A 7-year-old boy was seriously injured in a Ventura car accident after he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle across the street. The hit-and-run accident occurred the night of September 9, 2009 when the boy was riding his bike across the intersection of Seneca Street and Cameron Street, according to a news report in the Ventura County Star. A man and a woman in a blue Volkswagen Beetle that hit the boy stopped briefly to ask about the boy's health after the crash and then drove away, Ventura police officials said. A neighbor, who recognized the child, offered to walk him home. The boy began "feeling sick" after he got home and was taken to a local hospital where he is being treated for serious internal injuries. He was apparently not wearing a helmet, police said.
Police say the motorists who left the scene were between 30 and 40 years old. They were in a newer model Volkswagen Beetle with chrome panels on both sides. If you have information about this car accident, please call Ventura Police at 805-339-4309 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
My heart goes out to the family of this young boy who was seriously injured in this bicycle accident. I wish him the very best for a quick and complete recovery. Please keep this child in your prayers.
Ventura County Bicycle Accidents
According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there was one fatality and 34 injuries reported in Ventura as a result of bicycle accidents. In Ventura County as a whole, three deaths and 261 injuries occurred in 2007 involving bicycle accidents.
The fact that the driver of the Volkswagen drove off after a cursory stop, given the circumstances, the seriousness of the injuries and the child's age, is absolutely appalling! California law requires motorists to remain at the scene of an accident, whether or not the accident was their fault.
According to California Vehicle Code section 20001: "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident."
California Car Accident Attorney
It's not clear based on the report, whose fault this accident was. The boy was riding his bicycle across the intersection. The determination of fault will depend on who had the right-of-way at the time of the accident. If the driver of the Beetle is determined to have been at fault, he or she could be held liable for the boy's serious injuries. In such cases victims could receive compensation to cover medical expenses, cost of hospitalization, medication and even long-term care, if that becomes necessary.
The boy's family would be well-advised to retain the services of an experienced California personal injury lawyer who will keep up with the investigation and ensure that the negligent parties are held accountable. If there was a dangerous condition on the roadway that caused or contributed to this bicycle accident, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable. Please remember that any claim against a California governmental entity should be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.
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 source for the facts 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, please contact us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. Most of the best law firms will provide accident victims a free consultation.
We cannot fully inform any party or family member about their rights, options or the economic viability of any claim for compensation without a full investigation and consultation. We will not be conducting an investigation into this matter unless we are retained by a party. We will provide a free, confidential consultation to any, not at fault, person named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
SLS Consulting