A van driven by a drunk driver struck and killed a bicyclist late Monday night. The driver, a 49 year-old Minneapolis man was arrested on site and is in jail without bail. The police report that the man was obviously impaired, smelling of alcohol and slurring his speech.
The 26 year-old bicyclist was wearing a helmet on and his bicycle was illuminated with both front and rear lights. In other words, he was doing everything right.
“If the driver of the van was illegally served alcohol before the accident, the family may have a dram shop claim against the bar or restaurant that sold the alcohol,” said Fred Pritzker, a Minneapolis lawyer who just settled a wrongful death lawsuit for over 4 million dollars. He and attorney Eric Hageman worked together on the case. Fred and Eric were named “Attorneys of the Year” by Minnesota Lawyer in 2011 for their work on another wrongful death case. They represented a family whose loved one was killed by a commercial truck while riding her bicycle in the bike lane in downtown Minneapolis.
According to the preliminary police report, the van involved in yesterday’s accident was heading west on West Franklin Avenue when it hit a parked car and then struck the bicyclist. The victim was trapped underneath the van until the Fire Department was able to free him. The cyclist, who has not yet been identified, died at the scene of the collision.
Bicycle accidents such as these are tragic and preventable. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a bicycle-automobile collision, you may need a bicycle accident attorney to help you understand your legal rights and bring the motorist to justice.
Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Eric Hageman have won millions for their clients. Fred is an experienced cyclist himself and uses his knowledge about biking to ensure that our clients are fairly represented. You can click here now to contact Fred and Eric for a free consultation regarding a lawsuit against a drunk driver and possibly others.
