BIKE WRECK RESULTS IN CRIMINAL CHARGES, SERIOUS INJURIES

A bicycle accident that occurred last month resulted in criminal charges for a woman driving on a suspended license after she ran into the back of a bicycle a man was riding on River Road in Upper Makefield.

The cyclist, who was headed northbound past Mt. Eyre Road, was, according to Upper Makefield police, “very lucky to be alive.” However, he suffered very serious injuries in the accident. He was not at fault in the collision. The driver stopped after the wreck and summoned police and EMS by calling 911.

A photo of the mangled bicycle is posted on the Facebook page for the police department. The text accompanying it reads, in part:

“We post these photos . . . to hopefully give both the motorists and the cyclists pause to think about how sharing the road is of utmost importance. Please drive and ride carefully.”

Although this case will wind up with a criminal component, that is sometimes not the case in bicycle and pedestrian accidents. When no criminal charges are filed against the driver responsible for injuries or deaths to innocent citizens, in order for them to pursue any type of justice whatsoever in the matter, they must turn to the Pennsylvania civil court system for relief.

Injuries are usually extensive and often life-threatening. Hospital stays and subsequent rehabilitative efforts can last for months and run up medical bills in the seven figures. Even so, there is no guarantee that life will be able to be resumed as it was before the accident.

If you face a similar situation, you may want to seek guidance from a legal professional who understands the ins and outs of personal injury cases.

Source: Newtown Patch, “Cyclist ‘Lucky To Be Alive’ After River Road Accident: Police,” Kara Seymour, Aug. 26, 2015