San Francisco Injury Lawyer Blog

Man Killed in Forklift Accident

December 28, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Industrial accidents can be serious and can cause life-threatening injuries. Construction sites and industrial premises are required to follow safety rules. Workers and others expect that they will be out of harm’s way. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Injuries can occur for a number of reasons. Last month, a man was killed in a forklift accident in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco. Officials classified the death as an industrial accident.

Industrial Accidents

Industrial accidents are caused by human error, according to OSHA (Occupational Health & Safety). Thousands of people are injured or killed as a result of accidents in the workplace. Workplace safety is an important concern for all companies. Some industries are more dangerous than others. For example, coal mining is one of the most hazardous of all occupations in the United States. When an industrial accident occurs, it often results in serious injuries.

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.

What You Can Do About Bed Bug Infestations

December 19, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

When we sign a lease we expect the premises to be kept healthy and habitable. One of the most serious problems that can cause inhabitability in a rental property is a bed bug infestation. Bed bugs can become a serious problem because they multiply so quickly. They are easily transmitted, so an entire apartment building may become infected. Property managers must properly respond to bed bug reports, and work to eliminate the problem. Failure to do so is illegal.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are tiny, brown or reddish-colored insects without wings. They feed mostly on blood from animals or people. Bed bugs come out mostly at night. Because of their small size, they often hide between small cracks or crevices in bedding, carpeting, mattresses, couches, and other areas. Female bed bugs lay thousands of eggs over their lifetimes. Each egg is only about the size of a speck of dust. Bed bugs can easily hide in suitcases, furniture, and similar items so they can be easily transported between locations.

Can I Withhold Rent Until My Landlord Fixes the Problems?

December 18, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Tenants in the San Francisco area often wonder what they can do if their landlord fails to fix problems with their apartment. Landlords are responsible for providing a space that is livable. There are some things that tenants can do to resolve issues that are not being taken care of by the landlord. Tenant’s rights are protected by law.

Conditions That Make Premises Uninhabitable

There are a number of conditions that may make an apartment or home unlivable. Some of the most common conditions include:

Christmas and New Years Among the Most Deadly Days on the Road

December 16, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

The holidays are among the busiest times of the year on the roads. Many people take to the highways as they travel to visit their friends and families. With so much traffic on the roads, it is not surprising that Christmas and New Years are two of the most deadly days on our nation’s highways.

Driving Hazards on Christmas

If you plan to drive on Christmas, be aware of the potential hazards. The roads can be busy with people traveling both across town and across country. There are plenty of families on the highways, and people may be under stress and in a rush to get where they need to go. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute, IIHS HLDI, accident insurance claims increase by about 20% in the month of December. An increase in accidents may be linked, in part, to more aggressive driving and cases of road rage.

What Are Punitive Damages in Personal Injury Cases?

December 14, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

When someone is injured because of the negligence of someone else, the other party may be responsible for paying medical bills and other damages. While it is clear that all costs associated with medical treatment should be paid, many people wonder what other compensation they may be entitled to. In California, as in other states, victims may recover economic losses and non-economic losses. Punitive damages are considered punishments and are not always available.

Economic Losses

Economic losses are the costs directly associated with the injuries, such as medical bills, and the costs of rehabilitation, for example. These are the real costs that were incurred because of the injury. Victims may have already paid hospital and other bills, or they may still have some expenses that will be incurred.

Oakland Ghost Ship Fire May Result in Wrongful Death Lawsuits

December 12, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

When you go to a party, the last thing on your mind is the safety of the premises. The property owner is expected to keep the building safe. The recent fire at the Oakland building known as the “Ghost Ship” may be a tragedy that could have been prevented. While the cause of the blaze is under investigation, there may have been several violations that contributed to the dangerous conditions. When someone is seriously hurt or killed because of the negligence of the property owner, the victim or his family may be entitled to compensation for damages.

Ghost Ship Used as Art Collective

The Ghost Ship, as it was called by many, was an old warehouse that was repurposed as an art collective. The building housed several different types of activities including artist studios. The premises also housed some people who lived there, although that was not the intended purpose. The building also sometimes hosted dance parties, which typically occurred on the second floor. According to preliminary reports, the building went up in flames quickly on a Friday night when it was filled with a number of people attending one of these parties.