A bicyclist was injured in an California car accident after he was hit by a Toyota Corolla the morning of October 15, 2009, The Orange County Register reports. California Highway Patrol officials said the crash occurred at the Raymond Avenue on-ramp to the 91 Freeway in Fullerton. It is not clear how or why the crash occurred. The man was taken to the hospital with injuries, but the extent of his injuries is not clear.

My heart goes out to this injured victim who, based on the photograph posted on the newspaper's Web site, seems to have suffered serious injuries. I hope his injuries were not life-threatening and wish him the very best for a quick and complete recovery. Please keep this victim in your prayers.

Bicycle Accidents in Orange County

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 53 injuries involving California bicycle accidents in Anaheim. In Orange County as a whole, 16 fatalities and 1,020 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of bicycle accidents. Also, in Orange County during the same periods, 178 fatalities and 14,185 injuries involving car accidents were reported.

In this case, it is not very clear at this point how or why this car-bicycle collision may have occurred. Obviously the driver of the Toyota Corolla did not see the bicyclist at the on-ramp and vehicles often tend to pick up speed as they get on the freeway on-ramp, which is exactly why these accidents can result in devastating injuries to the pedestrian or bicyclist who is crossing the street at the time.

Liability Issues in Car Accidents

In these types of accidents there are of course, many questions that come up. Where was the bicyclist riding at the time of the collision? Was there a crosswalk at the on-ramp and if so, was he in the crosswalk? Who had the right-of-way at the time of the crash? Was the driver of the Toyota Corolla impaired, distracted, speeding or otherwise negligent?

If this bicycle accident was caused by the car driver's negligence, then he or she could be held liable for the accident and the resulting injuries. If there was a dangerous condition on the roadway that caused this injury accident, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Please remember that any claim against a governmental agency in California must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury. An experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer can help victims file their claims in a timely manner and also advise them about their legal rights and options.

We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.