Dangerous cyclist driving. Car accident. Bicycle under the wheel of a car.
Lowndes County Officials Investigating Valdosta Bicycle Accident Involving Public Works Truck On North Ashley Street and East Gordon
VALDOSTA, GEORGIA (April 6, 2024) – A 56-year-old cyclist was critically injured in a car accident involving a Valdosta public works truck by North Ashley Street and East Gordon.
Lowndes County officials are saying that the incident took place around 10:50 a.m. on Thursday. A large Valdosta public works truck was making a right turn when it collided with a male cyclist and ran him over.
The driver of the truck kept going after the collision and didn’t seem to be aware of what happened. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim.
He was transported to a hospital in Florida with critical injuries. A full investigation into the Valdosta collision remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Valdosta Bicycle Accidents
Thousands of people are seriously injured or killed in bicycle accidents every year in the United States. According to the NHTSA, “The number of bicyclists killed in traffic crashes has been steadily trending upwards since 2010. From 2010 to 2021, bicyclist fatalities ranged from 623 to a high of 966 with a yearly average of 800 (NCSA, 2022; Stewart, 2023).” Accidents are much more likely to occur in urban areas as opposed to rural areas. There are a number of measures that drivers should take in order to avoid collisions.
- Drivers should check their blind spots before making turns.
- Drivers should slow down in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.
- Drivers should be well rested before heading out onto the road.
- Drivers should maintain at least three feet of separation from bicyclists at all times.
Truck drivers must get a commercial license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. In particular, truck drivers must be aware of their blind spots and check them before making turns. Many truck accidents are due to drivers operating their vehicles recklessly. Pursuant to Georgia Vehicle Code § 40-6-390, “Any person who drives any vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property commits the offense of reckless driving.” If a truck driver fails to exercise due care and hits a cyclist, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
The company or city that a truck driver worked for could also be held at fault for a collision. Generally speaking, employers are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees. This is typically the case as long as a truck driver is working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a truck driver may have been transporting cargo when they were involved in a collision. There are several factors that could contribute to any truck accident.
- Truck drivers often work long hours and may become fatigued.
- Truck drivers may be distracted by their cellphones or other devices.
- Truck drivers are more likely to be involved in collisions if they are inexperienced.
- Truck drivers are more likely to be involved in collisions while they are making turns.
The vast majority of truck accidents involve some amount of human error. This is especially true when any truck driver leaves the scene of an injury collision. If a truck driver hits a pedestrian and keeps going, this tends to be a strong indication that they were not paying sufficient attention to the road ahead of them. It is important for accident victims to understand that they do have rights. Any person who is injured in a truck accident may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. An Atlanta truck accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Lowndes County Truck Accidents
We at Butler Kahn extend our best wishes to the cyclist injured in this Valdosta truck accident. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the Valdosta Police Department. It is our hope that measures are taken to prevent other collisions at this intersection.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Valdosta truck accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of truck accident attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We are committed to helping accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 678-940-1444.
