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BIKE ACCIDENTS I BICYCLE ACCIDENTS I CYCLIST INJURIES I TRUCK ACCIDENTS I CAR ACCIDENTS I WRONGFUL DEATH I CASE STUDY – Cyclist Dies from Injuries Following Collision with a Truck – Verdict For Plaintiff: $11.5 Million

  1. Home / Bike Accident / BIKE ACCIDENTS I BICYCLE ACCIDENTS I CYCLIST INJURIES I TRUCK ACCIDENTS I CAR ACCIDENTS I WRONGFUL DEATH I CASE STUDY – Cyclist Dies from Injuries Following Collision with a Truck – Verdict For Plaintiff: $11.5 Million
BIKE ACCIDENTS I BICYCLE ACCIDENTS I CYCLIST INJURIES I TRUCKING ACCIDENTS I CAR ACCIDENTS I WRONGFUL DEATH I CASE STUDY – Cyclist Dies from Injuries Following Collision with a Truck – Verdict For Plaintiff: $11.5 Million October 13, 2020 Given the great weather in California, residents have the option of riding their bicycles year-round. As cyclists get on public streets they risk the possibility of sustaining serious injuries. With the risks involved in riding bicycles, a common question cyclist have is “Do I have coverage if I’m in a bicycle accident?” While each case is specific and should be independently evaluated, generally cyclist whom sustained injuries by colliding into another motorist or car may seek out compensation under their own uninsured motorist coverage and other types of car insurance policies. Often injured cyclist whom sustained personal injuries resulting from a bicycle-car accident may seek compensation for economic damages such as medical bills, loss of income, and/or repairing or replacing your bike, as well as general damages for pain and suffering. Case Study: Truck Driver Fatally Strikes Cyclist – Verdict For Plaintiff: $11.5 Million On August 31, 2012, 25-year old cyclist, plaintiff Calvin Godoy, was riding his bicycle heading to a local store in south central Los Angeles, when he collided with a truck operated by defendant Watson. Upon impact plaintiff Godoy sustained a blunt force to the head and was transferred to the nearest hospital. The plaintiff suffered a cerebral hemorrhage which lead to cardiac arrest and he eventually died in the hospital seven days following the bicycle accident. At trial accident reconstruction experts submitted conflicting opinions on liability and after a 13-day trial, the jury ultimately concluded that the truck driver was 80% fault for the bicycle accident. Following jury deliberations, an award of $11.5 million was rendered in favor of the estate of the deceased cyclist. Title: Maxine Mejia, Calvin Godoy, Jr. and Shargo Harris v. Fred Watson and Does 1 to 20; Cause of Action: PERSONAL INJURY, WRONGFUL DEATH, MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT, BICYCLE ACCIDENT (The Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles: Case Number: BC556204) According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (‘NHTSA’), “[t]here were 857 bicyclists killed in traffic crashes in the United States in 2018. As you might expect, when a crash occurs between a vehicle and a bike, it’s the cyclist who is most likely to be injured.” Some other key bicycle safety statistics include: • “Regardless of the season, bicyclist deaths occurred most often between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. • Bicyclist deaths occur most often in urban areas (75%) compared to rural areas (25%) in 2017. • Bicyclist deaths were 8 times higher for males than females in 2017. • Alcohol was involved in 37% of all fatal bicyclist crashes in 2017.” For more information on bicycle safety a link to the NHTSA’s 2018 bicycle safety publication on their website is included herein: https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicyclists#2311 What causes Bicycle Accidents? There is no one overriding cause for bicycle accidents, however, common causes for cycling accident include: • 30% of bicycle accidents involve cars and other motor vehicles. The vast majority of these cases resulted because the vehicle driver failed to see the cyclist. • 17% of cyclist fell of there bikes • 13% of cyclist sustained injuries due to poorly maintained roadways • 13% of cyclist sustained injuries due to bicycle rider error. The vast majority of these cases resulted because the cyclist failed to follow traffic rules, including not traveling in the appropriate bike lane and ignoring traffic signs and signals. • 7 % of cyclist sustained injuries due to collisions with fixed object. The vast majority of these cases resulted because the cyclist ran into a fix object which often includes a parked car or open motor vehicle door. • 4 % of cyclist sustained injuries due to animals or sudden objects running out into the roadways For more blogs discussing trucking accidents, including: Tire blowouts, Amazon trucking accidents, FedEx trucking accidents, UPS trucking accidents, USPS trucking accidents, Delivery truck accidents, Garbage truck accidents, Dump truck accidents, Brake failure, Bus Accidents, Cement truck accidents, Construction truck accidents, Box truck accidents or cube truck accidents, Flatbed truck accidents, Truck Underride Accident, Truck Override Accident, Overloaded trailer, Equipment malfunction, Defective maintenance, Jackknifes, Wide-turn trucking accidents, Runaway trailers, Blind spot truck accident, Rollover truck accident, Lost load truck accidents, Head-on collision truck accidents, Rear-end truck accidents, Truck driver fatigue, Lack of proper truck driver training, Construction zone trucking accidents, Truck driver inattentiveness, Truck driver negligence links are included below: • TRUCKING ACCIDENTS I CAR ACCIDENT I PERSONAL INJURY – Types Of Trucking Accidents: http://dianalegal.com/trucking-accidents-i-car-accident-i-personal-injury-types-of-trucking-accidents/ For more blogs discussing motor vehicle accidents in general see the links below: • PERSONAL INJURY I CAR ACCIDENTS I FAQ CAR ACCIDENTS I FREQUENTLY ASKED CAR ACCIDENT QUESTIONS – INJURED BY A DRUNK LYFT DRIVER: http://dianalegal.com/PERSONAL-INJURY-I-CAR-ACCIDENTS-I-FAQ-CAR-ACCIDENTS-I-FREQUENTLY-ASKED-CAR-ACCIDENT-QUESTIONS-INJURED-BY-A-DRUNK-LYFT-DRIVER/ • PERSONAL INJURY I CAR ACCIDENTS I FAQ CAR ACCIDENTS I FREQUENTLY ASKED CAR ACCIDENT QUESTIONS – WHAT DO I DO IF I WAS INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT?http://dianalegal.com/personal-injury-i-car-accidents-i-faq-car-accidents-i-frequently-asked-car-accident-questions-what-do-i-do-if-i-was-injured-in-a-car-accident/ • PERSONAL INJURY I CAR ACCIDENTS I FAQ CAR ACCIDENTS I FREQUENTLY ASKED CAR ACCIDENT QUESTIONS – WHAT IF THE AT-FAULT-DRIVER WAS NOT CITED FOR A VEHICLE CODE VIOLATION, CAN I STILL PURSUE A PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM FOR A CAR ACCIDENT? http://dianalegal.com/personal-injury-i-car-accidents-i-faq-car-accidents-i-frequently-asked-car-accident-questions-what-if-the-at-fault-driver-was-not-cited-for-a-vehicle-code-violation-can-i-still-pursue-a-per/ • PERSONAL INJURY I CAR ACCIDENTS I FAQ CAR ACCIDENTS I FREQUENTLY ASKED CAR ACCIDENT QUESTIONS – WHAT IF THE AT-FAULT-DRIVER DOES NOT HAVE INSURANCE, OR LEAVES THE SCENE BEFORE I RECEIVE THEIR INFORMATION? http://dianalegal.com/personal-injury-i-car-accidents-i-faq-car-accidents-i-frequently-asked-car-accident-questions-what-if-the-at-fault-driver-does-not-have-insurance-or-leaves-the-scene-before-i-receive-their/ • PERSONAL INJURY I CAR ACCIDENTS I FAQ CAR ACCIDENTS I FREQUENTLY ASKED CAR ACCIDENT QUESTIONS – WON’T MY CAR INSURANCE OR THE AT-FAULT PARTY’S INSURANCE COVER MY NEEDS AFTER THE ACCIDENT? http://dianalegal.com/personal-injury-i-car-accidents-i-faq-car-accidents-i-frequently-asked-car-accident-questions-wont-my-car-insurance-or-the-at-fault-partys-insurance-cover-my-needs-after-th/ • PERSONAL INJURY I CAR ACCIDENTS I FAQ CAR ACCIDENTS I FREQUENTLY ASKED CAR ACCIDENT QUESTIONS – CAN I SUE A NEGLIGENT DRIVER IN A CAR ACCIDENT, IF I WAS A PASSENGER AT THE TIME? http://dianalegal.com/personal-injury-i-car-accidents-i-faq-car-accidents-i-frequently-asked-car-accident-questions-can-i-sue-a-negligent-driver-in-a-car-accident-if-i-was-a-passenger-at-the-time/ • PERSONAL INJURY I CAR ACCIDENTS I FAQ CAR ACCIDENTS I FREQUENTLY ASKED CAR ACCIDENT QUESTIONS – CAN I RECOVER LOST WAGES IF I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT?: http://dianalegal.com/PERSONAL-INJURY-I-CAR-ACCIDENTS-I-FAQ-CAR-ACCIDENTS-I-FREQUENTLY-ASKED-CAR-ACCIDENT-QUESTIONS-CAN-I-RECOVER-LOST-WAGES-IF-I-WAS-INVOLVED-IN-A-CAR-ACCIDENT/ • PERSONAL INJURY I CAR ACCIDENTS I FAQ CAR ACCIDENTS I FREQUENTLY ASKED CAR ACCIDENT QUESTIONS – WHAT IF I WAS INVOLVED IN AN UBER OR LYFT ACCIDENT?:http://dianalegal.com/personal-injury-i-car-accidents-i-faq-car-accidents-i-frequently-asked-car-accident-questions-what-if-i-was-involved-in-an-uber-or-lyft-accident/ • CAR ACCIDENT I RIDESHARE ACCIDENT I UBER I LYFT I PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENT I CASE RESULTS – $100,000 SETTLEMENT, INITIAL OFFER WITHOUT LEGAL REPRESENTATION $0 – WRONGFUL DENIAL OF COVERAGE [DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY?] [WHY A LAWYER?]: http://dianalegal.com/car-accident-i-rideshare-accident-i-uber-i-lyft-i-personal-injury-settlement-i-case-results-100000-settlement-initial-offer-without-legal-representation-0-wrongful-denial-of-coverage/ • UBER ACCIDENT I LYFT ACCIDENT I CAR ACCIDENT I PERSONAL INJURY I RIDESHARE ACCIDENT LAWYER – INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR INJURIES SUSTAINED IN UBER ACCIDENTS AND LYFT ACCIDENTS: http://dianalegal.com/uber-accident-i-lyft-accident-i-car-accident-i-personal-injury-i-rideshare-accident-lawyer-insurance-coverage-for-injuries-sustained-in-uber-accidents-and-lyft-accidents/ • UBER ACCIDENT I LYFT ACCIDENT I CAR ACCIDENT I PERSONAL INJURY I RIDESHARE ACCIDENT LAWYER – TNC LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR RIDESHARE SERVICES SUCH AS UBER AND LYFT: http://dianalegal.com/uber-accident-i-lyft-accident-i-car-accident-i-personal-injury-i-rideshare-accident-lawyer-tnc-licensing-requirements-for-rideshare-services-such-as-uber-and-lyft/ • LYFT ACCIDENT I CAR ACCIDENT I PERSONAL INJURY -WHAT TO DO IF YOU WERE IN AN LYFT ACCIDENT: http://dianalegal.com/lyft-accident-i-car-accident-i-personal-injury-what-to-do-if-you-were-in-an-lyft-accident/ • UBER ACCIDENT I CAR ACCIDENT I PERSONAL INJURY -WHAT TO DO IF YOU WERE IN AN UBER ACCIDENT: http://dianalegal.com/uber-accident-i-car-accident-i-personal-injury-what-to-do-if-you-were-in-an-uber-accident/ • PERSONAL INJURY I CAR ACCIDENTS I FAQ CAR ACCIDENTS I FREQUENTLY ASKED CAR ACCIDENT QUESTIONS – INJURED BY A DRUNK LYFT DRIVER: http://dianalegal.com/PERSONAL-INJURY-I-CAR-ACCIDENTS-I-FAQ-CAR-ACCIDENTS-I-FREQUENTLY-ASKED-CAR-ACCIDENT-QUESTIONS-INJURED-BY-A-DRUNK-LYFT-DRIVER/ Contact Us for Advice on Bicycle Accidents or Fatal Accidents: If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident, or if you have questions about your auto policy and UM/UIM coverage, we invite you to call us today at 619-432-5145 for a free consultation with one of our experienced San Diego bicycle accident attorneys. Tags: San Diego MVA attorneys, San Diego accident attorneys, San Diego Accident Lawyer, Do I have coverage if I was injured while cycling, San Diego Liability Insurance Attorney, San Diego Med Pay Attorney, San Diego UM Attorney, San Diego UIM Attorney, San Diego Uninsured Motorist Attorney, San Diego Underinsured Motorist Attorney, California Financial Responsibility Requirement, San Diego bike accident attorneys, San Diego Bike Accident Lawyer, Auto Insurance Coverage for Bike Accidents, Am I coverage for a bike accident, Trucking Accident fatalities, Trucking Accident catastrophic injuries , California Trucking Accident Attorneys, cyclist injury attorney

BIKE ACCIDENTS I BICYCLE ACCIDENTS I CYCLIST INJURIES I TRUCK ACCIDENTS I CAR ACCIDENTS I WRONGFUL DEATH I CASE STUDY – Cyclist Dies from Injuries Following Collision with a Truck – Verdict For Plaintiff: $11.5 Million

BIKE ACCIDENTS I BICYCLE ACCIDENTS I CYCLIST INJURIES I TRUCK ACCIDENTS I CAR ACCIDENTS I WRONGFUL DEATH I CASE STUDY – Cyclist Dies from Injuries Following Collision with a Truck – Verdict For Plaintiff: $11.5 Million

October 13, 2020

Given the great weather in California, residents have the option of riding their bicycles year-round.  As cyclists get on public streets they risk the possibility of sustaining serious injuries. With the risks involved in riding bicycles, a common question cyclist have is “Do I have coverage if I’m in a bicycle accident?”

While each case is specific and should be independently evaluated, generally cyclist whom sustained injuries by colliding into another motorist or car may seek out compensation under their own uninsured motorist coverage and other types of car insurance policies.  Often injured cyclist whom sustained personal injuries resulting from a bicycle-car accident may seek compensation for economic damages such as medical bills, loss of income, and/or repairing or replacing your bike, as well as general damages for pain and suffering.

Case Study: Truck Driver Fatally Strikes Cyclist – Verdict For Plaintiff: $11.5 Million

On August 31, 2012, 25-year old cyclist, plaintiff Calvin Godoy, was riding his bicycle heading to a local store in south central Los Angeles, when he collided with a truck operated by defendant Watson.  Upon impact plaintiff Godoy sustained a blunt force to the head and was transferred to the nearest hospital.  The plaintiff suffered a cerebral hemorrhage which lead to cardiac arrest and he eventually died in the hospital seven days following the bicycle accident. At trial accident reconstruction experts submitted conflicting opinions on liability and after a 13-day trial, the jury ultimately concluded that the truck driver was 80% fault for the bicycle accident.  Following jury deliberations, an award of $11.5 million was rendered in favor of the estate of the deceased cyclist.

  • Title:  Maxine Mejia, Calvin Godoy, Jr. and Shargo Harris v. Fred Watson and Does 1 to 20; Cause of Action: PERSONAL INJURY, WRONGFUL DEATH, MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT, BICYCLE ACCIDENT (The Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles: Case Number: BC556204)

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (‘NHTSA’), “[t]here were 857 bicyclists killed in traffic crashes in the United States in 2018. As you might expect, when a crash occurs between a vehicle and a bike, it’s the cyclist who is most likely to be injured.”

Some other key bicycle safety statistics include:

  • “Regardless of the season, bicyclist deaths occurred most often between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
  • Bicyclist deaths occur most often in urban areas (75%) compared to rural areas (25%) in 2017.
  • Bicyclist deaths were 8 times higher for males than females in 2017.
  • Alcohol was involved in 37% of all fatal bicyclist crashes in 2017.”

For more information on bicycle safety a link to the NHTSA’s 2018 bicycle safety publication on their website is included herein: https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicyclists#2311

What causes Bicycle Accidents? 

There is no one overriding cause for bicycle accidents, however, common causes for cycling accident include:

  • 30% of bicycle accidents involve cars and other motor vehicles. The vast majority of these cases resulted because the vehicle driver failed to see the cyclist.
  • 17% of cyclist fell of there bikes
  • 13% of cyclist sustained injuries due to poorly maintained roadways
  • 13% of cyclist sustained injuries due to bicycle rider error. The vast majority of these cases resulted because the cyclist failed to follow traffic rules, including not traveling in the appropriate bike lane and ignoring traffic signs and signals.
  • 7 % of cyclist sustained injuries due to collisions with fixed object. The vast majority of these cases resulted because the cyclist ran into a fix object which often includes a parked car or open motor vehicle door.
  • 4 % of cyclist sustained injuries due to animals or sudden objects running out into the roadways

For more blogs discussing trucking accidents, including: Tire blowouts, Amazon trucking accidents, FedEx trucking accidents, UPS trucking accidents, USPS trucking accidents, Delivery truck accidents, Garbage truck accidents, Dump truck accidents, Brake failure, Bus Accidents, Cement truck accidents, Construction truck accidents, Box truck accidents or cube truck accidents, Flatbed truck accidents, Truck Underride Accident, Truck Override Accident, Overloaded trailer, Equipment malfunction, Defective maintenance, Jackknifes, Wide-turn trucking accidents, Runaway trailers, Blind spot truck accident, Rollover truck accident, Lost load truck accidents, Head-on collision truck accidents, Rear-end truck accidents, Truck driver fatigue, Lack of proper truck driver training, Construction zone trucking accidents, Truck driver inattentiveness, Truck driver negligence links are included below:

For more blogs discussing motor vehicle accidents in general see the links below:

Contact Us for Advice on Bicycle Accidents or Fatal Accidents:

If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident, or if you have questions about your auto policy and UM/UIM coverage, we invite you to call us today at 619-432-5145 for a free consultation with one of our experienced San Diego bicycle accident attorneys.

    Diana Legal