A bicyclist reportedly suffered severe injuries after a Jeep struck him in Sarasota, Florida on May 23. The cyclist was a 74-year-old man who was likely trying to make a turn when he steered into the path of the motor vehicle.
The driver reportedly swerved to avoid hitting the cyclist, but nonetheless struck the man. The cyclist was thrown from his bike and suffered serious injuries. He was transported to the Blake Medical Center to be treated. The driver was unharmed and was not cited.
Why do bike accidents happen?
The following are the most common scenarios leading to bicycle accidents:
- Left-hand turns: If a bike rider and vehicle are approaching an intersection from different directions and the vehicle’s driver needs to make a left turn, he or she might not see the bike rider. Motorists tend to be aware of other vehicles approaching, but may forget to look for bicyclists.
- Right-hand turns: In this situation, bike riders and cars may be traveling alongside one another, and a vehicle may pass a rider. However, if that driver needs to make a right turn, he or she may easily cut off the bike rider.
- Stop signs and red lights: Technically, all bike riders should follow the same rules of the road as the drivers of automobiles. However, we’ve all seen riders inch out to the intersection on a red light, sometimes running right through the light. This is a dangerous and illegal maneuver that increases the risk of an accident occurring.
If you have been injured in a Florida bicycle accident, consult the dedicated personal injury attorneys at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh today.