A 54-year-old man has been critically injured in an Orange County car accident after he was hit by a car while riding his bike on an Anaheim street. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the man, who has not yet been identified, was heading west on Broadway between Atchinson and Kroeger streets the evening of November 2, 2009 when he rode around a parked car. A vehicle that was also headed west on Broadway struck the bicyclist. Anaheim police said the motorist drove away leaving the injured bicyclist lying on the street.
The bicyclist sustained severe head trauma and internal injuries. Police do not have a complete description of the hit-and-run vehicle, but say that it may have been a dark-colored SUV or minivan with likely damage to the passenger side. The passenger side mirror was also broken, officials said. Anyone with information regarding this hit-and-run pedestrian accident is asked to call Anaheim police at 714-765-1961.
Tragic Hit-and-Run Car Accident
I hope and pray that the injured bicyclist makes it through his critical injuries. I deeply sympathize with this victim and his family and I wish him the very best for a complete recovery. I realize his path to recovery may be long and arduous.
There was one fatality and 96 injuries in 2007 involving California bicycle accidents in Anaheim, according to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). Countywide, 16 people died and 1,020 were injured as a result of bicycle accidents during that same period.
Car Accident Laws in California
Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime under California law. A motorist is required to remain at the scene of a collision, irrespective of whose fault the accident may be. 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."
I hope that this hit-and-run driver is apprehended and brought to justice. To leave an injured person lying on the street is heartless, immoral and as we already know, illegal. If I were a member of the victim's family, I would be talking to a reputed Orange County personal injury lawyer, who has a successful track record dealing with hit-and-run and negligent drivers. I can imagine the enormous emotional and financial strain this family is going through right now. A knowledgeable lawyer will be able to advise them about their legal rights and options and also how their car insurance policy would apply to a hit-and-run incident and cases where the negligent driver lacks insurance or does not have sufficient insurance.
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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