Dear Group, As I said in my earlier "two cents", probably both accounts of the incident are correct. An inexperienced driver of a truck and some type of van-type trailer sideswiped the lead bicyclist in a string of bicyclists on a small county road. The bicyclist was thrown along with his bike and suffered severe injuries. The driver claims he honked, knowing the existence of the cyclists, passed and for some reason sideswiped the lead bicycle and the incident occurred. So far, it has been determined to have been accidental and driver error. -------isn't that the end of story and fault lies with the trailer tow vehicle? Assuming he has insurance, won't this be his fault? Of course if there WERE malice as in the cases we have heard about recently on this "go-around", there could be reason for prosecution and possibly large settlements. What is there in the other bikers versions to suggest this was more than accidental driver error? What would be the result if the truck-trailer "clipped" a small auto? Would the question of "malice" be raised? Certainly there is concern about the bicycle "image" in Madison where people seem routinely to be grabbed and pushed from car windows. But from the articles--this Vernon County accident doesn't seem to be one of them. Also, the extent of the injury does not have much to do with the factors of the accident. The spine is fragile and fractures can result from household slips and falls producing--BROKEN BACKS. Bicycle riding and injury is actually a mixed risk. In some accidents it is an advantage not being "boxed" in a "tin can" auto and during an accident in progress provides a more nimble means of "escape."
Eric Westhagen _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
