Mother and Daughter Injured in Merced Bicycle Accident
A mother and daughter were struck by a car while riding bicycles at an intersection in Merced on July 27, 2018. At approximately 10:41 in the morning, the Merced Police Department received a report of a vehicle crashing into an adolescent. When officers arrived at the scene, they found that a mother and child were injured in the accident. The daughter suffered abrasions to her elbow, knees, and face while her mother complained of pain to her right side. Both parties were transported to the Mercy Medical Center to be treated for their injuries sustained in the bicycle accident. An update on the conditions of the victims has not yet been publicly released by officials.
Accident Investigation
According to preliminary reports, a gray Chevrolet sedan was traveling westbound along East 21st Street approaching the intersection of Glen Avenue, which had a red light. After reaching the intersection, the light turned green, and the Chevrolet continued through the intersection.
The Chevrolet driver did not notice that two cyclists had not fully crossed the intersection and reportedly failed to stop in time, resulting in a bicycle accident. The motorized bicycle used by the adolescent was stuck underneath the vehicle and allegedly dragged through the intersection. A motorized jack was used by emergency personnel as an attempt to raise the vehicle and recover the mangled bicycle.
Bicycle Accidents
While riding a bicycle is becoming more common as an exercise routine and means of transportation, there are some safety concerns to take into consideration. Since a bicyclist has no form of physical protection against a motor vehicle, they are likely to suffer a wide array of traumatic injuries. Take a look at the statistics surrounding the incidence of bicycle accidents in our nation:
- Bicyclists who fail to wear a helmet are at an increased risk of sustaining a head or brain injury in the event of a crash (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention);
- Wearing a bicycle helmet can reduce head trauma by 50 percent and the chances of a neck, face or head injury by 33 percent (according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety);
- Every year, nearly 300,000 children are treated in emergency departments due to injuries sustained in bicycle accidents, and at least 10,000 require extensive stays in hospitals (according to KidsHealth.org);
- Of the 3,176 total traffic accident fatalities within California in 2015, approximately 129 were bicyclist deaths, accounting as 4.1 percent of the state’s total traffic deaths that same year in question (according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).
How a Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help
Bicycle accidents often leave riders with serious injuries. In such cases, an injured rider may have grounds to bring a claim for damages such as present and future medical bills, time lost from work, and other losses. If this has happened to you or a loved one, it is crucial to know that assistance may be available by consulting with a skilled bicycle accident attorney in Merced. An experienced attorney can conduct a thorough investigation of the accident to prove liability and damages incurred to reach a favorable outcome for your case.
Merced Personal Injury & Bicycle Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Merced personal injury lawyer. If you or a loved one have been injured in a bicycle accident in Merced, I am here to provide you with free, friendly legal advice on your situation. I may be contacted at (209) 227-1931 or through my toll-free number at (800) 404-5400.
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