Accident involving truck and bicyclist results in serious injury

Many of our readers may be avid bicycle riders. A previous post mentioned how Californians are embracing the bicycle as a healthy alternative to an often gridlocked transportation structure in the state. Unfortunately, when more people ride bicycles, they often share the road with automobiles. This inevitably leads to some bicycle accidents, and San Francisco is not immune to this sad fact.

On May 29, a bicycle rider was hit by a truck at the intersection of Franklin and Oak streets. According to police, the truck had stopped at a red light and then turned. A bicyclist, who had the green light, was struck as the driver of the truck turned. The bicyclist suffered serious injuries and was transported to San Francisco General Hospital.

Many times, accidents just happen. The driver of the truck who struck the bicyclist in this accident apparently stopped immediately and cooperated with police in their subsequent investigation. Yes, accidents do happen, but most of the time they actually occur because one of the parties was negligent.

Although the investigation of this car collision is ongoing, the initial reports seem to indicate that the driver of the truck was the negligent party in this case. Sometimes drivers are involved in car accidents because they are distracted. While the immediate concern in this case is for the welfare of the injured bicyclist, it is likely that the injured partly will contemplate a civil lawsuit at some point in order to recover compensation for medical expenses and pain and suffering. Only time will tell as to whether the facts are on the victim's side in this case.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle, "Bicyclist badly hurt in S.F. crash," Jill Tucker, May 30, 2012