A 13-year-old Oakland boy has been awarded a $3.45 million settlement after suffering serious injuries in a pedestrian accident on January 19, 2021. The collision occurred at the intersection of Bancroft Avenue and Helena Street when a driver struck the teen, who was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk. The teen sustained multiple skull and hip fractures as a result of the impact.

The lawsuit, filed by the boy’s family, claimed that the intersection posed a significant danger due to poor visibility and inadequate safety measures. While the city of Oakland denied liability, the family argued that the city had violated traffic safety standards by failing to properly designate the red zone curb area near the intersection. The family’s legal team highlighted that the city’s failure to extend the red curb zone as required created a sightline obstruction that contributed to the accident.

The family’s case was further supported by data showing the intersection had a history of speeding vehicles, heavy traffic, and poor lighting. Despite this, the city initially maintained that the intersection was safe and that the responsibility lay with the driver, who was familiar with the area. The driver, Weilin Liu, was not found to be reckless or impaired, but the incident underscored the need for additional pedestrian safety infrastructure.

As part of the settlement, the city of Oakland agreed to pay $2.95 million, while Liu’s insurance policy contributed $500,000. The settlement has brought some relief to the teen’s family, and the city has already started making improvements to Bancroft Avenue to enhance pedestrian safety, including plans for a wider median and other safety measures.

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The collision resulted in multiple facial fractures, broken teeth, and a traumatic brain injury for the software engineer, who was rushed to a nearby trauma center for emergency surgery and intensive care treatment for his head injuries. The significant medical procedures left him facing mounting medical bills and uncertainty about his future.

Realizing he needed legal help, the injured cyclist turned to a personal injury law firm for assistance. The firm faced a significant challenge in negotiating down a substantial lien from his health insurance provider, which had paid a large portion of his medical expenses. Additionally, they successfully reduced the lien by over $200,000, ensuring the engineer would keep a large portion of the settlement.

In addition to reducing the lien, the legal team meticulously documented the engineer’s lost wages and pain and suffering, maximizing the settlement value. Ultimately, they secured the full policy limits of $500,000, leaving the software engineer with over $215,000 after all expenses were paid.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident, visit TrafficAccidents.com for a free, no-risk evaluation. Their experienced legal team is ready to help you secure the compensation you deserve.