A fatal bicycle accident occurred in Berkeley, California on July 13, 2012. The victim was 65-year-old Shlomo Bentin. Mr. Bentin was a distinguished Israeli psychologist from Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Last year Mr. Bentin was awarded the prestigious Israel Prize in recognition of his contributions in the field of psychology and neuropsychology. Mr. Bentin was residing in Berkeley with his wife for the past year while working as a visiting professor at U.C. Berkeley.  

According to published reports, Mr. Bentin was riding his bicycle on Bancroft Way near the intersection of Fulton Street at approximately 3:30 pm when he was struck by a passing dump truck. The driver of the truck reportedly did not notice striking Mr. Bentin. A motorcyclist who was at the scene chased down the dump truck and notified the driver that he had struck Mr. Bentin. The dump truck driver returned the scene and cooperated with investigators.

A Berkeley Police Department spokesman recounted that Mr. Bentin had suffered significant head trauma. His bicycle helmet had reportedly been shattered into several pieces. Mr. Bentin was transported to Highland Hospital where he was pronounced dead. At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our sincerest condolences go to Mr. Bentin’s family in their time of immense grief.

In California an increasing number of cyclists share the road with other vehicles. An instant of driver negligence can cause a lifetime of pain for California cyclists and their families. Driver inattention is one of the leading causes of bicycle accidents. If driver inattention or recklessness caused this accident, the driver and his employer can be held liable.

The wrongful death of a loved one in a bicycle accident is a terrible tragedy for any family to endure. The compassionate bicycle accident lawyers of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP are committed to helping families of victims put their lives back together following a traumatic accident. Our experienced trial lawyers fight on behalf of victims and their families and make the responsible parties pay for their negligence.