In a tragic accident late last month, a bicyclist riding on US 54 in Otero County was struck by a passing semi-truck and killed after being knocked off his bicycle. According to an article from KOB.com, the biker was riding on the shoulder of the roadway when a passing semi-truck struck the handlebar of the bicycle, knocking the rider to the ground and causing him to get run over by the truck. The victim was hospitalized after the accident but died from head injuries shortly after being admitted.
The risks of riding a bicycle are multiplied when the biker is riding on a highway alongside vehicles traveling at high speeds. When semi-trucks are traveling on the road, it can make biking on a highway even more dangerous. People who choose to ride a bicycle on a highway should always wear a helmet and pay close attention to the vehicles approaching them from behind. No matter how dangerous it is to bike on the road, the largest responsibility for preventing accidents involving bicycles lies with the drivers of motor vehicles that are on the roads, including truck drivers.
Semi-trucks are wider and longer than other vehicles, and they have large blind spots that increase the risk of a New Mexico truck accident. Truck drivers have the responsibility to prevent accidents with bicycles, or else they and the company that employs them could be financially responsible for the damages caused by a crash. Even if a biker is riding to the left of the median and on the roadway, a motor vehicle does not have the right of way to pass the biker if it is not safe, and the driver of a motor vehicle involved in an accident with a bicyclist on a freeway can face serious legal liability.
Recovering After an Injury
When a biker is hurt or killed in an accident with a tractor-trailer, the victim or his or her surviving family members can file a New Mexico wrongful death or personal injury lawsuit to hold the negligent driver involved in the accident responsible for their losses. A deserved settlement or jury award can help compensate those affected by an accident for medical expenses, funeral expenses, lost wages, and the lasting and debilitating effects of an injury or a family’s loss.
Have You Lost a Loved One in a New Mexico Accident?
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a bicycle accident with a semi-truck, the Fine Law Firm has attorneys that can help you recover from the devastating effects of the accident. Our New Mexico truck accident lawyers give our clients a voice in our complicated legal system, and we will advocate for you. At the Fine Law Firm, we represent clients in all personal injury and wrongful death cases, including accidents involving tractor-trailers and semi-trucks. To set up a free consultation, call us today at (585)889-3463 or contact us through our website, and we can get started on your case.
More Blog Posts:
Texas Woman Killed After Semi-Truck Crosses into Oncoming Traffic and Hits Three Vehicles, New Mexico Truck Accident Lawyer Blog, September 12, 2014.
Investigation Continues into Semi-Truck Crash that Killed Four Texas Student Athletes, New Mexico Truck Accident Lawyer Blog, October 13, 2014.