California Injury Blog
James McClellan, 76, of Walnut, suffered serious injuries in a City of Industry bicycle versus big rig accident on November 25, 2008. According to this news report in the Pasadena Star News, McClellan was riding his bicycle on Lemon Avenue near Valley Boulevard when he was struck by the big rig. McClellan was pinned under the passenger-side front tire of the big rig. Both his ankles were severely broken, officials said.
Officials say the big rig driver was at fault here. The truck driver and McClellan were both stopped in the street waiting for a train to pass just before this 11/25/08 crash occurred. Once the train passed, the big rig made a right turn from Lemon Avenue onto a side street striking the stopped bicyclist. Officials are calling this an “unfortunate accident” saying that the truck driver did not see McClellan and the bicyclist in turn did not see the moving big rig.
My heart goes out to James McClellan, the elderly bicyclist who was injured in this horrific accident. I wish him the very best for a quick and complete recovery.
According to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were four bicycle accident related injuries reported in the City of Industry in the year 2006. There were no fatalities reported. In Los Angeles County as a whole, there were 29 fatalities and 2,906 injuries reported in 2006 as a result of bicycle accidents.
Obviously this accident was the big rig driver’s fault. Both the truck driver and his employer could be held liable for the accident and injuries caused to James McClellan.
The injured victim would be well-advised to retain the services of a reputed Southern California bicycle accident attorney who will help analyze the facts of this case and secure McClellan the compensation he rightfully deserves. I’d bet he and his family members also need the money to pay for medical bills, cost of medication and hospitalization and loss of wages, if applicable.
A skilled personal injury attorney will also look into whether there was a dangerous condition on that roadway which obstructed the view of the truck driver or other motorists. If a dangerous roadway is determined to be a factor in this bicycle accident then the city or the government agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable. The best attorneys will not charge fees for an initial consultation and will not take any money from their clients until they recover damages or compensation for them.