Northern California Accident Attorney Blog

SAN FRANCISCO - A bicyclist was critically injured Wednesday morning when he was hit by a Pacific Gas & Electric van, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The May 9th crash happened near the intersection of South Van Ness Avenue and 13th Street in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood, at about 10:30 a.m. According to the news report, the van was turning from South Van Ness onto 13th street when it collided with the bicyclist on the driver's side of the vehicle. The bicyclist, only identified as a man in his 30's, suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital by ambulance.

The cause of the May 9th bicycle accident is under investigation. A company spokesman for PG&E said the company would independently conduct its own investigation.

Company Vehicle Accident Liability

Collisions involving company-owned vehicles often have complex legal issues. Unlike collisions involving individual-owned passenger vehicles, crashes involving company-operated cars or vans can have multiple liable parties. If the negligence of the van driver caused this accident, the driver's employer and the owner or operator of the van may be financially liable for the victim's injuries. Damages recovered in a bicycle accident lawsuit may include money for medical care and treatment, lost earnings due to being unable to work, pain and suffering and other damages.

Protecting Rights to Compensation

Following a serious injury accident, injured victims or their family members are well-advised to contact an experienced San Francisco bicycle accident lawyer. An attorney who specializes in bicycle accident litigation and who has represented many victims of bicycle accidents can ensure the victim's family avoid common mistakes and recover the maximum compensation they are entitled to. The San Francisco personal injury attorneys at Estey Bomberger offer a free and confidential consultation and case review.

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SAN FRANCISCO - A 60-year-old pedestrian was critically injured when he was hit by a car in the Potrero Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. Shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday, the male pedestrian was struck by an El Camino while walking on a sidewalk on Potrero Avenue near 16th street. After the terrible collision, the car fled the scene and the pedestrian was taken to San Francisco General Hospital where he is listed in critical condition, KGO-TV News reported

Cause of the Pedestrian Accident

It is uncertain what caused this accident to happen and why the driver left the scene of the accident before authorities arrived. However, there is absolutely no excuse for leaving the scene of an accident. Under California Vehicle Code Section 20001(a): "The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident."

Liability for San Francisco Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accidents

While police are investigating this March 3rd accident, the injured victim or his family would be well-advised to speak to a skilled San Francisco personal injury lawyer. An attorney at Estey Bomberger who is experienced in hit-and-run pedestrian accidents, can advise the victim of his legal rights, assist authorities in locating the driver, and decide the best option to obtain compensation for his injuries. In the event the driver cannot be found, an attorney can ensure the victim recovers the maximum compensation through his insurance, if he has one.

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SAN FRANCISCO -- A 22-year-old man is critically injured after he was struck by a taxi in the Mission District, San Francisco Chronicle reports. The collision occurred at about 2 a.m. Sunday, when the Yellow Town taxi driver, a 53-year-old man, ran a red light and struck the pedestrian who was attempting to cross Cesar Chavez and Guerrero streets. The pedestrian was taken to San Francisco General Hospital with life-threatening head injuries. The names of the individuals involved in the horrific accident were not immediately available.

Cause of the Pedestrian Accident in San Francisco

The accident on October 30th remains under investigation by the San Francisco Police Department. However, based on the information provided by the San Francisco Chronicle, it appears the driver may be at fault for the collision due to failing to stop at a red light. Authorities investigating the incident will also look at other factors that could have contributed to the crash such as distracted driving, vehicle malfunctions, and other negligent or reckless actions of the driver.

San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Personal Injury Liability

Many people each year in the US are injured when a driver runs a red light. These type of accidents are specifically dangerous when drivers speed up at the intersection to beat the light. In other situations, drivers are often distracted and do not realize the traffic light is red or even the presence of one. Therefore, following a terrible accident such as this one, the victim or the family of the victim would be well-advised to contact a skilled San Francisco pedestrian accident attorney. In the event, where the victim may not be able to speak to a lawyer immediately due to his injuries, the family would advised to speak to an experienced attorney to discuss the victim's legal rights in a personal injury claim, and decide the best course of action to recover the maximum compensation he is entitled to for medical care expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this tragic pedestrian accident.

Continue reading "Man Tragically Injured in San Francisco Pedestrian Accident" »

SAN FRANCISCO -- A pedestrian was struck and killed by a Municipal Railway bus in San Francisco's Castro District at about 2:30 p.m. Friday, Sacramento Bee reports. Police has reported the female pedestrian was walking through a crosswalk at the intersection of 18th and Hartford when she was severely hit by a Muni bus. San Francisco police Sgt. Michael Andraychack stated that the Muni bus is a shuttle for the F-Market line and was making a left turn onto Hartford while on its way to the 17th and Market streets F-Market line stop. Andraychack also noted that the bus was not carrying any passengers during accident. According to San Francisco Fire Department spokeswoman Mindy Talmdage, the pedestrian, who believed to be between 25 to 30 years old, was removed from underneath the bus and pronounced dead at 2:45 p.m. The bus driver reported to be cooperating with the investigation and will be tested for drugs and alcohol per San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency protocol.

Cause of the Pedestrian Accident in the San Francisco's Castro District

The accident on August 19th remains under investigation by authorities. However, based on the limited information provided by the Sacramento Bee and the San Francisco Examiner, it is unclear who is at fault for this accident. It is also not evident whether driver could have done anything to prevent this horrific collision. Hopefully, the investigation by police officials will reveal exactly what happened and why.

Pedestrian Accident Wrongful Death Liability

While this accident remains under investigation, if authorities do come to a conclusion that the driver is at fault, the family of the deceased victim would be well-advised to seek an experienced and knowledgeable San Francisco wrongful death attorney. A skilled attorney who has successfully handled pedestrian accident claims can advise the victim's family of their legal rights and best course of action to recover the maximum compensation they are entitled to for funeral/burial expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this tragic pedestrian accident.

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Summer is here and for many of us, that means it is time to get the bicycle out of the house and onto the thousands of miles of roads throughout the Bay Area. Whether you enjoy short recreational bike rides on the weekends or make a long daily commute to work downtown, understanding safe cycling best practices can mean the difference between avoiding an accident or suffering a serious injury or death in a collision. As a safety advocate for cyclists and other victims of San Leandro car accidents, I aim to educate and raise awareness of what Bay Area cyclists can do to stay safe on the road at all times. The following tips can help you reduce your risk of injury or being involved in a collision.

Never Ride Without a Helmet

Statistically, properly-fitted bicycle helmets can reduce head injuries by 85%. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) both recommend that cyclists always wear a helmet while riding a bicycle. It is important to note, however, that simply wearing a helmet does not do anything to prevent an accident. As a cyclist, you have a duty to obey traffic laws and always pay attention to your surroundings.

Be Alert and Focused at All Times

Never listen to headphones or talk on a cell phone while cycling. You should be focused on the road in front of you and the other vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians you share the road with. Ride on the right side of the road in the same direction as other vehicles. Keep your eyes open for potholes, cracks, drainage rates, road kill, or anything that could make you lose control of your bike. Cross railroad tracks at a 90-degree angle and be especially careful on bridges. Remember - 70% of car vs. bicycle collisions occur at driveways or intersections. Before you cross a street or intersection, look for traffic. Always look left, right, and left again.

Stay Out of the Door Zone

Dozens of cyclists have been seriously injured or killed as a result of running into opening car doors by a driver or passenger getting out of a parked car. You can reduce your risk of being involved in a "door zone" accident by riding far enough to the left so that you cannot be struck by an opening door. Statistically, you're more likely to be struck by an opening door on a parked car than to be struck from behind by a car whose driver can clearly see you.

Keep Your Bicycle Properly Maintained

Your bicycle requires maintenance to keep it in optimal condition. Maintenance is essential not just to keep your bike in good shape, but to keep you, the rider, safe. Failing to replace a damaged part could lead to an accident. How often you need to perform routine maintenance depends on how frequently you ride your bike and the conditions you ride in. Before ever ride, you should check air pressure, brakes and cables. Regularly inspect all parts of the bike for wear and damage, including the chain, frame, fork, seat rails, seat post, handlebars, crank arms, brake calipers and brake levers.

Continue reading "Summer Bicycle Safety Tips for San Leandro Cyclists" »

A 61-year-old male pedestrian was killed after a 23-year-old man suspected of driving drunk struck him while he was crossing Masonic Avenue at Turk Boulevard. A San Francisco Chronicle article reports that the motorist apparently collided into parked cars over six blocks away from where he struck the pedestrian and then crashed into planter boxes outside of a San Francisco hospital. The series of crashes started around 2:30 a.m. on May 6. The man was arrested outside of the hospital on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and driving while under the influence of alcohol. He was reportedly taken to the hospital for sustaining unspecified injuries.

According to the article, this is the second fatal San Francisco auto accident in less than a year involving a hit-and-run and an allegedly drunk driver at the Masonic and Turk intersection. Last August, a 21-year-old German tourist riding a bicycle was hit and killed by a 36-year-old male driver who pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter and other charges.

In relation to the recent accident, the executive director of Walk San Francisco, a pedestrian advocate group, stated, "We need faster action and more comprehensive redesigns of the streets that we know are most dangerous in San Francisco." The executive director also noted that there is a street redesign process being carried out on Masonic, making it all the more tragic that this fatal crash occurred before the street could be made safer.

State municipalities are responsible for the safe and efficient design of roadways and intersections. While there may be potential grounds for an accident victim or members of their family to obtain compensation for accidents that occur because of poorly designed or dangerous road conditions, not every crash results in a lawsuit.

If you have lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident in San Francisco that you believe was caused by a reckless, drunk, or hit-and-run driver, a San Francisco pedestrian crash lawyer can help you hold negligent parties liable. The time after a fatal accident is devastating and can cause financial burdens that many families don't expect. The sooner you act in preserving evidence from the accident and contacting an experienced attorney, the better your chances of obtaining justice.

Continue reading "San Francisco Hit-and-Run Accident Involving Drunk Driver Kills Pedestrian" »