Victor Hidalgo, 24, a delivery worker, was killed in a Brooklyn bicycle accident after he was hit by an on-duty FDNY pickup truck. According to Streetsblog.org, the victim was riding east on Sackett Street in the Park Slope section at the time, when the driver of an FDNY truck was responding to an emergency call. Police say the driver had his sirens on when he collided with the bicyclist. Sackett Street, where Hidalgo was riding, has a painted bike lane. The 44-year-old FDNY driver remained at the scene and called 911. Police arrived and took Hidalgo to a hospital nearby where he died from his injuries.
Increase in Bicycle Accidents
Hidalgo, a native New Yorker, worked for a pharmacy delivery company, Streetsblog reports. He is married and the father of a 1-year-old boy, the outlet reports. Safety advocates say Hidalgo’s death is a grim reminder that delivery work is among the most dangerous jobs in the city. Hidalgo is the second bicyclist to be killed in October.
Also in the same month, Amanda Servedio was hit and killed by a man who was fleeing the police after a burglary in Astoria, Queens. There have been at least 22 bicycle accident fatalities through Oct. 30 of this year, according to the New York City Department of Transportation. Last year, there were 30 bicycle accident deaths in New York City, which was a 24-year high. Also, 91 pedestrians have been killed this year.
Bicycle accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, from minor bruises to life-threatening conditions, especially when they happen in areas with heavy traffic or inadequate cycling infrastructure. Bicyclists are particularly vulnerable because they have minimal protection compared to drivers in enclosed vehicles and tend to suffer serious injuries in the event of a collision.
Common injuries in bicycle accidents include fractures, especially to the arms, legs, and collarbones, as cyclists often instinctively brace for impact with their hands when falling to the ground. Head injuries, such as concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), are also prevalent and can have long-lasting effects. Although wearing a helmet reduces the risk, head injuries remain a significant concern due to the likelihood of an impact with a vehicle or hard surfaces.
Soft tissue injuries, such as cuts, abrasions, and bruises, are also common, often resulting from skidding on pavement or gravel. In more severe cases, spinal cord injuries and internal injuries can occur, particularly in high-speed accidents involving motor vehicles. These injuries may require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Compensation for Bicycle Accident Victims
Compensation and the worth of the case will depend on the nature and extent of the injuries sustained by the victim as well as the extent of negligence (carelessness) on the part of the driver. In such cases, negligent (careless) motorists or passengers can be held responsible for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitative treatment, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
In cases of serious injury, the bicyclist may be entitled to compensation for future medical care and a loss of earning capacity if the injuries prevent them from returning to work. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life can also be factors in calculating compensation. Families of deceased victims can also seek compensation for their losses by filing a wrongful death claim.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident or pedestrian accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent (careless) driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 53 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and $2,000,000 in a hit-and-run accident, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole.
We also obtained $295,000 out of a $300,000 insurance policy in compensation for the victim of a bicycle dooring accident (where a car door opens into the path of a bicyclist). Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
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Source: https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2024/10/31/fdny-truck-driver-fatally-strikes-bronx-delivery-worker