Orange County and bicycle accidents
Orange County is bicycle riding heaven. Bicycle riding is one of our country’s greatest pastimes, and in sunny Orange County and Southern California, there are hundreds of miles of trails for bike enthusiasts to enjoy. Here in Orange County, bikes are also a common mode of transportation, sharing the same roads as cars, trucks and motorcycles.
In 2007, 698 cyclists were killed in the United States, accounting for 2 percent of all traffic fatalities, with an additional 44,000 injured in traffic crashes. These statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) include bicycles; riders of two-wheel nonmotorized vehicles; tricycles and unicycles powered solely by pedals.
Of the 698 deaths, one-seventh of the riders were between the ages of 5 and 25 years old. Also, alcohol involvement was reported in more than one-third of all the cyclist fatalities.
Orange County bicycle accident case
In November 2009, a Huntington Beach resident was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter by unlawful act with gross negligence while intoxicated. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison for this felony. Orange County’s district attorney said the man was driving erratically and following too close to other vehicles when the accident happened.
He had taken Vicodin and Xanax, and was sending text messages to friends attempting to illegally obtain more of the drugs. He then suddenly swerved in his pick-up truck over several lanes into oncoming traffic, crossed into the bike lane on the wrong side of the road and crashed into a 14-year-old cyclist. The teen, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown 200 feet by the impact and landed in the road. He died from multiple blunt force injuries.
If you or a loved one are hurt or injured, or a loved one is tragically killed in a bicycle accident as the result of this kind of negligence, don’t hesitate, contact one of the Orange County personal injury lawyers at Pacific Attorney Group. Our lawyers can review your case, for free, to determine what rights you have under personal injury law to get the compensation you need to help you recover and put your life in order.
Personal injury law and Pacific Attorney Group
At Pacific Attorney Group we know how personal injury law can help protect the rights of bicycle riders who were hurt in an accident. Our goal is simple, we want to represent you, the injured party, to help you get compensation for damages, injury, time off from work and the pain and suffering caused you by a 3rd party’s negligent act.
It’s a well known fact that bicycles are a very common site in Orange County, and bicycle riders must share the road, trails and bike paths with many other individuals – some of whom may not be watching for bikes.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Association lists the following tips for both motorists and bicycle riders.
Motorists should:
- Recognize that bicyclists have a right to ride on the roadway;
- Always stay alert;
- Make a visual check for bicyclists by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic.
Cyclists should:
- Ride on the roadway or shared pathways, rather than on sidewalks;
- Follow the same rules of the road as other roadway users, including riding in the same direction as traffic and following all the same traffic signs and signals;
- Wear a bicycle helmet every time you ride;
- Make yourself visible by wearing bright colors during the day, reflective gear (clothing, arm or leg bands, etc.) in low light conditions,- and use head and tail lights at night.
Possible bicycle accident injuries
Bicycle accidents can cause permanent, disabling injuries, even death. As the cost of gas increases, so does the number of cyclists on the road, especially in warm climates. Injuries can include:
- Head injury
- Minor scrapes, bruising
- Concussion
- broken bones
- Spine injury
- Injuries from broken bicycle parts
- Injuries caused by defective bicycles
- Damage to legs and arms so severe that amputation is required
- Paralysis
- Internal injuries or bleeding
- Death
Bicycle accidents and personal injury law
If you’re injured in a bicycle accident, you should be aware of your rights and responsibilities under personal injury law. Since bicycles are considered vehicles, the same procedures apply when seeking payment for injuries. You must exchange car insurance information in order to file claims accordingly.
However, if you are involved in a hit and run bicycle accident, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company.
If you are considering a bicycle accident claim, call the Orange County personal injury lawyers of Pacific Attorney Group. Our California firm has handled bicycle accident lawsuits and other injury claims for years.
Because each case is different, it can be difficult to determine exactly how much compensation you may be entitled to. However, our Pacific Attorney Group lawyers understand that the financial needs of people hurt in a bicycle accident can be extraordinary. We will work with you to evaluate your potential case and pro
Contact Pacific Attorney Group for a FREE case review
If you or a family member has been injured in a bicycle accident in Orange County or anywhere in California, call the personal injury lawyers at Pacific Attorney Group for a free consultation now.
We can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week at: