Bicycle Rider Injured In Eureka Collision With Van Near The Intersection of 7th Street and E Street
EUREKA, CALIFORNIA (January 6, 2022) – A bicyclist was injured in a Eureka car accident with a van by the intersection of 7th Street and E Street.
Humboldt County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 6:00 p.m. on January 4th. For reasons that remain under investigation, a bicyclist was involved in a collision with a van.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. They were treated by paramedics and then transported to the hospital.
A full investigation into the Eureka car accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Eureka Car Accidents
Bicyclists are uniquely vulnerable in car accidents. They lack the protection of enclosed vehicles and are more likely to be overlooked. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 1,000 bicyclists die and over 130,000 bicyclists are injured in car accidents across the united states. Most bicycle accidents happen in urban areas and during the early morning or late evening hours. There are a number of steps that drivers should take in order to avoid hitting bicyclists.
- All drivers should check their blind spots before making turns.
- All drivers should maintain at least a three-foot distance between bicyclists in a bicycle lane.
- All drivers should abstain from alcohol and other intoxicating substances.
Every driver has a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid hitting bicyclists. This includes traveling at a safe speed in order to avoid collisions. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 22350, “No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.” If a driver hits a bicyclist while speeding, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous liable parties for any bicycle accident. Many vans are used for commercial purposes. If the driver of a van was working at the time of a collision, the company that they were working for could be held at fault. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful acts of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any bicycle accident.
- Surveillance footage of the accident should be sought.
- Medical records should be preserve.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
Any person that is injured in a car accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Sadly, though, insurance companies will often fight hard to deny liability for any collision. A bicycle accident attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Humboldt County Bicycle Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to the bicyclist injured in this Eureka collision. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of the victim.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a 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 their rights and that those rights are being protected. 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.
