Driver Flees Bicycle Injury Accident on Elk Grove-Florin Road
An injury accident involving a hit-and-run occurred in Sacramento on April 21 when a bicyclist was struck by a motor vehicle. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the accident happened around 10:51 p.m. at the intersection of Elk Grove-Florin Road and Bridalsmith Drive as two bicycle riders were heading northbound in the bike lane, and one of them was struck by a white Ford 4-door work pickup. When the officers arrived at the accident scene, there was no sign of the driver who was involved.
Authorities Searching for Driver in Bicycle Injury Accident
First responders from the Sacramento Fire Department arrived and determined that the bicycle rider had suffered major injuries. Several days after the accident, the injured rider, 22-year-old Johnathan Saelee, passed away. Investigators into the collision are searching for the hit-and-run driver and say the suspect vehicle may be missing a mirror on the passenger side.
Those who might have information regarding the bicycle injury accident are asked to contact CHP dispatch at (916) 961-1300 or the South Sacramento CHP at (916) 897-5600.
Watch YouTube Video – By: ABC10 – Family Wants Hit-and-Run Driver Who Killed Johnathan Saelee to Come Forward
Negligent Motorists Cause a High Number of Bicycle Accident Injuries
As more people use bicycles for transportation, exercise and to save money, the number of injuries and fatalities has increased. According to statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, around 30 percent of all bicycle accidents occur due to a collision with a motor vehicle. Some of the types of negligence exhibited by drivers that lead to a collision with a bicycle include:
- Distracted driving, which includes texting, taking selfies, or looking at email is the number one cause of a bicycle injury accident.
- Failure to yield is another problem that leads to an accident with a bicycle rider. Nearly 50 percent of all bicycle accidents are caused when a motorist is turning left and drives right into the path of a bicyclist.
- Dooring accidents happen when a driver parallel parked at a curb opens their car door without looking for an oncoming bicyclist.
- Ignoring California’s three-foot rule, which mandates the distance a motor vehicle driver has to keep away from a bicyclist causes a number of accidents.
- Drivers who negligently back out of a parking space or driveway can cause a bicycle injury accident as well as a collision with a pedestrian or other motorist.
Hit-and-Run Drivers
If a hit-and-run driver can be located, they can be held financially responsible for a bicycle injury accident. Our investigators search for evidence to locate the driver by doing the following, which often has positive results:
- The investigators check the police report to look for any clues as to the identity of the vehicle and driver.
- Area cameras are examined to see if the accident was captured on film.
- The ground at the location of the accident is searched to look for paint and metal pieces from the vehicle, which can help identify the make and model.
- The bicycle is examined also to look for damage that might help identify the vehicle.
- Accident reconstruction is performed, which can point toward fault.
- Witnesses of the accident are interviewed. In some cases, a witness can identify the vehicle or even the driver. In others, a witness may recall at least a portion of the license plate number.
Hit and Run Accidents Can Be Compensated by Uninsured Motorist Policy of Household Member
If any member of the household has uninsured motorist coverage, it can be used to pay for a pedestrian and/or bicycle accident or death. It will not raise the insurance rates. For more information contact our office.
Vineyard Personal Injury Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith. I’m a Vineyard personal injury lawyer. To find out whether you can claim compensation after being injured by a negligent driver, contact us at (916) 921-6400. We can also be reached at (800) 404-5400 or online.
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Photo attribution: Image by Pexels from Pixabay
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