Modesto Bicycle Accident Leaves Officers Looking for Hit-and-Run Driver

 Officers with the Modesto Police Department are asking for help from the community. They're looking for the driver who is responsible for the death of a bicyclist. The Modesto bicycle accident has been described as a hit-and-run accident in which an bicyclist was left to die after being struck by a pickup truck just before 7 a.m.

Officers say the vehicle they're looking for is a white pickup truck that may have some damage to the front bumper, according to SF Gate. If you have any information, you're urged to contact local authorities.

Our Modesto bicycle accident lawyers understand that bicyclists are free to pedal around town throughout the year. https://askcompetentlawyer.com/civil-litigation/ California's ideal weather is perfect for cycling. Unfortunately, these year-round conditions of great weather means more bikes on the road, which contributes to the alarmingly high number of bicycle accidents that we see each year. Motorists and bicyclists are urged to be cautious of one another on our roadways to help to prevent any future accidents. Safer roadways start with you.

Bicycle Safety Tips from the California Department of Motor Vehicles:

-Always stay in control of your bicycle. Don't try new tricks near traffic.

-Wear brightly-colored clothing to be more visible to motorists.

-Adhere reflective tape to your bike to be seen when it's dark.

-Attach a light to your bike when riding at night.

-Always ride on the right-hand side of the road with the flow of traffic.

-Be cautious near parked vehicles. Vehicle occupants opening car doors is creating a new wave of bicyclist accidents called dooring.

-Always stop for traffic signals and stop lights. You are to follow the same road laws as motor-vehicle drivers.

-Use crosswalks to cross lanes of traffic.

-Never ride with more than one person on a bike unless it has been designed for such use.

-Use arm signals to communicate your desired maneuvers to others.

-Never allow small children to ride alone.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were nearly 650 bicyclists killed because of traffic-related accidents in the U.S. in 2009. More than 50,000 were injured during the same year because of these types of accidents. The deaths of bicyclist accounted for about 2 percent of all of the roadway fatalities for the year.

According to accident statistics, male riders between the ages of 45- and 54-years-old are most likely to be killed in a bicycle accident, followed by males between the ages of 35- and 44-years-old. While these groups are more likely to be involved in a bicycle accident, surely everyone is at serious risks in our state.

In the state of California, nearly 100 bicyclists were killed in 2009. Our state was the second most dangerous in the country for these types of accidents behind Florida.