A 74-year-old bicyclist suffered major injuries in a San Diego truck accident after he was run over by a delivery truck in the Sports Arena area. According to a news report in U-T San Diego, the injury collision occurred just after noon on September 7, 2012 on westbound Sports Arena Boulevard near Rosecrans Street. A Dixieline truck, driven by a 41-year-old woman, made a right turn into the Dixieline store on Sports Arena. The woman failed to see the bicyclist and hit him, officials said. The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital with a serious injury to his left leg. The investigation is ongoing.
My heart goes out to this elderly man who was injured in this bicycle accident. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep this injured victim in your thoughts and prayers.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
There were two fatalities and 474 injuries involving bicycle accidents in San Diego, according to California Highway Patrol's 2010 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). During the same year, eight people died and 879 were injured due to bike accidents countywide.
What Caused This Crash?
Based on this news account, it appears that the driver of the delivery truck who was turning into the store's parking lot, failed to see the bicyclist and struck him. It is unclear as to what caused the driver to hit the bicyclist. Was she inattentive or distracted at the time? Did alcohol or drugs play a part? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway, which may have caused or contributed to this incident? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here.
Fault and Liability
If the delivery truck driver is determined to have been at fault, both she and her employer can be held liable for the injuries and damages caused here. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. If a dangerous condition on the roadway caused the accident, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held liable. Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any personal injury claim against a public entity must be filed within 180 days of the incident. An experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer will better advise injured victims about their legal rights and options.
Leave a comment