Helping You Secure the Compensation Your Family Deserves After You or a Loved One Were Hit by a Truck While Riding a Bicycle
Bicycle accidents of any kind are inherently dangerous due to the lack of physical protection that riders have from collisions. Even when riders wear helmets and heavy clothing, the risk of severe injury and death in an accident is high.
This becomes infinitely worse when the collision involves a large commercial truck or semi. Below, we go over how these accidents occur, what’s most likely to happen after a bicycle vs. truck collision, and when you should get a lawyer involved to help you pursue financial compensation for damages you or your family incurred as a result of the accident.
How Bicycle vs. Truck Accidents Happen
Just like car accidents, there are many reasons that truck vs. bicycle accidents occur, including:
Driver Fault
Truck drivers have a number of laws they must follow when operating their rigs, including how often they must take breaks and how many hours they can drive in a row. They are also responsible for adhering to basic traffic laws. If a driver fails to do so or acts in a reckless or dangerous manner on the road, they may be considered at fault if they hit someone on a bicycle.
Depending on the circumstances of a crash, a truck driver is likely responsible if they were:
- Driving too fast. Speeding is a major cause of accidents according to the National Safety Council. In 2022 alone, speeding was involved in 29% of all traffic deaths. This amounts to more than 33 people killed due to speeding per day.
- Drinking and driving. Massachusetts commercial truck drivers can be charged with an OUI if their blood alcohol content is above 0.04%, which is half the maximum of non-commercial drivers.
- Driving tired. Driving while fatigued is as dangerous to others on the road as driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The National Transportation Safety Board suggests that as many as 30% to 40% of large truck accidents involve or can be attributed to driver fatigue.
- Driving while distracted. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that commercial motor vehicle drivers who are texting and driving are over 23 times more likely to be involved in a collision. Drivers using the radio are nearly 10 times more likely to crash, while drivers dialing a number on their cell phone are just under 6 times more likely to cause a collision.
Improper Truck Maintenance
Failure to adequately maintain a truck and its safety features can also lead to accidents involving bicycles. For example, if a truck was due for routine brake service and did not receive it on time, the mechanic or trucking company could be at fault if the truck rear ends a car due to not being able to properly stop on a downward slope.
Inadequate Infrastructure
While some areas of Massachusetts are well-equipped with infrastructure for bicycle riders, including bicycle lanes, signs, and crossings, others aren’t as far ahead. If there are issues like defects in the bike lane, insufficient sidewalks, or a lack of signage that ultimately causes a bicycle accident, the city or municipality where the collision occurred may be the responsible party if you can prove that they knew or should have known about a hazard they failed to correct.
The Consequences of Truck on Bike Collisions
Sadly, the results of a truck vs. bicycle accident are almost always catastrophic. Victims of these collisions often suffer from critical injuries like:
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Limb amputation
How to Get Legal Support After a Devastating Truck or Bicycle Accident Affects Your Family
Were you or someone in your family hit by a truck while riding a bicycle? We understand the heartbreaking aftermath and the team at Mazow | McCullough, PC is committed to helping you hold the at-fault party legally responsible for their actions.
Reach out to us online to send a message, or call our office at (978) 744-8000 to schedule your free initial consultation to discuss your case and how we can zealously fight for the best possible outcome on your behalf.
