The Florida Highway Patrol investigated a fatal car accident involving a 54-year-old Bradenton man in an SUV and a 63-year-old bicyclist from Sarasota.
According to law enforcement, the SUV driver was heading south on the inside lane of U.S. 41 near its intersection with 32nd Ave. West. The cyclist was in the same lane near the same intersection in front of the SUV. However, the SUV got too close and hit the rear of the bicycle with its front left bumper.
Upon the impact the bicyclist lost control of his bike and overturned, sliding on to the southbound inside lane of U.S. 41 and rolling on to the hood and windshield of the SUV before finally coming to a rest at the southbound lane of U.S. 41.
Emergency medical responders pronounced the cyclist dead at the scene of the accident.
Drivers must be attentive to their surroundings
Cyclists are at a natural disadvantage when they get into collisions with motorists cause they lack the protective elements of automobiles. They do not have surrounding walls, airbags or seatbelts, and they have a much smaller, lighter profile.
It is critical, then, for motorists to be aware of their surroundings at all times. It is easier for motorists to fail to notice bicycles due to their smaller profile, but this is not an excuse for causing accidents. They must always survey the area ahead of them, provide plenty of space for cyclists sharing the roadways, check their blind spots and yield whenever appropriate to do so.
A failure on the part of a motorist to fulfill these simple duties of care that all drivers have on the road could result in them being considered liable in ensuing personal injury claims.
For more information about the steps you should take if you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident caused by a negligent driver, contact an experienced Bradenton, FL personal injury lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez & Walsh.