California Injury Blog
Margaret Conway, 21, was killed in an Anaheim car accident after her bicycle was struck by another vehicle near Disneyland. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal bicycle accident occurred in the early hours of October 13, 2011 on Ball Road at the Interstate 5 overpass. Conway, a Disneyland employee, was riding her bike home, when a white Ford SUV hit her from behind. Conway died from her injuries at a local trauma center. The driver of the SUV is not believed to have been under the influence, officials said. An investigation is ongoing.
I offer my deepest condolences to the victim’s family members, friends and co-workers who are grieving her loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were three fatalities and 105 injuries involving bicycle accidents in Anaheim. In Orange County as a whole, 12 fatalities and 1,199 injuries were reported due to bicycle accidents, during the same year.
What Caused This Fatal Crash?
Based on this news report, it is unclear as to what led to the deadly crash. Officials say the bicyclist was riding eastbound on Ball in the number one lane and crossing the I-5 overpass when she was hit. It is also not clear where exactly the driver was coming from. There are several unanswered questions that remain here. Why did the driver fail to see the bicyclist? Was the street dark? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway? Was the driver distracted, inattentive, or negligent in some other way? I trust officials are looking into these and other factors in order to determine what occurred and why.
Fault and Liability
If the driver is determined to have been at fault, he or she can be held liable for the bicyclist’s wrongful death. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased accident victims can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages.
Victims’ families would be well-advised to contact an experienced Anaheim personal injury lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to car accident victims and their families.