Dade City Bicyclist Killed in Collision on State Road 35

On Saturday night, two cars struck and killed a 29-year-old man from Dade City on State Road 35 near Wilds Road.

He was traveling south when struck by a 2008 Mazda driven by a 25-year-old woman heading in the same direction. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, he bounced off the woman’s car and into the northbound lanes of the roadway. He was then run over by a 2001 Nissan Sentra driven by a 25-year-old man.

Authorities pronounced the bicyclist dead at the scene shortly before 11 p.m., soon after the accident. Neither driver involved in the collision sustained injuries. An investigation was pending as of Monday morning.

Statistics on Bicycle Accidents in the United States

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 130,000 bicyclists are injured in crashes on U.S. roads every year. Sadly, more than 1,000 people lose their lives annually because they sustained bicycle-related accidents.

Florida’s roadways rank among the deadliest in the nation for non-motorists. Many of these roads and highways were designed for cars and trucks traveling at high speeds, leading to numerous fatalities each year.

These bicycle traffic accidents in Florida, in 2021 alone, have caused 169 deaths.

Causes and Consequences of Bicycle Accidents

Negligent drivers play a significant role in bicycle accidents. Several scenarios can lead to a fatality, including:

• A driver turning directly in front of a bicyclist
• A motorist failing to yield at a red light, stop sign, or intersection
• A driver entering or merging into traffic directly in front of a cyclist
• A driver operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Bicyclists involved in collisions with motor vehicles often suffer severe and fatal injuries. A bicycle cannot withstand the impact of a vehicle weighing thousands of pounds.

Drivers who exhibit negligent behavior behind the wheel must be held accountable, especially when their actions result in someone’s death.

Florida’s wrongful death statutes allow surviving family members to seek compensation for losses, including funeral costs, lost wages, loss of companionship, and emotional pain and suffering. The Pasco County Injury Attorneys at Whittel and Melton help you explore your legal options.

If someone you love was killed in a bicycle accident in Dade City, New Port Richey, Zephyrhills, Land O’Lakes, Hudson, Holiday, Lutz, Trinity, or Wesley Chapel, contact the Pasco County Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton online or call 727-847-2299.