Bicycles are a regular presence on the roadways in Louisiana. When a bicyclist gets on the road, they rely on motorists to pay attention and look for obstacles. However, bicycles are still at a higher risk of being involved in a fatal accident, and the reason that is often cited by drivers is that they just didn’t see the bicyclist.
Authorities were uncertain whether that was the case with one bicyclist who was struck by a car on July 7. The driver hit the cyclist then fled the scene of the accident. The cyclist was taken to Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans, where medical personnel attempted to save his life. However, despite their efforts, the cyclist died as a result of the serious injuries he suffered in the accident.
After an exhaustive investigation, Louisiana authorities were finally able to locate the driver who hit the cyclist. While they were diligently searching for the driver, the family of the cyclist was grieving. Losing a loved one is always difficult, but when they are stripped from a family through a sudden and seemingly senseless tragedy, the pain can be insurmountable. Waiting for word from authorities may have added to their frustration.
Finally knowing that the person said to be responsible for the accident that caused the death of their loved one has been identified by authorities may provide the family with some sense of comfort. Regardless of what happens with any criminal charges the driver may face, the family retains the right to file a wrongful death action against the driver to recoup the financial losses that families inevitably face in these situations. Medical and funeral expenses are just two examples of types of expenses that can be recovered in a successful wrongful death action, based upon proof of negligence by another party.
