California Injury Blog
A 6-year-old boy was injured in a San Diego car accident after his bicycle was struck by a vehicle. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the bicycle accident occurred at the intersection of L Street at 25th Street in Sherman Heights, the afternoon of December 4, 2011. Officials say the young bicyclist turned at the intersection when a Honda Civic, driven by a 40-year-old man, hit him. The boy, who was reportedly not wearing a helmet, suffered non-life-threatening head injuries and was hospitalized. It is not clear if the 40-year-old male driver will be cited for the crash. An investigation is ongoing.
My thoughts and prayers are with the 6-year-old victim of this San Diego accident. I wish him the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.
San Diego Bicycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), six people were killed and 525 were injured in San Diego bicycle accidents. Countywide, there were nine fatalities and 972 injuries involving bicycle accidents reported during the same year.
What Caused This Injury Accident?
Based on this news report, the cause of this crash remains under investigation. It is not clear if the young bicyclist failed to yield the right of way at the intersection. Under California law, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of other vehicles. There are still several questions here. Who had the right-of-way at the intersection? Why was the driver unable to avoid the collision? Was he distracted, inattentive or otherwise negligent? Was there a dangerous condition at the intersection which may have caused or contributed to the incident? I trust officials are looking into these and other factors in order to determine how or why this incident occurred.
Liability Issues
If it is determined that the driver of the Civic was negligent in any way, he may be held liable for the injuries and damages caused here. In such cases, the injured victim and his or her family can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. Car accident victims would be well advised to seek the counsel of an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable.