Throughout all of the country, including Pennsylvania, many individuals rely on motor vehicles to get to their destination. There is another group however who either walk or rely on their bicycles for transportation. While these modes of transportation are generally good for one's health, there are risks that need to be considered. One of the biggest is the possibility of being hit by a car.

Last month a 72-year-old woman riding a bicycle was injured when she was struck by a car. The accident occurred near the Princeton Shopping Center in the early afternoon. The woman was apparently riding her bicycle on Valley Road seeking to cross North Harrison Street when she was hit by the Mitsubishi Eclipse, driven by a 33-year-old man. The man was attempting a left hand turn from the shopping center when the collision occurred. As a result of the collision the woman flew from her bicycle and landed on the hood of the Mitsubishi.

The woman injured her left ankle and nose in the incident. After the accident she was taken to University Medical Center at Princeton for treatment. She was released a short time later,

Fortunately, the injuries sustained in this accident were minor. Sadly this is often not the case when a pedestrian or bicyclist is hit by a motor vehicle. It is not uncommon for pedestrians and bicyclists in these types of accidents to sustain catastrophic injuries to their brain or spine. In some cases the injuries are so serious that they result in death.

The 33-year-old driver was charged by Princeton Township Police with the failure to yield at an intersection. It is possible that he could face ramifications on the civil side as well should the woman decide to file a personal injury lawsuit against him.

Source: Princeton Patch, "Driver Charged After Collision Injures Bicyclist," Greta Cuyler, Oct. 20, 2011