Bicycle Rider Seriously Injured In Los Altos Hit-And-Run Collision Near The Intersection of North San Antonio Road and Yerba Buena Avenue
LOS ALTOS, CALIFORNIA (January 11, 2022) – A 42-year-old bicyclist was seriously injured in a Los Altos hit-and-run car accident by North San Antonio Road and Yerba Buena Avenue.
Santa Clara County officials are saying that the accident took place around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday. The bicyclist was heading northbound when he was hit by a vehicle traveling the same direction.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. He was taken to the hospital with critical injuries but has since been listed in stable condition.
Los Altos officials are asking the public for help to identify the driver that fled the scene.
Liability For Los Altos Bicycle Accidents
Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured every year in hit-and-run collisions. According to Value Penguin, “California experienced the largest share of fatal hit-and-runs [from 2016 – 2019]. The number of Golden State crashes accounted for 17% of the U.S. total, with 2,948 crashes causing 3,056 deaths.” There are a number of factors that could contribute to a hit-and-run collision.
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Inclement weather
- Poor road conditions
All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid hitting bicyclists. They must also maintain at least three feet of separation from a bicyclists in a bicycle lane. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21200, a person riding a bicycle has all of the rights and responsibilities as those in a motor vehicle. 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 a hit-and-run collision.
- Fragments of the fleeing vehicle should be examined.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
Any person that is injured due to the negligence of another driver 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. Unfortunately, it is common for drivers to deny all liability when they hit a bicyclist. 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 Santa Clara County Bicycle Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to the bicyclist injured in this collision. It is our sincere hope that he will be able to make a full recovery. The driver responsible for this crash should do the right thing and turn themselves in.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured due to the negligent actions of a driver? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of bicycle safety advocates are here to help in any way that we can. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance after a collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
