New York City Litigation Lawyers Blog

A 24-year-old bicyclist sustained serious injuries in a San Diego truck accident, after a semi-trailer struck him the morning of December 18, 2009. According to a news report in the San Diego Union-Tribune, the bicycle versus truck collision occurred at the intersection of Orange and Fairmount Avenue in the City Heights area of San Diego, when the semi-trailer made a right turn from eastbound Orange Avenue on to Fairmount Avenue. The bicyclist, who was on the right side of the big rig, apparently fell off his bike and was pinned under the semi's right front tire, which caused major injuries to his lower body. The bicyclist is however, expected to survive.

My heart goes out to this victim who seems to have sustained major injuries as a result of this large truck accident. Based on this report, it seems to me that he will survive the injuries, but could be left with lifelong disabilities because his lower body was crushed under the big rig tire. I hope that is not the case and wish this young man the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep this injured victim and his family in your prayers.

Bicycle Accidents in San Diego

There were four fatalities and 392 injuries involving bicycle accidents in the city of San Diego, according to the California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In San Diego County as a whole, 11 fatalities and 797 injuries were reported in 2007 due to bicycle accidents.

Who Had Right-of-Way?

Based on the news report, it is not exactly clear who had the right-of-way at this intersection. I trust traffic investigators are looking into that and also, whether the big rig had a green light at the time of the accident. In such cases, officials should be talking to eyewitnesses to get a clearer picture of how and why this accident occurred.

If the driver of the semi-trailer is found to be at fault, then he and his employer, the trucking firm, could be held liable for the accident and the bicyclist's personal injuries. If there was a dangerous condition at this intersection, the city of San Diego or the governmental agency in charge of maintaining this roadway could also be held liable for the bicyclist's serious injuries. Any such claim, against a California governmental agency, must be properly filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.

An Experienced Injury Lawyer Can Help

The injured victim in this case would be well-advised to consult with an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer, who has successfully handled big rig accident cases. A knowledgeable truck accident lawyer will stay on top of the official investigation and ensure that the victim's legal rights and best interests are protected. In such cases, injured victims could seek and receive compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, pain and suffering, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy and other accident-related costs.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

A new law beginning Jan. 1 will allow Illinois semis to travel 65 mph on many state highways, leaving opponents of higher speeds concerned about the increased risk of Illinois trucking accidents.

Earlier this fall the Chicago trucking accident lawyers at Abels & Annes reported the state ranks sixth-highest in the nation for fatal semi accidents.

The faster trucks comes as the federal government is phasing in better braking standards for semis amid consideration of a reduction in rest requirements for truck drivers. Trucks are heavily regulated because of the danger posed to much smaller passenger vehicles in an accident.

The Illinois Department of Transportation reported that 14,362 Illinois semi accidents killed 115 people last year and injured about 3,000. Of the 115 killed, five were truck drivers and the rest were victims in passenger vehicles, pedestrians or bicyclists.

Last year, some 380,000 large trucks were involved in traffic accidents that killed 4,229 motorists. Another 90,000 were injured, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

ABC7 reported that the law will affect about 1,800 miles of road in the state. Lawmakers have passed the speed limit increase on three previous occasions but those efforts were vetoed by Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Abels & Annes blogged about the new law this summer on Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog. The law will not impact highways in the immediate Chicago area. Supporters of the measure argue it is safer for trucks to be traveling with the flow of traffic at the same speed as everyone else; opponents contend faster-moving rigs could increase the risk of Illinois semi accidents.

The issue has made news as far away as Evansville, where NBC14 reported the Illinois Department of Transportation is in the process of replacing signs at a cost of about $75,000 to display the new speed limit, which will also apply to campers and those hauling trailers.

This summer, Ohio changed its law to 65, Cleveland.com reported. Previously, large commercial vehicles had been restricted to 55mph in that state as well.

Nine states -- Arkansas, California, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, Texas, and Washington -- still retain lower speed limits for large trucks, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Texas and Utah allow semis to travel as fast as 80 mph.

Meanwhile, the federal government is looking at a measure that would reduce by an hour the amount of rest truckers are required to have between shifts-- from the current 11 hours to 10 hours.

And in July, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued new braking requirements, which the federal government estimates will save more than 200 lives a year and reduce property damage by more than $169 million a year.

The new standard requires that a tractor-trailer traveling at 60 miles per hour come to a complete stop in 250 feet. The old standard required a complete stop within 355 feet.

The new regulation will be phased in over four years beginning with 2012 models.