San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo Injured in Bicycle Accident
San Jose’s Mayor Sam Liccardo was injured in a bicycle accident after being struck by a car on New Year’s Day. According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, Liccardo, an avid bicyclist, was riding the afternoon of Jan. 1 in the 600 block of Salt Lake Drive when a car struck him. The driver of the vehicle pulled over and remained at the scene. Paramedics examined Liccardo, 48, and took him to an area hospital to get checked out.
The mayor sustained unspecified fractures and was expected to remain at a San Jose hospital for up to two days with injuries that are not said to be life threatening. As mayor, Liccardo has sought to make the city more bike-friendly and reportedly rode his bike three times each week for his City Hall commute back in 2012 when he was a council member. As part of his successful 2018 reelection campaign, Liccardo noted his efforts to add buffered and colored bike lanes for the city’s growing cycling community.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2016, there were 840 bicyclists killed in traffic crashes in the United States. That number accounted for about 2.2 percent of all traffic accident deaths. About 71 percent of bicyclists who died in traffic accidents in 2016 died in crashes that occurred in urban areas. Also, from 2007-2016, the average age of bicyclists killed in motor vehicle crashes increased from 40 to 46.
If You Have Been Injured
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, there are a number of steps you would be well advised to take in order to protect your rights. First, make sure you file a police report. Get prompt medical attention and treatment for your injuries. It is important that you go to the emergency room especially if you suspect you’ve suffered a head injury or feel any type of pain. See a doctor regardless of whether or not you feel fine. Some injuries might surface even several days after the accident.
Collect as much evidence as possible from the scene including photos and videos, information from other parties involved, contact information for eyewitnesses, etc. Contact an experienced California bicycle accident attorney who will remain on your side and help ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your injuries, damages and losses.
Source: https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-san-jose-mayor-bike-accident-20190101-story.html