A 21-year-old woman, who sustained major injuries in a bicycle accident in Simi Valley, has been identified as Michelle Bagsby. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, the injury collision occurred near the intersection of Los Angeles and Bridget avenues. Both Bagsby and the driver of the minivan that struck her, 52-year-old Sandra Cunningham, were traveling west on Los Angeles Avenue. Officials say Bagsby was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries while the other driver was uninjured. Officials are looking into what caused the collision.
My heart goes out to Michelle Bagsby and her family. I hope she has not sustained catastrophic injuries and pray for her quick recovery.
Car Accidents
According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were six deaths and 430 injuries involving car accidents in Simi Valley. In Ventura County as a whole, 63 people died and 3,785 were injured as a result of car accidents during the same year.
Causes and Compensation Issues
In this particular case, it appears that Bagsby and Cunningham were traveling in the same direction on the roadway. It is important to determine why Cunningham failed to notice the bicyclist on the roadway, in time to avoid a collision. If this major injury collision occurred as a result of Cunningham's negligence, she could be held liable for Bagsby's serious injuries.
Injured victims in such cases would be well-advised to consult an experienced Ventura personal injury lawyer, who will advise them about their legal rights and options. If a dangerous roadway condition caused this accident, the city or governmental entity responsible for maintaining this roadway could also be held liable. Please remember that any personal injury claim against a California governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the accident, under California Government Code section 911.2.
What are some of the most dangerous roadways for bicyclists in your city or neighborhood?
None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.
