Often when one thinks about a bicycle accident, it is assumed that the cyclist was hit by a car and the vehicle driver was at fault. This is not always the case however. Cyclists can have accidents with pedestrians and even non-mobile objects such as a parked car or a tree. These accidents can be caused by carelessness of the cyclist. A cyclist that is not following the rules of the road may also be the cause of an accident with a vehicle.
According to the New York Post a racing cyclist, Jason Marshall, was not riding legally when he ran into a woman in Central Park in September. Jill Tarlov is brain dead after innocently walking in a pedestrian lane. It appears Marshall was riding recklessly according to law enforcement officials. He was veering in and out of pedestrian lanes and vehicle lanes at a high rate of speed. In fact, according to his own previously recorded cycling rates of speed for earlier the same day, he had been riding well over the 25 mph vehicle and bicycle speed limit. He recorded his top speed of 35.6 mph. It is not clear how fast he was going when he struck Tarlov.
Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero traffic safety initiative is focused on protecting pedestrians from the danger of vehicles. Pedestrians also need to be able to walk throughout the city and Central Park without being hit by cyclists. The results of a pedestrian bicycle accident can be devastating or even deadly.
In order for pedestrians to remain safe cyclists need to:
- Remain in the proper lane and not enter pedestrian lanes.
- Follow speed limit laws.
- Follow traffic laws such as stopping at red lights and stop signs.
Pedestrians who have been injured in an accident should contact a personal injury attorney. Regardless of whether the accident was with a vehicle or a cyclist a personal injury attorney can help. Contact us at Pulvers, Pulvers, Thompson & Friedman if you are in need of a personal injury attorney.
