Personal Injury Q and A

Dillon Buck, 13, was injured in a car accident after he was struck by a minivan on a Lodi roadway. According to a report in The Lodi News-Sentinel, the major injury collision occurred the night of August 15, 2010, when a Plymouth Grand Voyager minivan, driven by 51-year-old Kurt Boardman, struck the teenager. The driver apparently told officials that he did not see the teen on the bike and only realized he had struck someone when the boy yelled out. Boardman also said he thought the bicyclist was riding east in the westbound bike lane.. Dillon sustained internal injuries and was hospitalized. Officials are looking into the cause of this accident.

My heart goes out to young Dillon Buck and his family for what they are going through at this time. I truly hope he has not sustained catastrophic injuries and pray for his speedy and complete recovery.

Bicycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities but 28 injuries due to bicycle accidents in Lodi. In San Joaquin County as a whole, one person was killed and 230 were injured as a result of bicycle accidents during the same year.

Causes and Liability Issues

Based on this news report, it is not clear if anyone else saw this car versus bicycle collision. There are several questions here that have not been answered. Was Dillon riding his bicycle legally in the bike lane? Was this accident Boardman's fault? It appears, from this article, the motorist was pulling out of a parking lot when he hit the bicycle. Why did Boardman fail to see the boy? Was he impaired, distracted, speeding or otherwise negligent at the time of the collision? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway, which could have caused or contributed to this crash? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine how this accident occurred and why.

If Boardman is determined to have been at fault for this crash, then, he could be held liable for the injuries and damages caused. In such cases, injured victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, and even long-term care if the injuries result in permanent disabilities. Victims or their families would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will better advise them about their legal rights and options.

What precautions do you take when you ride a bicycle? What do you do to make yourself more visible to motorists?

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.