By Jeffrey Nadrich
Jeff Nadrich is a bicycle accident lawyer with Nadrich & Cohen, LLP. He has more than 25 years of experience successfully defending clients, and he continues to represent accident victims all across California.
Bicyclists have a lot to worry about. I mean, let's face it. Depending on your city, you may have to deal with unaccommodating streets, negligent drivers, and overall poor riding conditions. Drunk drivers complicate things even more, because they lack the coordination and focus to safely navigate a road where cyclists are present. As an avid cyclist myself, this frustrates me, and I'm sure it frustrates you too. But what can be done?
Drunk driving and bicycle accidents – A recent example
I was recently reading about a heartbreaking case in Maine, which involves a family of bicyclists who were hit by an alleged drunk driver. The family included a mother, a father, and a 15-month-old son. Sadly, the father was killed upon impact. The mother was hospitalized and then released, and the infant remains in intensive care. As for the motorist, he was reportedly intoxicated at the time of the collision. According to local authorities, he registered a .17 blood alcohol level, which is more than twice the legal limit.
Additional details
Hopefully the mother and son will make a full recovery, but the suspect is due in court this week. He is charged with aggravated OUI (Operating Under the Influence) and manslaughter. As it turns out, he already has numerous OUI convictions under his belt. As a parent and a cyclist, I find this unacceptable, and I'm sure you do as well. I will continue to monitor the proceedings as the case unfolds.
What you can do
As a cyclist, maybe you have found yourself discouraged by the dangers out there. I know I have. You shouldn't live your life in fear, but you should definitely be cautious. Always wear your helmet, and ride defensively. Sadly, you can't just assume that everyone will follow the law. Keep a close eye on your surroundings, and if you do find yourself the victim of a bicycle accident, contact a qualified bicycle injury lawyer immediately. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be. So don't hesitate another moment.
