Accident at Rose Parade Way Intersection Injures Bicyclist
A hit-and-run driver injured a Sacramento bicycle rider on June 13 at a local intersection. The crash occurred at the intersection of Rose Parade Way and Spellbinder Court around 8:25 p.m. and was reported by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Emergency responders were summoned to the accident scene and transported the bicyclist to UC Davis Medical Center for medical care. The extent of injuries to the rider was not reported. The hit-and-run driver involved in the accident is being sought by authorities.
Why Are Bicycle Accidents So Dangerous
Bicycle accidents are dangerous because of the lack of protection afforded the rider. Statistically, roughly 92 percent of all bicycle accidents result in significant injuries, and fatalities involving a bicyclist occur most often in intersections.
Part of the problem is the motor vehicle driver’s failure to notice a bicyclist sharing the road. This phenomenon is called unintentional blindness. One study described it as a driver looking directly at a bicyclist and the image not registering in the brain. It is important that drivers strive to recognize objects and bicyclists should assume they are not seen by motorists.
Interventions a Bicycle Rider Can Take to Increase Road Safety
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are ways a bicyclist can circumvent injuries and fatalities. They recommend:
- Wear a helmet: One of the major causes of bicycle accident fatalities is a traumatic brain injury. To avert this calamity, a bicycle rider should wear a new, certified helmet every time. The helmet needs to fit appropriately to be of use. Talking to a bicycle shop owner can help you to purchase the right one.
- Make sure your lights are working: It is difficult for a driver to see a bicyclist whose headlights are not working. Besides being a safety feature, most states require that a bicyclist have working lights on their bike. Generally, this includes rear red lights and white front lights.
Hit-and-Run Accidents With a Bicycle Rider
Hitting a person and fleeing the scene of the accident is a crime in California. A hit-and-run accident can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the situation. Under Vehicle Code 20002, a misdemeanor charge can be placed if property damage occurs. Alternately, a felony charge can be filed if a driver leaves the scene of the accident when another person has been injured or killed.
Catching the hit-and-run driver is necessary if charges are to be filed. Likewise, in order to file a lawsuit against the driver, he/she must be identified. Our clients who suffer damages due to a hit-and-run often wonder how they will obtain compensation if the person cannot be apprehended.
How an Attorney Can Help an Injured Bicycle Rider
At our law firm, we do everything we can to identify the hit-and-run driver. We send our investigators to the scene of the accident to look for evidence and talk to witnesses that may have caught a glimpse of the license plate number. We also scour the neighborhood, asking residents if they saw anyone that may be implicated in the crash.
We also help the driver, when and if the fleeing driver cannot be found. In California, it is possible to use your uninsured/underinsured insurance to pay for damages. This covers the compensation you deserve whether you are a motorist, pedestrian or bicyclist. Everyone in California is offered this add-on insurance policy. If you did not take it and another person in your household did, you are covered. There is no increase in your insurance premium if it is used.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. If you suffer injuries due to a hit-and-run accident, you have the right to be compensated. Call us at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 to schedule a free case review. We will answer your questions and discuss your options going forward. If it is easier for you, you can contact us online.
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Photo attribution: Image by Pexels from Pixabay
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