Ryan Theodore Lucas, 33, died three days after his bicycle collided with a motorcycle while he was crossing the street. The bicycle accident occurred on Thursday around 5 am in Lodi. Mr. Lucas rode in a front of Harley Davidson on Tokyo Street near Ham Lane. The 54-year-old motorcyclist, Reverend David Garner, suffered serious personal injuries. Both victims were flown to the UC Davis Medical Center. Police reports that Mr. Lucas was riding south and crossed the road into Garner’s lane. The Lodi accident remains under investigation. Authorities do not inform if alcohol and drugs were a factor.

CHP records indicate that in 2008 11,683 people were injured in bicycle accidents and 131 of those crashes were fatal.

Regardless of fault, the survivors of a fatal crash often experience significant guilt and emotional distress. It appears that the bicyclist was at least partially at fault for causing the collision, but further investigation is often necessary to get all of the relevant details.  Witness accounts are important, but other information that can ultimately influence who will be deemed responsible, in whole or in part, for a collision. If the driver of a motorcycle or bike rider injures someone else while violating a Vehicle Code section or while failing to use due care while driving, he or she can be held civilly liable for monetary damages in the amount of all of the medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering of the other party. In most cases, it is vital to conduct an investigation immediately so evidence is not lost due to the passage of time.

Anyone injured in a bike or motorcycle collision is urged to consult with an experienced Sacramento Personal Injury Attorney. It is always important to act quickly so that all legal rights are protected. A knowledgeable Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer will investigate the circumstances of the collision and evaluate the roadway for dangerous conditions that may have caused or contributed to this fatal accident.

The Demas & Rosenthal personal injury law firm is not currently representing anyone mentioned in this article at the time it was posted. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your legal rights and options, call us or another well recognized and respected personal injury law firm. Please do not rely or act solely upon the information provided in this article. Please consider getting a consultation immediately. The best personal injury law firms will provide a free consultation. Demas & Rosenthal will provide a free, confidential consultation to the persons who were not at fault named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Hit-and-run accidents are always difficult to handle for everyone involved, particularly the families of those who are wrongfully harmed. Recently, we posted about a hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian in the area, and tragically, another fatal hit-and-run crash has occurred. This one took the life of a bicyclist who was hit twice and did not survive the impacts.

According to a report by KCRA:

“The California Highway Patrol is looking for a driver accused of fleeing the scene of a south Sacramento County hit-and-run crash that left a bicyclist dead.

The wreck, which was reported at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, occurred on Stockton Boulevard near Walter Avenue.

The CHP said the cyclist was struck by a red vehicle as he attempted to cross the street. The rider was thrown from his bike and dragged under the vehicle for a short time.

The red vehicle was last seen fleeing northbound on Stockton Boulevard.

The cyclist was hit a second time by a white Hyundai driven by a Sacramento resident. The Hyundai came to rest on top of the victim. Rescue workers had to lift the car off the victim’s body, the CHP said.”

Authorities are asking anyone who may have information regarding the incident to contact them and to provide those details. If you or someone you love has been harmed in such a crash, you should not wait to seek help. Contact the Sacramento personal injury lawyers at Demas & Rosenthal today to schedule a free initial consultation. The firm has years of experience in holding those responsible for these types of losses accountable.