Police on Monday arrested a man they say critically injured a bicyclist in a weekend hit-and-run accident in Peachtree City. The accident occurred at around 6:30 AM, Saturday morning, when a father of two was struck by a Jeep Grand Cherokee while riding his bicycle down Peachtree Parkway. The driver of the Jeep fled, leaving the bicyclist lying in the road, suffering from serious head and spinal injuries. The bicyclist was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital via helicopter and underwent surgery. On Tuesday afternoon, his family reported that he had come through surgery successfully and was in stable condition.
Police say they were assisted in discovering the identity of the driver by surveillance cameras in the area that produced photos of him. They report that the suspect was returning home from work when the accident occurred, and that he did not stop at all for the accident. He is currently in the Fayette County Jail, facing a charge of felony hit-and-run, with a potential of more charges as the investigation into the incident continues.
According to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a hit-and-run accident occurs every 43 seconds in the U.S., and more than 2,000 people are killed in this type of accident every year. Hit-and-run accidents are not only difficult from an investigative standpoint, but from a legal standpoint when it comes time for a personal injury claim as well. Because nearly all personal injury settlements and awards are compensated through the auto liability policy of the at-fault party, knowing the identity of the driver is crucial.
Have you been injured in a bicycle accident? An experienced accident attorney from Cambre & Associates LLC can explain your legal options for obtaining compensation and can answer the questions you have about your case through a free case evaluation.
