James Steven Swarzman, 47, was killed in a San Diego car accident, which officials say, involved a hit-and-run driver. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the fatal bicycle accident occurred the morning of April 10, 2011 near the intersection of North Coast Highway 101 and Jason Street in Encinitas. Swarzman was traveling with two other cyclists when he was hit from behind by a vehicle, which fled the scene. Swarzman was transported to an area hospital where he later died. Officials are looking for the hit-and-run driver. The suspect vehicle is described as a newer model blue Ford F-150.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of James Steven Swarzman for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Bicycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 20 injuries reported due to bicycle accidents in Encinitas. In San Diego County as a whole, seven people died and 959 were injured in bicycle accidents during that same year.

Leaving the Scene of a Car Accident

If the details of this news report are accurate, it appears that the driver struck Swarzman and left him lying on the roadway critically injured. It is not clear why the vehicle rear-ended the bicycle. Regardless of whose fault an accident is, California law requires motorists to stop immediately after an injury car accident and remain at the scene until authorities arrive.

California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a) states: "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident."

I certainly hope this hit-and-run driver is apprehended and brought to justice. If you have any information about the driver or the suspect vehicle, please contact the San Diego Sheriff's Encinitas station, or, visit our web site at www.hitandrunreward.com. On our web site, you can offer an anonymous tip and instantly become eligible to win a $1,000 reward.

Compensation Issues

Families of deceased hit-and-run car accident victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. A skilled car accident attorney will also advise families about how their own car insurance policy might apply to an incident where the hit-and-run driver is never identified, or, in a case where the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured.

Lost a family member in a San Diego County hit-and-run car accident? Want to know your rights? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation? Want justice? Want to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to another family?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a fatal Encinatas bicycle accident. Call 866-990-8787. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a BISNAR | CHASE San Diego wrongful death lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your rights by attorneys who have been representing families of deceased accident victims since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a compassionate and understanding law firm in a comfortable environment.

San Diego Hit-and-Run Car Accident Proves Fatal for Bicyclist is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Amine Britel, 41, was killed in a Newport Beach car accident after his bicycle was hit by a suspected drunk driver, who apparently received 16 traffic citations since 2005 including speeding, failure to stop, talking on the cell phone and talking on the cell phone while speeding. According to a news report in the Daily Pilot, 22-year-old Danae Marie Miller, is facing gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated charges following the February 21, 2011 car accident that occurred on San Joaquin Hills Road shortly before 6 p.m.

The Pilot states that Miller got six tickets for speeding or driving too fast each year between 2005 and 2009. She got a ticket in 2006 for driving the wrong way on a street in 2006, failure to stop at a stop sign and for various other violations including distracted driving. Police say Miller failed a field sobriety test immediately after this accident, which led to her arrest. An investigation is ongoing.

First and foremost, my heart goes out to everybody who knew and loved Amine Britel for their tragic and devastating loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

A Pattern of Dangerous Driving

Based on the information included in the news account, clearly this person was an accident waiting to happen. There were numerous red flags here. With so many tickets, I'm surprised her license hadn't been suspended or at least placed on probation. However, this seems to have been the first time she was arrested in connection with a DUI collision.

Since I don't drink, it is more difficult for me to judge, but isn't being intoxicated by 6 in the evening awfully early? This wasn't a holiday such as July 4 where people were drinking on the beach all day. I have a feeling that before this criminal matter is over, we'll hear more about what this person was up to. The real tragedy is, no matter what happens to her, regardless of what punishment she gets, the fact remains that the bicyclist, Amine Britel, was killed. Nothing is going to bring him back or make things right by his family.

Dangers of Driving under the Influence

As a Newport Beach personal injury lawyer who represents victims of DUI collisions and their families, and as an active supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), I'm outraged and saddened by this horrific incident. Drunk driving is an epidemic in our society. This fatal crash in Newport Beach is yet another example of how lives can be ruined as a result of one person's poor judgment and recklessness.

Lost a family member in a Newport Beach DUI car accident? Want to know your rights? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation? Want justice? Want to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to another family?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a fatal Newport Beach bicycle accident. Call 866-971-2345. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a BISNAR | CHASE Newport Beach wrongful death lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your rights by attorneys who have been representing families of deceased accident victims since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a compassionate and understanding law firm in a comfortable environment.

Driver in Fatal Newport Beach Car Accident Was Repeatedly Cited, Officials Say is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Santa Maria’s utilities director, 53-year-old Rick Sweet, was injured in a car accident when a vehicle hit his bicycle. According to a news report in The Santa Maria Times, the injury bicycle accident occurred the afternoon of January 18, 2011 at East Betteravia Road and Centerpointe Parkway in Santa Maria. Sweet was riding his bicycle when a semi-truck driven by Donald A. Cexton, 51, turned in front of him. Sweet sustained cuts and abrasions to his legs and face. Officials are looking into what caused this accident.

My thoughts and prayers are with Rick Sweet following this Santa Maria truck accident. I wish him a complete and speedy recovery from his injuries.

Bicycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 29 people were injured in Santa Maria bicycle accidents. During that same year, there were three fatalities and 223 injuries reported as a result of Santa Barbara County bicycle accidents.

What Caused This Bicycle Accident?

It appears from the report that the truck driver turned into the path of the bicyclist without properly yielding right-of-way. Bicycle riders in California have the same rights and responsibilities as the drivers of other vehicles. According to California Vehicle Code Section 21800 (a): "The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection from a different highway." I trust officials are also looking into whether the truck driver was distracted, inattentive or otherwise negligent at the time.

Liability Issues

If the truck driver is determined to have been at fault, he and his employer could be held liable for the injuries caused. Injured victims in such cases could seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, physical therapy and other related damages. Car accident victims would also be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all facets of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held accountable.

A skilled car accident lawyer will also be able to determine whether a dangerous roadway condition caused or contributed to the incident. If that was the case, the city or public entity responsible for maintaining the roadway could also be held liable. Please remember that any personal injury claim against a California governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the incident.

Seriously injured in a California car accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a Santa Maria bicycle accident. Call 866-971-2345. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a BISNAR | CHASE California personal injury attorney for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.

City Employee Injured in Bicycle Accident is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Police in Tustin arrested 66-year-old Renato Demartino in connection with a hit-and-run car accident in Orange County, which left a bicyclist critically injured the night of November 17, 2010. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, police caught up with Demartino several hours after his Ford Mustang struck a 23-year-old bicyclist near the intersection of Walnut and Browning avenues in Tustin. Police say the bicyclist was riding west in a bike lane on Walnut when he was rear-ended by Demartino's Ford Mustang. The bicyclist is still in critical condition with severe head injuries.

Officers received license plate and other information from eyewitnesses. Police found the Mustang abandoned in a cul-de-sac later the night of this Orange County car accident. Demartino apparently lived in the neighborhood where the hit-and-run vehicle was found. He was arrested in his home on suspicion of felony hit-and-run. Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor.

My heart goes out to the injured bicyclist who is still in critical condition. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Leaving the Scene of a Car Accident

It is indeed a relief that the hit-and-run driver was apprehended in this bicycle accident case. I commend the witnesses here for providing timely and accurate information that made it possible for the arrest. Leaving the scene of an injury car accident is a serious crime under California law. California Vehicle Code Section 20001 (a) states: "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident."

In my opinion, there is just no acceptable excuse for leaving the scene of a car accident. "I panicked" or "I was scared" are excuses that simply don't cut it! Here was a young man on a bicycle who lied on the roadway with serious head injuries and this driver, according to police, simply took off. Why?

Victims' Claim for Compensation

The injured victim here would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, who will make sure that his legal rights and best interests are protected, and that the driver is held liable for his actions. In this case, it appears that the bicyclist was legally riding his bike in the bike lane, but was rear-ended by the Mustang, which veered into the bike lane. In such cases, injured car accident victims can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost income, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and even cost of long-term care and treatment, if the injuries are catastrophic.

Seriously injured in an Orange County hit-and-run car accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a Tustin bicycle accident. Call 866-971-2345. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a BISNAR | CHASE Orange County personal injury lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.

What are some of the major hazards faced by bicyclists on our roadways?

The law firm that sponsors this blog has agreed to provide a free, confidential consultation to any of our readers who were injured in this or a similar accident. The offer applies to the family of the accident victims as well.

At the time this article was posted, none of the parties mentioned in this article were represented by any of our sponsoring law firms. The source of our information is cited in the article. No independent investigation was conducted unless specifically mentioned in the article. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein; get a comprehensive consultation with a reputable law firm.

Hit-and-Run Suspect In Orange County Car Accident Caught is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

WeHo News reports that 19-year-old Celine Mahdavi pleaded no-contest to hit-and-run charges stemming from a December 1, 2009 bicycle accident that seriously injured pro bicyclist Louis "Birdman" Deliz. The major injury collision occurred at the intersection of Holloway and La Cienega Boulevard in West Hollywood. Mahdavi fled the scene of the crash and was arrested just blocks away from the scene. Deliz spent nearly 50 days in the hospital and had sustained major injuries to his face, hands and hips. The accident put an end to his professional cycling career.

A "Light" Sentence

Mahdavi was sentenced last week by Judge Eldon Fox to one day in jail and was given credit for one day served. She was also place on formal probation for 36 months. Bicycle activists have pointed to this incident to show the lack of safety for bicyclists in Los Angeles. The outcome of this case has now outraged bicyclists who, in my opinion rightly believe that Mahdavi got away with just a slap on the wrist.

A sentence of one day in jail and credit for her arrest day seems extremely light to say the least. In no way does this sentence send a strong message that hit-and-run drivers will be punished for leaving the scene. When a hit-and-run car accident results in serious injuries, it is prosecuted as a felony offense. Either Mahdavi had an extremely skilled criminal defense lawyer, some type of influence in higher places or extremely extenuating circumstances, which for some reason, we have not yet heard about.

Wrong Message to Drivers

Judge Eldon Fox may have had his reasons for handing such a light sentence. But we do not know what those reasons were based on news reports. Can anyone tell us why this was an appropriate sentence? One day? This was a person who destroyed Louis "Birdman" Deliz's way of life, his career as a pro bicyclist! The catastrophic injuries Mahdavi inflicted on Deliz is grounds for a civil claim and not a criminal matter. However, the fact remains that she injured Deliz so badly and drove away in an attempt to get away from facing the consequences of her actions. This certainly warrants at least a month in jail rather than no additional jail time other than the day of her arrest.

Is this the message our justice system wants to send to drivers? Do we want to tell our drivers: If you seriously injure someone and leave the scene hoping not to get caught, your penalty, when apprehended, will be less than one day in jail. What about 200 hours of community service? What about matching the punishment to the crime?

If you have witnessed a hit-and-run collision and would like to pass on information anonymously, please visit our hit-and-run web site to find out how you can do so. The web site also has information about our reward program.

Would you contact law enforcement about a hit-and-run collision if you happened to witness one?

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.

Hit-and-Run Driver in Bicycle Accident Gets a Day in Jail is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Prosecutors in San Bernardino have charged two teenagers with vehicular manslaughter in connection with a bicycle accident in April, which claimed the life of 27-year-old pro bicyclist Jorge Alvarado. According to a news report in the San Bernardino Sun, the charges came more than two months after the crash, when the teens -- Patrick Roraff, 18, and Brett Morin, 20 -- were allegedly involved in a street-racing contest.

Vehicular Manslaughter Charges Filed

Prosecutors say the crash that killed Alvarado was caused by the two men street-racing. Officials say the men were driving at a high rate of speed and recklessly. Roraff lost control of his vehicle when he was trying to pass another car and struck Alvarado who was riding his bike. Police determined that Roraff was driving at more than 70 mph and that Morin was the driver of the other vehicle. The San Bernardino Sheriff's Department had recommended that murder charges be filed in connection with this fatal car accident. If convicted on vehicular manslaughter charges, both men face up to six years in state prison.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jorge Alvarado for their profound loss. They will be in my thoughts and prayers.

The Law Relating to Street Racing

Street-racing is not only a known menace on our streets, but it is illegal to get involved in a speed contest on a public roadway. California Vehicle Code section 23109 (a) states: "A person shall not engage in a motor vehicle speed contest on a highway. As used in this section, a motor vehicle speed contest includes a motor vehicle race against another vehicle, a clock, or other timing device. For purposes of this section, an event in which the time to cover a prescribed route of more than 20 miles is measured, but where the vehicle does not exceed the speed limits, is not a speed contest."

If these two men were in fact involved in street racing and are found guilty, I hope they receive the maximum punishment. I also hope Alvarado's family is talking to an experienced San Bernardino personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the case and make sure the negligent parties are also held civilly liable for their actions. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased car accident victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation to cover medical or funeral expenses, lost future earnings, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages.

Is street-racing common in your neighborhood or city? How do you think law enforcement can curb this serious problem?

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.

Teens Face Manslaughter Charges in Fatal San Bernardino Bicycle Accident is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

William Detore, 46, sustained fatal injuries in a Sacramento bicycle accident after his bicycle got caught under a Regional Transit bus. The Sacramento Bee reports that the crash happened near the street intersection of L Street and 5th Street, the afternoon of March 6, 2010. Detore died at the scene shortly after being hit and trapped under the bus that was headed south on L Street. Police are investigating the cause of this fatal accident.

I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved William Detore for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep this grieving family in your prayers.

Bicycle Accident Statistics

There were two fatalities and 271 injuries involving bicycle accidents in Sacramento in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). Countywide, six people died and 569 were injured as a result of bicycle accidents in 2008.

What Caused this Accident?

If the details of this news report are accurate, officials say a witness at the scene stated that it didn't appear that this bicycle versus bus accident was the bus driver's fault. However, officials have not made a final determination as to who should be held at fault for this accident. They are looking at other evidence including video cameras on the bus to help determine who had right-of-way at the time of the collision. We also, do not know at this time, whether the bus driver was impaired, distracted or otherwise negligent.

Fault and Liability

There is a chance here that the bicyclist was responsible for the accident. However, if the bus driver is determined to have been at fault for this fatal bicycle accident, the transit authority could be held responsible. If there was a dangerous condition on the roadway, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable as well. California Government Code section 911.2 requires that any such claim against a governmental agency be properly filed within 180 days of the accident or injury. An experienced Sacramento personal injury lawyer will be able to give victims' families more information 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.

Sacramento Bus Accident Fatally Injures Bicyclist is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

As Los Angeles car accident lawyers, we constantly come across a number of questions about bicyclists' and pedestrians' rights. I came across an interesting article in the Whittier Daily News written by California Highway Patrol Officer, Al Perez, which explains the rights of bicyclists and pedestrians very well.

He describes a situation when he was driving off-duty and came to a stop at a traffic light. He came upon a dad and his young boy who were riding bicycles, but waiting for the pedestrian signal to turn green so they could cross the street. As the light changed to green the child began riding his bike from the sidewalk and into the crosswalk. The child's dad then made some unpleasant gestures to the driver of the car stopped next to the officer because the dad believed that the car was too close to the child crossing in the crosswalk. Meanwhile, the child was in the crosswalk riding his bike and almost got hit by another vehicle attempting to make a right turn in front of the child. Obviously that driver had not seen the child riding his bike in the crosswalk.

Who Has the Right-of-Way?

Officer Perez rightly points out that the dad was at fault her because he was allowing his child to make a serious mistake, which could have ended in a tragic bicycle accident that day. What the father did not realize was that the child on the bicycle did not have the right-of-way in this situation. In fact, the child was in violation of the vehicle code because he was riding against the normal flow of traffic, Perez says.

This is one situation when the child could actually be at fault by using a crosswalk. Why? The child was a bicyclist and not a pedestrian. Under California law, bicyclists are subject to the same rights and responsibilities as the driver of any other vehicle on the roadway. California Vehicle Code Section 21200(a) states: "Every person riding a bicycle has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this division." That said, the vehicle code does not prohibit anyone from riding a bicycle on a sidewalk. But when the child left the sidewalk and entered the crosswalk, he entered "the highway." When he does that, he needs to follow the rules of the road.

Proper Use of the Crosswalk

The easiest for bicyclists to get around this tricky issue is to get off the bicycle and walk across the intersection. This instantly transforms the bicyclist into a pedestrian, giving him the right-of-way afforded by the crosswalk. California Vehicle Code Section 21950 states: “The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.” The same section also states that the driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk “shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of a vehicle or take any other action relating to the operating of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian.”

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.

How Does the Vehicle Code Apply to Bicyclists and Pedestrians? is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

Christopher Alan Winkel, 26, was killed in an Orange County, California bicycle accident the afternoon of November 7, 2009, The Orange County reports. Huntington Beach police responded to reports of an injured bicyclist at the intersection of Brookhurst Street and Banning Avenue. Winkel was found lying unconscious on the sidewalk. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital. Police are still looking into who or what caused this fatal accident. Anyone who witnessed this accident is asked to call Huntington Beach police at 714-536-5666.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Christopher Alan Winkel for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved this young man. They will be in my prayers.

Huntington Beach Bicycle Accidents

There was one death and 105 injuries involving bicycle accidents in Huntington Beach, according to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). Countywide, 16 people died and 1,020 were injured as a result of bicycle accidents in 2007. Also, in Orange County as a whole, car accidents claimed 178 lives and injured 14,185 during the same period.

Based on this newspaper report, it is not clear how or why this bicycle accident occurred. This fatal accident happened at a busy intersection in Huntington Beach. It seems to me that another vehicle must have been involved and must have left the scene of the accident, although officials are not yet saying that. There are more questions than answers in this case right now. Where was Winkel riding his bike at the time of the accident? Was he hit by another vehicle? If so, did the driver's negligence cause Winkel's fatal accident? Was that driver impaired, distracted, speeding or negligent in any other way? Was there a dangerous condition at that intersection, which may have caused or contributed to this accident?

Was This a Hit-and-Run Car Accident?

If this was a hit-and-run accident, the driver who left the scene with this injured victim lying on the roadway, must be apprehended and brought to justice. Hit-and-run is a serious crime under California law. California Vehicle Code section 20001 states: "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident."

I'm sure the Winkel family has many unanswered questions right now. They deserve to know who or what exactly caused this fatal injury crash and if someone else's negligence played a role in it. Families of victims in such situations would be well-advised to schedule a consultation with a reputed Orange County personal injury lawyer, who has successfully pursued negligent drivers and held them accountable. If a dangerous condition on the roadway caused this accident, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway could also be held liable. Any claim against a governmental entity in California must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.

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.

Man Dies in Huntington Beach Bicycle Accident is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

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.

California Car Accident Injures Bicyclist is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal