Seattle police arrested a man in a recent hit-and-run accident that injured a bicyclist, the Seattle Times reported. Witnesses said the man was driving a Car2Go vehicle belonging to a local car-sharing program at the time. The accident knocked the rider off the bike, causing abrasions and lacerations that required a trip to the emergency room.
Initially, the driver stopped and got out of the vehicle but became nervous as witnesses gathered around the injured cyclist. The driver indicated that he was going to move the vehicle out of the street but drove away instead, according to the news account.
Witnesses got the license plate number and description of the vehicle, and police were able to track it through the ride-sharing company.
Washington State Bicycle Accidents
Washington State is well known for its environmentally-aware residents. t is common to see people often bicycle to work or ride simply for enjoyment or exercise. Unfortunately, riding a bicycle can be dangerous.
Although Washington ranks among the safest states with regard to bicycle fatalities, cyclists are still 4.5 times more likely to be injured than motorists per mile traveled. Nationally, more than 700 cyclists die each year in motor vehicle collisions and another 45,000 are injured. What makes these statistics even more disconcerting is that injuries suffered in a bicycle-motor vehicle accident are often serious, even fatal.
Approximately 75 percent of all serious and fatal injuries suffered by bicyclists in collisions are head injuries. Many of these collisions are the result of preventable negligence on the part of motor vehicle operators.
Although motorists do not always respect the laws, Washington State law is very clear that a cyclist has all the rights and responsibilities of a vehicle driver while on the road.
Legal Help
If you have been injured in a Yakima Valley area bicycle accident, or have lost a loved one as a result of one, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries or your loss. The Yakima Valley bicycle accident and injury attorneys at Mariano Morales Law can help you get through the legal process and make sure that the party responsible for your injuries or loss is held accountable.
Contact the team today by calling (509) 853-2222 or by using our online contact form for your free initial consultation.
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