Car and Auto Accidents

Understanding Comparative Negligence in California

November 18, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

When a vehicle accident happens, it is often caused by the negligence of one of the drivers. Sometimes, however, more than one driver may have done something to contribute to the accident. In California, you may be partially responsible for an accident and still recover damages from the other driver. This system is known as comparative negligence. Although not all states participate in this method of allocating liability, California follows what is called “pure comparative negligence.”

Pure Comparative Negligence

The system of deciding fault for an accident in California is based on pure comparative negligence. This means that when an accident occurs, all drivers who are involved are assigned a portion of responsibility for the crash. Each party may then receive any damage awards based on these percentages. For those who were partly liable for the crash, the system is a fair way to apportion fault and compensation.

What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident

November 16, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Accidents happen every day. Fortunately, most are not serious and result in only minor injuries. Sometimes, a serious accident happens, and the other driver involved does not stop. It is important to know what to do if you were involved in a hit-and-run accident. Immediately after the accident occurs, identify the other vehicle and driver. If possible, get the make, model, and tag number of the vehicle. However, do not chase the other driver, since this could be unsafe. Remain with your vehicle and follow the following steps.

Call the Police

Call the police immediately. The police will document the accident and try to find the other driver involved. They will also take a statement from you and from any witnesses. It is important to note that according to California law, you are usually required to file an accident report with the California Department of Motor Vehicles, the DMV, within 10 days of the accident.

Motorcycle Accidents: What You Need to Know

November 14, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Traveling by motorcycle is a fun, economical way to get where you need to go. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are not uncommon. When a crash with a motorcycle occurs, the rider is often seriously injured, or even killed. The number of motorcycle deaths increased in California in 2014, even though the total number of traffic fatalities decreased overall.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Motorcycle fatalities in California increased by about 12% in 2014 over 2013. This is according to statistics kept by the California Office of Traffic Safety, or OTS. In 2013 there were 463 motorcycle fatalities, while in 2014 that number increased to 519 deaths. Motorcycle deaths per 100,000 registered operators were 54 in 2013. This number increased to 60 in 2014.

Many Defective Airbags Still Not Repaired

October 28, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

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Those who have paid careful attention to the news over the past year may remember manufacturer Takata, whose defective airbag inflators are believed to be responsible for at least 16 deaths and another 100 injuries. According to reports, the defective airbag inflators contain a substance called ammonium nitrate. Ammonium nitrate is used to inflate the airbag quickly in the event of a crash, but the compound can explode unintentionally in hot and/or humid conditions. In the Takata airbags, the explosion causes the metal canister in which the compound was stored to blow apart and become deadly shrapnel. The Takata inflators were mainly found in cars manufactured by Honda.

Recall Notices Not Having Intended Effects

San Francisco Car Accident Lawyer Examines Evidence in Massive Highway Pileup

October 24, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

No two car crashes or highway collisions are the same, and no matter how many victims you help recover compensation through the civil courts, you can never be truly prepared for the carnage and tragedy of a crash like the one that happened this week on Interstate 10. There, a tour bus returning from a casino slammed into the back of a slow-moving tractor-trailer truck. The truck was believed to have been traveling at five miles per hour because of utility work that was going on; the bus is believed to have been traveling over 60 miles per hour when it struck the trailer. The crash killed 13 individuals and injured another 31, making it one of the deadliest car crashes in state history.

“No Evidence the Driver Applied the Brakes”

According to a Fox News report, the California Highway Patrol concluded that there was no evidence the driver of the tour bus applied the brakes to the bus before striking the tractor-trailer. In order to make this conclusion in this or any other car crash case, investigators usually look at two pieces of evidence:

Your Oakland Personal Injury Attorney and Where the Jeep Grand Cherokee AEB Investigation Stands

October 1, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

There have been a plethora of car-related recalls and warnings issued in recent years, with many of them uncovering serious and/or fatal defects and resulting in hundreds of thousands – even millions – of vehicles being taken off of the roads for repairs. After a 15-month investigation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has concluded that the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system in 2014 and 2015 model-year Jeep Grand Cherokees do not show any signs of defects. The investigation was launched in June 2015 after several drivers reported the AEB system engaged without a reason for doing so. However, NHTSA concluded this week that no defect existed in the AEB system in the vehicles examined.

An automatic emergency braking system is one in which sensors mounted on the car detect if a forward collision is imminent and automatically engages the brakes of the car if the driver fails to do so. Even where a collision is not avoided, AEBs can reduce the severity of a crash.

Allegations of a Defective AEB System Trigger Investigation

Train Accident Attorney Discusses Serious Injuries Resulting from Train Collision

September 12, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

On Wednesday, September 7, a Metrolink train crashed into a truck that was on the tracks near Oxnard in Southern California. The pickup truck did not appear to have been stuck or stalled on the rails at the time of the crash, and investigators postulated that the driver of the truck had taken a wrong turn and traveled several dozen feet down the track before stopping the truck. The crash caused three double-decker Metrolink cars to overturn and two additional cars to derail. In all, approximately 50 people were injured in the accident.

Typical Injuries in a Train Crash

Train crashes can occur with terrible violence and can result in serious injuries depending on the unique facts of the crash. Overturned or derailed cars can throw individuals from their seats and into stationary objects such as other seats or the sides of the car. This can result in:

When Car Crashes Cause Gas Leaks: A Collision of Two Powerful and Dangerous Forces

August 23, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Car crashes can have many terrible consequences that may impact automobile occupants and bystanders alike. One consequence that many people don’t think about is the link between car crashes and gas leaks. Gas leaks can be silent killers, poisoning the air and creating the risk of horrific explosions. As a San Francisco gas leak injury lawyer, Attorney Brod knows these incidents are far more common than people might imagine. He and his team believe in helping the injured and/or mourning by holding the responsible parties accountable for the consequences of their actions. We bring personal injury suits and/or wrongful death claims in Northern California in cases of car accidents, gas leaks, and cases that involve a dangerous combination of both.

Auto Accidents Causing Gas Leaks: Far Too Common, Far Too Dangerous

CBS SF reports that fire crews were called to the 2200 block of Story Road in East San Jose on Sunday due to reports of a gas leak. According to San Jose Fire Department Capt. Brad Cloutier, the leak was the result of a motor vehicle crash. Officials evacuated numerous buildings and homes located on Story Road and Amador Drive.

Skateboarding Safety: Thoughts from a Recreational Injury Lawyer in Santa Rosa, Oakland, and San Francisco

August 17, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

When you think about car accident victims, what groups come to mind? Vehicle occupants and pedestrians are probably at the top of the list. After a bit of thought, people might add motorcycle and bicycle riders. However, the truth is that car accident injuries and fatalities can involve a broad range of individuals. One often-overlooked group: Skateboarders. As a recent incident reminds us, skateboard accidents can be serious, even deadly. Sometimes the rider is at fault, but other times fault lies with the vehicle driver or another third-party. In those cases, our skateboard accident lawyer in Santa Rosa, San Francisco, and Oakland can help the injured and/or grieving recover compensation for their loss.

Skateboarder Killed by Car Near Santa Rosa

According to The Press Democrat, a male skateboard rider was killed in an accident on northbound Fulton Road on Friday night. A CHP spokesperson said that the skateboard rider had been travelling on the shoulder when he swerved into the path of a GMC Yukon at approximately 9:15 P.M. near the intersection of Fulton and River roads. The rider suffered major injuries and was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where he later died. Police say that the rider veered into the SUV’s path for unknown reasons and the driver was unable to avoid a crash. Although the investigation is ongoing, police do not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor and do not expect to charge the driver in the incident.

Rollover Accidents: Oakland Accident Attorney on these Terrifying and Complex Events

August 12, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Every car accident is frightening, but rollover accidents are certainly among the most terrifying. As an Oakland car accident lawyer with twenty years’ experience representing the injured and grieving, Attorney Gregory Brod understands the myriad of emotions experienced in the wake of an accident. Attorney Brod also understands the particular complexity of rollover accidents and, along with his team, he can help victims recover critical compensation from other drivers, car manufacturers, and others whose negligence had terrible consequences.

Rollover Injures Three in Brentwood

According to the East Bay Times, a pickup truck travelling on Marsh Creek Road near the Clayton-Brentwood border was involved in a rollover accident on Monday. The accident occurred shortly before 5 P.M. Three people were transported to John Muir Medical Center for medical treatment. Police say at least one person suffered major injuries in the crash. As of this writing, the cause of the crash remains under investigation.