I recently read that a 43-year-old man from Hammond, Louisiana obtained a $3.35 million settlement after he was struck by a Domino’s Pizza delivery car while riding his bicycle along a two-lane highway overpass. During the incident, the man was thrown onto the hood of the car, hit his head on the windshield, and fell onto the ground.
The man suffered multiple injuries during the crash, including facial fractures and traumatic brain injury. Prior to settlement, the defendants contested fault and stated that the man had been riding in the middle of the lane, that an article of clothing obstructed two flashing safety lights on his bike, and that the man had a history of head injuries and substance abuse.
Despite claims from the defense, the man had been gainfully employed before the accident as a fine-jewelry engraver. Due to his injuries and inability to focus, however, he was unable to perform the same work he did before. For his damages, the man was initially offered a $750,000 settlement. The afternoon before the trial was set to begin, however, the case was settled for $3.35 million.
I found this case particularly interesting and worth sharing because here in the District of Columbia, we see too many of these types of accidents where cars strike bicyclists. In fact, in the last few weeks alone I have had several new cases where D.C. bicycle riders were severely injured by negligent drivers. Unfortunately, even though these bicyclists were wearing helmets, they suffered not only terrible physical injuries but also concussions (or mild traumatic brain injuries) .
It is important for people to learn about these horrible cases, so that they are more careful, and pay more attention to bicyclists on our roads. Bicycle riders have the same rights as other motorists. When riders suffer harm in traffic accidents caused by the negligence or wrongful acts of other drivers, they have the right to pursue compensation by filing a personal injury claim. If you or someone you know has been injured in a bicycle accident in Northern Virginia, Maryland, or Washington DC, our legal team can help. For a free consultation to learn more about your rights, call (888) 887-4128..