Family of MIT Cyclist Sues Trucking Company, Driver for Wrongful Death

A fatal right-turn collision highlights the devastating consequences that truck accidents can have on cyclists and their families.

The grieving family of a Cambridge cyclist who was killed in a collision with a truck filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the truck driver and his employer seeking more than $30 million. The lawsuit, filed in Middlesex Superior Court, named Charles P. Blouin Inc., the business that owned and operated the truck, as well as the truck driver as defendants.

The decedent was a 24-year-old graduate student at MIT who was fatally struck by a truck near Kendall Square. According to the lawsuit filed by her father, the defendants’ negligence caused her to experience mortal fear of death, conscious pain and suffering, and an untimely death.

Quick Answer:
Truck-versus-bicycle collisions can result in devastating injuries or wrongful death. When a truck driver allegedly fails to yield the right of way, makes an unsafe turn, or otherwise acts negligently, the driver and potentially the trucking company may face legal claims depending on the circumstances and available evidence.

What Happened in the Cambridge Truck Accident?

According to the lawsuit, the victim was riding her bicycle toward MIT when she was struck at the intersection of Hampshire Street and Portland Street. The lawsuit alleged that she was riding in her designated bike lane, wearing a helmet, and following the rules of the road.

The filing alleged that the cyclist had the right of way to continue straight through the intersection when the truck attempted to make a right-hand turn onto Portland Street without yielding. She was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital, where she died from her injuries less than an hour later.

The Cyclist Was Riding Toward MIT

The lawsuit alleged that the 24-year-old graduate student was riding her bicycle toward MIT, in her bike lane, while wearing a helmet and following the rules of the road.

The Truck Allegedly Failed to Yield

According to the lawsuit, the cyclist had the right of way when the truck attempted to make a right-hand turn onto Portland Street and allegedly failed to yield.

The Victim Suffered Fatal Injuries

The victim was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital after the collision. According to the lawsuit, she died from her injuries less than an hour after being struck.

The Family Filed a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

The victim’s father filed an 8-page lawsuit against the truck driver and the company that owned and operated the truck. The family’s lawsuit sought compensation for the losses associated with the death.

What the Wrongful Death Lawsuit Is Seeking

The lawsuit sought approximately $28,000 in medical expenses and $30 million for wrongful death from the trucking company that employed the driver who allegedly caused the fatal collision.

The company and its attorneys did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit. The lack of a response does not establish or disprove the allegations made in a civil complaint.

$28K

Medical Expenses

The lawsuit sought approximately $28,000 for medical expenses related to the fatal collision.

$30M

Wrongful Death Damages

The family sought $30 million in damages for wrongful death based on the allegations contained in the lawsuit.

Why Truck Right-Turn Collisions Can Be So Dangerous for Cyclists

Large commercial trucks create unique dangers for people traveling by bicycle. A right-hand turn can bring a truck into conflict with a cyclist traveling straight through an intersection, particularly when the driver fails to see the cyclist or fails to yield the cyclist’s right of way.

The lawsuit in this case alleged that the cyclist was following the rules of the road and had the right of way when the truck turned across her path. Determining what happened in a truck-and-bicycle collision may require a detailed examination of the roadway, traffic signals, right-of-way rules, vehicle movements, witness statements, video footage, and other available evidence.

Important Evidence:
Evidence in a serious truck accident can disappear quickly. Photographs, traffic-camera footage, surveillance video, vehicle data, witness statements, police reports, medical records, and other documentation may be important when investigating a potential claim.

This Was Not the First Fatal Truck-and-Cyclist Collision in Cambridge

The lawsuit also noted that the victim was not the first cyclist to be killed by a truck making a right turn in Cambridge. According to the report, just two weeks before the victim’s death, a 55-year-old woman from Florida was killed at the intersection of DeWolf Street and Mount Auburn Street in Harvard Square after being struck by a truck while riding her bicycle.

Multiple fatal bicycle crashes involving large vehicles can raise broader concerns about cyclist safety, intersection design, visibility, and the interaction between bicycles and commercial trucks in urban areas.

How a Truck Accident Investigation Can Help

When a truck crash causes catastrophic injuries or death, identifying exactly how the collision happened is critical. An investigation may examine the driver’s actions, the condition and operation of the truck, company policies, available video evidence, witness accounts, roadway conditions, and whether applicable traffic rules were followed.

In a wrongful death case, the family may also need to establish the losses caused by the death and pursue compensation from parties who may be legally responsible. The facts of every collision are different, which is why a prompt investigation can be important.

Talk to a Springfield, IL Truck Accident Lawyer Today

The Springfield, IL truck accident lawyers at Patel Law, PC represent the interests of injured victims and families in truck accident and wrongful death lawsuits involving negligent drivers and trucking companies. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a truck accident, call our office today to schedule an appointment so we can begin investigating your lawsuit.