A 17-year-old girl who was injured in a bicycle accident early morning on August 25, 2010 has been identified by authorities as Harley McDaniel. The Tehachapi News reports that the teenager was riding her bicycle on Highline Road near Water Canyon Road when a car hit her. The driver of the car, Philip Waterstadt, apparently told officials that he was not able to see the girl in time to avoid the collision. Authorities suspect visibility may have been one of the problems that caused this crash. The teen was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

I hope Harley McDaniel has not sustained catastrophic injuries in this crash. I pray that she recovers quickly and completely from her injuries. Please keep this girl in your prayers.

Accident Statistics

There were three fatalities and 130 injuries involving bicycle accidents in Kern County in 2008, according to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). Also, countywide, 103 people died and 3,460 were injured as a result of car accidents in during the same year.

Causes and Compensation Issues

It is not clear from this article what caused the accident. It is also not clear where exactly Harley McDaniel was riding her bike on the roadway. I trust officials are looking into whether the driver was distracted, inattentive or speeding at the time. They have ruled out the involvement of alcohol or drugs.

If the driver is determined to have been at fault for this collision, he could be held liable for the girl's injuries. If a dangerous or defective roadway is determined to have caused this accident, the city or governmental entity responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable as well. Please remember that any personal injury claim against a public entity in California must be properly filed within six months of the incident. The best California personal injury lawyerswill always offer a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation to injured victims and their families.

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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.

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