A 16-year-old boy suffered personal injuries in a Los Angeles bicycle accident after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver in Watts, KTLA News reports. The teenager was riding his bicycle eastbound in a crosswalk the evening of May 7, 2009 in the 10400 block of Compton Avenue at 104th Street when an 18-year-old woman driving a green car struck him. Los Angeles Police Department officials said the driver fled the scene and later abandoned the car. The driver, Diana Williams of Los Angeles, was arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run about two hours after the Los Angeles bicycle-car accident. The boy suffered severe head injuries and is said to be in critical condition.

My heart goes out to the family of this teenager who is apparently fighting for his life as a result of the head injuries he suffered in this car-bicycle accident. I hope and pray that he makes a complete and quick recovery. Please keep this young man and his family in your prayers.

I hope the hit-and-run driver in this case is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. It is appalling that someone would leave the scene of a car crash without rendering help, especially when they may have injured a person. Sometimes, these hit-and-run drivers flee the scene because they are driving under the influence, or driving without a valid license or are on probation for other offenses. In some cases, they just panic and leave the scene.

Whatever the reason, leaving the scene of an accident is a violation of California law. The driver is required to stop whether or not the accident was his or her fault. California Vehicle Code section 20001 (a) states: “The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident.”

In the case of this bike-car accident, it is not clear whose fault the bicycle accident was. That would depend on who had the right of way at the time. The teen's family would be well advised to contact experienced Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyers, who will thoroughly examine the facts of the case, identify the negligent parties and hold them accountable. Skilled California personal injury lawyers will also be able to determine whether a dangerous intersection caused or contributed to this bike accident. If that was the case, then the governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable.

In this case, the boy and his family may be able to receive significant compensation for medical expenses and long-term care costs if the teenager has suffered a debilitating injury that could leave him disabled and dependent on round-the-clock care for the remainder of his life.

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