A 22-year-old Azusa Pacific University student was injured the morning of August 3, 2010 in a Los Angeles car accident after she was hit by a car. According to a news report in The Pasadena Star News, the woman had been riding her bike on Alosta Avenue near the university's north campus when she was struck. She suffered injuries to her legs, but the extent of her injuries is not known at this time. The victim was airlifted to a nearby hospital.
My thoughts and prayers are with the victim of this accident. I wish her a swift and complete recovery.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there was one fatality and 21 injuries involving bicycle accidents in Azusa. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 33 people died and 3,315 were injured as a result of bicycle accidents during the same year.
Accident Causes
At the moment, this news report raises more questions than it answers. Was the car driver exceeding the speed limit or driving distracted? Was the driver violating California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a) by driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol? Was the bike accident victim attempting to cross the street at a crosswalk or intersection? Where exactly was the student riding her bike? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway, which may have caused or contributed to this injury collision? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here.
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."
Liability Issues
Injured victims in such cases would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and make sure that the negligent parties are held responsible. If the driver of the car is determined to have been at fault, he or she could be held liable for the injuries and damages sustained by the victim.
A skilled car accident lawyer can also help determine whether a dangerous or defective roadway caused the accident. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway could also be held liable. Under California Government Code section 911.2, any personal injury claim against a governmental entity must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.
What are some of the most dangerous roadways for bicyclists in your city or neighborhood?
The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm 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.
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