Bicycle Accident: 18-Year-Old Cyclist Files Claim against City for Ill-Timed Traffic Signals

Costa Mesa – An 18-year-old bicyclist has filed a personal injury claim against the city alleging that the traffic signals in the intersection of Fairview Road and Fair Drive did not give her enough time to cross and led to her being struck by a car.

The claim was filed by Katelyn Obbards of Costa Mesa and she claims that the carelessly controlled traffic signals did not give her enough time to ride her bike through the intersection.

According to a traffic police report, the bicycle accident happened last March 17 at about 12:48 am when Obbards and a male friend got to the said intersection.

The light turned green and the two proceeded to cross; however, the light turned yellow as they approached the median.

Obbards was then struck by a car.

She was not wearing a helmet and did not have reflectors or a headlight on her bicycle.

The driver stopped and told officers that he entered the intersection on a yellow light.

The report also noted that Obbards and her male friend each consumed one and two beers respectively, although they did not appear to be intoxicated at the time of the accident.

Obbards, who was 17 at that time, sustained facial lacerations and scars, broken teeth, abrasions, lacerations compressed fractures and a herniated disc on her back.

Obbards’ lawyer Christian Wilbert said that the timing of the traffic signals appeared to be way off according to what the investigative officer said.

Wilbert also said that Obbards is seeking more than $42,000 to cover her medical expenses and pain and suffering.

He added that Obbards is still getting dental treatment and her face still had visible injuries.

A lawsuit should be filed in the next two months in the event that the city rejected the claim.