$750,000 Settlement Secured for Injured Bicyclist After Dangerous Sidewalk Crash in Perris, California

A routine bike ride turned into a life-altering injury when a hazardous sidewalk condition sent our client over his handlebars and onto the pavement—resulting in serious orthopedic injuries and a long road to recovery.

Attorney Elias Fakhoury of Samer Habbas & Associates secured a $750,000 settlement on behalf of the injured client, holding public entities accountable for failing to fix a known dangerous condition.

A Hidden Sidewalk Hazard Caused a Violent Crash

On June 14, 2024, our client was riding his bicycle along a sidewalk on North Perris Boulevard in Perris, California. What should have been a safe path suddenly became dangerous.

Without warning, his bicycle struck a raised, uneven section of sidewalk—a lifted slab of concrete that created a significant height differential. The impact was immediate and severe. He was thrown over his handlebars and landed directly on his left side.

This was not a minor defect. The sidewalk was cracked, fragmented, and visibly uneven, creating a clear hazard for anyone walking or riding through the area.

Serious Injuries and a Long Recovery

The crash resulted in significant and painful injuries, including:

A displaced clavicle fracture requiring surgical repair
Shoulder injuries including labral damage and soft tissue involvement
Ongoing pain, weakness, and limited range of motion
Permanent scarring and functional limitations

Our client underwent surgery, extensive follow-up care, and months of physical therapy. Even after treatment, he continued to experience pain and limitations that affected his daily life, work, and ability to participate in activities he once enjoyed.

Why Liability Was Clear

This case wasn’t just about a fall—it was about preventable negligence.

Evidence showed that the dangerous sidewalk condition:

Existed for a significant period of time
Had been previously identified and marked for repair
Was known (or should have been known) by the responsible entities
Was not repaired in a timely manner
Had no warnings or safeguards in place

Public entities have a legal duty to maintain sidewalks in a reasonably safe condition. Here, that duty was not met.

The failure to fix a known hazard—especially one posing a risk to pedestrians and bicyclists—was a key factor in establishing strong liability.

The Result: $750,000 Settlement

Through aggressive advocacy and a detailed presentation of both liability and damages, Attorney Elias Fakhoury secured a $750,000 settlement for the client.

This result reflects not only the severity of the injuries, but also the long-term impact on the client’s quality of life and the clear responsibility of the entities involved.

Holding Negligent Entities Accountable

Dangerous sidewalks and poorly maintained public property are more common than many people realize—and they can cause serious injuries in an instant.

Cases like this highlight an important truth:
When public entities fail to act on known hazards, they can and should be held accountable.

Injured Due to a Dangerous Property Condition?

If you or a loved one has been injured due to a dangerous sidewalk, unsafe premises, or hazardous public property, the experienced attorneys at Samer Habbas & Associates are ready to help.

Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injury victims across California. We know how to investigate dangerous condition cases, prove liability against public entities, and maximize recovery for our clients.

Call us today for a free consultation: (949) 727-9300

Get Samer On Your Side.