Bicycle Accident

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.

A bicyclist was injured in an Orange County car accident that may have involved a hit-and-run driver the morning of April 23, 2011. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the bicycle accident occurred on El Toro Road near the 241 toll road in Mission Viejo. It is unclear at this time what caused this accident or the extent of the injuries this possible hit-and-run accident victim suffered. Investigators are looking for clues and witnesses that may lead them to the driver who was involved in this car accident.

My thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim of this hit-and-run car accident. I wish the injured bicyclist the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.

Bicycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 12 injuries reported due to Mission Viejo bicycle accidents. During that same year, 10 fatalities and 1,087 injuries happened involving bicycle accidents in Orange County. Read the rest »

A Long Beach Fire Captain has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and hit-and-run in connection with a major injury Orange County car accident last week. According to a news report in The Long Beach Press-Telegram the injury bicycle accident occurred the afternoon of April 1, 2011, when 38-year-old John Hines struck a bicyclist on a Seal Beach roadway and then left the scene.

DUI and Hit-and-Run

Witnesses told police that the bicyclist was traveling east on Westminster Avenue in the bike lane when a Chevy pickup truck swerved into the bike lane and hit the cyclist. Witnesses also said the pickup truck was traveling at about 60 mph. The impact of the collision threw the bicyclist on to the dirt shoulder of the roadway. He was transported to a local hospital with severe head injuries. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene. Witnesses followed the vehicle and driver to a home in Huntington Beach where the driver, Hines, was later arrested on suspicion of DUI and hit-and-run. An investigation is ongoing. Read the rest »

What would turn Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa into a bicycle advocate? Most likely it was when he was thrown off his bike by a taxicab which bruised his head and shattered his elbow. After his instant conversion, Villaraigosa met with city officials and bike enthusiasts to come up with a master plan to integrate more bicycling into the city's transportation system.

The plan lays out a long-term goal of 1,680 miles of interconnected bikeways and calls for more than 200 miles of new bicycle routes every five years. This is to relieve congestion in the city, make Los Angeles a more "green" community, and will encourage health and wellness among one of the nation's largest cities.

Stephen Box, who is running for office against City Councilman Tom LaBonge, also suffered an injury due to a negligent driver. He was nearly hit by a bus! Read the rest »

Roberto Garcia, 26, was killed in a Riverside bicycle accident after he was struck by a train at a crossing. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the fatal train accident occurred the afternoon of March 1, 2011 on Adams Street near Highway 91 in Riverside. Garcia and his girlfriend waited for a train to pass behind a crossing arm. After the westbound train cleared Garcia rode his bike onto the tracks and was struck by an eastbound train. He suffered fatal head injuries. An investigation is ongoing.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Roberto Garcia, the victim of this tragic bicycle versus train accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

Riverside Bicycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), two people were killed and 70 were injured in Riverside bicycle accidents. During the same year, there were nine fatalities and 362 injuries reported as a result of Riverside County bicycle accidents. Read the rest »

A 25-year-old bicyclist sustained injuries in a car accident, which officials say, was caused by an elderly driver who fell asleep at the wheel, The Almanac reports. Police say that the injury bicycle accident occurred near the intersection of El Camino Real and Watkins Avenue in Atherton on November 30, 2010. The bicyclist was traveling north on El Camino Real when the 81-year-old driver of an Infiniti sedan veered off the roadway. The bicyclist, who was hit by a bus stop sign knocked down by the car, suffered injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening. Read the rest »

A 23-year-old man was critically injured in an Orange County car accident involving a hit-and-run driver. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the serious injury bicycle accident took place the night of November 17, 2010 at the intersection of Walnut Avenue and Browning Avenue in Tustin. The bicyclist suffered severe head trauma when a red Ford Mustang struck him. Police are searching for the driver who left the scene of the car accident. Witnesses have informed police that the suspect's vehicle had the license plate number 6LLX505. When arrested, this driver faces felony hit-and-run charges. Read the rest »

Authorities in Santa Rosa have identified a bicyclist who was critically injured by a hit-and-run driver the afternoon of October 9, 2010, as 57-year-old Anoush Zebarjadian. The Santa Rosa Press-democrat reports that Zebarjadian was struck by a vehicle, described as a dark-colored, older model SUV, as he was riding in the Levi's King Ridge GranFondo race. The driver struck Zebarjadian who fell to the ground. Witnesses said the driver of the SUV then accelerated and sped away. Police are still looking for the hit-and-run driver. Zebarjadian suffered severe head injuries and remains in critical condition. Read the rest »

A 56-year-old man from Lodi, California, was seriously injured in a car accident in Ada County, Iowa the morning of June 26, 2010 after he was struck by two vehicles. According to a KTVB news report, the cyclist was riding north on Highway 55, when a 34-year-old man driving a 2000 Mitsubishi Montero north on the highway, clipped the bicyclist with the passenger side mirror of his SUV. The rider fell off the bicycle and on to the highway where he was hit by a Ford pickup whose driver was unable to stop in time to avoid the collision. The bicyclist, who has not yet been identified, sustained serious leg injuries as well as internal injuries, but is expected to survive. Read the rest »

A man was injured in a bicycle accident after he was struck by a San Francisco Municipal Railway streetcar the night of June 2, 2010. According to a CBS News report, the injury collision occurred at the intersection of 7th and Market streets. The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital with injuries. His current condition is not known. Read the rest »