Hit and Run Bicycle Accidents are Too Common—and Are Covered!

At Barry P. Goldberg Injury Lawyers in Woodland Hills we are seeing so many Hit and Run accidents that it is hard for us to keep up with them. Especially distressing are the Hit and Run Bicycle accidents.  It would seem obvious that the injuries to bicyclists are disproportionate because they are no match for the larger vehicles and are mostly unprotected. Typical injuries involve multiple fractures and scarring.

For example, the LAPD periodically asks for the publics help in identifying the “running” vehicle. We try to pass it on so that we are part of the cure and not part of the problem. On March 9, 2021, around 6:04 p.m., a 30-year male bicyclist was riding on the north sidewalk of Olympic Boulevard, just east of Boyle Avenue, when he was struck by the driver of a white semi-truck as the driver was entering a commercial fueling station. The driver stopped briefly but left the scene without identifying himself or rendering aid to the bicyclist.

The bicyclist suffered multiple fractures and internal injuries. He was taken to a local hospital by paramedics from the Los Angeles City Fire Department. After several days in the intensive care unit, he was later released and is slowly recovering. The semi-truck is a white, possible 2015 Freightliner Columbia 120. The driver is described as a male, possible Hispanic, in his late 30’s.

Anyone with information is asked to please contact Officer Garcia, Central Traffic Detectives, at 213-833-3713 or e-mail him at [email protected].  During non-business hours, or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.  Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip.  Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.

Here is we come in representing injured bicyclists—-most potential new clients do not realize that they are covered under their own automobile insurance policy for just these circumstances! Hit and Run accidents are covered in the Uninsured Motorist portion of your policy! We not only recommend that bicyclists have sufficient UM limits, but that they never ever waive UM coverage. In addition, we make the same recommendations to motorcyclists.  The injuries and damages are just too significant to absorb without sufficient first party auto insurance.

In order to make an uninsured motorist demand it is important that there be a police report and that the insurance company be notified within a reasonable time. If you have any questions about making a demand, we are here to answer any and all questions in order to support your claim. Remember— hit and run—covered under your own auto insurance policy!