Orange County Accident Lawyer Blog

Anaheim: Disneyland Employee Fatally Struck While Cycling Home

A Disneyland employee was fatally struck while cycling home from work in Anaheim this morning. An Orange County injury lawyer discusses the accident.

Lancaster: Van Struck, Critically Injured Two Bicyclists

Last Saturday, a van struck and critically injured two bicyclists in Lancaster. A California personal injury lawyer discusses the accident.

Downtown Los Angeles: Road Rage to Blame for Fatal Bicycle Accident

Last night, road rage contributed to a fatal bicycle accident in downtown Los Angeles. A California personal injury lawyer discusses the crash.

Culver City: Suspected Drunk, Distracted Driver Injured Several Cyclists

This morning, a suspected drunk, distracted driver struck and injured a group of cyclists in Culver City, according to a California personal injury lawyer.

Bell Recalls More Than 30,000 Bicycle Helmets. Are You At Risk?

A good helmet is the best protection from head injury in an Orange County bike accident. Learn whether the Bell bicycle helmet recall affects your safety.

San Diego: Bicyclist Killed in Rollover Accident Involving SUV

Last night, a bicyclist was killed in a rollover accident involving an SUV in San Diego. A California personal injury lawyer discusses the crash.

Distracted Biking? New Legislation Seeks To Prevent Orange County Bicycle Crashes

A new bill may make it illegal for bicyclists to talk on a hand-held cell phone while riding. Learn more from our Orange County bicycle accident attorneys.

Newport Beach: Suspected Drunk Driver Struck and Killed Bicyclist

Last night, a suspected drunk driver struck and killed a bicyclist in Newport Beach. An Orange County injury attorney discusses the accident.

Bicycle Safety Enforcement Operation kicks off in Orange County

On average, one cyclist a month is killed in an Orange County Bicycle Car Crash. The Bicycle Safety Enforcement Operation is a cooperative effort to educate drivers and bicyclists about the traffic violations that cause fatal bicycle accidents. Because we help the individuals and families whose lives are forever changed by bicycle-car crashes, the Newport Beach bicycle accident attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis support these efforts to reduce Orange County bicycle crash deaths. To learn more, contact Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie at 866-981-5596.

Garden Grove: Elderly Bicyclist Struck and Killed

Shortly before noon on Tuesday, January 18, an elderly bicyclist was struck and killed in Garden Grove. An Orange County injury lawyer discusses the accident.

Bicyclist Seriously Injured in Huntington Beach Street Race Car Crash

A Huntington Beach bicyclist was seriously injured when two cars crashed on a nearby street. One of the drivers was arrested and booked on suspicion of causing injury while driving under the influence. The Orange County personal injury attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie are dedicated to protecting the rights of California bicycle accident victims. If you have been injured in a car-bicycle crash, contact our Newport Beach law office at 866-981-5596.

Huntington Beach: Bicyclist Richard Lauwers Struck by Drunk Driver, in Critical Condition

Last Sunday, bicyclist Richard Lauwers was struck by a drunk driver while riding on a trail in Huntington Beach. Unfortunately, he remains in critical condition. An Orange County injury attorney discusses the accident.

Huntington Beach: Bicyclist Jurgen Ankenbrand Died After Being Struck by Two Vehicles

Last Wednesday evening, bicyclist Jurgen Ankenbrand was struck by two vehicles at the intersection of Brookhurst Street and Villa Pacific Drive in Huntington Beach. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at the scene. An Orange County injury attorney recounts the accident.

Tustin: Police Searching For Driver Of Ford Mustang Who Critically Injured Bicyclist

Last night, a bicyclist was struck and critically injured by a 2010 Ford Mustang in Tustin, explains an Orange County injury lawyer. Police are searching for the driver. Anyone with information about this vehicle, license plate number NO. 6LLX505, is asked to call 911.

Huntington Beach: Van Struck 11-Year-Old Bicyclist

This morning a van struck and injured an 11-year-old bicyclist in Huntington Beach. An Orange County bicycle accident attorney discusses the incident.

Placentia: Bicycle Rider Injured When Car Ran Red Light

On Monday afternoon, a bicycle rider was struck and injured when a car allegedly ran a red light in Placentia. An Orange County bicycle accident lawyer discusses the accident.

Agoura Hills Hit-And-Run Leaves One Cyclist Dead

Last Saturday, 46-year-old cyclist James Laing was killed in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident in Agoura Hills. The driver has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, hit-and-run, and gross vehicular manslaughter, explains a California bicycle accident lawyer.

Transportation Projects To Improve Travel Conditions For Orange County Bicyclists and Pedestrians

On Monday, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) approved 28 projects to improve travel conditions for bicyclists and pedestrians. An Orange County accident lawyer discusses the projects.

Another Tragic Cycling Accident In Newport Beach

Last Sunday, a bicyclist died in the hospital where he had been recovering from injuries he sustained in a Newport Beach cycling accident. An Orange County injury attorney explains how the risk to bicyclists of suffering serious of fatal injuries has been escalating in Newport Beach.

Garden Grove bicyclist injured in hit-and-run

A hit-and-run driver left a 53-year-old bicyclist seriously injured after an early Friday morning accident. If you have been seriously injured in an Orange County bicycle accident, seek a lawyer who specializes in Southern California bicycle injury cases. Call the bike accident attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie to learn about your rights as a bicyclist.1-866-981-5596.

New government policy may prevent OC bicycle accidents

Last month, Transportation Secretary LaHood announced a new government policy that walking and bicycling should be treated as equal to other transportation modes. This is good news for Orange County's bicyclists and pedestrians. This policy will help clean our air, promote energy efficiency, encourage exercise and most importantly, protect the lives of bicyclists and pedestrians. The Orange County personal injury attorneys at Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie have represented the victims of pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents throughout California. If you have been seriously injured in a bicycle or pedestrian accident, contact our office at 866-981-5596.

Cyclists rally to show support for victim of hit and run in LA.

Hit and run victim is recovering in a hospital while fellow riders protest by riding the cycles along the route where he was hit. The driver was found, but not arrested, despite pleas from the victim for help.

UCI students hit while riding their bicycles to school

UCI students hit while riding their bicycles to school. Some simple steps to safety from an experienced Orange County accident lawyer.

A California jury decides in rapid fire that defendant guilty of manslaughter for texting while driving.

The family of Danny Oates cried silently as the verdict was read for the defendant, Jeffrey Woods. Woods had pleaded not guilty to texting while driving and ultimately striking Oats as he rode his bicycle in 2007. It took the jury just two hours to review the facts and find Woods guilty of manslaughter. He was texting and under the influence of prescriptions medicines—a combination that would end tragically for a young boy on his bike.
Woods could face a maximum sentence up to 10 years in state prison. The strong sentence will not bring back a 14 year- old Huntington Beach boy, but it will send a strong message to drivers who continue to text while driving here in California.
As new technologies help us to multi-task more efficiently in our everyday lives, the cell phone is by far the most popular. According to Cellular Communications, there are now over 276 million U.S. subscribers to cell phone. In addition, these people are not only talking on their phones but texting over 110 billion times in 2008.
Currently 18 states and the District of Columbia have laws banning texting while driving and the restrictions, although not perfect, have made a difference in accident rates in those states. Accidents rates due to texting while driving are down significantly both in Orange County and throughout California.
The first offense will cost you $76 and additional offenses are around $190, although the fees can vary between different counties. Even if you are stopped at a traffic light, you are still prohibited from using your handheld device. Any law enforcement personnel can give you a citation while you are operating your vehicle, driving or not.
As of July 1st, 2008, it has been illegal for any motorist to use any handheld wireless device while driving a car in California. Additionally, anyone under the age of 18 is prohibited from using either a handheld or hands free type device. The newest Wireless Communication Device Law that became effective January 1, 2009 states that no one can write, send or read any text-based communication on a handheld device while driving a motor vehicle.
Current studies now show that texting while driving increases your potential for a auto accident by a  factor of four. In fact, another study has compared texting and driving to be equal in distraction to a person driving while alcohol impaired with 0.08 BAC. That is legally drunk in the state of California. Driver distraction causes over one million crashes in North America annually. The economic impact reaches nearly $40 billion a year.
According to the American Automobile Association, AAA, there has been a 70% decline in texting while driving since the ban took effect. This data is significant because it shows that some laws can change driver’s behavior. In this case, it will reduce distracted driving and improve driver safety.

NHTSA's top five causes of bicycle-traffic accidents - who's at fault?

In Southern California, we like our bikes.  Bicycles are used for commuting, for recreation and for just getting around. And, in California, traffic laws give bike riders and motorists the same rights and responsibilities. However, cars far outweigh bikes, and if an accident should occur, the bicyclist is most likely to sustain serious injury.

According to the National Highway Traffic safety Administration (NHTSA), the majority of fatal bicycle-vehicle accidents can be attributed to just five causes.

1.    Driver distraction.
2.    A vehicle traveling in the opposite direction from the bicyclist makes a left turn into the path of the bicycle.
3.    A driver passes from behind the bicycle, slows down, and then makes a right turn.
4.    The bicyclist tries to cross an intersection before a vehicle that has the right of way.
5.    Vehicles exiting from driveways or alleys

In many cases, the driver simply does not see the bicyclist.  There are things a bicyclist can do to increase his visibility, and to lower his risk of death or injury from traffic accidents.  Click for a list of bicycle safety tips.

If you are injured by a negligent driver, you deserve compensation for your injuries, for the pain you’ve suffered, and for the damage to your bicycle.  At the law firm of Allen, Flatt, Ballidis and Leslie, we truly understand the needs of bike accident victims.  Contact our bicycle accident attorneys today at 866-981-5596 for a free evaluation of your injury case.