New York certainly has its fair share of bicyclists. Some ride for fun, while others do it as a way to commute or as part of their jobs. Given the extensive amount of traffic in the city, though, these bicyclists constantly find themselves at risk of being hit. A motor vehicle accident that involves a bicyclist can end in tragedy, too, given the fact that these riders lack the protections found in cars and trucks. Even those who wear helmets can be seriously injured or killed by a negligent driver.
Sadly, this was recently the case for one New York bicyclist. According to reports, the woman, who was a delivery driver, was struck by a semi-truck near West 23rd Street and Sixth Avenue. The trucker initially failed to stop, but later returned to the scene after a witness confronted him about it. Even though the woman was wearing a helmet, she was taken to the hospital with serious head injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital. A witness said that the woman was thrown several feet into the air when struck by the truck.
Although the trucker hasn’t been charged with any criminal offenses, there are indications that he was speeding at the time of impact. One witness estimates that he was traveling at least 45 miles per hour at the time of the accident.
Sadly, these types of crashes occur with relative frequency. So far in 2019, 10 people have died in bicycle accidents in New York. This already exceeds the eight deaths seen in 2018. As challenging as it can be to get by in the aftermath of one of these accidents, victims or their surviving family members may be able to obtain compensation for their losses. This can help provide a sense of accountability and closure while providing the financial relief needed to support recovery.
