Accident Along Cottage Way Results in Bicyclist Injury
A bicyclist injury occurred on March 14 in Sacramento when the rider was struck by a vehicle. The accident was reported around 2:00 in the afternoon along eastbound Cottage Way at Howe Avenue in the Arden-Arcade area, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The driver who struck the bicycle rider left the scene.
Accident Under Investigation to Locate Hit-and-Run Driver
The bicycle rider managed to get up and was found on the right-hand side of the street when Sacramento Fire Department first responders arrived. The rider was found to have suffered injuries from the collision. However, no further details were provided. The accident is being investigated by the CHP to find out how the bicyclist injury occurred and to locate the hit-and-run driver.
Major Causes of Bicycle Injury Accidents
Although some bicycle accidents happen because of an error by the rider, drivers of passenger vehicles and trucks cause many. Negligence by a driver causes serious injuries and fatalities each year. Some of the ways in which they happen include:
- The driver makes a right-hand turn without looking for a rider in the bike lane and cuts in front of them.
- The driver ignores the bicyclist’s right of way and moves too close to the rider, resulting in a serious accident. In California, drivers are expected to obey the three-foot rule, which requires them to maintain a distance of three feet from a bicycle rider.
- A motorist runs a red light going through an intersection at the same time a bicyclist is crossing. This is a common cause of a bicyclist injury.
- A bicyclist is riding in the street, and a motorist either rear-ends them or stops short, causing the rider to be ejected from their bike.
- A motorist is backing out of a driveway and doesn’t look for oncoming bicycle riders.
- A driver is parked at a curb and opens the car door without looking for bicyclists first. This type of accident, called dooring, can result in a serious bicyclist injury.
Finding a Hit-and-Run Driver
Although it is more common these days to be involved in an accident with a driver who flees the scene, many of them can be located. Our law office has a record of locating these drivers and holding them responsible for their negligent behavior. By locating the driver, the injured party can place a claim for compensation to pay for their medical costs, pain, and suffering, and their lost wages. Our investigative team searches for the identity of the fleeing vehicle and driver by:
- Investigators check the police report for mistakes and see what information they have gathered on the hit-and-run driver.
- They perform accident reconstruction, which includes photographing the scene and looking for paint from the vehicle and metal pieces that can be matched to identify the make and model.
- The investigators check for film footage from traffic and business cameras.
- Witnesses are interviewed to see if anyone filmed the accident and to take descriptions of the vehicle, driver, and license plate number.
What Happens If the Driver Can’t Be Found?
When the negligent motorist isn’t located, the injured party can use their uninsured/underinsured policy to pay for their losses. This add-on is offered as an option when anyone in California purchases auto insurance. It not only covers auto accidents but also bicycle, motorcycle, and pedestrian injuries. If the injured party doesn’t have this insurance but a household member does, that policy can cover the cost. The rate remains unaffected.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
My name is Ed Smith. I am a Sacramento personal injury lawyer with free, friendly advice to offer when you phone me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. You can also reach me online if you have questions about whether you can obtain compensation for your accident injury.
You can learn more about my law office and how others have been helped at the links below:
I’m a member of Top 1 Percent and the Million Dollar Advocates.
From traffic collisions and bicycle crashes to wrongful deaths and any type of traumatic injury, my law office has helped many Sacramentans since 1982 to get the compensation they deserve.
Attributed photo: https://pixabay.com/photos/bicycle-bike-biking-sport-cycle-384566/
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