Elderly Man Killed in Riverside Bike Accident

Riverside Bicycle Accident

This afternoon a 68-year-old man on a bicycle was struck and fatally injured on Central Avenue in Riverside.  According to news reports, the man was traveling east on Central near the Olivewood Cemetery when the accident occurred.  The vehicle striking the cyclist was traveling the same direction at the time of the impact.  For some reason, the victim may have swerved into the left travel lane just before the collision occurred.

The Cause of the Accident

According to the news report, the bicyclist was traveling in the left lane when he was hit by a car also heading east on Central.  It is unknown why the rider was not closer to the right hand curb.  In general, bicyclist should ride their bikes on the right hand side of the road, but there are a number of exceptions.  It is unknown whether the victim in this Riverside accident had a good reason for traveling in the left lane, but that determination will affect whether the driver may be held liable for the accident.  Additionally, since this was a daytime accident, it will be important to look at the sight-distance variables to determine whether the driver should have been able to see the rider in time to avoid an impact.  If the driver could see the bike rider for more than about 1 1/2 seconds prior to the collision, the driver may well be at least partially, if not entirely, responsible for this fatal accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, contacting an experienced injury attorney may be the best way to determine whether you are entitled to compensation for any injuries or damages suffered.

Left Turn Accident In Garden Grove - Car Crashes into Restaurant

A left turn crash in Garden Grove resulted in a car careening into a restaurant, sending three to the hospital. According to the KTLA news report, the collision happened at about 2:45 p.m. yesterday afternoon near the intersection of Garden Grove Boulevard and Yockey Street.  The accident occurred when a woman turning left collided with another vehicle with two men inside.  The 73-year-old woman may have panicked after the initial collision, causing her to drive her Mercedes into the window of the Pho 86 restaurant. Inside the business a 37-year-old mother and her 10-year-old daughter were struck and injured.

Left Turn Accidents and Fault

In California, the Vehicle Code (Section 21801(a)) requires that any left turn be made only after the driver has yielded "the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety."  It is unknown whether the woman in the Mercedes violated this section, but this is the statute against which her driving will be measured.  The Garden Grove Police Department will have to determine the cause of the impact in the intersection and whether the Mercedes driver was careless in allowing her vehicle to collide into the Pho 86.

After an Accident

The fault for an accident may be a difficult and complex thing to figure out.  An Orange County injury attorney who has handled dozens of such cases is likely in the best position to help you protect your rights.  

Paid Forward at Just The Right Time

Last night at a McDonalds in Orange County (Yorba Linda) I was in line to get dinner for the family, it was "Fast Food Thursday". When I arrived at the first window the cashier told me the woman in the car ahead had paid $10.00 toward my meal. I couldn't believe it...NEVER happened before.  My mother, on the phone with me, likewise had her breath taken away by the gesture...which I could hear in her voice.

It was dark and I couldn't see who it was initially, but when I caught up to them on YL Boulevard, I noticed it was a grey-haired woman, behind the wheel of an older Toyota Rav 4...alone.  She didn't look at me as I passed by and apparently didn't want any thanks...just a kind heart helping someone she didn't even know....Happy Holidays.