Tragedy struck on the morning of August 16 in Brick, N.J., when a bicyclist was killed in a collision with a tractor-trailer. According to a news report, the bicyclist, a 48-year-old Point Pleasant man, was on the edge of Route 88 when he stopped for a red light. The tractor-trailer, which was headed in the same direction, also was stopped at the light. When the light turned green, the bicyclist proceeded forward; however, the tractor-trailer began a right turn, striking the cyclist. Numerous witnesses, including the driver of the tractor-trailer, tried to help the cyclist, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival at a hospital.
New Jersey Bicyclist Injuries and Deaths
Riding a bicycle is not just enjoyable, but good for your health and the environment. But despite the benefits, it is not always the safest way to travel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 716 pedalcyclists (people who ride anything powered by pedals) were killed and 52,000 were injured in traffic crashesin 2008. That year, pedalcyclists represented two percent of all fatalities and injuries in traffic crashes and 14 percent of all non-occupant traffic fatalities.
Just a decade ago, the majority of pedal cycle victims involved in traffic accidents were under the age of 30. As of 2008, the average age of a pedal cyclist killed in a traffic accident was 41 and the average age of someone injured in a pedalcycle accident was 31.
New Jersey, like all states, has laws that govern cyclists, including the following from Title 39 of the Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulation laws:
Every person riding a bicycle on a roadway shall ride as near to the right roadside as practicable exercising due care when passinga standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction. A bicyclist may move left under any of the following conditions: 1) To make a left turn from a left turn lane or pocket; 2) To avoid debris, drains, or other hazardous conditions on the right; 3) To pass a slower moving vehicle; 4) To occupy any available lane when traveling at the same speed as other traffic; 5) To travel no more than two abreast when traffic is not impeded, but otherwise ride in single file. Every person riding a bicycle shall ride in the same direction as vehicular traffic.
In New Jersey, the law states a bicyclist must obey all state and local automobile driving laws. A parent may be held responsible for a child’s violation of any traffic law.
Investigators from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and the New Jersey State Police Commercial Carrier South Inspection Unit were on scene after the accident in Brick to try and determine what happened and whether any traffic laws were violated. It may take some time before the results of the investigation are released.
A New York/New Jersey Accident Lawyer May Be Able to Help
If you have been injured or have lost a loved one in a New York/New Jersey bicycle accident, you could be entitled to compensation if the negligence of another person contributed to the accident. Contact the New York/New Jersey car accident attorneys at Ginarte Gonzalez & Winograd to find out what legal options you may have.
With six offices conveniently located in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, we have an office near you. Contact the firm today for your free consultation by calling 888-446-2783 or filling out our online contact form.