Bicycle Accident

Alfonso Cerda Sr., 45, was killed in an Inglewood car accident after a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s squad car hit and killed him as he rode his bike. According to an ABC news article, the fatal accident occurred on October 8, 2012 in the 3500 block of West 107th Street. Officials say Cerda was on his bike during the early morning hours when two deputies in a patrol car tried to contact him believing that he was carrying a gun. A short pursuit ended with the squad car and the bicyclist slamming into an iron fence. Cerda’s injuries proved fatal.

Cerda’s family is questioning the details of this bicycle accident. The sheriff’s department issued a statement that Cerda brandished a gun at the deputies. But the family says he did not even own a weapon, but carried a flashlight when he rode his bike. His son, Alfonso Cerda Jr. tells ABC News that his family is trying to make sense out of this tragedy. “How do you hit someone with a 5,000-pound vehicle? How does that happen?” he asks. They also say it was common for Cerda to be out at night picking up clothes and other items from trash cans, which he would later sell. The investigation is ongoing. Read the rest »

Trinidad Nava, 62, was killed in a bicycle accident in Simi Valley after a tractor-trailer struck him. According to a news report in The Ventura County Star, the fatal truck accident occurred early morning on August 10, 2012 on First Street north of Easy Street in Simi Valley. Police say Nava was riding south on the wrong side of First Street when a tractor-trailer that was making a right turn from a driveway on to northbound First Street struck him. Nava was transported to a local hospital where he died. Police say Nava’s bike did not have a light.

No Bike Lanes

The collision occurred near a proposed bike lane route that the Simi Valley City Council rejected in May because local businesses were opposed to it. The lanes would have gone in each direction on Los Angeles Avenue between Madera and Erringer roads. These lanes would have let cyclists pedal directly from the city’s east to west ends. Local cyclists say the city has a reputation for not being cycling-friendly. Safety experts urge bicyclists to follow traffic laws, use headlamps required by the law and wear reflective clothing especially while riding in the dark.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Trinidad Nava for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

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A recent article in The Sacramento Bee has a number of interesting discussion points when it comes to making an area a veritable “Shangri-La” for bicyclists. The article by Walt Seifert rightly questions why a California city such as Sacramento, which has year-round mild weather and flatlands cannot lead the nation in the share of trips made by bike when frigid or rainy cities such as Minneapolis and Portland have become a haven for bicyclists? What about cities in Europe such as Amsterdam and Paris that have served as pioneers and role models in the area of bike sharing programs?

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Larry Schellhase, 68, died from injuries sustained in a Redondo Beach bicycle accident that occurred on April 12, 2012. According to a news report in the Daily Breeze, Schellhase, an experienced bicyclist, was riding with his wife Catherine and other friends on Catalina Avenue near Emerald Street. Police say Schellhase may have lost control of his bike because he struck debris on the roadway, possibly brackets used to secure tenting over buildings during fumigation.

The victim went over the handlebars of his bicycle before crashing to the ground. He suffered major head and neck injuries despite wearing a helmet. Investigators are still looking into what exactly happened that afternoon. Police officers who were at the scene recovered the brackets as evidence. Schellhase died three days after the incident, on April 15. The investigation is ongoing.

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On Sunday, more than 100,000 cyclists and pedestrians participated in the CicLAvia festival where the city shut down 10 miles of streets in and around downtown Los Angeles so people could participate in family friendly cycling and walking. This event was organized by CicLAvia to inspire people to get out of their cars, explore the city as they walk and ride their bikes. As bicycle accident attorneys in Los Angeles we wholeheartedly support such events. The recent Los Angeles CicLAvia was inspired by the Ciclovia event in Bogota, Colombia, which began almost four years ago. The word “ciclovia” is Spanish for “bike path.” Bogota, along with Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Berlin and Barcelona, ranks among the top five bicycle-friendly cities in the world.

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Nine bicyclists were injured, six seriously, in a Los Angeles car accident, which officials say, was caused by a drunk driver. According to a CBS News report, the injury bicycle accident occurred in the early morning hours of June 16, 2011 near the intersection of West Jefferson Place and Rodeo Road.

Witnesses say a 27-year-old woman was driving a Honda Civic at about 60 mph when she jumped a curb and plowed into a group of about 100 bicyclists. The group of bicyclists called the Korea Town Riders was participating in a late night ride that began in the Westlake district. The woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Officials are still looking at blood alcohol test reports to determine the level of intoxication.

My heart goes out to all those who were injured in this horrific DUI collision. I hope none of the injuries were life-threatening. Please keep these injured victims in your thoughts and prayers.

Bicycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 24 injuries reported as a result of bicycle accidents in Culver City. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 33 people died and 3,315 were injured as a result of bicycle accidents in 2008. Also, countywide, 258 deaths and 4,832 injuries were reported as a result of DUI collisions during the same year.

Violation of Laws

Based on this news report, not only was the driver of the Honda Civic speeding and under the influence, but she accelerated into this group of bicyclists. Driving under the influence is a serious offense under California law. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): “It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle.”
Also, California Vehicle Code Section 22350 (Basic Speed Law) states: “No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic and on surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.”

Holding Drunk Drivers Accountable

This driver should not only be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, but should also be held civilly liable for the serious injuries and damages caused here. How many of these bicyclists will be able to pursue their passion again? How long will it take them to get back on the road or even back to their jobs and living a normal life? This incident is an example of how one person’s reckless actions and irresponsible choices can have a lasting and tragic impact on the lives of others.

Injured victims in such cases would be well-advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, who has a successful track record of financially pursuing drunk drivers and holding them accountable. Victims can seek compensation for damages including all medical expenses, loss of earnings, hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy and pain and suffering. For more information about the dangers of driving under the influence, please visit the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) web site at www.madd.org.

Seriously injured in a Los Angeles bicycle accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a bicycle accident in Los Angeles. Call 800-561-4887. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer at BISNAR | CHASE for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.