A 52-year-old Lehigh Valley woman suffered serious injuries after being struck at the State Route 115 and Mountain Road split at around 1:50 p.m. on Friday, July 14, 2017. Crash scene investigators with Pennsylvania State Police have determined that speed might have played a role in causing the near-fatal crash.
According to witness statements taken at the scene of the crash, a motorist had stopped in traffic as they drove in the northbound direction along Old Route 115. They activated their turn signal and were waiting to turn left onto Mountain Road.
As that motorist prepared to turn, they saw a pickup, later identified as a 2004 Toyota Tacoma, quickly approaching their car from behind. The pickup’s 31-year-old driver appeared to attempt to slow down, but was unable to do so in time. At the last minute, he crossed the double yellow line into oncoming traffic, missing the stopped motorist in the process.
As the Tacoma’s driver entered into the southbound lanes, he found himself close to colliding with a 2012 Hyundai Accent. In an effort to avoid crashing into the Tacoma, the 19-year-old driver of the Hyundai attempted to pull his car onto the roadway’s shoulder.
He wasn’t able to do so in time. It’s then that the pickup’s driver struck the driver’s side of the man’s car with its front bumper, an impact which pushed the Hyundai onto the shoulder. Riding along Old Route 115’s southbound shoulder at the time was a female bicyclist. It’s then that the front bumper of the Hyundai struck the rear wheel of the woman’s bike.
The crash’s impact caused the woman to be thrown from her bicycle. She first landed on the Hyundai’s hood before crashing through its front windshield. She bounced off the young man’s car before landing in Old Route 115’s southbound lane.
West End Ambulance responded to the scene of the crash. They transported the bicyclist to Lehigh Valley Hospital in East Stroudsburg with what was described as critical injuries. The bicyclist was said to have been wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
If you have suffered injuries because of a negligent driver while you were on your bicycle, you may have a right to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and more damages.
Source: Lehigh Valley Live, “Bicyclist suffers ‘suspected major injuries’ in crash outside Wind Gap,” Kurt Bresswein, July 14, 2017