There are many California traffic laws that protect bicyclists when they must share the lanes with motorists. Unfortunately, cyclists are still at the mercy of drivers who may be ignorant of traffic statutes requiring them to share the road. Drivers can also pay little attention to those around them and may strike a rider they didn’t even see.
The chances of a dangerous collision only grow when a driver is behind the wheel while impaired by drug or alcohol use. They can ram someone on a bicycle to cause life-threatening injuries and then use poor judgment when deciding to leave a defenseless victim at the scene waiting on medical care.
Bicyclist Tragically Killed in Accident with DUI Suspect Near Clovis
A cyclist lost his life in a devastating accident involving a drunk driving suspect in Fresno County, just northeast of Clovis, on Wednesday evening. According to KGPE-TV, the crash occurred at the intersection of Langley Avenue and Herndon Avenue on May 31, 2023.
The California Highway Patrol responded to the scene sometime after 7 p.m. They determined that a man on a bicycle who was traveling westbound on Herndon Avenue was struck by a driver in a Dodge pickup truck. The bicyclist, tragically, did not survive his injuries.
Investigators told a reporter at the scene that the driver of the truck fled the scene and went to his house about a mile away. The suspect told someone at the residence about the incident and that person called the police.
The 36-year-old male suspect was arrested on suspicion of DUI Causing Death and Hit-and-Run. Investigators say he was driving while having three times over the legal blood alcohol content. He was due to be taken to the Fresno County Jail.
Support for Families After a DUI Bicycle Accident
Families who have lost a loved one in a tragic accident can be unfairly subjected to the costs of a funeral and ambulance fees. It’s enough to create a financial crisis for a grieving family. A civil claim filed against an at-fault driver’s car insurance provider can ask for assistance with these expenses.
This wrongful death claim is also intended to protect the family from financial hardship in the future by replacing the weekly income the deceased can no longer provide a spouse or children.
In cases where a DUI suspect is involved, the suspect will be facing criminal charges. This won’t affect your civil accident claim. Your family’s claim can be settled separately even when a criminal trial hasn’t begun yet.
Contact a Clovis Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If your loved one was the victim of a careless driver, don’t allow a car insurance representative to determine how much support you’ll need to protect grieving family members. They work for their insurance company and want to save money for their shareholders. Your family’s wellbeing is much more important than their profits.
To make sure your family is protected from an insurance company’s unfair practices, contact an experienced Clovis bicycle accident lawyer such as Martin Gasparian for a free case consultation. Mr. Gasparian works closely with families to earn the support they’ll need to protect themselves in the future.
There’s no obligation for your free case review, but if you feel we can help you earn more for your family, you won’t need any money to hire us. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for your family. Then our fee comes out of the settlement money your family receives.
