21-year-old Cyclist Killed by Recology Garbage Truck in San Francisco's Mission District

On May 23, 2013, at about 6:45 a.m., a bicyclist was struck by a Recology garbage truck in the Mission neighborhood of San Francisco.  The accident occurred as the bicyclist was heading eastbound on 16^th Street, while trying to make a right hand turn onto southbound Van Ness.  The collision left the 21-year-old bicyclist dead at the scene.  The bicyclist, Dylan Mitchell, had just moved to San Francisco two weeks ago and was working with an electrician as an apprentice.  He was previously a resident of Clayton and had attended Clayton Valley High School.

 

The driver of the garbage truck was unaware he had hit the bicyclist until he was waved down by pedestrians on the street who had witnessed the collision.  The bike was found crushed on the corner of 17^th Street and South Van Ness after being dragged one block down the street.

 

Bicycles and vehicles must share the road making it essential that drivers obey all traffic laws. Bicyclists do not have the same physical protections as other vehicles which makes them more vulnerable to serious injuries.  Drivers have a duty to pay attention while driving and refrain from any negligent behavior that puts the safety of cyclists at risk.  Bicycle accidents frequently happen when a cyclist is cut off in an intersection or when someone opens their car door into a bike lane.  When drivers fail to take the proper safety precautions, severe or fatal injuries can occur.

 

At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP we send our deepest condolences to Dylan Mitchell’s family.  The personal injury attorneys at Matiasic Roth and Johnson LLP are highly experienced with bicycle accident law and know the importance of pursuing our client’s legal rights with diligence.  Our lawyers have over thirty years of combined legal experience and have successfully handled many bicycle accident cases.

 

If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, your case will be personally handled by one of our skilled attorneys who are compassionate with their clients and aggressive in protecting their rights.  If you or a loved one have been injured in a bicycle accident you could be entitled to compensation.  Contact the attorneys at Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP for a free consultation and case evaluation.