A deadly bicycle-motor vehicle accident that happened in Lahaina recently provides a good reminder about the need for everyone to follow the rules of the road and share the road properly. In this case, it appears that the bicyclist could be at fault for the car accident.
According to reports, a 33-year-old bicyclist was traveling west when he went through a red light and was struck by a commercial van that was heading north. The cyclist was also reportedly not wearing a helmet. He was reported dead at the scene.
According to reports, the van had a clear green light, and the light was already red when the cyclist entered the intersection. The van driver was not injured, and police are investigating to see if alcohol or drugs played a role in the accident. They are also investigating whether the van was speeding.
Many times when people think about bicycle accidents, they usually think about a motor vehicle breaking the law and striking an innocent bicyclist. But one of the improtant things about operating a bicycle is that the rules of the road have to be respected, and that means obeying traffic signals.
That does not mean that motor vehicle operators are completely exempt if they do not cause the accident. There are always extenuating factors such as speeding or drunk driving that could come into play. If it’s determined that the van driver was driving recklessly and could have avoided the wreck, there may be grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit.
Source: Hawaii News Now, “Fatal accident closes Honoapiilani Hwy on Maui,” May 5, 2013