13-Year-Old Girl Critically Injured In Bicycle Accident Involving Cargo Van By The Intersection of 6th Street and Xenia Avenue
BEAUMONT, CALIFORNIA (March 28, 2022) – A 13-year-old girl from Beaumont was critically injured after being hit by a cargo van while riding her bicycle by 6th Street and Xenia Avenue.
Riverside County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 6:15 a.m. on Monday. The 13-year-old girl was riding her bicycle and was hit by a cargo van under unclear conditions.
Cal Fire and Riverside County paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. She was taken to the hospital with critical injuries.
Police interviewed the 19-year-old driver of the cargo van who remained at the scene. It remains unclear if they will face any charges following the crash.
Liability In Beaumont Cargo Van Accidents
Bicyclists are uniquely vulnerable in car accidents. They lack the protection of enclosed vehicles and are more likely to be overlooked due to their small size. According to the NHTSA, 846 bicyclists were killed in 2019. Tens of thousands more were seriously injured. By law, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as those in motorized vehicles. See, e.g., California Vehicle Code 21200. But far too often, drivers don’t respect this and fail to give bicyclists the space they need to be safe. There are many steps that cities can take in order to reduce bicycle accidents.
- Police officers should enforce traffic violations likely to contribute to bicycle accidents.
- City officials should study roadways and intersections with a history of pedestrian collisions.
- Protected bicycle lanes with concrete pillars are extremely effective at keeping bicyclists safe.
Every driver has a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid hitting bicyclists. Many collisions with bicycles are due to drivers that make unprotected left turns. According to California Vehicle Code 21801, the driver of any vehicle intending to turn left or to complete a U-turn must yield the right of way to all vehicles traveling from the opposite direction close enough so as to pose a hazard. Failure to exercise due care to avoid hitting a bicyclist could form the basis of a negligence claim.
If the driver that hit a bicyclist was in a cargo van, their employer could potentially be vicariously liable. Cargo vans are often used in business to transport people or goods. They are commonly used in landscaping, construction and many other industries. In general, employers are liable for the negligent actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties.
In certain situations, a city could potentially be liable for a bicycle accident if it was caused by a dangerous condition on public property. Pursuant to California Government Code 835, a public entity could be liable for an accident caused by a dangerous condition on public property provided that the property was in a dangerous condition at the time of the accident. As outlined in Cordova v. City of L.A. (2015) 61 Cal.4th 1099, 1105., “Public property is in a dangerous condition within the meaning of section 835 if it ‘is physically damaged, deteriorated, or defective in such a way as to foreseeably endanger those using the property itself.” There are a number of steps that should be taken after any bicycle accident.
- The employment status of the at-fault driver should be determined.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
Many victims may not realize the full extent of their injuries for many weeks or months after any collision. That’s why it’s so important to seek medical care early on. Any person that is injured in a cargo van accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. A bicycle accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Beaumont Cargo Van Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to the girl who was injured in this Beaumont accident. It is our sincere hope that she is able to make a full recovery. This is every parents worst nightmare and extremely unfortunate. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation so that steps can be taken to prevent other collisions.
Have you or someone that you love been injured in a bicycle accident? There are many laws designed to help with the recovery process. Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the support and justice that they deserve so that they can fully recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
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