Grossmont College professor Brian Jennings was killed while riding his bicycle

On Tuesday, April 17, 58-year-old Grossmont College professor Brian Jennings was killed while riding his bicycle on Old Highway 80 near El Cajon.  According to news reports on the fatal accident, Jennings was wearing his helmet and riding in the bicycle lane when the driver of a minivan fell asleep, drifted off the road, and hit him.  Professor Jennings was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Cycling advocacy blog, Biking in L.A. says Jennings was the 19th cyclist killed in Southern California this year, the 3rd in San Diego County.

Unfortunately, cyclist deaths are on the rise all across the country. The United States Department of Transportation’s 2016 Fatal Traffic Crash Data report shows 840 bicyclist deaths for 2016, a 1.3 percent increase from the previous year, and the highest it’s been since 1991. The State of California typically has the first or second highest average of annual cyclist deaths of all the states, despite leading the way in some bicycle safety regulations, including being the first state to institute bicycle helmet laws.

How to lower the risk of bicycle-car collisions

Knowing the rules of the road and following safety precautions are the first steps toward minimizing the risk of bicycle-car collisions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers bicycle safety recommendations to both cyclists and the drivers of cars.  

For cyclists, these recommendations include:

• Wear protective gear (helmets, reflectors, bright clothing)

• Drive with the flow in the same direction of traffic

• Obey street signs

• Remain alert (no loud music, no texting, etc)

• Ride predictably where you can be seen

For drivers, they include:

• Do not underestimate the speed of cyclists

• Look to the right and behind you before moving over to turn right on red

• Obey all traffic laws

• Give cyclists room and don’t pass too closely

• Drive cautiously and carefully

Many other resources also offer safety tips for cyclists, including the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center.

Unfortunately, even following all the safety rules and precautions is no guarantee that an accident will not take place.  

Who is at fault in a bicycle accident?

In the tragic accident that killed Professor Jennings, it does seem clear that the driver who fell asleep is to blame. But not all cases are straightforward and clear. Both cyclists and drivers must adhere to the rules of the road, take safety precautions, and maintain awareness of their surroundings, but even when it seems obvious that the driver is to blame in an accident, proving that driver negligence led to a bicycle accident injury or death is complicated.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a bicycle accident, a personal injury lawyer can help determine and prove fault. You may be entitled to compensation to pay for your hospital bills, healing therapies, property damage, lost wages, and more.

Bates Law will help get you the compensation needed

The last thing you need while you’re recovering from your bicycle accident is the added stress of navigating the legal system on your own. At Bates Law, we can help get you the compensation needed to ease the financial pressure of medical expenses and missed work due to injuries sustained in a cycling collision that was not your fault.  

With 19+ years of experience and thousands of successful settlements, we know the law and how to use it to get you the compensation you deserve. Give us a call today at 619-222-0900 for a free case review.