When walking on bike trails, pedestrians should always walk on the left side facing traffic. This allows pedestrians to see bicyclists coming towards them and vice versa. Finkbeiner, who was walking alongside traffic, could have been at fault for the collision. The bicyclist would not have been at fault. In a different scenario, however, the bicyclist might have been seriously liable.
Hit and Run: Misdemeanors or Felonies?
California has two types misdemeanors and felony hit-and-run offenses that can be applied to motor vehicles.
- A misdemeanor offense is when an individual leaves an accident scene without sharing information or identifying themselves to other people. An individual’s property can also be damaged.
- A felony hit-and-run is a more serious offense that usually results in an incident that causes injury or death.
Bicyclists have the same rights as drivers of motor vehicles, but most people don’t know this. Bicyclists are subject to the same hit-and-run laws as any other driver.
Always stay on the scene if you are ever in a bike or vehicle accident. Talk to the other party and exchange information. It doesn’t matter who is at fault, it’s not okay to leave the scene until responsible actions are taken. An experienced attorney will help you deal with the aftermath of an accident and obtain the compensation you deserve.
Summarized from an article by Ashton Prince.
