A 66 year old man was hit by a vehicle being driven by a 22 year old woman yesterday near the Roanoke County Courthouse in Salem, Virginia.
Rebekah Sefer was charged with failure to yield after striking the cyclist at the intersection of Thompson Memorial Drive and East Main Street. The 66 year old man was taken to Lewis Gale Hospital in Salem, Virginia with non-life threatening injuries. The victim was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
After representing several victims injured in bicycle accidents, I can tell you I know how dangerous sharing the road with vehicles can be. In 2011, a German man was touring the country on his bicycle and was struck by a bread truck in Pulaski County. I had the privilege of working with the victim and his family to secure funds for the man who will spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair and requires around the clock, life-long care. I invite you to read this article published in the Roanoke Times by clicking here.
Two other notable bicycle accident cases occurred within a year of the aforementioned case. The first, a man was struck and killed on Franklin Road in Roanoke City while riding his bicycle home from work. The defendant in that case was charged with DUI. The other, a man riding his bicycle on VA 122 in Bedford County was also struck by a drunk driver and fled the scene of the accident. In a strange attempt to cover up his crime, the defendant went home and set his own vehicle on fire. He called 911 to report the blaze and was apprehended by police. I was able to obtain the maximum settlement for both families of these victims of wrongful death.
The cases I’ve mentioned demonstrate a fact to cyclists and pedestrians alike. Sharing the road with drunk drivers, distracted drivers or just plain BAD drivers is dangerous and it shouldn’t be. Better enforcement of cell phone use laws and DUI laws will have a positive effect on the level of safety for cyclists and pedestrians using our streets and roadways. Until that happens, be vigilant about safe riding practices.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a bicycle accident, call Paul Thomson, an experienced bicycle accident lawyer today for a FREE consultation. (540) 777-4900
