Bicyclist Hit by SUV in Florin Area of Sacramento
A bicyclist was hit by an SUV in the Florin area of South Sacramento on August 2 at about 10:29 a.m. The bicyclist was struck by a gray Ford Escape at the intersection of Stockton Boulevard and 65th Street. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said the accident was blocking the middle of the road. According to a representative of the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, the bicyclist was taken to a local hospital shortly before 10:45 a.m. At this time, the nature of the bicyclist’s injuries have not been verified. Authorities are investigating the accident to determine why it happened and whether drugs or alcohol were involved.
What an Attorney Can Do for You
Intersection bicycle accidents are all too common. There are many reasons they occur, and pinpointing the cause is crucial to a personal injury case. It is important to call your attorney as soon as possible after the accident happened. Many of our clients keep our number in their cell phones for just this reason. We send our investigative team to the site of the crash to determine if negligence was involved. They do this in a variety of ways from checking for roadway marks and other clues to obtaining video footage from traffic cameras and businesses in the area. Our investigators also review police reports for accuracy and talk to witnesses who saw the accident happen. Once this data is accumulated, our legal team reviews it to put together a strong case against the defendant. This will be useful when negotiating with the insurance company and in civil court if the insurer reneges on their obligation to our client.
Intersection Accidents
According to the Federal Highway Administration, 2.5 million intersection accidents occur annually. About 20 percent of all fatal accidents happen in an intersection along with 50 percent of serious collisions. This makes it all the more important to be wary of other vehicles. Pedestrians and bicyclists must also take care when crossing the intersection even if they are in a crosswalk.
Common Types of Intersection Accidents
Some of the most challenging situations drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians face are in intersections. The most common types of intersection crashes are:
- Head-on collisions between oncoming vehicles
- T-bone collisions when one driver is turning and another is crossing the intersection
- Rear-end collisions
- Sideswipe collisions
- Hitting a pedestrian or bicyclist when the vehicle is turning
Some Reasons Intersection Bicycle Accidents Happen
Bicyclists and pedestrians are particularly vulnerable in an intersection. Drivers are obligated to exert the highest level of care for both groups, yet often that responsibility is ignored. Let’s look at the reasons why bicyclists and pedestrians are more at risk:
- Both bicyclists and pedestrians are less visible to drivers. Motorists often say they did not see the person in the intersection. This is a form of driver error and is not excusable.
- Drivers who pull into the intersection block other motorists from seeing a bicyclist or pedestrian who has moved into the crosswalk.
- Drivers turning right often do not check to see if a bicyclist is approaching the intersection.
- Drivers often misjudge the speed with which either a pedestrian or bicyclist can make it through the intersection.
- A speeding motorist is often unable to stop in time to avoid hitting a bicyclist or pedestrian crossing the intersection.
Filing a Claim Against a Negligent Motorist
A pedestrian or bicyclist has the right to file a claim against a negligent motorist if negligence is involved. A personal injury attorney will establish that the driver was negligent and use it to collect the damages his or her client deserves. Negligence is determined by proving that the motorist had a responsibility to the cyclist/pedestrian to exert care, and the driver breached that obligation. It must also be proven that this action caused harm to the injured party and that there were financial consequences associated with it.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. An injured bicyclist or pedestrian may suffer serious injury in an intersection accident. If this happens to you, you need the insight an injury attorney can provide. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also reach me online if that is easier for you.
I’ve been helping my fellow residents of Sacramento since 1982 obtain the compensation they deserve in a variety of car accidents, wrongful deaths, and other traumatic injuries.
I am a proud member of the following organizations:
Please review the following pages to learn more about my practice:
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_54647385_l-2015
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