Bicycle Accidents

DERRIANNA DANIELS WAS INJURED IN CAR VS. BICYCLE CRASH ON MARCH 19, 2021, AT E AVENUE AND OLIVE STREET, HESPERIA, CALIFORNIA

March 24, 2021 | by Robert Walch

Authorities reported that Derrianna Daniels, age 22, was injured when her bicycle was struck by a car driven by Laura Boyd on March 19, 2001, in Hesperia California. The injuries to Derrianna Daniels were so severe she reportedly was flown to the hospital by paramedics for medical care and hospitalized.

It also was reported that while Ms. Daniels was riding her bicycle, the other driver, Ms. Boyd, allegedly failed to stop for her stop sign and crashed into the bicycle operated by Ms. Daniels.

It is believed that Ms. Boyd was driving her car westbound on Olive Street towards its intersection with E Avenue in Hesperia when Ms. Daniels was northbound on E Avenue.

What Causes Tire Blowout Bicycle Accidents?

February 25, 2020 | by Robert Walch

What Causes Tire Blowout Bicycle Accidents?

California’s sunny, warm weather and scenic views make bicycling an enjoyable, popular activity throughout the entire state. However, bicycle tire blowouts are a scary experience that can put an end to the enjoyment and cause serious injuries.

When a tire explodes, the rider is usually thrown from their bicycle and an accident occurs. The bicycle goes from easy to handle to incredibly difficult to control, and a resulting accident creates a high potential for catastrophic injuries both to the rider and sometimes even to others traveling on the road around them. If you or a loved one has been injured by a bicycle tire blowout accident, speak to an experienced Calabasas personal injury attorney to see if you may be entitled to compensation.

Hit by a Cyclist—Can I receive Compensation for my Injuries?

January 13, 2020 | by Gary Walch

Hit by a Cyclist—Can I receive Compensation for my Injuries?

Because of the busy, trafficked, Southern California roads, biking is a common mode of transportation. Not only is it a great way to commute, but it is also a fun and popular form of exercise. Though not a vehicle, cyclists must still follow specific traffic rules to avoid collisions.

Commonly, collisions involving cyclists occur with cars. However, collisions involving a cyclist and pedestrians can and do occur. Cyclists can travel at high speeds, carelessly break traffic rules, or negligently ride in a way that can put pedestrians at risk. When a cyclist and pedestrian accident occurs, it can be difficult to determine who is at fault, and thus who is responsible for compensating for injuries that occur in the accident.

Jurupa Valley Hit-and-Run Kills Bicyclist

June 24, 2019 | by Robert Walch

Sadly, a 30-year-old bicyclist, Rigoberto Guzman, was killed in a Jurupa Valley Hit-and-Run incident. The bike accident occurred around 11 p.m. at the intersection of Limonite Avenue and Van Buren Boulevard.

According to the Redlands Daily Facts, Guzman was biking northbound on Van Buren Boulevard when he was suddenly hit by a car and the driver fled. Police say, Guzman “was flung to the far east side of the roadway, where witnesses spotted him and called 911.” Tragically, Guzman died at the scene.

Based on witness descriptions of the vehicle, police were able to locate the car and the driver that caused the accident the next day. 26-year-old Andrew Scott Walters has been arrested for causing this wrongful death bicycle accident. Police are now investigating what caused the accident in the first place, though it appears it was not drugs or alcohol.

Koreatown Hit-and-Run Results in Bicyclist Wrongful Death

March 1, 2019 | by Robert Walch

Los Angeles Police are searching for a vehicle that was involved in causing a deadly bicycle accident in Koreatown. ABC New 7 reported that the collision occurred in the early morning around 3:30 a.m. According to witnesses the man was struck by a motorist who immediately fled the scene.

Because the bicyclist was thrown into the street, he was subsequently hit by two other vehicles. Officers have not yet identified the man, though he was said to be in his thirties, and he died at the scene due to the severity of his injuries.

In a hit-and-run bicycle case like this one, that occurred in the early morning with few witnesses, officers are beginning their investigation by searching the area to see if the incident was caught on camera so they can try to find the car that caused the accident. They have asked anyone with information on this accident to contact the Los Angeles Police Department at (213) 473-0222.

New California Law Makes Bike Path Hit-and-Run a Crime

January 1, 2019 | by Robert Walch

When it comes to hit-and-run pedestrian accidents, most often we think of an incident involving a vehicle. However, a new California law, which goes into effect with the new year, makes it a crime for a bicyclist to hit a pedestrian while on a bike path and flee the scene.

According to the Daily Bulletin, the law already applied to cyclist/pedestrian accidents on the road, but is now expanded to cover accidents on bike paths as well. Under the new law, “a bicyclist who strikes a pedestrian on a bike path causing injuries or death will now have to stay put, helping the injured person if possible and waiting for police” or else face criminal charges like a hit-and run motorist would face.

The new law was encouraged after several incidents of cyclist/pedestrian accidents along bike paths—pedestrians were hit and left injured on the path, while the cyclist rode away with no legal consequences to prevent them from doing so. One example was 61-year-old Bill Finbeiner who was hit by a bicyclist while walking along a path. He suffered “a fractured skull, a broken nose, facial fractures, a broken left hand and a broken left thumb, in addition to having two teeth knocked out and the back of both hands torn up.” However, it wasn’t a crime to hit someone and leave, so the cyclist rode away.

Young Father in Coma After Rialto Hit-and-Run

October 15, 2018 | by Robert Walch

A young father, Andy Welch, was seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident in Rialto. The accident occurred while Andy was riding his bike towards Rosa’s Market on Bohnert Avenue to get something to eat. The vehicle struck Andy and then fled the scene without stopping to help.

According to ABC 7 News, Andy remained in the street for over a half hour, while other vehicles passed him by. He was severely injured, but conscious, and was eventually able to reach his cellphone and call his family for help. He was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center for surgery to repair intestines that were ruptured in the accident. He was then put into a medically induced coma. While originally Andy took a turn for the worse, he is now stable and breathing on his own, though he remains in the coma.

Sadly, far too often when a pedestrian or cyclist collision occurs, drivers think it is better to flee the scene rather than stay and face liability. However, this is not a good idea and leaving the scene of an accident can result in both a civil offense and criminal charges.

Family of Cyclist Killed in Wrongful Death Accident Receives $11M Settlement from LA County

June 6, 2018 | by Robert Walch

The family of a bicyclist, who died when he was struck by a sheriff’s deputy who was driving while distracted by a digital device, will be paid $11.75 million by the city of Los Angeles as a settlement in their wrongful death suit.

The accident that killed Milton Olin Jr., a 65-year-old attorney and former chief operating officer of Napster, happened on December 8, 2013. Olin was in the bike lane in Calabasas, when the officer drifted over and hit him. He died on impact “after landing on the patrol car’s windshield and shattering the glass.”

Hit and Run Accident Kills Compton Man Riding Bicycle

May 29, 2018 | by Robert Walch

According to KTLA News, police are looking for a driver of a hit and run vehicle that struck and killed a man in a tragic Compton bicycle accident. Apparently, the victim, Darnell Parker was cycling to a relative’s house just after midnight on May 20^th, when he was hit at Alondra Boulevard and Bradfield Avenue. The driver fled the area. Officers responded, and Parker was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers plan to check surveillance cameras in the area in hopes to get more information as to who the driver could be.

Parker’s family is left to deal with the tragic aftermath of his untimely death. His daughter-in-law, Tracy Brown, stated, “He has children that are gonna need him. They’re gonna miss out on very important things they can’t even share with their dad, and I just think it’s sad.” Continue Reading

Driver Opening Car Door Causes Burbank Bike Accident Wrongful Death

April 25, 2018 | by Robert Walch

According to the Los Angeles Times, around 5 p.m. on April 17, 2018, a 52-year old man was killed after he was knocked off his bike and thrown into oncoming traffic.

Lenny Trinh, the victim of this Burbank bicycle accident wrongful death, was riding his bike in the designated bike lane when a driver of a parked car opened the door just as Mr. Trinh rode past. The collision with the door caused Mr. Trinh to fall into the street. The Burbank Police Department reported that Trinh was then hit by a pick-up truck traveling on Alameda Avenue.