Franklin bicyclist seriously injured by careless driver

Posted in Bicycle accidents on February 24, 2011

The Tennessean reports that a Franklin, Tennessee man was seriously injured when he was struck by a dump truck while riding a bicycle. As a Nashville injury lawyer, I have pursued several of these cases. A person on a bicycle is entitled to use a road just like someone in a car and he has to be equally safe. Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-172 states that every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway is granted all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle.

Needless to say, serious injuries usually result from when a moving vehicle strikes a bicycle. But there are several key aspects of this type of case.

The evidence must be preserved. The bicycle is very important and should not be destroyed. A light must be installed on a bike ridden at night.

Every bicycle, when in use at nighttime, shall be equipped with a lamp on the front, which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet (500′) to the front, and either a red reflector or a lamp emitting a red light, which shall be visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet (500′) to the rear, when directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-177

Also, it is necessary to prove where the bicyclist was at the time of the collision. Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-175 requires that the rider, in most circumstances, ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. That is why it is essential to get witness statements and the officer’s report as soon as possible.

It is important to keep our roads safe for people driving cars, motorcycles and even bicycles. So please slow down and watch out for those around you.

The Tennessean article says the man sustained a broken pelvis, spinal fractures, broken ribs and bleeding on the brain, among other injuries. I wish him a swift recovery.

If you have been injured on a bicycle, call me for a free consultation. Jonathan Williams 615-256-8880