California Injury Blog
A man was killed in a bicycle accident in Santa Ana after being struck by a vehicle at a street intersection.
According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal crash occurred when the bicyclist was headed south on North Figueroa Street and crossing First Street on the evening of Feb. 21. The intersection where this fatal bicycle accident occurred has no marked crosswalks or traffic signals.
Ongoing Accident Investigation
The driver stopped and cooperated with the police, officials said. Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be factors in this case. No arrests or citations were reported pending an official investigation. The cause of the crash is still being investigated, and the bicyclist’s identity has not yet been released.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of the deceased bicyclist for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, between 2016 and 2018, more cyclists died in California traffic accidents than during any three-year period in the last 25 years. Traffic accidents killed 455 bicyclists in California from 2016 through 2018. That translates to about 3.9 bike accident fatalities per million people, the highest rate over any three-year period in the mid-1990s. Nationwide, between 2016 and 2018, 2,516 bicyclists were killed in traffic accidents, a rate of about 2.6 per million, the highest three-year death rate since the mid-2000s.
Causes and Compensation Issues
In this particular case, it appears that the collision occurred at a street intersection where there were no crosswalks or lights. We trust officials are looking into whether the driver was distracted, speeding, or negligent at the time. It is also important to determine whether a dangerous roadway condition caused or contributed to this accident.
If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway could also be held liable. Any personal injury or wrongful death claim against a governmental entity must be filed within 180 days (6 months) of the incident. Families of deceased victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Santa Ana bicycle accident lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.
Source: https://www.ocregister.com/2022/02/22/bicyclist-dies-after-struck-by-vehicle-in-santa-ana/