Bicycle Rider Seriously Injured In Bakersfield Hit-And-Run Collision On The Panama Lane On-Ramp For Southbound Highway 99
BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA (November 26, 2022) – A bicyclist was injured in a Bakersfield hit-and-run on the Panama Lane on-ramp for southbound Highway 99.
Kern County officials are saying that the collision took place around 10:30 a.m. on Thursday. A bicyclist was traveling down the road when they were hit by a vehicle.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. The bicyclist sustained moderate injuries and was taken to the hospital.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Bakersfield Bicycle Accidents
The number of bicyclists on roadways has increased in recent years. But this has coincided with a sharp increase in the number of bicycle collisions. According to the National Safety Council, “The number of preventable deaths from bicycle transportation incidents increased 16% in 2020 and have increased 44% in the last 10 years, from 873 in 2011 to 1,260 in 2020.” There are a number of factors that could contribute to a bicycle accident.
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Inclement weather
- Driver fatigue
- Poor road conditions
Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as people driving motor vehicles. Every person in a motor vehicle has a responsibility to exercise due care to avoid hitting bicyclists. They must also maintain at least three feet of separation from any person in a bicycle lane. If a driver fails to slow down to avoid hitting a bicyclist, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any hit-and-run collision.
- Fragments of the fleeing vehicle should be sought.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
When a driver hits a bicyclist and then flees the scene, they can be held at fault through a civil and/or criminal claim. It can be hard to know what to do after a car accident. But it is important to remember that accident victims do have rights. They have the ability to seek damages through a bodily injury claim. A personal injury attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Kern County Bicycle Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to the bicyclist injured in this collision. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of the victim.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Bakersfield bicycle accident? Our team of bicycle safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support after a crash we are here. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
