Driving defensively is one of the primary rules of the road in British Columbia as elsewhere. It sounds like it means that drivers must have eyes in the back of their heads when all it really calls for is being keenly aware of other drivers as well as of the road ahead.
For some people in British Columbia, being behind the wheel of a car seems to bring out the worst in them. Perhaps some drivers feel empowered when driving, exhilarated by controlling a lustrous and impressive machine.
Some highways are treacherous and the scene of road fatalities more often than others. Excessive speed, or sometimes human error, can also be the cause of critical injury or loss of life. When several negatives converge, however, an entire family can perish.
A character in the classic movie, American Graffiti, says it all: Driving is a serious business. Deadly serious, one might add without exaggeration, for the very good reason that loss of life may result. Driving has become such a commonplace activity that drivers can sometimes neglect to remain fully alert.
British Columbia cyclists negotiating big city streets need to be alert and knowledgeable about road regulations. Experienced cyclists can develop a sixth sense as to whether the drivers around them are aware of their presence, which can significantly reduce their odds of being involved in bicycle accidents.
Road and highway construction sites often test drivers’ patience, but drivers know that the safety measures in place are there not only to protect drivers but on-site workers as well. Recently, in Burnaby, roadwork was in full swing westward along 10th Avenue when an impatient driver ignored all of the cautionary signs, pylons and signalling, and plowed into a traffic flagger.
A 51-year-old hit-and-run driver recently received a conditional sentence of eight months followed by probation for 18 months for knocking down a pedestrian in Jan. 2014. According to British Columbia Supreme Court documents, this pedestrian accident occurred on a morning with poor visibility when the defendant backed out of his driveway.
When fatal car accidents occur in British Columbia, the crash investigation process is complicated, often involving specialized operations by different agencies. One such accident — that could potentially result in a wrongful death claim — occurred in West Kootenay on a recent Tuesday.
Victims of crashes nationwide, including in British Columbia, can pursue recovery of damages. This is if the car accident was caused by the negligence of another person. However, how do one know the monetary value of damages caused by spinal cord injuries – both short and long-term losses?
As the weather changes, cyclists will take to the British Columbia roads. Unfortunately, as in any other year, many victims of bicycle accidents will likely land in hospitals with injuries that could be traumatic. Cyclists have very little protection, and when they are struck by vehicles, the injuries are usually severe.
