California Injury Blog
William Brown, 63, sustained serious injuries in a San Francisco car accident after he was struck while riding his bicycle the afternoon of August 9, 2010. The Bay City News reports that Clements Boylan, a 74-year-old man from Freestone, hit Brown when attempting to turn his 1994 Lexus left into a parking lot off River Road in Santa Rosa. Boylan apparently did not see Brown at the time of the collision. Brown was hit and thrown onto the hood of the Lexus. Authorities believe that Brown’s bike helmet lessened his injuries.
I am relieved to hear that no one was fatally injured in this bicycle accident. My thoughts and prayers are with William Brown as he recovers from his injuries.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were two fatalities and 55 injuries involving bicycle accidents in Santa Rosa. In Sonoma County as a whole, two people died and 152 were injured as a result of bicycle accidents during the same year.
Left Turn Law
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver, Boylan, may have turned left in front of the bicyclist. He may have failed to yield right-of-way to the oncoming bicyclist. California Vehicle Code Section 21801 (a) states: “The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield 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.”
Compensation Issues
If it is determined that Boylan made an unsafe left hand turn, then, he could be held liable for the victim’s injuries, damages and losses. Victims in such cases can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, therapy fees, hospitalization, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It is in the best interest of someone filing a claim to first contact an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer, who will advise them about their legal rights and options. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.
What kind of precautions do you take as a bicyclist to make sure that you are seen by other drivers on the roadway?
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.