A Foothill Ranch Middle School student was fatally injured after being struck by a motor vehicle while riding his bicycle in North Highlands. The 13-year-old boy had reportedly been riding on the sidewalk on Hillsdale, tragically hit and pinned under a moving car after turning right on Palm Avenue. The vehicle exited a convenience store parking lot when it collided with the young cyclist.

This awful accident occurred near Hillsdale Boulevard and Greenholme Drive. The boy rode his bike to school with friends just a block from home. Unfortunately, accidents like the one described above are pretty common. Across the country, hundreds of bicyclists are killed in collisions with motorists every year. Many of these accidents could have been prevented if the motorist had exercised reasonable care when operating the vehicle. 

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, roughly 213 bicyclists were injured or killed while riding their bicycles around Sacramento in 2014. Worse, young children are the most commonly injured in bicycle accidents.

The California Vehicle Code contains regulations specifying where and how bicyclists can operate on the streets and roads of North Highlands and other localities in the state. Generally, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers.

Motorists must comply with California Civil Code § 21760 (the Three Feet for Safety Act). This statute establishes that a motorist must provide at least three feet of buffer between the bicycle and vehicle when the motorist attempts to pass. The law states that if a driver cannot maintain at least a three-foot passing distance, they must slow to a “prudent and reasonable” speed, only attempt to pass when it is safe, and not risk the bicyclist’s safety. If a driver violates the law and causes an accident, they can be liable for the resulting injuries. Experienced injury lawyers will help preserve evidence and file a claim against negligent parties in an accident.

Since bicyclists have little protection in a collision with another vehicle, their injuries can be life-altering and catastrophic. Examples of injuries sustained by cyclists include:

• Brain damage
• Broken bones
• Back, neck, and knee injuries
• Lacerations
• Amputation of a limb
• Nerve damage
• Paralysis

Watch the following bike safety video for tips on sharing the road with other vehicles.

As you can see, a bicyclist’s injuries in a collision with a car, pickup truck, or other vehicles are often catastrophic. California tort law provides a mechanism to pursue financial restitution for your harm and losses if you find yourself in this situation. Personal injury claim enables you to pursue monetary compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering.

If you or a family member were injured by a negligent motorist and need an experienced injury lawyer, please contact our experienced North Highlands bicycle accident lawyers today for free and friendly advice. We can be reached at 916.921.6400 or 800.404.5400 and online at AutoAccident.com.

We are proud members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

See our verdicts and settlements.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 9.28.23] Photo by StockSnap sid rey [cs 723]}