A bicyclist was killed in St. Johns County after a car hit his bike. Florida authorities arrived at the scene of the 9:35 p.m. crash to find the bicyclist already dead. The accident occurred along State Road A1A.
Events leading up to the fatal collision
The recent Florida accident happened when a man, 47, was riding a bike in the state road’s southbound lane. Another man, 26, was operating a van in the same lane. The van then reportedly hit the bicyclist.
According to authorities, the van’s right side on the front caused the bicyclist to separate from his bike. The van then allegedly stopped on the road’s right shoulder. Meanwhile, the bicyclist landed within the state road’s wood line.
Legal recourse available following the accident
Police might learn through their investigation that the van driver caused the bicycle accident due to negligent behavior. For instance, the van operator may have been driving too quickly for road conditions or driving while distracted by texting and driving. In this situation, the surviving family members of the deceased bicyclist may choose to file a wrongful death claim against the van driver, seeking the reimbursement of financial damages sustained in the motor vehicle accident.
A Florida judge will decide the claim for damages once liability is formally established in civil court, based upon a showing of negligence. A monetary damage award in a successfully fought wrongful death lawsuit may help the bicyclist’s loved ones cover his burial costs. Financial damages may also help cover the loss of support for the deceased bicyclist’s surviving dependents.