A bicycle accident in Petaluma resulted in serious injuries for a 50-year-old man the morning of July 23. KTVU News reports that the man was riding his bike on the shoulder of the Highway 101 near Kastania Road when he was struck by a van that drifted from traffic lanes on to the shoulder. Officials are still trying to determine what caused the driver of the GMC van, 63-year-old Nicolay Pokornyy, to drift over to the shoulder. The bicyclist was taken to a regional medical center with serious injuries.
My heart goes out to this injured bicyclist and his family. I hope he has not sustained major injuries and pray that he makes a speedy and complete recovery.
Car Accidents
According to CHP’s 2008 traffic accident statistics, there were four fatalities and 245 injuries involving car accidents in Petaluma. In Sonoma County, car accidents claimed 36 lives and caused 1,988 people during the same year.
Fault and Liability
If the details of this news report are accurate, it appears Pokornyy entered the shoulder and then hit the bicyclist. Officials say bicyclists and pedestrians are allowed on the shoulder of that particular stretch of Highway 101. So the bicyclist was riding on the shoulder legally. Did impairment, fatigue, distraction or any other form of negligence play a part in this accident?
In such cases injured victims would be well-advised to consult with an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and make sure that the negligent parties are held liable for their actions. If a dangerous condition on the roadway caused or contributed to the accident, the governmental entity responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Under California Government Code section 911.2, any personal injury claim against a public entity must be filed within six months of the incident.
What are some of the most dangerous roadways for bicyclists in your city or neighborhood?
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys is 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 us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.