Accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists take place throughout the United States. Sometimes these accidents involve personal vehicles while other times pedestrians and bicyclists suffer the wrath of commercial vehicles. Commercial vehicles can include delivery trucks, tractor-trailers, taxis or other vehicles that aren’t intended for recreational or personal use.
When a bicyclists or pedestrian gets hit by a commercial vehicle, the driver of the vehicle or the company who employs the driver is usually held liable for the accident. In this post, we’ll discuss the injuries suffered during commercial vehicle accident involving pedestrians and bikes. Additionally, we’ll highlight what you should do if a loved one becomes a victim of a bike or pedestrian accident involving commercial vehicles.
Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents Involving Pedestrians and Bicyclists
Commercial vehicle accidents can occur due to a variety of reasons. Some of them include:
Mechanical Faults
Commercial vehicles may break down at dangerous times due to neglected maintenance, poor repairs or a defective part. Defects in brakes, electrical systems or tires of the vehicle can all lead to serious accidents involving bicyclists and pedestrians.
Environmental Hazards
Rain and fog are all dangerous conditions for driving in Florida. These conditions can make it hard for drivers to maneuver commercial vehicles and increases their chances of colliding with a pedestrian or bicyclist.
Human Error
Demanding schedules of commercial drivers often make it hard for them to operate their vehicles with 100 percent of their abilities. Sleep deprivation usually results in commercial drivers colliding with bicyclists and pedestrians. Intoxication also increases the likelihood of commercial vehicle accidents.
Large Commercial Vehicle Accidents Involving Pedestrians and Bicyclists
Drivers of large commercial vehicles have a harder time spotting other vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrian around because of their vehicles’ design. Accidents usually occur when another vehicle gets in the blind spots of large commercial trucks. However, the blind spots where a truck driver cannot clearly see a pedestrian or bicyclist are more extensive. In busy city streets where pedestrians and cyclists are likely to be sharing roads with commercial vehicles, blind spots can lead to serious accidents.
Drivers of commercial trucks may not be able to spot the bicyclists riding behind them or alongside them. Sometimes large commercial vehicles collide with bicyclists or pedestrians when the driver is backing up the vehicle and fails to see the bicyclist or pedestrian behind them. Although large commercial trucks have backup cameras and big mirrors, these don’t necessarily provide them with the ability to clearly see everything at the rear end.
Injuries in Commercial Vehicle Accidents
Injuries that bicyclists or pedestrians may suffer due to a commercial vehicle accident include:
- Contusions and lacerations
- Severe head wounds and concussions
- Amputations
- Bone fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Traumatic brain injuries
Wrongful Death in Commercial Vehicle Accidents
If your loved one gets involved in a commercial vehicle accident and dies, you should file a wrongful death claim against the party responsible for the accident. Determining who is liable for the accident can be difficult. The commercial drivers might be held liable if the accident occurred due to their error. However, if the commercial driver was driving constantly without rest under the orders of their employer, then the employer may be held liable for the accident.
Sometimes, a commercial vehicle may collide with a passenger or bicyclist due to a mechanical failure. In that case, the manufacturer of the vehicle may be held liable for the accident. A wrongful death attorney can help you determine who you should sue if a loved one dies in a commercial vehicle accident.
Compensation in the Accident
If a loved one dies as a result of a commercial vehicle accident, a wrongful death lawsuit may help you receive compensation for:
Medical Bills
A loved one may not die at the spot after getting hit by a commercial vehicle. They may be taken to a hospital for treatment and eventually die due to their injuries. In that case, you’ll incur medical expenses for your loved one’s treatment. A wrongful death lawsuit can help you receive compensation for these medical expenses. You’ll have to provide a record of treatment and medical bills to the court so that they calculate the compensation you are entitled to.
Lost Wages
If your loved one was the wage-earner of the family, you may be able to get compensated for the lost wages. Paystubs will be required to determine the compensatory amount.
Pain and Suffering
If a loved one dies after getting hit by a commercial accident, you’ll experience pain and suffering. Pain and suffering is a non-economic damage and the court will determine how you’ll be compensated for this damage.
Evidence Required for a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
In order to prove that your loved one died because of the negligence of the commercial driver or their company, you’ll need solid evidence. If your loved one dies while riding a bike, during their walk or jog, you should collect evidence like a police report, witness testimony and photographs of the accident to present at the court. Alternatively, you can hire an experienced wrongful death attorney to collect all the required evidence on your behalf.
Conclusion
Commercial vehicle accidents involving pedestrians or bicyclists may occur due to a mechanical fault, human error or environmental hazards. If a loved one dies as a result of a commercial vehicle accident, you should file a wrongful death claim against the party responsible for the accident. A wrongful death attorney can help you determine the person or party liable for the accident and file a claim against them. A wrongful death claim won’t reduce your pain, but it will allow you to get compensated for your damages.
