Five people were injured--one seriously--in a hit-and-run bicycle accident after the group of cyclists was mowed down by a van that fled the scene. According to a blog in Ottawa personal injury attorney Auger Hollingsworth's website (http://www.personalinjuryottawa.ca/index.asp?name=blog&id=631), the bicycle accident, which critically injured one bicyclist, occurred the morning of July 19, 2009. A day after the car accident, the hit-and-run driver turned himself in to authorities. He is behind bars while police determine the scope of criminal charges he will face.

My heart goes out to all the injured victims. These were avid bicyclists just enjoying an early morning ride. I don't know the exact circumstances under which the van driver hit them and why he took off. Was he under the influence? Was he distracted? Was he speeding or driving recklessly. I trust we will hear more about this as the investigation progresses. I wish the injured cyclists the very best. I hope they have a quick and complete recovery.

As it turns out, cycling legend Lance Armstrong gave a shout-out to these injured cyclists through a video blog. Armstrong says in his blog: "There was a group of cyclists hit in Ottawa yesterday by a van that just kept going, a hit-and run, and I hope everybody there is doing well and we’re all thinking about you…Be safe on the roads, any time you have that interaction of bikes and cars, you never know what can happen."

This kind of a message is great, especially coming from a superstar like Lance Armstrong. It's not only a warning for bicyclists, but also motorists who must remember that we share the road not only with larger vehicles, but also motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians. Bicyclists are constantly facing a risk out on the roadways because there is always a chance that a motorist will not see them. In this particular Ottawa bicycle accident, I think that the driver would face significant charges for not only crashing into a group of bicyclists, but also leaving the scene of the accident.

These victims and others who are injured in bicycle accidents would be well-advised to consult with an experienced California personal injury lawyer to find out how they can pursue their legal rights. In this case, the driver who hit the cyclists should be held criminally and civilly responsible for the accident and injuries. Victims in these incidents may seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages and even cost of long-term care if that becomes necessary.

Lance Armstrong Sends Words of Hope to Five Injured in Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

Ricardo Ureno, 19, an Anaheim man, who suffered serious injuries in an Anaheim bicycle accident as a 13-year-old when he was hit by a trash truck, has been awarded $880,000 in damages by an Orange County jury. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the jury voted 9-3 to award the judgment to Ureno. The verdict against disposal company, Taormina Industries includes $122,000 for past medical expenses and more than $65,000 for future medical bills.

The bicycle versus truck accident occurred on November 27, 2002 when Ureno was riding his bike north on Olive Street. As he was crossing the intersection of Sycamore Street, a trash truck driven by Jose Chavez made a right on Sycamore striking the boy. Ureno's attorneys, Ardalan & Associates of Sherman Oaks California, alleged negligence on the part of Chavez because he failed to come to a complete stop before making the right turn. Attorneys for the driver argued that Ureno was the one who lost control of his bicycle and caused the pedestrian accident. However, jurors found that Ureno was not at fault.

Ureno had suffered a broken pelvis in the crash, which left him unable to move and in great pain for several weeks, court records show. Six months after the crash, a blood clot caused severe swelling in his leg leaving a 10-inch surgical scar on his leg. Ureno was also being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder. Apparently, the physical and emotional injuries he suffered as a result of this truck crash were so severe that he had trouble getting a job after high school. The jury awarded him $12,500 in past lost earnings and $50,000 in future earnings.

I am extremely glad that this bicycle accident victim received the compensation he deserved. Ureno's story shows us that a bicycle accident or car accident can leave a person not only with physical injuries and scars, but also serious emotional problems. That is particularly true if the accident victim is a child, which Ureno was at the time of the accident. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in a Southern California car accident, please do not assume that the injuries are not severe enough to seek compensation or that you will not receive any compensation for your injury accident.

Orange County Jury Awards $880,000 to Car Versus Bicycle Accident Victim is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers