Geoffrey Radbill, 78, was killed in a Washington Heights bicycle accident the morning of Dec. 7 after he was struck from behind by the driver of a minivan. According to a report on Streetsblog.org, the fatal accident occurred at Riverside Drive and 158th Street when the 37-year-old driver of a minivan rear-ended Radbill. The driver remained at the scene and has not been charged, pending an official investigation, NYPD said.
Fatal Injuries in Bicycle Accident
Radbill was rushed to Harlem Hospital where he died from his injuries. Our thoughts and prayers go to Radbill’s family and friends. Streetsblog reports that Radbill built a career at a major financial services firm in the city and became a prolific donor to his alma mater, Bowling Green State University in Ohio, as well as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
This is just the latest traffic fatality at the uptown intersection. City data show there have been 11 reported crashes there since January 2020, including one pedestrian and two bicyclists, Streetsblog reports. There have been 79,188 reported collisions on New York City streets so far this year, injuring 5,188 bicyclists and 8,330 pedestrians, the same records show.
Rear-end Bicycle Accidents
When motorists strike bicyclists from behind, the situation can become deadly. Such bicycle accidents are usually caused by driver negligence (carelessness). One of the leading causes is lack of driver attention typically from due to distraction from phones, in-vehicle technology, fatigue or impairment, etc. Speed is also another important factor in these types of collisions.
Several studies have shown that higher vehicle speeds shorten reaction time and cause more severe impact making survival unlikely for a bicyclist. We also see that, in some cases, drivers underestimate bicyclists’ presence or speed and fail to treat bicyclists as legitimate road users. This can result in a variety of unsafe scenarios including delayed braking or unsafe passing, which in turn lead to rear-end collisions.
What is the Value of a Bicycle Accident Case?
The value of a bicycle accident case typically depends 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 victim may be entitled to compensation for future medical care, future pain and suffering and also for permanent injuries, 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, etc. 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. It is in the best interest of injured victims and their families in such cases to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer before contacting the people responsible for the injuries, and definitely before contacting or communicating with any insurance company, or their lawyers, investigators, or adjusters.
For over 54 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 recovered $1,500,000 for a lady who was hurt by a bus.
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). 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. Also, we got a $1,400,000 verdict in a motorcycle accident.
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.
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1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com