Bicyclists in rural areas can find it challenging to locate safe routes to ride. Small towns tend to have fewer bike lanes and narrower shoulders on roads, leaving less room for riders to escape traffic. The dangers increase at night when country roads are less likely to be lit properly and drivers may not show the extra caution needed after sundown.
People Powered Movement advocates for safer paths for pedestrians and cyclists whenever they travel. According to their research, more than 50% of all bicycle accidents occur when it’s dark out.
Drivers are easily lulled into an inattentive state at night. They can also be distracted by the lighted screen of a cellphone or an illuminated radio dial and take their eyes off the road. In those moments when they lose focus, they can miss spotting a cyclist using the road and cause a devastating accident.
Bicyclist Struck and Killed in Merced County
A person on a bike was tragically killed Thursday night in northern Merced County. KFSN-TV reports the accident took place around 10:30 p.m. near the intersection of Santa Fe Drive and Chestnut Lane in Winton, just north of Atwater, on May 13, 2021.
The California Highway Patrol says the rider was struck by a car and died at the scene. The victim’s identity has not been released.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known. Investigators have not said if the driver of the vehicle involved faces any charges.
Securing Support for Families After a Bicycle Accident
Each and every family member becomes a victim after a terrible accident claims the life of a loved one. The emotional trauma will leave relatives and friends devastated and frustrated over such a preventable tragedy.
Close relatives like a spouse, children, and parents and siblings of the victim could also face immediate financial hardship. The expense of a proper funeral and burial for a loved one can run into the thousands of dollars.
Emergency response fees from the night of the accident will be incredibly expensive. The process of closing out someone’s personal and financial affairs can also lead to legal fees and tax payments. The family also faces a future without the financial support a victim had always provided the family through his or her employment.
Under such difficult circumstances, family members are permitted to file a wrongful death claim against an at-fault driver’s auto insurance provider. This civil claim would request support for these damages and other factors. A wrongful death claim can protect a spouse, children, and other family members from financial ruin in the wake of a tragic accident.
Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Serving Merced County
After a tragic accident claims a loved one, families should talk to a Merced County personal injury attorney before entrusting their future security to insurance company agents and adjusters.
Attorney Martin Gasparian works to protect families who have been put through enough heartbreak and anguish. He offers a free and confidential case evaluation for families. Contact Maison Law to find out more about how to earn only what’s fair for your family.
