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New Jersey bicyclist struck by car while turning on county road

On behalf of Albert Buzzetti & Associates, L.L.C. posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, June 13, 2013.

Accidents involving motor vehicles can lead to serious injuries for the drivers and passengers involved. When a vehicle collides with a bicycle, the potential for severe injury is even greater due to the lack of safety and protective features that are afforded to cyclists relative to those in cars. It is therefore important that drivers and bicyclists are careful in their actions to prevent the potential of causing an auto accident and causing such injuries.

A New Jersey man was recently riding his bicycle on a county road when he was struck by a car. He was making a U-turn to head the other direction on the road when he collided with the vehicle. The driver of the car suffered back and neck pain, while the bicyclist was killed in the accident. Authorities have not filed any criminal charges against the driver of the car, but they are still investigating the accident.

Motor vehicle accidents involving bicycles invoke the same rules governing liability as those only involving vehicles. If one of the parties is shown to be negligent or reckless in their actions, they may be liable for any injuries that result. Negligence can be found in the actions of not only the driver of a car, but also in those of a bicyclist. Negligence can be found on the part of a cyclist if they ride the wrong way or turn sharply into traffic, among other acts. Such negligence may minimize or negate the ability of a cyclist to recover for any injuries they may suffer in an accident pursuant to the rules of comparative and contributory negligence. If a cyclist’s actions contributed to their own injuries, they may be unable to recover any damages.

In this case, the bicyclist was making a U turn on a road when he was struck by a vehicle. Although no fault has been assigned in the accident, the cyclist may have contributed to the accident by this act, which may prevent his family from recovering any damages pursuant to his death depending on the laws of New Jersey and governing the road on which he was riding.