A bicycle accident in Azusa caused critical injuries to an 8-year-old boy the evening of April 30, 2010. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports that the boy was riding his bike in the 100 block of North Pasadena Avenue when a vehicle hit him. The child was taken to an area hospital with major injuries. Investigating officials are saying that the driver was not impaired at the time. But an investigation is ongoing. So far, there have been no citations or arrests.
My heart goes out to the family of this injured boy. I hope he has not sustained any catastrophic injuries and pray that he makes a complete recovery. This incident is also an important reminder for all parents to make sure that their children are wearing helmets each time they get on their bikes. In this case, the child was apparently not helmeted.
Car Accidents
There were four fatalities and 251 injuries involving car accidents in Azusa, according to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS. Countywide, 667 people died and 52,229 were injured as a result of car accidents in 2008.
Causes and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it is not clear where the child was riding his bike at the time of the collision. Was he in a crosswalk, in a bike lane, or the shoulder of the roadway? Why did the car's driver fail to notice the boy? Although police say no alcohol was involved, was the driver distracted, reckless or speeding at the time? I trust officials are looking at these and other factors in order to determine why this tragic crash occurred.
The family of this injured child would be well-advised to seek the counsel of a reputed California personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and make sure that their legal rights are protected. If a dangerous or defective roadway caused this collision, the governmental entity responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Such claims against public entities in California must be filed within six months of the incident, under state law.
What are the most dangerous roadways or intersections for bicyclists in your city?
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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