Michael Biel, 51, was killed in a Riverside car accident after he was struck by a vehicle. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the fatal bicycle accident occurred on Rubidoux Boulevard south of 26th Street in Jurupa Valley. Officials say Biel had been riding a bicycle on Rubidoux Boulevard when he was struck by an oncoming truck. Officials are still looking into what caused this fatal crash.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Michael Biel for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Riverside County Bicycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there was one fatality and 53 injuries reported due to bicycle accidents in the unincorporated areas of Riverside County. During the same year, seven people died and 343 were injured as a result of bicycle accidents in Riverside County as a whole.
What Caused This Collision?
Based on this news report, it is not clear how or why this truck versus bicycle accident occurred. The report states that the collision occurred near an intersection. Under California law, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of other vehicles. It is not clear if either the driver of the vehicle or the bicyclist failed to yield right-of-way at the intersection.
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.”
Fault and Liability
If the driver of the vehicle is determined to have been at fault, then, he or she could be held liable for Biel’s wrongful death. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost future income, funeral costs and loss of companionship.
An experienced Riverside personal injury 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 governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held liable. Please remember that any personal injury or wrongful death claim against a public entity must be filed within 180 days of the incident.
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Many people in California do not make complete stops when they approach a stop sign and are ticketed on a frequent basis. Do you feel that this deserves a ticket?
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