Cyclist Killed in Weslaco Auto Accident
A cyclist was killed in Weslaco on September 23 after being struck by a vehicle, according to authorities. Bicycle-auto accidents can be particularly dangerous. Learn about the details of the crash and the danger of auto-bicycle accidents from a McAllen auto accident injury lawyer.
The Fatal Bicyclist Accident
On the morning of Saturday, September 23, a man with a bike was struck and killed by a black pickup truck in Weslaco. The accident happened north of Mile 11 North on Mile 4 West Road at 8:36 a.m.
The man was walking with his bike traveling north on Mile West Road when he was hit by the truck, according to the preliminary investigation from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). The truck driver failed to stop and render aid, fleeing the scene.
Witnesses in the area reported hearing a loud noise before seeing the pickup on the road with no other vehicles nearby.
The bicyclist, a 43-year-old Weslaco resident, was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation into this incident remains ongoing, and Weslaco DPS is asking that anyone with information regarding the driver or the pickup truck to contact the office at (956) 565-7600.
Auto-Bicycle Accidents in Texas: Learn the Facts and Stay Safe
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) collects useful data surrounding the number, severity, and victim characteristics of bicycle or pedalcyclist accidents in Texas. By examining this data, we can better understand the serious threat posed by bicycle-auto accidents.
In total in 2022, there were 2,347 bicycle-involved reported accidents in Texas. This makes up just a tiny fraction of all reported accidents in the state. In fact, bike accidents represent less than half of one percent of all Texas crashes. Despite this, bike accident fatalities represent more than 2% of all accident fatalities in Texas. This means that bike accidents cause far more than their fair share of all accident deaths.
As you would expect, bike-auto accidents are also far more deadly compared to the average car accident. While less than one percent of all car accidents in Texas caused a fatality in 2022, nearly 4% of all reported bike accidents were fatal. That means that cyclist accidents are more than four times more deadly than the average car accident.
Drivers should always take care when driving near bicyclists: always give riders plenty of space, and watch for hand signs and unexpected movements. Also, be sure to check your blind spots before turning to make sure there aren’t any bicyclists in your turning zone.
Bicyclists can play an even larger role in keeping themselves safe. Bikers should drive in a straight line without swerving, use hand signals, watch for road hazards, obey marked traffic laws, and make eye contact with other drivers to make sure they see you.
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle-auto accident in Texas, a Weslaco auto accident injury lawyer can help you move forward.
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Source: ValleyCentral4
