With the number of bicyclists on the roads in Orange County and throughout California, drivers and bicycle riders must do their best to share the road safely. Unfortunately, given the vulnerability of a bicycle rider and the reckless way in which some drivers operate their motor vehicles, accidents are sometimes unavoidable. In a worst case scenario, bicyclists who are hit by automobiles will die, leaving their family without a loved one and having to deal with the aftermath of the fatality.
A 53-year-old man riding a bike was hit by a car in an afternoon crash that happened at around 4:30 p.m. on May 25. The man was a teacher at a local junior high school. After the accident, the driver of what is believed to be a dark gray Mazda 3 fled the scene, making it a hit-and-run investigation. The bike rider died at the site of the crash. In addition to being a teacher of math, the man was a director of the school band and played in a band of his own at local restaurants.
When there is an accident between a vehicle and a bicycle, the aftermath can cause significant damage to a great number of people. When there is a fatal bike accident, the family left behind might miss the decedent’s financial assistance to make ends meet. The person who died might have been a stay-at-home parent, a beloved uncle, aunt, sibling or grandparent. Getting beyond the tragic incident can be difficult. Those who have lost a loved one in an accident – especially a hit-and-run – need to make sure they protect their own interests. The offer made by an insurance company may not cover their needs, making a legal filing a necessity.
In this incident, a bicyclist was killed by a driver who fled the scene. As the investigation continues, the man’s family should make sure that they understand their potential legal rights to be compensated.
Source: scvnews.com, “Arroyo Seco Teacher on Bike Struck, Killed by Hit & Run Driver,” Jessica Boyer, May 25, 2016
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