An Ohio family has to face the trauma and the financial consequences of the unanticipated death of a loved one. Car accidents that involve bicycles are not uncommon in Cleveland, and, with hardly any protection, it is typically the cyclists that come off worst. In this case, it was a 36-year-old man who lost his life.
The vehicle that struck the man on the bicycle was driven by an 84-year-old man who was subsequently arrested, and he is now facing vehicular homicide charges. Court documents indicate that the man struck the bicycle in an intersection after running a red light. The accident report shows that the impact caused the cyclist to fall on the hood of the car, smash the windshield and then land on the ground. The car continued driving and dragged the injured man along until it came to a halt on top of the cyclist.
The elderly driver apparently told police that he had consumed several alcoholic drinks earlier. However, he claimed the man on the bicycle stopped in front of him in the intersection and avoiding a collision was impossible. Officers carried out a field sobriety test which the driver failed before he submitted to a blood test that was done at a hospital. The results of the blood tests are pending.
The families of victims of fatal car accidents that resulted from the negligence of other parties can pursue financial relief through the Ohio civil justice system — regardless of whether the victims were cyclists, pedestrians or occupants in cars. With evidence of negligence, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed. Claims for financial and other losses will have to be properly documented for adjudication by the court. Experienced personal injury attorneys are available to assist in the legal proceedings of such a claim.
Source: cleveland.com, “Elderly man arrested in suspected drunken driving crash that killed Cleveland bicyclist“, Adam Ferrise, Aug. 9, 2017