Pickup Truck Strikes, Kills Cyclist
A cyclist has unfortunately died after being struck by a pickup truck in Daytona Beach early on July 7, 2019. According to police, the accident happened at the intersection of Vermont and Grandview avenues. The victim was a 36-year-old, Karen Puerschner, who was riding a bicycle with her boyfriend at the time south on Grandview.
The couple approached the intersection, where a 63-year-old man in a pickup truck was stopped on Vermont Avenue. According to WESH 2, the man waited for the male cyclist to pass through the intersection but then accelerated before Ms. Puerschner was clearly through, striking her and wounding her in the process.
Emergency personnel transported Puerschner to Halifax Health Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. The driver who struck the victim alleges that he did not see her, which was why he accelerated through the intersection before she had crossed.
The victim did not have a helmet on at the time of the accident. Her bike was also missing a reflector or other light. Criminal charges are pending.
Florida Bicycle Accident Statistics
Bicycle crashes and fatalities have been relatively stable over the past few years. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles collects traffic accident statistics. The most recent year they have numbers for is 2017.
In 2017, there were 6,675 bicycle accidents, which resulted in 128 fatalities and 6,263 injuries. For the sake of comparison, 2016 recorded 6,668 bicycle crashes, 140 fatalities, and 6,234 injuries.
Any accident is unacceptable, and it is up to all of us to improve the safety of our roads for cyclists. If you have been injured in a crash, please reach out to an experienced Daytona Beach bicycle accident attorney for help.
Improving Cycling Safety
We do not believe in blaming the victim for a collision. Nevertheless, there are some mistakes that the woman who was killed in Daytona Beach made that probably contributed to her death. For example, she did not wear a helmet, which would have reduced the chances of a serious brain injury or death.
Also, the victim’s bicycle did not have a reflector or other light on it. Lights are vital to helping motorists see cyclists, particularly late at night. Because the truck driver stopped for one of the cyclists, we think it is fair that he was not being reckless when he struck the victim.
If you ride a bicycle for pleasure or to run errands, we recommend the following to improve your chances of reaching your destination in one piece:
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Wear clothing with reflective tape, especially if you are riding at night. You can also put reflective tape on your bicycle or on your helmet.
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Cross intersections with extreme caution. Don’t assume motorists will stop for you.
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Always use hand signals when turning or braking. These signals will tell motorists what movement you intend to take.
Contact Bundza & Rodriguez after a Bicycle Crash
If you or a loved one was involved in a crash, please call the office of Bundza & Rodriguez, P.A. at 386-252-5170. Our Daytona Beach bicycle accident attorneys can investigate your case and determine whether you qualify for compensation in a settlement or a lawsuit. Avoid delay.
Resource:
wesh.com/article/bicyclist-killed-after-being-struck-by-pickup-truck-daytona-beach-police-say/28056522
https://www.daytonalawyers.com/cyclists-killed-in-daytona-beach-accident/