California Injury Blog
An 8-year-old boy sustained injuries in a Riverside car accident the afternoon of January 5, 2010 after his bicycle was struck by a pickup truck while he was riding across an intersection. According to a news report in The Valley News, the boy and another child were riding their bikes across Campanula Way at Semena Street, in Temecula, when a pickup truck hit the boy. The bicycle was dragged underneath the truck for about 50 feet. The other child was not injured. But the boy was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for moderate injuries.
I’m extremely relieved that this child survived this accident. Officials are saying that the boy’s helmet was so badly damaged that had he not been wearing it, he would have suffered catastrophic injuries. The boy’s helmet basically saved his life! I hope and pray that he recovers quickly and completely from his injuries. Please keep this young victim in your prayers.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there was one fatality and 24 injuries involving bicycle accidents in Temecula. In Riverside County as a whole, eight deaths and 325 injuries were reported as a result of bicycle accidents.
Laws and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it is not quite clear how or why this injury collision took place. The question here is who had the right-of-way at the time of the accident. The news report states that the boy was riding across the intersection. If that was the case, the child may have actually been in violation of the law by riding against the normal flow of traffic. Under California law, bicyclists are subject to the same rights and responsibilities as the driver of any other vehicle on the roadway. California Vehicle Code Section 21200(a) states: “Every person riding a bicycle has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this division.”
However, if the boy had actually gotten off his bicycle and walked across the intersection, then the motorist could be considered at fault for failing to yield right-of-way to the pedestrian. I would be interested to find out here, why the driver failed to see the children crossing the street. In such cases, it would be in the best interests of victims or their families to consult an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and make sure that their legal rights are protected.
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.