California Injury Blog
Cairo Joseph Castaneda, 42, of North Hollywood, was killed in a bicycle accident in Studio City the morning of April 5, 2016. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Daily News, Castaneda was cycling west in the 12000 block of Ventura Place when he entered the intersection at Radford Avenue. He was struck by a privately-owned trash truck. Castaneda was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials are still looking into what caused this fatal collision. No citations or arrests were reported. The incident is under investigation.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family members of Cairo Joseph Castaneda for their tragic loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
According to bicycle safety advocates, just this year, 31 bicyclists have been killed in Southern California car accidents. They say the victims range from children to the elderly. Many, like Castaneda, are just trying to get to work on their bikes and others are seasoned cyclists who bike for exercise or fun. Countywide, in 2013, 36 people died and 4,646 were injured as a result of bicycle accidents. Bicycle safety advocates attribute the surge in fatal bicycle accidents to the lack of bicycle-friendly road infrastructure in the city.
What Cause This Fatal Collision?
Based on this news report, this bicycle accident occurred at a busy street intersection in Los Angeles. A number of bicycle versus vehicle collisions do occur at street intersections. Under California law, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of other vehicles. This means that motorists are required to yield the right of way at street intersections to bicyclists.
We trust officials are asking a number of questions here. Did the driver of the trash truck fail to yield the right of way to the bicyclist? Was the driver distracted or inattentive? Did a dangerous or defective condition on the roadway cause or contribute to this incident?
Liability Issues
If the driver is determined to have been at fault here, both he and his employer can be held liable for the bicyclist’s wrongful death. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased victims can seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income and loss of love and companionship. An experienced Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney will be able to evaluate all aspects of the case and help victims’ families hold the at-fault parties accountable.