A 7-year-old boy has sustained critical injuries in a Garden Grove car accident after his bicycle was struck by a driver the evening of March 28, 2010. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the boy was riding his bike on El Prado Avenue, near the 22 Freeway, when he was struck by a 1988 Ford F-150 pickup truck driven by 47-year-old Kha Huynh. The boy was dragged by the vehicle for a short distance. Huynh stopped at the scene and waited for authorities to arrive. The boy was transported to a trauma center where he remains in a coma. The boy was apparently not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.

My heart goes out to this child who is currently fighting for his life in the ICU. I hope and pray that he makes it through these critical injuries and makes a complete recovery. A family member who commented on the Register's web site says the boy has sustained a traumatic brain injury. This child and his family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Bicycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 57 injuries occurred involving bicycle accidents in Garden Grove, California. In Orange County as a whole, 10 fatalities and 1,087 injuries were reported as a result of bicycle accidents during the same year.

Accident Causes

Based on this news report, it is not entirely clear how or why this major injury collision occurred. Was the driver, Huynh, under the influence at the time? Was he speeding through what has been described by many as a residential neighborhood, a "quiet cul-de-sac?" Was the driver distracted or inattentive at the time? Did the boy in any way contribute to the accident? Did he cross the road suddenly or in a place where the driver may not have seen him in time to avoid a collision?

Fault and Liability

I trust investigators are looking into these and other issues to determine the cause of the accident. This incident is also, an important reminder to ensure that our children and grandchildren wear helmets when they get on their bikes. It doesn't matter if they are riding to school or just around the block, they should wear a helmet at all times. In this case, a helmet may have prevented the head injury or reduced the seriousness of those injuries.

The boy's family would be well-advised to contact an experienced Garden Grove personal injury lawyer, who will make sure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. If the driver, Huynh, is determined to have been negligent here, he could be held liable. If there was a dangerous condition on the roadway that caused this collision, the city could be held liable as well. Any claim against a California governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury. In such cases, victims and their families can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, cost of hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy and cost of long-term care if the injuries are catastrophic or cause lifelong disabilities.

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.