This is a case filed by Karren Cotty against several individuals and companies regarding her cycling accident in which she suffered personal injuries. Included in Cotty’s complaints were the Town of Southampton where she and her husband along with other experienced bikers often rode in groups. Suffolk County Water Authority, Elmore Associates Construction Corporation and CAC Contracting Corporation are the other entities included in Cotty’s complaint.
According to her story the accident happened on July 27, 2002 along a two-way paved road known as Deerfield Road in the town of Southampton north of Woodthrush Lane. She said that she was the last cyclist in the party of 8 experienced bicyclist. She considered herself as advanced to intermediate rider while her husband, whom she also rode that day of the accident, was leading the pack and was considered as the skilled cyclist. According to a report Cotty was the last person in a single filed cyclist and immediately in front of her was Peter Deutch. According to Karen, when Deutch fell she tried to avoid running into him and that’s the last thing she remembered. When she opened her eyes, Cotty already saw EMT’s helping her and Deutch from their sustained injuries.
According to her testimony, she considers herself as a “safe-rider” following instruction on cycling safety rules and habits. She wore on that day a high-end type helmet. She said that as a habit, she never ride directly on somebody’s wheel. She always allow a safe distance between her and the rider in front of her. She also remembered the weather being significantly dry and good for riding. She also said that she had already ridden Deerfield about 20 to 30 times before and making her quite familiar with the place.