Car and Auto Accidents

One Killed, Another Injured in Crash on I-580

April 3, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

A multi-vehicle accident on Interstate-580 near the Harrison Street exit in March left one individual dead and another seriously injured. The initial accidents were caused by a 1997 Acura and a 2003 Honda. When both drivers exited their vehicles on the busy road, they were struck by oncoming traffic. The first driver of the Acura was announced dead at the scene after responders attempted to revive him. The other driver of the Honda became trapped under a vehicle. He was removed by responders and taken to the hospital for treatment of significant injuries. At least two other vehicles were involved in the multi-vehicle crash, however no other drivers or passengers were hurt.

Should People Leave Their Vehicles After a Crash?

Drivers and passengers of car accidents always face a question immediately after the incident: Should I get out of the vehicle? This question may be answered quickly. When people are badly injured and bleeding, it is best they stay put until emergency medical personnel arrive. Moving may cause additional injury. However, if the conditions within the vehicle appear too dangerous, such as if there is a fire, then leaving the vehicle as safely as possible is important.

Vehicle Strikes a Home in Redwood City

March 29, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

It turns out, you do not have to be in a car to get into a car crash. You can be involved in an auto accident while sitting in your living room. On March 26, a vehicle struck home after being involved in a traffic accident, according to the Redwood City Fire Department. The original two-vehicle collision occurred at 34 Center Street around 8:00 p.m. There were no reports of injuries in this particularly incident. However, not all families are so lucky.

While vehicle-into-building accidents are not as common as traffic collisions, they are not so few and far between that you can ignore the risk. Some statistics say around 60 vehicles crash into commercial buildings per day across United States. The rate is likely higher when including residential houses and apartment buildings. If you are injured by a vehicle colliding with the building you were in, whether at home or work, contact an experienced San Francisco personal injury attorney at Brod Law Firm.

Common Causes of Vehicle-into-Building Accidents

Catering Truck Crashes into Pole in Sunnyvale

March 24, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

On March 17 at around 9:30 a.m., a catering truck crashed into a traffic signal pole in East Caribbean Drive. Two women were in the truck. One was airlifted to a nearby hospital and the other was taken by ambulance. Both are being treated for serious injuries at a trauma center. As of right now, law enforcement has not determined whether drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash.

While the single-vehicle crash may have been a simple accident, it could also have been caused by driver error, a defective part, or a maintenance issue. If negligence was behind the crash, then it is possible for the passenger or both the driver and passenger to have a personal injury claim against the at-fault party.

Individuals who are hurt in single-vehicle crashes should speak with a San Francisco personal injury attorney to determine if they have a valid personal injury claim through which they can receive compensation for their injuries.

Students Hospitalized After School Bus Accident in California

February 10, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

On February 7, a school bus carrying students crashed into another vehicle in Lancaster, California. The bus rolled over and hit a utility pole near East Lancaster Boulevard and 20th Street East. The accident occurred around 7:15 a.m. while the bus was carrying eight students with special needs and two of their aids. Seven students suffered minor injuries and one suffered critical injuries. The driver of the other vehicle, a Cadillac, was also taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. The crash is currently under investigation though an initial statement from the bus driver alleged that the Cadillac ran a red light.

This accident is one example of the type of collision a school bus can be involved in. While school bus accidents are generally rare, they are not unheard of and can result in serious injuries and fatalities. While the students in Lancaster had seat belts and were wearing them, many students do not have safety belts in their buses or choose not to wear them. This is one of the reasons students may be seriously injured in a school bus crash. If you or a your child was hurt while riding the school bus, contact a San Francisco school bus accident lawyer from Brod Law Firm to learn about your legal objects.

School Bus Accidents

Car Crashes into Bus Stand, 10 People Injured

January 8, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

A vehicle crashed into a Muni bus stand, injuring 10 people, several of them critically. The accident occurred on Stockton Street in Chinatown. The crash is under investigation. According to reports, the crash happened when a driver lost control of her vehicle. First, the car hit a parked vehicle and a moving car before careening into the bus stop enclosure. The crash happened on December 22, 2016.

Injuries Due to the Crash

Many people suffered serious injuries as a result of the accident. Reportedly, injuries included broken bones, head and neck injuries, and back injuries. An elderly woman suffered fractures to her pelvis, ribs, and leg. Most victims are expected to make a full recovery, but several were initially listed in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.

Protect Your Rights After a Car Accident

December 30, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

A serious vehicle accident can be one of the most traumatic experiences of your life. First and foremost, you need to call the police and get medical care. If you were severely injured you need to get treatment. Provide the police with an account of what occurred. The officer will interview the other driver, along with any witnesses. The cause of the accident will need to be determined, and the negligent party held responsible. It is important to protect your rights after a car accident.

Steps to Follow After an Accident

Your safety is essential after an accident occurs. Immediately contact the police. If it is safe to do so, take a picture of the vehicles in their positions at the time of impact. Safely move your car to the shoulder or into a parking lot or side street, if your vehicle is drivable. Wait for the police. Get the other driver’s information, including his or her name, address, phone number, and insurance information. Do not apologize for the accident and do not admit guilt.

Defensive Driving Courses Could Reduce Accidents, Save Lives

December 26, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

There are more drivers on the roadways than ever before. With so many vehicles it is no surprise that the number of accidents and injuries occurring each year continues to rise. Young drivers, old drivers, and everyone in-between can improve their driving skills by taking a defensive driving course. According to data from the National Safety Council, vehicle accidents are the leading cause of workplace injuries and deaths.

NSC Safety Courses

The National Safety Council, NSC, developed the first defensive driving course in 1964. Since then, the NSC has been a leader in providing these types of classes for many years. The safety courses have proven to have a positive impact on those who have taken them. Safety courses provide drivers with the information and tools they need to become more aware of others while driving. Defensive driving helps to reduce the number of vehicle accidents and injuries.

Uber Self-Driving Cars No Longer Allowed in San Francisco

December 24, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Self-driving cars are being tested across the country and may soon become a more common way to get around town. Self-driving Uber vehicles, however, will no longer be allowed on San Francisco streets, at least for the time-being. An ongoing battle between Uber and California regulators has finally resulted in a ban on permits to Uber self-driving vehicles. The ban comes after complaints from cyclists and others that these vehicles have been breaking the law and causing unsafe conditions on the road.

Concerns Over Safety

Self-driving Uber cars just showed recently up on the streets and already there are serious safety concerns. Although these vehicles have drivers aboard, there are fears that the cars are not properly adhering to traffic laws. The most important worry is that the vehicles do not make legal right turns. Vehicles are supposed to merge into the right lane to accommodate bicyclists safely. However, Uber technology may not handle turns in that manner. Instead, the vehicles make a right turn without merging, cutting off cyclists. This could cause accidents and major injuries for bike riders. Recently, a motorist claimed that a self-driving Uber vehicle ran a red light.

New Traffic Safety Laws for 2017

December 23, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Starting in January 2017, various new laws are slated to take effect in California. Some of the laws are designed to improve traffic or driver safety. Here are some of the new laws that you should be aware of for the coming year from the California legislature.

Restricted Cell Phone Use by Motorists

The new law prohibits drivers from holding any type of wireless device, including a cell phone. It is suggested that the device should be mounted in the lower corner of the windshield on the passenger side, or in a five-inch corner of the lower windshield on the driver side. Alternatively, the device can be mounted on the dashboard as long as it does not obstruct the airbag, or the driver’s view of the road. Cell phone use is a concern because distracted driving causes thousands of traffic accidents and hundreds of deaths each year.

CHP to Implement Campaign Against Speeding and Aggressive Driving

December 21, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Speeding and aggressive driving are among the most common causes of accidents and injuries in California. California Highway Patrol, CHP, recently announced that they will be heading a campaign to bring more awareness to road safety. The campaign is designed to specifically address speeding and aggressive driving. CHP received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA.

Speeding is the Most Common Cause of Accidents

According to CHP Commissioner, Joe Farrow, speeding is the number one cause of traffic accidents in California. Highways are often a place where serious accidents may occur due to vehicles driving at a high rate of speed. Speeding may apply not only to driving faster than the posted limit, but also to driving at a speed that is unsafe for road conditions. Speed was a factor in about 43% of all fatal accidents in California in the fiscal year 2013 – 2014.