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Martin County Wreck Kills Bicyclist

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Another person was also seriously injured in the fatal chain-reaction wreck which started after an SUV sideswiped a Subaru Outback.

The wreck occurred near the intersection of State Road 60 and 50th Avenue in Vero Beach. According to witnesses and the Florida Highway Patrol, an eastbound SUV collided with another vehicle, causing it to careen across the road and onto the sidewalk. This vehicle ran over a 46-year-old man who was riding his bicycle on the sidewalk, and then smashed into a utility pole.Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the crash.

Bicycle Crash Injuries in Port St. Lucie

Much like pedestrians, bicyclists have almost no protection from oncoming cars. Thin bicycle helmets usually provide excellent protection against accidental fall injuries. But they are almost no good in a high-speed impact with a large vehicle. As a result, bicyclists often sustain serious injuries, like:

  • Biker’s Arm: Vehicle collisions almost always throw riders of their bicycles. When that happens, they naturally extend their arms to break their falls. This reaction often causes permanent nerve damage.
  • Head Injuries: As mentioned, bicycle helmets provide little head trauma protection in collisions. Additionally, they provide no protection against noise-related head injuries (the explosive blast sound of an impact) and motion-related head injuries.
  • Broken Bones: The extreme force in a bicycle collision often crushes bones instead of merely breaking them. So, doctors often use metal screw or pins to set the bones, and victims must endure extended physical therapy to regain lost function.

Damages in a bicycle collision usually include compensation for economic losses, such as medical bills, as well as noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.

These collisions are a little more common in Florida than they are elsewhere. The year-round mild weather in the Sunshine State often means that there are more bicycle riders on the road.

Foreseeability in Vehicle Collision Claims

Tortfeasors (negligent drivers) are only responsible for damages which are a foreseeable consequences of their conduct or misconduct. “Foreseeable” does not mean “inevitable” or even “direct.” In this context, foreseeability has a much broader meaning.

For example, if one car sideswipes another one in traffic, and the second car goes out of control, the first driver is probably responsible for all damages. Sending a car out of control is a little like shooting off a gun into the air. Either way, there is a chance that someone else will get hurt.

In some situations, the foreseeability rule expands into the zone of danger rule. Bystander injuries are a good illustration. Generally, to recover damages, the victim must sustain a physical injury. But in some cases, the law waives this requirement. If parents see their children get seriously hurt in car crashes, they are usually entitled to compensation for their pain and suffering because of the close emotional relationship.

Reach Out to a Diligent Lawyer

Seemingly straightforward car crash claims often involve complex legal issues. For a free consultation with an experienced Port St. Lucie car accident attorney, contact Eighmie Law Firm, P.A. Home and hospital visits are available.

Resource:

tcpalm.com/story/news/local/indian-river-county/2019/04/24/douglas-wright-killed-while-riding-bicycle-along-state-road-60-near-vero-beach/3562242002/

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