Fatal Truck, Bicycle Accident in Burlingame
Police officers in Burlingame, California, responded to the death of a 74-year-old bicyclist yesterday afternoon who was killed by a truck while riding his bike.
Apparently, the man was riding his bicycle south down the 1100 block of Cortez Avenue when he attempted to turn left. He hit one side of a truck and then was run over.
Witnesses and police say the driver of the truck stopped immediately and coordinated with police as they completed their investigation. Authorities are not releasing the name of the victim until his family can be contacted.
Upon first blush it seems no crime was committed in connection with the crash and it appears to be a truly unfortunate moving vehicle accident. More often than not, truck wrecks usually involve:
- Truck drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Semi drivers refusing to let other vehicles merge
- Truckers driving too fast for the conditions
- Truck driver fatigue
- Shredded truck tires on the highway
- Big rigs forcing smaller vehicles off the road
- Defects in tractor-trailer equipment such as brakes, lights and couplings
The sheer weight and size of tractor-trailers means that cars and other vehicles - much less bicycles - usually lose in accidents involving a big truck. The injuries are usually severe and fatalities are common and victims may be able to obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other costs of the accident.
Learn more about our Walnut Creek, California, truck accident law firm where we have been helping victims of trucking accidents since 1979. In that time, we have acquired a reputation as lawyers who will vigorously advocate for seriously injured clients, including those injured in a truck accident.
Source: southsanfransicso.patch.com, "One Dead in Burlingame Bike Collision," Miriam Finder, Aug. 21, 2012.