Bicyclist Killed in Stanton Car Accident
Bicyclist Killed in Stanton Car Accident
Tam Nguyen, 79, was fatally injured in a Stanton bicycle accident after he was hit by another vehicle the afternoon of Oct. 8. According to a report in The Orange County Register, the incident occurred near the intersection of Cerritos and Magnolia avenues. Paramedics transported Nguyen to an area trauma center where he later died from his injuries.
Officials said the driver who was involved in the collision initially drove a short distance away from the scene of the crash, but returned later and was interviewed by the authorities. Police don’t believe the driver was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs at the time. No arrests or citations were reported. The investigation is still ongoing.
Our deepest condolences go out to the family members of Tam Nguyen for their heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
There were two fatalities and nine injuries involving bicycle accidents in Stanton in the year 2015, according to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Orange County as a whole 17 people died and 1,022 victims were injured due to bicycle accidents during the same year.
Potential Liability Issues
Based on the news report, it appears that this bicycle crash occurred at a busy street intersection. However, there are a number of unanswered questions here. Who was at fault in this case? Did the driver fail to yield the right of way to the bicyclist? Was the driver traveling at a high rate of speed or at an unsafe speed for traffic conditions? Was the motorist operating while distracted? We trust that the investigators are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.
Under California law, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of other vehicles. In this particular case, if the driver is determined to have been responsible, he or she can be held liable for the bicyclist’s wrongful death in addition to facing potential criminal charges.
If the accident was caused by a dangerous roadway condition, then the governmental entity responsible for maintaining the roadway can be held liable as well. It is important to note that claims against governmental agencies must be filed within 180 days of the incident. An experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer will be able to advise injured victims and their families in such cases regarding their legal rights and options.
