San Joaquin County Bicyclist Killed in Fatal Crash

Crash Kills San Joaquin County Bicyclist on Santa Fe Road

A San Joaquin County bicyclist died on July 17 after being struck by a pickup. The collision occurred along southbound Santa Fe Road near Hall Road, close to the town of Riverbank at about 5:54 a.m. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) office in Stockton, an Escalon pickup driver struck the rider from the back while going about 50 mph. 

San Joaquin County Bicyclist Dies at Accident Scene

The San Joaquin County bicyclist expired at the accident scene. Officers reported that one of the bicycle’s tires became stuck in another truck that was passing by. Neither of the pickup drivers suffered injuries in the crash. 

Stockton CHP Seeks Information on Fatal Accident

Impairment did not appear to factor into the cause of the collision. Those with information on this crash are asked to call the Stockton office of the CHP at (209) 938-4800. The CHP traffic accident unit is conducting an investigation into the crash.

Bicycle Accidents and Their Causes

A San Joaquin County bicyclist is especially vulnerable to injuries or fatalities in a collision with a motor vehicle due to their lack of protection. In addition, although drivers tend to look for other motorists when on the road, they are less likely to consider bicyclists and pedestrians. Some of the common causes of a fatal bicycle accident include:

• Ignoring the three-foot distance rule: In California, motorists must maintain a distance of at least three feet from bicyclists to avoid a collision.
• Making an improper right-hand turn: Drivers often slip into the bicycle lane to make a right turn at an intersection. However, turning into the lane without checking for a rider occupying that space can cause a fatal bicycle crash.
• Dooring collisions: A dooring collision occurs when a vehicle driver or passenger opens their door without first checking that the way is clear. A dooring accident often ejects the rider from their bike and can throw them into oncoming traffic.
• Distracted driving: Distracted driving accounts for a high number of accidents. The driver chatting on their phone, texting or performing any activity that removes their eyes and concentration from the road can cause a fatal bicycle accident.

An Injury Lawyer Can Help You With Your Claim

An attorney can help you by reviewing your case and investigating if you have lost a family member in an accident due to negligence. A lawyer will gather evidence related to your case and assist your family in filing a wrongful death claim as part of his or her services. We offer free case reviews to help you learn more about your options and get your questions answered.

By filing a wrongful death claim, the family can recover the cost of end-of-life expenses, wages the decedent would have earned until retirement age, loss of consortium for the spouse, and more. By holding the negligent party responsible, the family can obtain some measure of peace and avoid the financial problems associated with the sudden demise of a loved one.

Attorney Ed Smith discusses how to file a wrongful death claim in the video below:

Stockton Wrongful Death Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton wrongful death lawyer. Bicycle fatality accidents frequently occur due to the negligence of drivers. Families who have lost a loved one in such an incident may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim for compensation. For free and friendly advice from our accident attorneys, you can contact us at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. You may also reach out online using our contact form.

Our commitment to providing exceptional service to our clients is reflected in our membership in the Top One Percent and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Information on our successful case outcomes can be found in our Verdicts & Settlements section. See what our clients say on Avvo, Yelp, and Google.

Photo attribution: Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay

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