October 15, 2012–Malibu, CA– According to a CBS News report, an unidentified woman was killed in a Malibu bicycle accident on Saturday when she collided with a Metro bus.
The accident took place on Pacific Coast Highway near Puerco Canyon Road around 2:00 p.m. The woman was declared dead at the scene by rescue workers. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances of the accident. No charges have been filed at this time.
My sincere condolences go out to the family of this woman during their time of loss.
Bicycle Accident Statistics in Los Angeles and Surrounding Areas
According to data collected from the California Office of Traffic Safety, 28 people in Los Angeles County were killed on bicycles in 2006. This number represents about 18 percent of the total bicycle accident deaths for the state that year. This is representative of most years in terms of numbers and percentage of fatalities.
Los Angeles is particularly dangerous for bicyclists because its 1200 miles of bikeways often parallel busy streets. Unlike other California cities, bicyclists may ride on sidewalks in Los Angeles as long as they do not exhibit dangerous behavior.
Collision Between Bicycle and Bus–How Does it Happen?
It seems very likely that this collision was precipitated by one of two factors. Either the bicyclist made a turn in front of the bus without realizing it was about to move, or the bus was pulling away from the curb and hit the bicyclist. Until the police finish their investigation, the true facts of the case will not be revealed. It is very important that the authorities conduct a thorough investigation to establish liability for this accident.
Liability Issues for Metro Buses
Lawsuits against a bus driver and bus agency managed by the government are different than lawsuits against private passenger car owners. The victim must consider several “layers” of liability that may interfere with a quick settlement of the case.
In many instances, city or county offices responsible for running bus lines and may try to encourage victims to accept quick settlements that are limited to very small amounts. If a victim does not consult a personal injury attorney, he or she may wind up settling for a fraction of what the case is actually worth.
If you have been the victim of a bicycle or bus accident, contact an Orange County personal injury attorney today to discuss your case.