Many people are taking advantage of the fall weather and taking part in physical activity. Lots of people in Colorado enjoy riding their bicycles and enjoying the scenery. Even if a rider obeys every safety precaution, there is still a chance that he or she could be injured. If a driver is not paying attention to his or her surroundings, the cyclist could be the victim of a serious, it not fatal accident.
A husband and wife were out riding their bikes during a recent early evening when they were attempting to cross the road. The couple had pressed the traffic button to cross the street and did not notice that a pickup truck was headed toward them. Apparently, the truck driver had ignored a red light and struck the woman.
According to police, other drivers on the road saw what was about to happen and had tried to honk their horns to alert the driver of the truck. When the couple was crossing, they reportedly had the right of way. The husband was not injured in this accident, but his wife suffered serious injuries and later died in the hospital.
The accident is currently under investigation as to whether the pickup driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the fatal accident. Colorado police stated that the woman could face charges for ignoring the traffic light and much more severe charges if the pending toxicology report indicates that she was impaired. Apart from any criminal proceedings, a civil court may award financial redress to the family if the submitted evidence establishes that the pickup driver negligently caused or contributed to the fatal accident. Any monetary judgment awarded could help the surviving family with the burden of the end-of-life-expenses, medical bills and other financial losses recognized under our wrongful death laws.
Source: CBS Denver, “Woman On Bike Struck By Pickup After It Runs Red Light“, , Sept. 11, 2014