A 32-year-old bicyclist caused serious personal injuries to a 6-year-old boy near Pike Place Market in Seattle after he struck the child, who was walking in a crosswalk with his father and brother. According to a news report in the Seattle Times, the bicyclist was riding recklessly as he passed several cars, rode through a red light and hit the little boy, who was in a crosswalk. He tried to get back on his bike and ride away, but witnesses stopped him and held him until police arrived on scene. The child was taken to a Seattle hospital with a fractured jaw. According to the news report, the boy’s jaw had to be wired shut. Authorities say the bicyclist will be charged with vehicular assault and hit-and-run.
Tragic accidents such as this one occur everyday in Seattle. In this particular case, the child sustained serious injuries as a result of another individual’s negligence and blatant disregard for public safety. Asked by officials why he blew through the red light, the bicyclist told them that he thought he “could make it.” Negligent bicyclists and drivers should be held accountable for their actions, because those actions cause a lot of pain, emotional distress and financial strain to victims and their families. In this particular case, this little boy suffered serious facial injuries.
The Bernard Law Group led by Kirk Bernard recently represented a 16-year-old pedestrian accident victim in Bellevue, Washington, for whom we obtained a policy limits settlement. The teenager was struck in a crosswalk, much like this little boy, and sustained a jaw fracture, severe right thigh laceration and traumatic brain injury.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Seattle pedestrian accident, please contact the experienced Seattle personal injury attorneys at the Bernard Law Firm for a free consultation. Our successful track record speaks for itself. We will fight for your rights and make sure you receive fair compensation for your accident-related expenses, damages and loss.
Source article: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/theblotter/2010302315_criminal_charges_filed_against.html?syndication=rss