A car crash in Louisville this Saturday claimed the life of one bicyclist. Authorities believe DUI may have been to blame for this tragic accident.
According to Lex18, this accident happened on April 21, 2018 at 12:45AM on the Dixie Highway close to Pendleton Road. Allegedly, the driver of an SUV headed north struck a 39-year-old female bicyclist. When safety officials arrived on the scene they pronounced the bicyclist dead from her severe injuries.
The SUV driver remained at the scene of the crash and is now cooperating with law enforcement. As mentioned above, the Louisville Metro Police Department believes DUI may have been a root cause of this accident as the drover is now facing a charge of driving under the influence.
Bike Accidents On The Rise In America
Although bicycling is getting more popular across the USA, many motorists don’t show the same courtesy to cyclists as they do to other cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns that bicyclist fatalities on American roadways have skyrocketed in recent decades. Between 2014 and 2015, there was a massive 12 percent leap in American cyclist fatalities. In addition to fatalities, approximately 45,000 American motorcyclists face significant injuries in traffic accidents every year.
Since bicyclists don’t have the same degree of protection as a car, they are more likely to suffer traumatic injuries or death when involved in car accidents. Besides well-known causes like distracted driving and DUI, many crashes involving bicyclists are caused by poor signaling at intersections and opening car doors in bicyclist lanes.
Bicycles have the same rights and restrictions as other vehicles on the road. Anyone driving a car in the Bluegrass State is expected to treat cyclists with the same courtesy they would show other motorists.
Injured While On Your Bike? Get The Tiger On Your Side
If you or a loved one has been injured as a bicyclist in Kentucky, you should know that you can file an accident claim against the negligent driver. Don’t let insurance companies pressure you into settling for less than you deserve just because you were on a bicycle. Bicyclists have the same rights as any other motorist on the roads, and they deserve the same amount of compensation in the event of a crash.
In the event a loved one is lost, loved ones may file when is known as a wrongful death claim. We understand how incredibly difficult it can be to pursue legal action while still grieving the loss of a loved one. Wrongful death lawsuits are complex, time-sensitive matters that can’t be put off for long – instead of trying to navigate this legal route alone, let us help.
The lawyers at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC have years of experience winning cases for people involved in serious car accidents. With just one free confidential call to our office, you’ll get a better idea of what you’re legally owed and how you can get compensated. Never hesitate to give one of our compassionate attorneys a call for legal advice.