An incident in Connecticut is drawing attention to the fact that some intersections are the site of recurrent bicycle-car accidents. A six year old boy on a bicycle was struck and killed by a car in Bristol, Connecticut on July 24th, 2018 while at an intersection where a bike path meets a road. This is the third fatal accident involving a child on a bicycle at that intersection.
Merging bicycles and cars is always tricky for civil engineers. The disparate sizes and speeds of the two types of vehicles requires an understanding of the rate at which car traffic can accommodate merging cyclists. Proper signage is also key. Determining whether cars or bicycles should have stop signs is only half the battle. Figuring out the correct size and location for each of those signs is a major challenge.
One of the most important factors for civil engineers is to lessen the likelihood of injury or death if an accident does occur. Recognizing that a bike hitting a car is much less likely to result in a fatality can change how traffic is shaped. Trying to ensure that cars are not approaching bike paths and intersections with bike paths at high rates of speed lessens the likelihood of a bad accident occurring. Lowering speed limits in areas with bike paths is one of the simplest solutions to this problem.
If you or someone you love has been involved in an accident where a bicycle was struck by a car, you are well aware how dangerous these types of accidents are. Please consult with an experienced attorney regarding your case. A qualified lawyer can help you hold the driver of the car responsible for failing to keep the roads safe for cyclists.