Bicycle Accidents

Improving Car Safety Technology to Reduce Auto, Pedestrian, & Cyclist Accidents

March 11, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

On March 5, 2013, Volvo Car Group officially announced the world-first cyclist detection technology. A radar sensor is placed in the car’s front grille and a camera is installed in the central control panel and interior rear-view mirror facing the street ahead. The technology can distinguish between pedestrians and now cyclists, which is called Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection with full auto brake.

If a cyclist or pedestrian were to get too close in front of the vehicle, a red flashing warning light would go off inside the vehicle and would automatically activate full braking power. This saves the driver from potentially hitting and injuring a pedestrian or cyclist in the event of a delayed or lack of reaction to instant danger.
Although Volvo’s new technology can reduce injury and damage, the technology is limited since the sensors protect the front of the car and not the back.

For Mercedes-Benz, it all started when engineer Karl-Heinz Baumann took a look at his daughter’s biology book and saw a picture of a cat twisting and stretching to get in the best position possible before landing on the ground. That picture sparked the idea in Baumann’s mind of creating that same concept for car safety. The concept to create technology that allows a vehicle and its occupants to be in the best position possible in anticipation of an accident. This idea turned into Mercedes-Benz PRE-SAFE® technology.

PRE-SAFE® technology was first introduced in 2002. The technology uses many sensors built in the vehicle that can recognize conditions prior to an accident and adjusts seats, head restraints, seat belts, and more. Throughout the years, the anticipatory occupant protection system has evolved and will introduce the following features later this year:

  • PRE-SAFE PLUS focuses on rear-end collision preparation.
  • PRE-SAFE IMPULSE will trigger the seatbelts to pull front occupants away from the collision area of the vehicle earlier.
  • PRE-SAFE BRAKE will stop a vehicle completely if a pedestrian or object is detected on the road ahead.

It is exciting to see these auto manufacturers safety technology evolve to protect not only the drivers that purchase the vehicle but other unprotected road users as well. We applaud the hard work that has been done and will continue to do to help reduce injury accidents.

If you were a victim of a bicycle or pedestrian accident, get legal help from the experienced San Diego personal injury attorneys.

Judge to Review Verdict in San Juan Capistrano Bicycle Accident

February 5, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

This Friday, a judge will review a $8.3 million verdict against the City of San Juan Capistrano awarded to a 14-year-old boy, Trenten Miller, who lost his leg during a bicycle accident.

The judgment was to be finalized last month. However, San Juan Capistrano decided to file an objection to the jury findings and overturn the verdict. Superior Court Judge Thierry Colaw set a hearing to hear the City of San Juan Capistrano’s motion this Friday.

In December, an Orange County jury found that the City of San Juan Capistrano liable to Miller because the City created a dangerous condition at an intersection. Miller was the passenger on his friend Scott Agostini’s dirt bike. Overgrown vegetation in the median of the intersection made it difficult for Miller and Agostini to see oncoming traffic as they attempted to cross the intersection of San Juan Creek Road and Paseo Christina.

The jury ruled in favor of the bicyclists, ruling the City of San Juan Capistrano to pay Miller $7.1 million and $1.1 million to Agostini. The verdict was reached three years after the bicycle accident and after Miller unsuccessfully attempted to settle the suit in mediation. Prior to the jury’s verdict, the City of San Juan Capistrano’s only offer was $1 million, which Miller rejected.

Bicyclist Critically Injured in Sorrento Valley Car Accident

January 24, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

A 45-year-old bicyclist was struck and injured in a serious car crash that occurred on January 19, 2012, around 1 p.m. in Sorrento Valley. According to San Diego police, the bicyclist was riding to the east in a bike lane in the 6000 block of Sorrento Valley Boulevard when he was struck by a Toyota Camry traveling in the same direction.

The sedan smashed into a roadside tree and later came to rest on top of the bicyclist. Medics responding to this serious car accident immediately transported the injured victim to a nearby hospital for treatment.

From the present facts, it is unclear as to how this car collision occurred. Was the car driver distracted? Or was he speeding?

The victim’s family members should immediately seek counsel from an experienced San Diego County car collision lawyer, who would educate them about their legal rights.

If the motorist’s negligent driving caused this car wreck, then he may be legally required to compensate the biker for the hospital, medical and treatment costs, and other related damages.

Our personal injury law office hopes that the injuries suffered by the victim heal soon and do not prove fatal.

Bicyclist Suffers Broken Leg in Riverside DUI Crash

January 13, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

A bicyclist was gravely injured in a serious Riverside DUI car accident that occurred on January 10, 2012, around 12:30 p.m. along the 300 block of East Seventh Street in San Jacinto. According to Riverside County sheriff’s officials, the bicyclist was injured in a traffic collision by 31-year-old Timothy Christopher Jones.

The bicyclist suffered a broken leg and was immediately transported to the nearby hospital for medical treatment. Jones was arrested and booked for investigation of misdemeanor DUI.

Jones will most likely be found to have violated California Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) which states that “It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle.” Under California law, it is also illegal to drive a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher.

The bicyclist’s family members would be well advised to confer with an experienced Riverside County DUI accident lawyer who would educate them about their legal rights and options. The victim’s family members may file a personal injury claim against the car driver to obtain compensation to cover medical, hospital and treatment cost, and other accident-related damages.

Our personal injury law office hopes that the injuries suffered by the victim heal soon and do not prove fatal.

San Bernardino Car Crash Kills Bicyclist

January 13, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

60-year-old Bernard F. Culverson was fatally struck in a serious San Bernardino auto accident that occurred on January 9, 2012, around 5:30 a.m. west on Third Street. According to police, Culverson was riding his unlit bicycle when he crossed into the intersection with Waterman Avenue and got hit by a car being driven by 28-year-old Benito Bustos-Gonzalez.

Culverson sustained fatal internal injuries and was immediately transported to Loma Linda University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, around 3:41a.m., the next day. According to police, Gonzalez entered the street on a green light and was not even licensed to drive.

From the present information, it is evident that negligent driving and irresponsible actions of the car driver led to this serious bicycle accident.

The victim’s family members should immediately seek counsel from an experienced San Bernardino County bicycle accident lawyer who would educate them about their legal rights. The victim’s family members may file a wrongful death claim against the car driver to obtain compensation to cover funeral and burial costs, loss of love, care and companionship, and other accident-related damages.

Our law office sends sincere condolences to victim’s family members.