A man was killed in a Santa Ana bicycle accident the evening of January 25, 2016. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal bike crash occurred at 17th and La Bonita streets. Police arrived at the scene and saw the man lying in the street. A vehicle was traveling on 17th Street in an unspecified direction when it struck a man on a bicycle who was crossing the street. The bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. The male driver of the vehicle remained at the scene. Police do not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor in the collision. The investigation is ongoing.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members and friends of this deceased bicycle accident victim. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
There were no fatalities, but 200 injuries as a result of bicycle accidents reported in the city of Santa Ana, according to California Highway Patrol’s 2013 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Orange County as a whole, nine fatalities and 1,309 injuries were reported due to bike crashes during the same year.
What Caused This Fatal Crash?
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the vehicle struck the bicyclist as he was crossing the street at 17th and La Bonita streets. There are still a number of unanswered questions here. Why was the driver unable to stop the vehicle in time? Who had the right of way? Did alcohol or drugs play a part? Was the driver distracted or inattentive at the time? Did the driver run a red light or violate the rules of the road? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway, which caused or contributed to the incident? We trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.
Fault and Liability
If the driver is determined to have been at fault, he could be held liable for the tragic loss here. A knowledgeable Orange County bicycle accident lawyer can also help 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 governmental entity must be filed within 180 days of the incident.