Motorcycle Accidents

Sharing the Road: Even the Safest Pedestrians and Motorcyclists Rely on Responsible Drivers

August 28, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

Cars are powerful machines, a fact that is easy to forget as we go about our day-to-day lives. Occasionally, however, we are given a sharp reminder. In some cases, this comes in the form of a close call; a driver glances down momentarily, perhaps returning a beverage to the cup holder, and looks up to with just enough time to brake before hitting someone crossing the road. Such moments make us think about what could have happened and remember how much responsibility we have behind the wheel. Unfortunately, sometimes the reminder takes a harsher form and someone is hurt or even killed. These moments remind us of the sheer power of the automobile, the importance of attentive driving, and the vulnerability of other travelers, especially those not protected by an automobile themselves. As the following story of two crashes illustrates, pedestrian injuries and motorcyclist injuries are far too real and, in the opinion of our San Francisco injury law firm, far too common.

Pedestrian and Motorcycle Rider Hit in Two Crashes

A motorcycle officer and a pedestrian were injured in a pair of accidents on Tuesday. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that a police officer aboard a motorcycle was struck by a car around 7:30 A.M. at the intersection of Leavenworth Street and Golden Gate Avenue. A police spokesman told reporters the officer was in the far-left lane when a Volvo travelling in the same direction changed lanes, hitting the officer and sending him crashing into a nearby parked car. The officer was injured but is expected to recover. The driver is cooperating with investigators.

Examining the Numbers Following Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Milpitas

July 8, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

Motorcycle riders are passionate about their love for two wheels. Some cite the power and beauty of the machines themselves, some cite riding as a lower cost alternative to driving, others like feeling in touch with the road and the world around them. For most, it is probably all the above. Motorcycle riders deserve to be safe, but motorcycle fatalities and serious rider injuries are far too common. Our Oakland motorcycle injury law firm is committed to advocating for riders and their loved ones when motorcycle crashes are caused by negligent, inattentive drivers.

Motorcycle Rider Killed in Hit-and-Run

Over the weekend, as KTVU reports, a motorcycle rider died in a hit-and-run collision on interstate Highway 880 in Milpitas. The rider has been identified as 29 year-old Maka Langi of East Palo Alto. At approximately 9:15 P.M. on Saturday, callers alerted California Highway Patrol officers to a motorcyclist down. A passing motorist pulled the wrecked cycle off the road. Milpitas fire crews were the first on scene but they were too late to help Langi.

Hit-and-Run Crash in Fremont Between Truck and Motorcyclist Leaves Latter Dead and Unanswered Questions

October 9, 2014 | Gregory J. Brod

The brunt of a crash between a truck and smaller motor vehicle almost invariably falls most heavily on the latter, with the odds of survival or escaping injury for the motorist much poorer than those for the trucker. However, a collision between a truck and a motorcyclist, bicyclist or pedestrian is even more heavily stacked against the nontrucking party, with the chances for a fatal encounter for the latter greatly increased. And San Francisco motorcycle accident and trucking accident attorney Gregory J. Brod notes with sadness that a hit-and-run collision between a truck and motorcycle in Fremont on Wednesday left the motorcyclist dead and the truck driver nowhere to be found.

According to KTVU News, a 61-year-old man riding his motorcycle eastbound toward Warm Springs Boulevard on Mission Boulevard, which is a busy road that connects Interstates 880 and 680, was struck and killed by a semi-rig at about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday. Witnesses reported that the driver of the truck, which may have been towing two chrome-colored tanks, continued on without stopping after hitting the 2004 Kawasaki motorcycle.

The California Highway Patrol has identified the deceased motorcyclist but was not releasing his name until his family is notified. The CHP said that it is possible the trucker did not realize that he or she had struck the motorcycle, and that the collision occurred on a stretch of the road that is under construction, which elevated the hazardous conditions on the busy street.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration‘s most recent statistics paint a grim picture for motorcyclists involved in crashes, including the following:

In 2012, 4,957 motorcyclists were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes, which represents a 7 percent increase from the 4,630 motorcyclists who were killed in 2011.
In 2012, there were 93,000 motorcyclists who were injured, which is a 15 percent increase from the 81,000 who were injured in 2011.
In 2012, motorcyclists accounted for 15 percent of all traffic fatalities and 18 percent of all occupant (driver and passenger) fatalities.
While motorcycles represented only 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States in 2012 and accounted for only 0.07 percent of all vehicle miles traveled, on a per-vehicle-mile-traveled basis, they were 26 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in traffic crashes and five times more likely to be injured
On a per-registered-vehicle basis, the fatality rate for motorcyclists was six times the rate for passenger car occupants in 2012, while the injury rates for motorcyclists and passenger car occupants were about the same.
In 2012, 2,624, or 52 percent, of all motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with another motor vehicle.

In addition, the NHTSA‘s most recent statistics on trucking crashes sketch an ominous picture for motor vehicles that are unfortunate enough to be involved in a collision with a truck, including the following:

In 2012, 3,921 people died and another 104,000 were injured in crashes involving large trucks – those with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds – 333,000 of which were involved in traffic crashes that year.
The 3,921 fatalities from crashes involving large trucks in 2012 represented a 4 percent increase from the 3,781 who died the year before.
Of the trucking-linked fatalities in 2012, 73 percent were occupants of other vehicles, 10 percent were non-occupants, and only 18 percent were occupants of large trucks.
In 2012, 104,000 people were injured in crashes involving large trucks, which represents an 18 percent increase from the 88,000 who were injured in 2011.
Of the trucking-linked injuries in 2012, 73 percent were occupants of other vehicles, 3 percent were non-occupants, and only 24 percent were occupants of large trucks.
In 2012, large trucks accounted for 4 percent of all registered vehicles, 9 percent of the total vehicle miles traveled, and 8 percent of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes.

Representing the Victims of Motorized Scooter Accidents in Northern California

September 10, 2014 | Gregory J. Brod

Modern day travel involves more than just cars. On a given day, a stretch of roadway might see travelers on bicycles, motorcycles, trucks, roller skates, and their own two feet. Motorized scooters are another form of travel and, like many other travelers, operators are vulnerable to reckless drivers. When a driver puts a rider at undue risk and harms the more vulnerable traveler, our Oakland scooter accident lawyer can help recover monetary compensation for the injured party. Motor scooter accidents are a real danger and the mix of prevention and representation are key to reducing the threat.

Police Investigating a Fatal Sunnyvale Scooter Accident

A 50 year-old Los Altos man lost his life on Friday following a scooter crash detailed in the San Jose Mercury News. Brian David Lazara was hit by two cars while riding a motorized scooter in Sunnyvale. The crash occurred just before 9 A.M. at the intersection of Central Expressway and Mary Avenue. Emergency responders arrived to find Lazara injured and lying in the roadway. They performed CPR and took him to Stanford Hospital’s trauma center where personnel declared him dead. Both auto drivers are cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

Danger on Two Wheels: Protecting the Victims of Unsafe Motorcycle Riders

July 23, 2014 | Gregory J. Brod

We’ve written in the past about the biases many people hold when it comes to motorcycles. We firmly believe these, and most other biases, are incorrect and unfair. Most motorcycle riders, like most drivers, are committed to safety. However, our San Jose motorcycle accident lawyer knows that it would be equally unfair to suggest all motorcycle riders are innocent victims when it comes to vehicle crashes. Dangerous decisions by riders, including speeding and riding while intoxicated, threaten the rider and others on the road. We are committed to helping those who are hurt or left mourning a love one because of a reckless or negligent motorcyclist.

Witnesses Report Rider in Santa Clara Crash Was Travelling Over 100mph

The San Francisco Chronicle reported on an accident that claimed one life during the early morning hours of Tuesday June 22. At around 2:30 A.M., the driver of a Honda motorcycle tried to maneuver around a Peterbilt truck travelling north on Great America Parkway (Highway 101) in Santa Clara. The attempt was unsuccessful and the motorcycle slammed into the back of a big rig truck, killing the rider. According to the California Highway Patrol (“CHP”), after the initial collision the body of the 23 year old motorcycle rider lay in the street and was hit by other vehicles.

Motorcycle Accidents: Statistics & A Reminder of the Real-World Rule of Comparative Negligence

June 20, 2014 | Gregory J. Brod

As a San Francisco injured motorcycle rider’s law firm, our past experience representing riders hurt in accidents caused by negligent motorists helps us represent today’s injured victims. Providing the best possible legal services also involves staying informed in the present and we are committed to staying up-to-date on the law and statistical trends. Together, past experience and present knowledge allows us to help the victims of motorcycle accidents caused by someone else’s negligence, ensuring they receive the monetary compensation they need and deserve.

Fatal Hayward Motorcycle Crash

On Tuesday night, according to the Contra Costa Times, a motorcycle crash claimed the life of 28 year old David Bronaugh of Fremont. Around 8:35 P.M., a big rig exited off of I-880 South in Hayward and made a left turn onto Industrial Parkway East. Police report that Bronaugh’s motorcycle, which had been travelling west in Industrial Parkway, crashed into the truck. Bronaugh was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead. Police are investigating the crash. The truck’s driver had been cited as of the time of the report.

San Francisco/San Jose Motorcycle Lawyer on Overcoming Bias

March 28, 2014 | Gregory J. Brod

Our court system relies on judges and juries, trusting them to reach a fair decision based on the facts before them, putting aside any personal biases. Still, in our work as a San Francisco motorcycle accident law firm, we have learned that we need to fight a commonly-held bias against motorcycle riders. Many people assume riders are risk-takers who think nothing of darting in and out of traffic at high speeds. This bias is both unfair and often grossly inaccurate. We have worked with many motorcycle riders who prioritized safety but suffered injury due to an inattentive automobile driver. When we represent these riders and their families, we make sure the judges and juries see the truth — most riders care about safety, but they face constant threats from drivers who negligently fail to watch for motorcycles and refuse to share the road.

Marine Returns from Afghanistan to be Killed by Drunk Driver vs. Motorcycle Collison

A United States Marine survived his tour in Afghanistan only to be killed by a suspected drunk driver on Tuesday, according to The San Francisco Chronicle. At about 1 A.M., 23 year old Alexander Yohn of Emeryville reportedly used the drive-through at the Taco Bell at Fremont Boulevard and Bonde Way. An employee called police, saying that Yohn was belligerent and appeared intoxicated. Yohn sped off on Fremont, refusing to yield when a different officer tried to stop him. Near Decoto Road, Yohn hit motorcyclist Andrew Silva, killing the 23 year-old lance corporal who had just returned home to Union City last month. Yohn’s Mini Cooper caught fire after crashing into a utility pole and police caught him as he tried to flee on foot. He was booked into Santa Rita Jail and charged with hit-and-run and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

Examining the Stalled Case Against Firefighter Michael Quinn and the Role of the Burden of Proof

February 17, 2014 | Gregory J. Brod

It has been seven-and-a-half months since 49 year-old motorcyclist Jack Frazier was badly injured in an alleged hit-and-run, but the nature of criminal charges remains uncertain. It is a debate that involved important questions about the quality of evidence (was the breathalyzer accurate?) and the process of investigation (why does the investigation into a firefighter seem different than that against a typical civilian?). We don’t know the underlying truth, but we believe it is also an opportunity to remind readers of a key difference between civil and criminal law: the standard of proof. This difference is critical to our work as your San Francisco personal injury law firm and explains why we can bring civil claims even when criminal claims failed.

The Basic Facts Alleged in Frazier’s Death

According to allegations, revisited in an article in Sunday’s San Francisco Chronicle, Frazier was severely injured on June 29, 2013 when a fire truck driven by San Francisco firefighter Michael Quinn plowed into his motorcycle at the intersection of Fifth and Howard. Quinn left the scene and was seen downing water at a local bar before returning to the station two hours later. From the start, reports said Quinn had a blood alcohol count of 0.13 when he arrived back at the station, well above the 0.08 DUI level and a violation of the Fire Department’s zero tolerance policy for drinking on duty.

The Importance of Motorcycle Education

November 27, 2013 | Gregory J. Brod

Motorcycle accidents are a reality. As a law firm for San Francisco motorcycle riders, we know from experience that many of these accidents are the result of careless drivers who do not watch for and do not respect motorcycles and their riders. We fight for these riders. We also believe that motorcycle education can help reduce the number of accidents by preparing riders for the realities of the road, including how to manage interactions with automobile drivers.

Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Pacifica

A report from CBS 5 is a heartrending reminder of the reality of motorcycle crashes. The accident occurred just prior to 9 P.M. on Monday, near Devil’s Slide in Pacifica. Salvatore O’Brien, a 24 year old San Francisco resident, was riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle on Highway 1 when he collided with two vehicles travelling in the opposite direction. Office Michael Ferguson with the California Highway Patrol reported that the motorcycle burst into flames after the second collision, which involved a 2014 Subaru. O’Brien was lying in the road when paramedics arrived. They took him to San Francisco General Hospital and he was pronounced dead at approximately 9:45 P.M. The driver of the first vehicle was uninjured and the Subaru driver refused medical attention for his minor injuries. CHP officials confirmed that the two drivers had not been under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but it has not yet been determined if O’Brien was intoxicated at the time of the crash.

D.A.’s Widening Probe Looks into Possible Cover-up in Case of S.F. Firefighter’s Crash with Motorcyclist

November 18, 2013 | Gregory J. Brod

When it comes to investigations concerning alleged wrongdoing on the part of a government official or other government employee, it is not surprising that the person suspected of committing a tort might have more sympathy from his or her colleagues than the general public. But it is when that sympathy translates into an effort by government employees to help cover up the case against their accused coworker that the legal playing field can be unfairly distorted, a circumstance that Bay Area motorcycle accident attorney Gregory J. Brod is keenly aware of and one that he will cite as one of the compelling reasons why it is so important for anyone who may have a personal injury case against a government employee to secure experienced legal counsel as soon as possible.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, it just so happens that the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office is investigating whether city firefighters attempted to cover tracks for their colleague Michael Quinn, who crashed his ladder truck into a motorcyclist in the SoMa area June 29 while allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

Fire Truck Ran Red Light on Way to False Alarm
In the early summer incident, Quinn drove his Station 1 ladder truck through a red light at Fifth and Howard streets while trying to reach what turned out to be a false alarm. As the 23-year-veteran of the San Francisco Fire Department raced through the intersection, his vehicle struck a motorcyclist, tossing the rider into a fire hydrant and seriously injuring him. After colliding with the motorcyclist, Quinn left the crash scene before police arrived 40 minutes later, and he did not return to his station for several hours.

When police found Quinn at Station 1, a few blocks away from the crash scene, his blood alcohol level was tested and recorded at 0.13 percent, which is above the legal limit for driving of 0.08 percent. Quinn was promptly arrested on suspicion of DUI and hit-and-run but has not yet been charged.

Security-camera footage from a nearby pub showed Quinn drinking water in an apparent attempt to sober up before returning to Station 1. The film also showed one firefighter talking to Quinn at the bar, even though the firefighter denied being at the pub with Quinn. In addition, camera footage reportedly contradicted the statement of an SFFD official who claimed that Quinn’s ladder truck had nearly cleared the intersection prior to the collision when in fact the truck blew a red light without slowing down, much less stopping.

Fire Department Has Zero-Tolerance Policy on Drinking While on Duty
Two firefighters besides Quinn face disciplinary action from the SFFD, which has a zero-tolerance policy toward on-duty drinking. And the San Francisco Police Department reportedly has interviewed at least 21 firefighters and other first-responders who were on duty the night of the crash. Since the crash, SFFD Chief Joanne Hayes-White has confirmed that Quinn resigned from the department on Nov. 1, which permitted him to avoid a formal dismissal hearing that was scheduled for the same day.
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