Merced Bicycle Rider Killed in Crash With Vehicle

Crash With Vehicle on East 21st Street Causes Merced Bicycle Rider Fatality

A Merced bicycle rider, identified as a juvenile, was killed in a crash with a motor vehicle recently. The collision happened at the East 21st Street intersection with Calimyrna around 9:00 p.m., according to the incident report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). A resident in the nearby area said the road was darker, which could make it difficult to see bicyclists or pedestrians if the motorist wasn’t paying attention. 

Resident Makes Suggestions to Improve Safety After Merced Bicycle Rider Accident 

Another fatal accident occurred in the same area around 10 months earlier. The resident stated that better lighting and perhaps speed bumps might help. Neither alcohol nor drugs appeared to factor into the cause of the crash. In addition to the CHP traffic accident unit, officers with the Merced Police Department are helping with the investigation. 

Types of Government Negligence Leading to Bicyclist Fatalities

Government negligence can manifest in various forms, often leading to situations where public safety is compromised.

• Poor infrastructure maintenance: Failing to repair or maintain roads, bike lanes, and pathways can create hazardous conditions for a Merced bicycle rider, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
• Substandard lighting: When lighting is insufficient, accidents can increase.
• Inadequate traffic signals and signage: Lack of proper signage or dysfunctional traffic signals can confuse drivers and cyclists alike, leading to dangerous encounters on the road.
• Failure to enforce traffic laws: Insufficient enforcement of existing traffic regulations, such as speed limits and yielding rules, can result in reckless driving and increased risks for cyclists.
• Negligent design: Inappropriate design choices, such as narrow bike lanes or lack of bike lanes altogether, can expose a Merced bicycle rider to a higher risk of a collision.
• Failure to conduct safety audits: Not regularly assessing the safety of roadways and intersections can allow dangerous conditions to persist unnoticed, contributing to accident occurrences.
• Ignoring environmental hazards: Neglecting to address environmental factors such as fallen debris, potholes, or weather-related conditions can create unforeseen dangers for bicyclists.

Wrongful Death Damages That Can Be Recovered From a Negligent Government Entity

When pursuing a wrongful death claim against a negligent government entity in California, it’s important to understand there is a six-month time limit in which to file. The following is recoverable:

Economic damages include quantifiable financial losses resulting from the wrongful death, such as medical expenses incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, and the loss of the deceased’s income. In cases where the decedent was a primary breadwinner, the financial impact on the surviving family members can be significant, and calculating lost future earnings often plays a critical role in these claims.

Damages for intangible losses in a wrongful death claim include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and loss of enjoyment of life. In California, courts recognize the profound impact of a loved one’s death on the emotional well-being of family members, and these damages aim to provide some measure of relief for that suffering.

In the following video, accident lawyer Ed Smith outlines filing a wrongful death claim:

Merced Wrongful Death Attorney

I’m Ed Smith, a wrongful death attorney based in Merced. Fatal accidents involving bicycles frequently result from the negligence of other drivers. Families who have suffered a loss may have the right to seek compensation through a wrongful death claim. If you require free and compassionate legal advice from our team of accident attorneys, please call (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. Alternatively, you can contact us online via our contact form.

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Photo attribution: Image by NoName_13 from Pixabay

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