Who is Joanne Flickinger? Arnold Schwarzenegger sued after allegedly hitting cyclist with his SUV
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Arnold Schwarzenegger faces a legal battle as Joanne Flickinger, a cyclist from Los Angeles, has filed a lawsuit against the actor citing that his "negligent" driving resulted in a biking accident that left her with substantial medical expenses, as per Los Angeles Times.
In a lawsuit reviewed by The Times, Flickinger claimed that on February 5, the actor was driving "with excessive speed and failed to keep a proper lookout" while traveling on San Vicente Boulevard.
It was during this ill-fated drive that his SUV allegedly hit the cyclist, causing her severe and allegedly permanent injuries. She is now seeking damages exceeding $25,000, although the exact amount is yet to be determined.
Flickinger's lawsuit covers a wide range of damages, including "past and future pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of earnings, medical expenses, healthcare expenses, incidental expenses, and household services."
Arnold Schwarzenegger took Joanne Flickinger's bicycle for repairs at local bike shop
As news of the lawsuit broke, representatives for Arnold Schwarzenegger remained tight-lipped, offering no immediate response to The Times' request for comment. Legal representation for Joanne Joanne Flickinger also refrained from making an immediate statement.
The incident, first reported by TMZ, stirred controversy and uncertainty as it published photos of Schwarzenegger seated in his GMC Yukon following the apparent collision.
Law enforcement sources cited by the outlet suggested that the cyclist had made a left turn in front of Schwarzenegger's SUV before he could react, and they asserted that he was not driving at an excessive speed.
In the aftermath of the accident, Flickinger complained of pain, and Schwarzenegger reportedly took her bicycle for repairs at a local bike shop, according to TMZ's report.
The Los Angeles Police Department stated that the cyclist did not sustain life-threatening injuries. LAPD Officer Mike Lopez confirmed that "no crime was committed."
Arnold Schwarzenegger's got into a vehicular accident in 2022
This is not the first time Arnold Schwarzenegger has been involved in a vehicular accident. In 2022, he was part of a multi-vehicle crash in Los Angeles.
As per the Los Angeles Police Department, resulting from the accident, one woman had to be rushed to the hospital due to an abrasion on her head.
The actor's GMC Yukon supposedly collided with a red Prius and rolled over the smaller vehicle before it continued to rotate and hit a Porsche Cayenne.
However, the four-vehicle crash did not result in any arrests, and authorities ruled out alcohol or drugs as factors in the collision.