Anthony Rangel, 10, was killed in a bicycle accident in Los Angeles after he was struck by a semi-truck while riding his bike the afternoon of August 12, 2010. According to an Associated Press news report, the fatal accident occurred near the intersection of Loveland and Perry streets in Bell Gardens. Anthony was riding his bike west on Loveland and the truck was going north on Perry Street when the two collided. The boy died at the scene, even before emergency personnel arrived, officials said. The driver has not been cited yet. Officials are looking into whether the child rode in front of the truck. An investigation is underway.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of young Anthony Rangel for their tragic, untimely and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but nine injuries involving bicycle accidents in Bell Gardens. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 667 people died and 52,229 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.
Fault and Liability
There are more questions than answers in this particular case. Where exactly was Anthony riding his bike? Did he ride out in front of the big-rig as police suspect? Why did the driver of the big-rig fail to see the child riding his bike near the intersection? Was the driver of the large truck impaired, distracted, inattentive or otherwise negligent at the time? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway, which may have caused or contributed to this fatal collision? I trust officials are looking at these and other issues in order to determine how or why this accident occurred.
In such cases, families of deceased accident victims would be well-advised to consult an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the accident and make sure that the negligent parties are held liable. If the truck driver is determined to have been at fault, then he and his employer could be held liable for the boy's wrongful death. If this collision was caused by a dangerous condition on the roadway, then the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Please remember that any wrongful death claim against a public entity must be filed within six months of the incident.
Is your neighborhood safe enough for your children to ride bicycles?
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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