California Injury Blog
An 11-year-old boy was critically injured in an Orange County car accident when he was struck by a van while riding his bike. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the serious injury bicycle accident occurred at the intersection of Brookdale Lane and Sunridge Drive in Huntington Beach the morning of November 5, 2010. Police report that the boy was struck by a 1970 Volkswagen van when he tried to cross the street. The young victim of this car accident sustained major head injuries despite wearing a helmet. Police are looking for witnesses to this car accident. An investigation is ongoing.
My thoughts and prayers are with the boy injured in this tragic bicycle accident. I wish him a complete and speedy recovery from his injuries.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 157 people were injured in Huntington Beach bicycle accidents. During that same year, there were 10 fatalities and 1,087 injuries reported as a result of bicycle accidents in Orange County.
What Caused This Tragic Bicycle Accident?
In this case, the authorities will have to determine if the bicyclist crossed the street in an unsafe manner or if the motorist failed to yield right-of-way to the young bicyclist. Under California law, bicyclists must adhere to the same rules of the road as the driver of any other vehicle. We also do not know if the boy was using a crosswalk at the intersection to ride across the road.
According to California Vehicle Code Section 21800 (a):”The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection from a different highway.”
Liability Issues
If the driver of the van is determined to have caused this car accident, then he or she could be held financially responsible for the accident and serious injuries caused. In such cases, an injured car accident victim and his or her family could seek compensation for medical expenses, hospitalization costs, rehabilitation and even the cost of continued treatment and care, if the injuries are catastrophic in nature.
A knowledgeable Orange County personal injury lawyer will also be able to determine whether a dangerous or defective roadway condition caused or contributed to this bicycle accident. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining this roadway could also be held liable. Please remember that any personal injury claim against a public entity must be filed within 180 days of the incident, under California Government Code Section 911.2.
Seriously injured in an Orange County car accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?
Call your best friends in the legal industry after a Huntington Beach bicycle accident. Call 800-259-6373. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys Orange County personal injury lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.
What are some of the most dangerous roadways for bicyclists in your city or neighborhood?
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.