Bicycle Accident Wrongful Death Lawsuit Settled for $1.5M

A $1.5 million settlement has been reached in a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of Seattle scientist killed in a bicycle accident.  

Kevin Black was struck by a van owned by Ambient Control Company, an HVAC and refrigeration company, on February 4, 2009, when the driver made a sudden U-turn.

The bicycle accident lawsuit was filed in September 2009 against Ambient, and was scheduled to go to trial later this year in King County Superior Court in Washington.

Black was riding in the bicycle lane when the 2006 Ford Econoline van turned and cut across the bike lane. He was unable to stop in time and ran into the back of the van, which then rolled over him. Seattle police ruled the U-turn illegal.

The driver claimed to have not seen Black and no charges were filed against him, according to a report by The Seattle Times. The lawsuit accused the driver of negligence.

Black, 39, was a molecular neurobiologist at the University of Washington and is survived by two teen-aged daughters. He was researching molecules that control the electric signals in the brain when he was killed. He was also a member of the Alki Rubicon Racing Team.

The settlement between Ambient Control Company and Black’s family was approved on April 29 and details were released last month. His daughters will receive about $500,000 each as a result of the settlement and the remaining $500,000 will go to attorney fees.