Southern California Car Accident Lawyer Blog

At a time when concerns for the environment have moved people to use alternative transportation, including public transport, walking and bicycling, those getting from here to there without a car are finding the roads to be a bit "bumpy."

With a mixture of cars and bicycles on the congested streets, many accidents happen that leave bicyclists with severe injuries. It seems that the laws in place do not bend for the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists, and that is why bicycle coalitions across California are working together to get new laws passed.

According to SF Streets Blog, a site committed to providing alternative-transportation news to the public and promoting "livable streets," the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (SFBC) has three ideas they'd like to see become laws.

Continue reading "San Francisco Bicyclists Look To Promote New Laws for Bike-Friendly Roads" »

A 47-year-old man has been fatally injured in a San Bernardino car accident, after his bicycle was struck by an SUV the evening of December 16, 2009. According to a news report in the San Bernardino Sun, the man, whose identity has not yet been released was riding across Bloomington Avenue near Vine Street in Bloomington, when he was hit by a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban that was traveling east. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of this deceased victim for their devastating loss. Please keep them in your prayers.

Continue reading "San Bernardino Car Accident Fatally Injures Bicyclist" »

Two teenagers riding their bikes sustained injuries in a San Diego car accident the morning of November 18, 2009 after a driver swerved into their lane, North County Times reports. California Highway Patrol officials said the two boys -- ages 14 and 13 -- were riding westbound on Bear Valley Parkway in Escondido, California. They were both single-file in the bike lane, when a tan-colored SUV swerved directly in front of them. One of the boys veered to the right and struck the curb. The other boy ran into the cyclist ahead of him and got thrown off his bike.

Continue reading "San Diego Car Accident Injures Two Bicyclists" »

Two people have been injured in an Orange County car accident after a Jeep Cherokee collided with a bicycle on Santiago Canyon Road at Irvine Lake the morning of November 17, 2009. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the Jeep hit the bicyclist from behind and then rolled over several times. The driver of the Jeep is in critical condition and the bicyclist has been hospitalized with moderate injuries, according to Orange County fire officials who responded to the accident scene. Witnesses say the bicycle rider is extremely fortunate that he did not sustain major injuries, especially because he was not wearing a helmet.

Continue reading "Orange County Car Accident Leaves Two Injured" »

Randy Vargas, 12, was killed in a Riverside car accident after he was struck by a pickup truck the evening of October 26, 2009. According to a news report in The Press Enterprise, Randy was hit by a white Toyota pickup truck while riding his bicycle along the 27400 block of Jarvis Street, between Perris and Lake Elsinore. California Highway Patrol officials said the boy was taken to a local hospital and later transferred to Loma Linda University Medical Center in San Bernardino County. Randy Vargas died the morning of October 27, San Bernardino Coroner's officials said.

Continue reading "San Bernardino Car Accident Kills 12-year-old Bicyclist" »

Daryl David Benefiel was killed in an Orange County bicycle accident the evening of July 23, 2009, The Orange County Register reports. Benefiel was riding his bike south on Ridge Park Road in Newport Beach, California, when he collided with a car making a left turn from Tesoro, Newport Beach police officials said. The driver of the car, Nathan Tsuchiya, was uninjured. It's not clear whether Benefiel was wearing a helmet. No citations or arrests were made as a police investigation into this fatal bicycle accident is still in progress.

Continue reading "Orange County Fatal Bicycle Accident" »

Angel Guadalupe Galvez, 37, was killed in a San Diego bicycle accident after he was struck from behind by a pickup truck, 10news reports. Galvez was traveling south on Cole Grade Road in Valley Center the morning of July 21, 2009 when a 1992 Chevrolet pickup truck approached from behind. The truck's driver, 50-year-old Gregory Pile, tried to pass Galvez near Fruitvale Road and ended up hitting the bicycle. Galvez was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. Pile was not injured. Officials have not yet filed any charges against Pile pending an investigation.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Angel Guadalupe Galvez for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were four fatalities and 392 injuries involving bicycle accidents in the city of San Diego. In San Diego County as a whole, 11 fatalities and 797 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of bicycle accidents.

Continue reading "San Diego Fatal Bicycle Accident" »

A man in his 40s was injured in an Irvine bicycle accident the morning of June 19, 2009 after a hit-and-run driver struck him at a city intersection, The Orange County Register reports. The Orange County hit-and-run accident apparently occurred at the intersection of Irvine Center Drive and Pacifica. The bicyclist was conscious and breathing after he was struck, but seemed to have suffered hip injuries, Orange County Fire Authority officials said. There is no vehicle description available of the hit-and-run car.

Continue reading "Orange County Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident Injures Man" »

A 7-year-old boy suffered serious head injuries in a Ventura bicycle accident that happened near the intersection of Calle Turquesa and Paseo la Perla the afternoon of May 30, 2009, the Ventura County Star reports. The boy apparently rode his bike from between two parked vehicles into the path of a car driven by 49-year-old Reina Linares who was traveling west on Calle Turquesa. Thousand Oaks police officials said Linares was unable to avoid hitting the child and his bicycle. The boy, who has not been identified yet, was taken to an area hospital. Linares was uninjured. Police also said that the boy was not wearing a helmet.

My heart goes out to the child and his family. I can only imagine their shock and the agony they must be going through at this point. I hope the little boy recovers soon and does not suffer any lasting condition or injury. Please keep him in your prayers.

According to the California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there were three fatalities and 261 personal injuries involving bicycle accidents in Ventura County. In Thousand Oaks, in 2007, there were reportedly no fatalities, but 48 injuries occurred involving bicycle accidents.

Continue reading "Ventura County Bicycle Accident Injures 7-year-old Boy" »

I came across this informative Orange County bicycle accident article in the Whittier Daily News written by Sgt. Dan Lowe of the Whittier Police Department's Traffic Bureau. I think this article is worth sharing because of the important information it contains and for reminding readers that they are not on the road alone. As motorists, we share the road with not only other vehicles, but also pedestrians and bicyclists. In fact more and more people are taking to riding bicycles and motorcycles because of skyrocketing gas prices and the current economic situation. This may be an important factor to future motorcycle and bicycle collision statistics.

This article by Sgt. Lowe addresses the specific legal obligations of bicyclists as well as the legal obligations of motorists. California Vehicle Code section 21200 states: "Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this division."

A bicyclist is no different than the operator of any other vehicle. He or she must obey all the laws that a driver is required to obey while operating a car. What this means is that a bicyclist must ride in the direction of traffic, stop at stop lights and stop signs. Bicyclists may also be arrested for riding their bicycle under the influence of alcohol or drugs (California Vehicle Code section 21200.5).

Continue reading "Orange County Bicycle Accident Attorneys: The Rules of the Road" »

A man was critically injured the evening of May 3, 2009 in a Los Angeles bicycle versus car accident, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported. The rider, whom officials did not identify, was taken to the Los Angeles County USC Medical Center. The bicycle accident victim was apparently heading east on Grand Avenue when he was hit by a car driven by 19-year-old Sal Yglesias of Chino Hills. Yglesias had been driving north on Reservoir Street at the time of the car accident. Pomona Police are investigating the cause of the car crash. If you have information or witnessed this bicycle accident, please call Sgt. Micahel Olivieri at 909-802-7741.

My heart goes out to this bicyclist who suffered critical personal injuries in this Los Angeles car collision. I wish him the very best and hope that he makes a quick and complete recovery.

According to the California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there was one fatality and 47 personal injuries involving , bicycle accidents in Pomona. In Los Angeles County as a whole, there were 27 deaths and 2,902 personal injuries involving bicycle accidents in 2007.

According to the California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, there was one fatality and 47 personal injuries involving bicycle accidents in Pomona. In Los Angeles County as a whole, there were 27 deaths and 2,902 personal injuries involving bicycle accidents in 2007.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Injures Man" »

Fatal Orange County Cycle Versus Auto Accident

A man killed in an Westminster auto accident when he was struck by a pickup truck while riding his tricycle has been identified as 72-year-old Dieu Vu of Westminster, The Orange County Register reports. The fatal auto accident occurred the morning of March 23, 2009 when Vu was pedaling his cycle across the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Edinger Avenue. A full-sized pickup with oversized wheels and a high suspension turned right on a green light into the cyclist, Vu, according to Westminster police officials. The driver of the pickup was identified as 31-year-old Michael Sindar of Westminster.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Dieu Vu for their extremely tragic loss. Please keep them in your prayers.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2006 traffic accident statistics, there was one bicycle accident fatality and 31 injuries that occurred as a result of bicycle accidents in Westminster. In Orange County as a whole, 16 deaths and 1,020 injuries were reported as a result of bicycle accidents during 2006.

In this particular case, there is little information available about how or why the fatal tricycle accident occurred. Based on the newspaper report, it seems that Dieu Vu was crossing at an intersection. Sindar was turning right on a green, but if he had seen Vu crossing the street, he should have stopped his pickup truck and yielded right-of-way to Vu. The fact that Sindar did not stop and kept going tells me that he did not see Vu on the tricycle attempting to cross the major street intersection. Going by some of the comments made to this news account, this is not the first fatality to happen here at what appears to be a very busy and dangerous intersection with blind spots

Continue reading "Orange County Tricycle Accident" »

Fatal Riverside County Bicycle Accident

Michael A. Cole, 49 was killed in an Indio bicycle accident after he was hit by a suspected drunk driver, The Desert Sun reports. Arturo R. Hernandez, 64, was driving his pickup truck on Highway 111 near Madison Street the night of March 17, 2009 when he struck Cole, who was riding his bicycle. Hernandez was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and released so a complaint could be filed. Indio police officials say that Hernandez had been arrested on March 8, 2009 on suspicion of misdemeanor DUI and released from the jail the next day on $2,500 bail. Hernandez is facing a vehicular manslaughter charge as well.

My heart goes out to the family of Michael Cole for their tragic loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew and loved Cole. Please keep them in your prayers. It is heartbreaking that Cole died because this person decided to drink and drive.

According to California Highway Patrol's 2006 traffic accident statistics, there were no bicycle accident fatalities reported in Indio. There were, however, 14 injuries related to bicycle accidents that were reported. In Riverside County as whole, 15 deaths and 359 injuries were attributed to bicycle accidents in 2006. Also for the same year in Riverside County, 136 traffic accident fatalities occurred that were alcohol-related.

Continue reading "Riverside Bicycle Accident" »

Daniel Torres, a 17-year-old Buena Park High School student, was killed in a Fullerton bicycle accident after he was struck by two vehicles the evening of November 24, 2008.
According to this news report in The Orange County Register, Daniel rode out of an alley into northbound traffic on Magnolia Avenue near Orangethorpe Avenue with his 13-year-old brother and a friend.

Fullerton police officials say Daniel’s brother was able to make it out to Magnolia safely and made a wide right-hand turn to get back on to the curb. Daniel made it back on to the street, but as he did so, was clipped by a Toyota sedan that was traveling north in the left lane. He was thrown off his bicycle and was almost immediately hit by a Chevy Trailblazer, which was also traveling in the left lane. Police said Daniel was not wearing a helmet and died at the scene from severe head injuries. The drivers of the Toyota and the Trailblazer have not been cited or arrested pending an investigation.

My heart goes out to the family of the Daniel Torres, especially his younger brother, who saw Daniel get struck and killed on that Fullerton Street. Daniel’s family will be in my prayers and I offer my deepest condolences for their tragic and untimely loss.

Continue reading "Teenager Killed in Fullerton Bicycle Accident" »

Ventura County Sheriff’s Department officials have recently identified the driver who they say struck and killed Thousand Oaks school teacher, 42-year-old Michael Maki in a October 10, 2008 bicycle accident. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, 21-year-old Ashley Stone of Thousand Oaks was driving east on Hillcrest Drive near Eric Place in Thousand Oaks when her car veered to the right and struck Maki.

A popular math teacher at Westlake High School, Maki was thrown from his bicycle and hit the back of a pickup truck parked on the side of the road. A coroner’s report stated that Maki died from blood clots caused by blunt-force injury. Stone has not yet been cited or charged pending an investigation, police officials said.

My heart goes out to the family of Michael Maki as well as his students at Westlake High School. This is no doubt a tremendous tragedy for the entire community.

Continue reading "Thousand Oaks Bicycle Accident Kills Teacher" »

A 57-year-old bicyclist, who was struck and killed by a Chevy Suburban the evening of November 2, 2008, has been identified as Miguel Garcia of Hesperia. The fatal San Bernardino County bicycle accident occurred while Miguel Garcia was crossing Main Street east of I Street in Hesperia, according to a news report in the Riverside Press-Enterprise.

According to another news report in the Victorville Daily Press, Garcia was traveling eastbound in the number one lane between I Street and Peach Avenue when he was hit by the Suburban, which was also traveling eastbound. Initial accident reports state that the driver of the Suburban was “not speeding or driving erratically.” Garcia was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Suburban has not been arrested or cited pending an investigation.

According to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System (SWITRS), there was one bicycle accident fatality in the City of Hesperia in 2006 and five bicycle accident related injuries. In San Bernardino County as a whole, 11 deaths and 270 injuries were reported as a result of bicycle accidents during the same period.

Continue reading "Hesperia Bicycle Accident Leaves One Dead" »

Police have arrested 43-year-old Alex Trujillo of Garden Grove in connection with a DUI hit-and-run bicycle accident in Seal Beach on October 12, 2008. The fatal bicycle accident killed mom Cathy Busse and injured her 14-year-old autistic son, Sam. The tragic 10/12/08 accident occurred when Busse and her son were riding their bicycles on Lampson Avenue east of Seal Beach Boulevard. Our source for this blog is this Orange County Register news report.

Busse was taken to the hospital with critical injuries and died shortly after the collision. Sam was treated and released for minor injuries. Trujillo underwent surgery for injuries from the collision, but was arrested as soon as he was released from the hospital. He faces charges of murder and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Seal Beach Police are also seeking more witnesses to this horrific accident. Anyone with more information is asked to call Seal Beach Police investigator Steve Chauncey at 562-799-4100, extension 1606.

We reported about this fatal bicycle accident last week.
There is no question that this is a heartbreaking loss for the Busse family. Not to mention to young Sam, who looked up to his mom as a hero and best friend, according to several news reports. The Busse family will remain in my prayers.

Continue reading "Driver In Seal Beach Fatal Bicycle Accident Faces Murder, DUI Charges" »

Cory Peck, 48, an Antelope area resident, died in an October 2, 2008 bicycle accident after he was struck by a motorist on Blue Oaks Boulevard in Roseville. According to an article in the Sacramento Bee, Peck was riding east on Blue Oaks Boulevard near Del Webb Boulevard and Crocker Ranch Road when an eastbound driver of a Chevrolet pickup, struck Peck. He died at the scene.

Traffic investigators say Peck was wearing a helmet and that his bike had good lighting equipment. The road also has a well-marked bike lane, officials said. According to family members, Peck was on his way to work at the time of the early morning 10/2/08 auto versus bicycle collision. He had apparently been riding to work every day for several years.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family of Corey Peck for their tragic loss.

Continue reading "Sacramento County Bicycle Accident Kills Man " »

Jakob Scott Weathermon, 20, of Lakewood, was killed in a bicycle versus big rig accident on Sept. 30 after the tractor-trailer struck him at a Rancho Dominguez intersection near Carson, the Daily Breeze reports. Weathermon, who worked in Huntington Beach, was riding a bicycle with a 17-year-old unidentified girl when they were hit by the truck at the intersection of Del Amo Boulevard and Susana Road.

Weathermon and the girl were heading east on the sidewalk and entered the intersection to cross Susana when the tractor trailer, going south, made a right turn, California Highway Patrol officials said. The truck hit the girl first; who got thrown out of the way and then struck Weathermon, running him over. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

My sincere condolences to the family of Jakob Scott Weathermon for their tragic loss.

Continue reading "Rancho Dominguez Big Rig Accident Kills Bicyclist" »

Michael Richey, 46, of Modesto was killed in a Stanislaus County bicycle versus SUV accident on Sept. 30, the Modesto Bee reports. The SUV’s driver, Craig Kyle Nelson, 26, was reportedly arrested on suspicion of murder, driving under the influence, being under the influence of a controlled substance and driving with a suspended license. Even initial investigations by police officers yielded enough evidence of drug use, which led to the murder charge.

California Highway Patrol officials said the fatal bicycle accident occurred when Richey was riding his bike east on Milnes Road on the road’s dirt shoulder. Modesto resident Nelson was spotted by witnesses driving erratically in his white 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee east on Milnes. CHP officials said Nelson drove the SUV on to the road’s shoulder where he hit Richey’s bicycle from behind. The impact from the crash threw Richey 50 feet from his bike.

Continue reading "Modesto Bicyclist Killed In DUI Accident" »