A 65-year-old man sustained critical injuries in a San Bernardino car accident after he was struck by a car in Upland. The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reports that the bicyclist was riding west on 16th Street near Euclid Avenue, the afternoon of March 28, 2010, when a 2004 Toyota Camry hit him. Witnesses apparently told police that the bicyclist turned left in front of the Camry. The man was transported to an area hospital where he remains in critical condition.
My heart goes out to this injured bicyclist and I hope his injuries were not catastrophic. I wish him the very best for a quick and complete recovery. Please keep this victim and his family in your prayers.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 27 injuries as a result of bicycle accident in Upland, California. In San Bernardino County as a whole, eight fatalities and 274 injuries were reported as a result of bicycle accidents.
Car Accident Laws
If the details of this news report are accurate, the bicyclist seems to have been attempting a left turn in front of the vehicle. 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."
So the left-turn law that applies to other vehicles also applies to bicyclists. California Vehicle Code Section 21801 (a) states: "The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety."
Filing a Personal Injury Claim
If I were a member of this injured bicyclist's family, I would want to know exactly what happened here. Who had the right-of-way? I trust officials are still interviewing witnesses and attempting to determine the answer to that very question. If this accident was caused by a dangerous or defective roadway, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway can also be held liable. Please remember that any such claim in California must be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury. An experienced California personal injury lawyer will be able to better inform victims and their families about their legal rights and options.
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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