Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – Bicyclist Critically Injured in Crash at Santa Margarita PKWY & El Paseo
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (November 28, 2022) – On Friday morning, November 25, in Rancho Santa Margarita, a bicycle was involved in a collision with a vehicle that resulted in the death of the bicyclist.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the accident happened around 10 am at the intersection of Santa Margarita Parkway and El Paseo when a bicyclist was fatally struck by a vehicle. The victim was thrown from the bicycle and suffered severe injuries. The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital for treatment of critical injuries. The bicyclist’s name has not been released.
The driver of the vehicle stopped after the accident and was cooperative with the police when they arrived. The driver of the vehicle did not sustain any injuries.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation by local authorities. The area of Santa Margarita Parkway and El Paso was closed as police investigated and cleared the accident.
We extend our deepest condolences to the deceased victim’s family at this time. Our hearts are with all those who have been affected by this tragedy.
Bicycle Accidents in California
California’s moderate climate and beautiful scenery make riding a bicycle an enjoyable year-round activity. In California, more commuters are even biking for their daily commute to work and errands around town. Bicyclists are entitled to share the roadways. Therefore, the other drivers owe a duty to watch for bicyclists, respect their space, and drive cautiously around them. However, that doesn’t always happen, and bicycle accidents frequently occur as a result.
Bicycle accidents most often occur because of the negligent actions of the other drivers sharing the road. Some factors that contribute to bicycle accidents include cars drifting into bike lanes, carelessness when parking cars, cars not seeing a bicyclist, speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving.
Bicyclists are very likely to incur serious injuries or death in an accident since they lack the basic safety features that vehicles have. Vehicle occupants are protected by seat belts, airbags, and a metal frame, whereas bicyclists rely on a small helmet to protect themselves. Bicyclists should ensure they are wearing a helmet. They can also take extra measures to protect themselves by equipping their bike with lights and reflectors and wearing brightly colored gear and reflectors also.
Bicycle accidents lead to nearly 500,000 emergency room visits each year and hundreds of deaths. Many of the injuries are severe or catastrophic. Some of the most common bicycle injuries incurred in an accident are fractured collarbones, fractured hips, or traumatic brain injury. These injuries can cause significant pain and may permanently change the life of the bicyclist.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, speak with a legal advocate that you can trust, who can walk you through the process of filing a claim against the party that caused your accident to get the compensation you deserve for the injuries you’ve suffered. Please do not hesitate to contact a Rancho Santa Margarita bicycle accident attorney by calling (888) 539-3154 to see how we can help you.
Note: This post was created through the use of secondary sources such as state and local news sources, police accident reports, social media platforms, and eyewitness accounts about serious injury accidents that take place in Orange County. The facts surrounding this accident have not been independently verified, therefore, if any information is incorrect, please contact Russell & Lazarus APC, Personal Injury Lawyer, so we can update the post with the most accurate information available. We will remove this post upon request.
Disclaimer: This is not a solicitation for business. None of the information in this post is intended to be medical or legal advice. The photo used in this post was not taken at the actual accident scene.