Colorado drivers share the road with a multitude of other vehicles, including commercial and personal vehicles, motorcyclists, bicyclists and even pedestrians. Drivers have a responsibility to act in a manner that preserves the safety of everyone on the road. However, one recent motor vehicle accident has led many in the cycling community shocked and angered.
The Colorado State Patrol reports that the incident took place on a recent Sunday morning. A group of cyclists, 12 in total, were riding along a roadway when a pickup truck allegedly approached the group from the rear. The driver reportedly began blowing his horn at the group.
He then struck one of the riders. Following the impact, the driver stopped at the scene and allegedly began yelling at the injured cyclist. He is also alleged to have thrown the man’s bike off the side of the road. The rider sustained injuries as a result of the crash and was treated at a local hospital. There is no word of the severity of these injuries, nor of his long-term prognosis.
Police are investigating the motor vehicle accident, and no charges have been filed in the incident. The cyclist who was injured in the crash will retain the right to pursue civil litigation against the driver believed responsible for the crash. If he chooses to do so, the testimony of the other cyclists as well as any additional witnesses could prove crucial in establishing any claimed negligence of the driver. If successful in establishing liability, the Colorado crash victim stands to receive damages associated with his medical treatment, property damage and other forms of compensation or punitive damages in such a suit.
Source: 9news.com, “Cyclist hit by truck, crash investigated,” Raquel Villanueva, Nov. 5, 2012