Bicycle Accident Lawsuit Seeks Compensation for Permanent Spinal Cord Injuries
In a lawsuit filed in King County Court, the plaintiff claims he suffered permanent spinal cord injuries when his REI bicycle “broke apart underneath him” as he rode it. According to the plaintiff, the 2006 Novara Team Trionfo triple-butted aluminum frame broke in three places1.
The complaint alleges that the design of the bike is defective because it should have been made with stronger materials.
In a case unrelated to this one, our lawyers have been contacted by a bicyclist who sustained injuries when his handles fell off. In both of these cases, there has not yet been a bicycle recall.
For obvious reasons, bicycle accidents often result in spinal cord injuries (SCI). Read about bicycle accident spinal cord injuries (SCI) and cervical fractures, including:
- C1, C2 and C3 Spinal Cord Injury: These spinal cord injuries result in quadriplegia and 24-hour-a-day care is needed;
- C4 Spinal Cord Injury: Victims are generally permanent quadriplegics;
- C5 Spinal Cord Injury: Arms have some sensory responses, but there is paralysis of the trunk and legs, and the wrists may be paralyzed;
- C6 Spinal Cord Injury: Victims are often permanent paraplegics with some loss of sensory response in the arms;
- C7-C8 Spinal Cord Injury: Chest muscles, at least some, are generally paralyzed, and there is still loss of bowel and bladder control.
Source: 1. http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/06/15/28074.htm
$2.4 Million Settlement in Wrongful Death Lawsuit over Fatal Bicycle Accident
A $2.4 million dollar settlement has been reached in a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Menlo Park1:
Deborah Johnson, 54, was riding her bike with a friend on Sand Hill Road on a Sunday afternoon in July 2007 when she fell and struck her head. She was taken to Stanford University Medical Center, and pronounced dead two days later.
Her husband, John Gerrity, told The Daily News that Johnson’s friend saw her fall from her bike after hitting an object in the bike lane — the flat black octagonal rubber base of a “candlestick” delineator that had become separated from its plastic orange pole. The lane divider should never have been there in the first place, he said.
Mr. Gerrity is now advocating for safer bike lanes and strict adherence to state and federal regulations:
According to the federal Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, used by road managers nationwide, “posts or raised pavement markers should not be used to separate bicycle lanes from adjacent travel lanes.” The same notation is made in the state’s adaptation of the manual.
The underlying problem with this and hundreds of other accidents is inadequate and poorly enforced safety regulations for construction zones, particularly temporary work zones.
1. http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_15280180?nclick_check=1
Civia Cycles Bike Parts Recall due to Injuries
Parts for Civia Hyland Bicycles and Civia Carbon Bicycles have been recalled after bike accidents and injuries have been reported, according to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). Civia Cycles of Bloomington, Minnesota is recalling about 800 bicycle forks that can crack and pose a fall hazard to bike riders.
The company has received two reports of forks cracking and one report of a fork breaking that resulted in facial abrasions and bruised ribs to the rider. The bike recall includes Hyland models that were sold with original equipment and Carbon forks sold as aftermarket products. The carbon fiber forks are black with “Civia” forged into them. They were sold by specialty bike retailers nationwide from April 2008 through February 2010. Consumers should stop riding the bikes and contact Civia for a replacement part.
Bike Defect Accident Information
The bicycle injury and accident lawyers at Pritzker Olsen Attorneys are frequently investigating bike safety information as part of their job representing injured bike riders and cyclists. They have recovered millions for people injured in bike and vehicle accidents, which can sometimes be due to a defective bike part, such as the Civia forks.
In the past, lawsuits have been successfully filed against the makers of defective bike parts, on behalf of people injured by faulty bikes, such as the case of a Santa Fe, New Mexico man who broke his neck after the front wheel came off his bike. People injured by defective bike products may have a legal claim against the bike manufacturer and may be able to recover the costs of medical expenses and also receive other compensation.
Sources:
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Lawsuit-against-S-F–bicycle-shop-sees-delays
Defective Bike Handle Bars Recalled After Injuries Reported
A bike product recall involves Ventus Aerobar handle bars that have rubber grips which can come loose, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The manufacturer of the handlebars, 3T Cycling Srl of Italy, has received reports of two adults suffering minor injuries due to bike accidents associated with the recalled Ventus Aerobars.
Owners should stop using these handle bars and contact BikeMine for a free replacement set of rubber Aerobar handle grips.
Ventus Bicycle Aerobar Recall Product Details
| Models | Description | Distributors | Retailers | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ventus Ltd | “Team” models are black with a red stripe |
|
|
Sold for $1,000 to $1,200 |
| Ventus Ltd 17 | ||||
| Ventus Ltd Gold | ||||
| Ventus Ltd Track | “Ventus” models are black with a silver stripe | |||
| Ventus Team | ||||
| Ventus Team 17 |
Easton EA30 Bicycle Stem Recall
Easton Sports of Scotts Valley, California, has recalled about 6,400 bicycles with EA30 bicycle stems.
The EA30 stems are black with white-and-gray graphics and feature a four-bolt stem face cap. “EA30” is printed on the stem. EA30 stems sold as aftermarket items are included in this recall.
The recalled bicycle EA30 bicycle stem can crack and cause the rider to lose control, posing a risk of serious injury if the rider falls.
The company received a report of a stem breaking, causing a minor injury to the rider.
Easton Sports is offering a replacement stem.
If you were injured on a bicycle with an Eastman EA30 bicycle stem, contact a Minnesota bicycle accident lawyer at 1-888-377-8900 (toll free), email Attorney Fred Pritzker or submit our online form for a free consultation. DO NOT RETURN OR DISCARD THE EASTMAN EA30 BICYCLE STEM INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT. IT CAN BE USED AS EVIDENCE.
For Minnesota car accident lawyer, Minnesota bicycle accident lawyer and concussion head injury information, please see our Minnesota injury lawyer website.