Paying attention and obeying the rules of the road is vital for everyone who drives. When motorists fail to keep an eye out for others, including bicycle riders, the results could be catastrophic. The injuries suffered in crashes involving motor vehicles here in Minnesota and elsewhere often range from moderate to fatal for those not traveling in the safety of a vehicle with an enclosed passenger cabin.
On a recent Friday evening, three teenagers were riding their bicycles eastbound when a westbound vehicle struck one of them head-on. Emergency responders arrived and attempted to save the teen’s life, but he never made it to the hospital alive. Reports did not indicate whether the other two teens suffered any injuries.
The investigation into this accident remains ongoing. In fact, the Minnesota State Patrol is assisting local authorities by helping with an accident reconstruction. At last report, it was not determined whether alcohol played a role in the incident.
While authorities work to piece together how this accident occurred, the family of the deceased teen is surely struggling to deal with his premature and violent death. They will undoubtedly incur a substantial amount of expenses associated with his death that they were not prepared for. In fact, most families are not prepared for an tragedy such as this.
This incident is not unusual for crashes involving bicycle riders. Surviving family members may exercise the right to file a wrongful death claim against the motorist involved. Successfully proving negligence could result in an award of damages that could relieve the financial strain associated with the death of a loved one.