A bicyclist who was seriously injured in a hit-and-run collision in Oxnard has been identified by authorities as 49-year-old Gerardo Rodriguez. The Ventura County Star reports that the injury collision occurred the night of July 25, 2010 at the intersection of Oxnard Boulevard and Colonia Road, when a driver struck Rodriguez, who was in a crosswalk at the intersection.

Eyewitnesses told authorities that the SUV went through a red light and hit Rodriguez who was in the crosswalk. The driver of the SUV drove away from the scene of the accident. But Oxnard police were able to locate the driver, later identified as 21-year-old Jose Vega. He was arrested on a felony hit-and-run charge. Rodriguez is recovering from his injuries.

Hit-and-Run Statistics

According to the California Highway Patrol's traffic accident statistics, there were 17,158 hit-and-run collisions that resulted in fatalities or injuries in California in 2008. A majority of these car accidents involved injuries. There were 247 deaths in 2008 involving hit-and-run collisions statewide.

Laws and Liability Issues

In this particular case, it appears that Vega was at fault because not only did he run a red light at the intersection, but he also struck the bicyclist who was in a marked crosswalk. California Vehicle Code section 21650 states: "Upon all highways a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:" subsection (g) states that "This section does not prohibit the operation of bicycles on any shoulder or a highway, on any sidewalk, on any bicycle path within a highway, or along any crosswalk or bicycle path crossing, where the operation is not otherwise prohibited by this code or local ordinance." Vega also left the scene of the accident, which is against California Vehicle Code section 20001 (a).

In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is apparent, it would be in the best interests of injured victims to seek the counsel of a reputed personal injury attorney in Ventura, who has a successful track record of holding negligent drivers accountable. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and their families.

Have you ever acted as a witness to an accident? We would like to hear about your experiences.

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.