A 22-year-old woman suffered a double skull fracture Sunday night after she was struck from behind by a bicyclist while walking her dog, police reported. The woman, who was not identified, was walking her dog east on Carmel Valley Road near Caminito Del Barco in Del Mar when she was knocked down by a cyclist around 9:00 p.m. She was able to get up and walk to her home, but later when to a hospital, where she was diagnosed with a skull fracture and head injury. Police were then called to the hospital, and began their investigation. No description of the cyclist was immediately available.
Hit and Run Accidents involving Cyclists
Cyclists have the same obligation as drivers of motor vehicles to stop at the scene of any accident resulting in injury. Regardless of who was at fault or responsible, the cyclist had a duty to stop. Under California Vehicle Code ยง 20001, "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 this case, for leaving the scene of the accident, the cyclist may face the same legal sanctions for this accident as the driver of an automobile would have.
Pedestrian Accidents and Personal Injury Liability
Police are actively investigating the accident and looking for the cyclist. We hope that the cyclist will contact authorities soon, or will be located by law enforcement. While this serious injury accident remains under investigation, the victim and her family would be well-advised to consult with a San Diego pedestrian accident attorney who can help the victim understand and protect her legal rights and obtain maximum compensation for her injuries. If the cyclist responsible for this accident is not located, an experienced attorney can also advise how the victim's own insurance policy may compensate her for her injuries, if she has one.
Sources: San Diego Union Tribune, 10 News, San Jose Mercury News, San Diego 6
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