Maury County Dentist Killed in Bicycle Accident
A local Maury County dentist was killed earlier this month in a cycling accident with a car on the roadways. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Dr. Ponder Laray Rector, 55, of Columbia was riding his bicycle along Bryant Station Road a little after 6:15 a.m. last Monday when a vehicle driven by Brittany Hutt, 25, struck him.
According to the police report, Dr. Rector was riding with another cyclist at the time that was not injured in the accident. Ms. Hutt was driving through a curve in the road that parallels Interstate 65 when she drove into the other lane and hit Dr. Rector head on with her vehicle. He was declared dead at the scene, and the report failed to mention whether he was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
Dr. Rector is the fifth cyclist killed so far this year on the Tennessee roads. There have been no charges filed against Ms. Hutt so far, and there was no evidence of alcohol or that she was texting while driving. The Tennessee Highway Patrol said the crash is still under investigation at this time.
Tennessee Bicycle Accidents
Because of the beautiful scenery, rolling hills, and generally good weather, Tennessee is a popular state for cyclists. However, recent cycling accidents that have happened within the state have highlighted the issue of car and truck drivers failing to see cyclists on the road.
According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, there have been 307 reported bicycle accidents on the state’s roads so far this year. Of those accidents, 37 resulted in property damage, 265 crashes resulted in the cyclist’s injury, and five cycling accidents resulted in death.
Compensation for Cycling Accidents
The injuries involved in a cycling accident are often more serious than a typical car accident and can routinely be fatal. As with any other vehicle on the road, car drivers have a duty to exercise care around bicyclists that share the roadways. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and drivers often do not look for or spot cyclists on the roads.
If you have been injured while cycling, you may have a claim for compensation against the other driver. Damages for bicycle accident injuries can include:
- Present and future medical bills;
- Rehabilitation;
- Transportation costs;
- Lost wages;
- Impaired earning ability;
- Disability;
- Scarring and permanent disfigurement;
- Property damage;
- Pain and suffering;
- Wrongful death;
- Funeral costs;
…and other damages that are reasonably related to the injuries or death that resulted from the cycling accident.
Contact a Nashville Personal Injury Lawyer
Bicycle accidents often result in traumatic injuries or death that can be physically, emotionally, and financially difficult to deal with. If you or someone that you know has been injured in a cycling accident in or near Nashville, let the personal injury lawyers at Calhoun Law, PLC help. Call or contact the office today for a free and confidential review of your case.