California Injury Blog
Gustavo Ramirez, 30, was killed the morning of January 5, 2010 in a Long Beach truck accident after his bicycle was struck by a big rig. According to a news report in The Press Telegram, the accident occurred at the intersection of Shoreline Drive and Shoreline Village Drive. Ramirez was riding east on the south sidewalk of Shoreline when he entered the crosswalk on the south side of the street. That was when he hit the big rig as it turned right from eastbound Shoreline onto Shoreline Village Drive. Police are still looking into what exactly caused this fatal accident. Ramirez crashed into the right side of the trailer just behind the cab. Investigators are looking into whether Ramirez might have been distracted or if he simply misjudged his speed.
I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved this avid bicyclist. Apparently Ramirez was an experienced rider. My heart goes out to his family as well as the cycling community in Long Beach that is grieving his loss. Please keep them in your prayers.
Increase in Bicycle Accidents
There was one fatality and 186 injuries involving bicycle accidents in Long Beach in 2007, according to California Highway Patrol’s traffic accident statistics. However, Long Beach officials say that between from 2007 to 2008, the city saw a 21 percent increase in bicycle versus vehicle accidents. They attribute this increase to increased ridership possibly because more people were riding to work to save money and get fit.
Was this a Dangerous Intersection?
While an investigation is still ongoing, the accident is drawing attention once again to Shoreline Drive, which does not have bicycle lanes. The city is now apparently examining this intersection and looking into the possibility of putting in a bike lane along Shoreline. City officials point out that a majority of bicycle versus vehicle accidents occur when drivers are turning right. Sometimes, this occurs because bicyclists are not paying attention and other times, it happens because drivers are negligent or inattentive. In these types of accidents, either party could be at fault.
That’s exactly why victims of such accidents or their families would be well-advised to consult with a reputed Long Beach personal injury lawyer, who has a successful track record of representing bicycle accident victims. If the big rig driver was at-fault in this case, both he and his employer – the trucking company – could be held liable. A skilled car accident lawyer will also be able to look into whether the city allowed a dangerous condition to exist on Shoreline Drive or at this particular intersection. If that was the case, the city could be held liable as well. Any claim against a California governmental agency must be properly filed within six months of the accident or injury.
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.