motorists. This monetary compensation is often awarded to an accident victim to help cover the costs associated with the accident, such as medical bills, physical therapy fees, and even property damage. In the event that an accident victim perishes during the accident, then the family of an accident victim may seek damages on the victim’s behalf, holding reckless drivers accountable for their actions in a court of law.
In you have recently been injured in a bicycle accident in the Santa Cruz area, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced Santa Cruz bicycle accident attorney to ensure that your rights are protected in a court of law. At Van Der Walde & Associates, our skilled personal injury lawyers will examine the details of your bicycle or auto accident to determine if negligence played any sort of factor, and will hold all negligent parties accountable for their actions. Please call us today at 877-862-6288 for a free case evaluation.
Source Article: http://www.mercurynews.com/centralcoast/ci_13269892
