A recent cycling accident in St. Augustine is drawing a lot of media attention. A 58-year old man was riding his bicycle home from work when he was struck by a couple driving a Lincoln Town Car. The cyclist later died in the hospital from serious wounds that were inflicted when he was thrown from his bicycle.
As a cyclist, what is your responsibility when it comes to an accident like this one? What are your responsibilities as the driver of a car that has struck a cyclist? In order to make sure that your personal injury claim sticks, the following details are important to know.
Cyclist Requirements
Cyclists are required to have lights on bicycles when driving during the evening hours. Even though this is Florida and we have a lot of sunshine, a small light on a bicycle can save a life - sometimes, it’s just hard for drivers to see a cyclist when the sun goes down.
If you are riding a bicycle and you get into an accident with a car, you have some additional responsibilities:
- Whether or not you feel injured, call the police to report the accident.
- Visit your doctor immediately.
- Make sure to follow doctor recommendations.
- Get the name and information of the driver.
Driver Requirements
Since cars greatly outweigh bicycles, it is often the cyclist that is injured in an accident such as the one mentioned above.
But regardless of who is injured in an accident, you still have some obligations as a driver including the following:
- Never flee the scene of an accident. It can be downright scary to realize that you have collided with a cyclist, and this fear alone is often the reason why people flee the scene of an accident. Relax, call the police, and stay with the person you have hit until the police arrive.
- Even if you do not feel like you have any injuries, visit with your doctor right away. Whiplash and other injuries can occur easily regardless of who or what you hit.
- Follow your doctor’s orders.
- Make sure to get the information of the person that you have collided with.
Your Personal Injury Claim
Whether you are riding a bicycle or driving a car, you can make a personal injury claim if you have been injured (in any way) in an accident. For more information and for a FREE case evaluation, call the Dellutri Law Group today.
