The family of the bicyclist who was struck and killed in Ballard earlier this year is suing the driver who hit him. From the P-I:

In a suit filed Thursday morning, attorneys for the family of Kevin D. Black claim the driver acted negligently when, on the morning of Feb. 4, she struck and killed Black as he passed by in a bike lane.

According to the filing, Black was riding south in the 6400 block of 24th Avenue Northwest when the 2006 Ford Econoline van driven by an Ambient Control Co., Inc., employee cut across the bike lane as the driver tried to perform a U-Turn. Unable to stop, Black, 39, collided with the van as it crossed the bike lane and was killed.

As anyone who has ridden on Seattle's streets for any length of time knows, you're taking your life into your hands whenever you get behind the handlebars. And despite the fact that the vast majority of car-bike accidents are caused by drivers, it's nearly impossible to charge a driver with a crime, thanks to a state law that says cities can't criminalize traffic infractions. Cascade Bicycle Club has said it plans to make criminalizing assault by vehicle its top priority in the upcoming legislative session.