Pedestrian Accident

Who is Responsible in an Electric Scooter Accident?

October 17, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

Even though electric scooters (e-scooters), such as Bird, Lime, Jump, and Spin are still relatively new to urban streets, there have already been thousands of e-scooter accidents all across the country. You should always abide by California laws and practice safety while on the road, but sometimes accidents are unavoidable. If you have been injured in an e-scooter accident, whether as the rider or as a pedestrian, you may be wondering who is responsible for your injuries. That depends on who was at fault in the accident. The scenarios below outline some of the most common forms of e-scooter accidents and who is at fault and responsible in each scenario.

Who is Responsible in an Electric Scooter Accident?

Rider

Most Common Types of Electric Scooter Accidents in California

October 12, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

With the recent boom in electric scooter shares like Bird, Lime, Spin, and Jump in California comes a parallel boom in scooter accidents. E-scooter accidents can involve two scooters, a scooter and a pedestrian, or a scooter and a car. Whether you are riding an electric scooter or walking on the street, it is important to use extra caution and abide by California laws in order to avoid accidents. We have compiled a list of the most common types of electric scooter accidents in California, so you can take extra precautions to try to avoid becoming the next victim.

Scooter Malfunction

The most common cause of e-scooter accidents is scooter malfunction. With the huge number of riders daily, it is impossible for scooter share companies to inspect each scooter after each use. It is even questionable whether scooter companies that claim to inspect their scooters daily in fact do so. For example, the scooter share company Bird has stated in emails to customers that they perform no preventative work on the scooters and rely on customers to bring complaints about any scooter malfunction. This directly contradicts their public statements of daily inspecting each Bird scooter. Scooter malfunction can include brake failures, electric motor issues, handlebar collapses, flat tires, and much more.

Fatal Pedestrian-Vehicle Accident in Solana Beach

March 2, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

A woman lost her life on Interstate 5 in Solana Beach after being struck by a vehicle. The incident began when a Hyundai Elantra struck a Lincoln LS from behind on I-5. The LS was then forced across the road and struck a traffic control signal at the intersection of Lomas Santa Fe Drive. The woman driving the Hyundai stopped and left her vehicle. Authorities believe she then fled west. The woman crossed the northbound side of the interstate, climbed over a center divide, and was struck by a Ford Fiesta while crossing the southbound lanes. The woman’s identity was not released, and the authorities are still investigating why she fled the scene on foot.

Pedestrian Accidents in California

Based on a June 2017 report published by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the rate of fatal pedestrian accidents in California increased 11% between 2007 and 2013. In 2007, the pedestrian fatality rate was 1.8 per 100,000 state residents. This rose to 2.0 per 100,000 residents by 2013. However, pedestrian accidents that only caused injuries feel during that time by 13.5%.

Recovering Compensation After a Pedestrian-Cyclist Accident

October 13, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

Not every accident on the road involves a car or truck. Some collisions are between pedestrians and cyclists, particularly in cities where biking to and from work is common. San Francisco sees its fair share of pedestrian-cyclist collisions, which can lead to significant injuries for everyone involved. In September, a 24-year-old man on a bike collided with a teenage girl on Market Street. The girl was knocked unconscious and taken to a local hospital. The full extent of her injuries is unknown.

When individuals are injured in vehicle accidents, most know what to do next. Get a copy of the police report and file an insurance claim. If the accident is complex, the person calls an attorney. But what happens after a pedestrian-cyclist accident? If you were injured in this type of collision and you believe the other person was at fault, the best thing for you to do is contact our experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyers at Brod Law Firm. We will determine whether an insurance policy applies to your situation or whether you should move forward with a personal injury suit.

Possible Insurance Coverage

Three Individuals Hit by Vehicle While Crossing the Street in Oakland

July 21, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

Two young women and a 5-year-old boy were struck by a vehicle while walking in an Oakland crosswalk in mid-July. A surveillance video at a nearby restaurant recorded the accident that took place at the intersection of Fruitvale and Brookdale. The three entered the marked crosswalk while walking home from the bus. They noticed the vehicle, yet have stated that they thought it was far enough away that they assumed it would stop. The vehicle did not stop and directly struck the three pedestrians. The two women were thrown into the air and the toddler was dragged under the car.

Each individual survived, but is suffering from significant injuries. One of the young women has a broken pelvis and fractured leg. The other suffered chest injuries and broken ribs. The young boy is now paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury and may be in the hospital for a considerable length of time.

A Dangerous Oakland Intersection

Multiple Scaffolding Accidents in San Francisco Leave People Injured

January 23, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

It is only the end of January and San Francisco has already witnessed multiple scaffolding accidents that have led to pedestrian and worker injuries. In early January, poor weather caused scaffolding materials to fall from a seven-story building near Market Street. San Francisco police blocked off a portion of Market Street for fear that other materials could fall and hurt people. About an hour later, scaffolding collapsed near California and Spruce Streets. On January 20, scaffolding fell near Turk and Market, hurting an individual who was taken away in an ambulance. On the 24th, three workers were seriously hurt when the scaffolding they were using collapsed. They fell 25 feet to concrete suffering fractures and internal injuries. For this particular incident, the building owner did not have the proper work permits and there were multiple safety violations.

Scaffolding is often a necessary component to new construction and renovations. However, it must be constructed properly and protected from the elements. When scaffolding is not constructed or used correctly, it is more likely to collapse and cause injuries.

If you were injured due to falling scaffolding materials or a collapse, do not hesitate to reach out to an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer at Brod Law Firm. We will determine who is responsible for the construction materials and site that led to your injuries, whether the scaffolding was properly installed, and whether the owner had the proper work permits.

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.

Northern California Pedestrians Injury Lawyer Offers Tips on Keeping Your Ghouls and Goblins Safe This Halloween

October 23, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Every Halloween, certain things are bound to come around:

New, larger sizes of chocolates and candies for adults to distribute to the “ghouls” and “goblins” in their neighborhoods;
Scarier and more authentic costumes for children and adults alike; and

Ensuring Safety for All: Keeping Northern California Roads Safe for Individuals with Disabilities

July 19, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

At the Brod Law Firm, we believe that Bay Area roads should be safe for every traveler. As a recent news report reminds us, this includes people living with disabilities. Whether a person is in a wheelchair or on foot, whether a person is blind or sighted, everyone should be able to navigate our streets safely. Our Santa Rosa pedestrian accident law firm is committed to protecting all of our residents and remembering that pedestrian safety includes wheelchair safety and other forms of access for people with physical challenges.

Advocates Work for Access and Safety in Santa Rosa

Sunday’s Press Democrat included an important reminder that pedestrian safety includes access for people with a range of physical abilities. Reporters spoke to a man who is working with Santa Rosa officials to ensure the streets are safe for people with mobility, vision, and/or hearing impairments. He pointed out that electric cars pose a special problem for people with visual challenges since they are often nearly silent so an individual who cannot see may not know a car is approaching. Other challenges include overly steep ramps and intersections with no ramps at all that impede access for people in wheelchairs. A lip at the base of a ramp can also trip up someone using a cane. Even overgrown weeds can be a real challenge.

Focus on Safety: The NTSB’s Most Wanted List 2016

May 13, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Every year, the National Transportation Safety Board (“NTSB”) releases what it calls its “Most Wanted List.” This list represents the NTSB’s top advocacy priorities for the year, improvements to safety that the NTSB believes can make the biggest difference in preventing transportation accidents and saving lives. Our San Francisco injury law firm shares the NTSB’s commitment to transportation safety and, while we advocate for injury victims in California every day, we know that prevention is always the best goal.

The following items are on the NTSB’s 2016 Most Wanted List:

Reduce Fatigue-Related Accidents: It is impossible to know exactly how many car accidents are due to drowsy driving, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration believes anywhere from 2% to 20% of yearly traffic fatalities are due to drowsy drivers. The problem also extends to other areas of the transportation field and the NTSB identified fatigue as a probable cause in 20% of the Board’s 182 major investigations between 2001 and 2012.