Family of Bicyclist Killed in Truck Accident Files $5 Million Suit

Baltimore, Maryland—the family of a bicyclist who was struck and killed last year in a collision with a truck has filed a $5 million wrongful death lawsuit against the driver and his employer.

The fatal accident occurred on August 4 last year when John R. Yates was riding his bicycle behind a truck when he became caught in the truck’s rear wheels. According to the police the truck turned right and ran Yates over, killing him at the scene. The family’s civil suit alleges negligence on the part of the truck driver, as well as his employer, because a surveillance video apparently showed the driver turned right without signaling. Furthermore, the family’s attorney, Steven D. Silverman, also argues that the driver “took a right turn without making sure it was clear and free of traffic—cyclists or pedestrians.”

Moreover, Silverman also contends that Yates was not at fault in the accident because he was following laws that require bicyclists to stay with the flow of traffic and to also stay as far right as possible. The trucker did not stop after running Mr. Yates over. The suit was filed in court on last Wednesday on behalf of Yates’ wife and daughter and seeks compensatory damages from the truck driver and his employer, Potts & Callahan Inc., a demolition, excavation and equipment rental company.