A bicycle accident in Long Beach the night of June 26, 2010 proved fatal for a 58-year-old Orange County man. City News Service reports that the car accident happened on Carson Street at Woodruff Avenue when a 70-year-old man driving a Ford pickup truck collided with the bicyclist. Both the pickup and the bicycle were westbound on Carson. The injured victim was transported to a local hospital where he died. An investigation is ongoing.

My prayers and condolences go out to the family and friends of this deceased accident victim. They have indeed suffered a devastating loss.

Car Accidents

According to CHP's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 27 deaths and 1,881 injuries involving Long Beach car accidents. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 667 people died and 52,229 injuries as a result of car accidents in 2008.

Causes and Liability Issues

It is not clear from this report who was at fault for this fatal bicycle accident. I trust officials are looking into whether the driver of the pickup truck was impaired, disoriented, fatigued or otherwise negligent at the time of the collision. If it is determined that he was at fault, then the driver could be held responsible for the wrongful death of the bicyclist.

If a dangerous condition on the roadway such as poor lighting caused or contributed to this incident, the city or the public entity responsible for maintaining the roadway could also be held liable. Under California Government Code section 911.2, any such claim against a governmental agency must be properly filed within six months of the incident. An experienced Long Beach personal injury lawyer, will be able to advise families about their legal rights and options and ensure that the negligent parties are held accountable. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.

What steps can bicyclists take to be more visible at night, to other drivers?

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.