Tampa Bay Injury Lawyer :: Bicyclist Killed in Collision with Pickup Truck in Plant City

A 22-year-old man was killed Tuesday morning after a pickup truck struck him as he tried to bike across a road, according to authorities.

The Plant City man was apparently improperly crossing the southbound lane of N Park Road around 11:15 a.m. when he was hit by a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 67-year-old Lakeland man, according to Plant City police.

The bicyclist died at the scene. The driver of the pickup truck was not harmed.

Police confirmed that no charges would be filed against the driver.

Bicycle riding has become increasing popular over the years, both for transportation and recreation. Due to the fact that biking is much more common nowadays, the number of collisions between cars and bikes has also increased. Unfortunately, anytime there is an accident between a bike and a car, it is often the biker that suffers severe injuries or possibly death. For this reason alone, it is extremely important for all bike riders to follow the traffic laws and always be on the lookout for possible hazards, including inattentive drivers or other obstacles in the roadway. However, even the most vigilant biker is still at risk on the roads of Tampa because drivers do not always pay attention to people on bicycles.

Bicyclists must follow the same rules of the road as automobile drivers. Bikers are required to ride in the same direction as traffic and stay off of the sidewalk. However, it is not uncommon to see cyclists riding against traffic or on a sidewalk. Cyclists must stop at all traffic signs and signals and observe traffic laws. Additionally, bicyclists must display lights and reflectors while riding at night. When bikers fail to follow the rules of the road, tragic accidents can occur.

At Whittel & Melton, our Tampa Bay Injury Attorneys know that every injury matter is unique and must be thoroughly investigated. We never assume that an accident is the fault of the bike rider, and will always carefully inspect the scene of the crash to determine if another person’s negligence contributed or caused the collision.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a bike accident, a Tampa Bay Injury Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help you through this difficult time and establish if you are eligible to recover financial compensation. Call us at (813) 221-3200 for a free consultation or visit us online for a free case evaluation.

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