Charles Cosgrove, 53, was killed in a Los Angeles car accident the night of August 31, 2009 after his bicycle was struck by a car at a street intersection in Duarte, California. According to the Pasadena Star News, the fatal bicycle accident occurred at the intersection of Huntington Drive and Crestfield Drive. Police have not released the details of the accident, but eyewitnesses report hearing car tires screeching just before Cosgrove was hit. Cosgrove was riding his bike along Huntington, the route he used on most days to go home. That intersection was apparently the site of seven car accidents in a 12-month period.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Charles Cosgrove. According to the news reports, Cosgrove had touched the lives of many in his community and was known for his readiness to help his neighbors. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Cosgrove. Please keep them in your prayers.

Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatal bicycle accidents in Duarte, but four injuries reported as a result of bicycle accidents. In Los Angeles County as a whole, there were 27 deaths and 2,902 injuries in 2007 involving bicycle accidents.

In this particular case, if the newspaper and eyewitness reports are accurate, the car driver for some reason did not see Cosgrove on his bike at that intersection. The driver may have seen him too late and tried unsuccessfully to stop the car before hitting him. In such cases, traffic investigations would look into many, different aspects of the incident. Was the driver of the car impaired at the time? Was the driver distracted, for example, was he or she talking on the cell phone or texting, at the time of the crash? Was the driver speeding or negligent in some other way?

If it is determined that the driver was impaired or driving at a high rate of speed or driving recklessly, he or she may face criminal charges. If the driver was at fault for this accident, there is no question that he or she should be held criminally and civilly responsible.

Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer

Charles Cosgrove's family would be well-advised to consult with an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer who will look into all aspects of this accident and make sure the negligent parties are held accountable. A number of local residents have also talked about the dangerous nature of the intersection where this collision occurred. If there was in fact, a dangerous condition on that roadway, which caused or contributed to this fatal car accident, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could 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.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our source for the facts 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, please contact us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. Most of the best law firms will provide accident victims a free consultation.

We cannot fully inform any party or family member about their rights, options or the economic viability of any claim for compensation without a full investigation and consultation. We will not be conducting an investigation into this matter unless we are retained by a party. We will provide a free, confidential consultation to any, not at fault, person named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.