Sandusky Bicyclist Struck By Truck
Thursday afternoon, a Sandusky man was hit by a Ford F-150 truck while bicycling when the motorist failed to yield at the intersection of Rockwell Street and Hayes Avenue.
The man, Fred Bruder, 44, was taken to Firelands Regional Medical Center for treatment and then released a few hours later. The driver of the truck, Veronica Spigall, 35, of Castalia, was not cited for the incident, nor was Mr. Bruder.
Statistics
According to the National Safety Council, the total cost of bicyclist injury and death is over $4 billion per year.
The U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that in 2011 alone 677 pedal cyclists were killed and an additional 48,000 were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes. Pedal cyclist deaths accounted for 2 percent of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities and made up 2 percent of the people injured in traffic crashes during the 2011 year.
Liability
While no one was cited at the scene, if someone had been cited for failing to yield the driver of the motor vehicle would be liable for the injuries sustained to the bicyclist.
Although no one was seriously injured from this incident the importance of bicycle safety must be stressed. Always look both ways at intersections, pause to make sure traffic has cleared before crossing, and always wear the proper safety gear like a bicycle helmet.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident, call our Toledo, Ohio accident lawyers at 800.637.8170 for a free case evaluation or to request your free copy of The Ohio Accident Book.