California Injury Blog
Clinton Silverman, 74, was killed and his 82-year-old wife was injured after a Ford Explorer SUV struck the tandem bike, which the couple was riding.
According to a City News Service report, the fatal bicycle accident occurred the morning of Aug. 7 near Magnolia Street and Hamilton Avenue in Huntington Beach.
Ongoing Investigation
Silverman and his wife were transported to an area hospital where he died. The driver of the Ford SUV remained at the scene and cooperated with the police, officials said. Alcohol or drugs did not appear to be a factor in this crash, police said. Anyone with information on the crash was asked to call Huntington Beach police traffic investigators at 714-536-5670 or 714-536-5231.
We offer our deepest condolences to the Silverman family for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Causes and Compensation Issues
Based on this news report, it is unclear how this fatal bicycle collision occurred. Under California law, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of other vehicles. There are a number of questions here. Who had the right of way at the time? Was the driver of the SUV speeding at the time? Was he or she distracted or driving negligently? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway, which caused this crash? We trust officials are looking into these and other issues as well as talking with eyewitnesses to determine precisely why this crash occurred.
If the driver is determined to have been at fault, he or she can be held liable for the injuries and losses caused here. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, permanent injuries, disabilities, and pain and suffering. Families of deceased victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering, and loss of love, care, and companionship.
If a dangerous roadway or intersection caused this accident, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held liable. An experienced Huntington Beach bicycle accident lawyer will be able to help victims and their families better understand their legal rights and options.
Source: https://www.ocregister.com/2021/08/08/man-74-killed-woman-82-hurt-in-huntington-beach-bicycle-crash/