Oakland personal injury lawyer

Multiple Fatal Wrong-Way Crashes in California

January 12, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

California roads saw multiple deadly wrong-way crashes in the beginning of the new year. On Sunday, January 7, around 12:30 am, California Highway Patrol (CHP) learned of a wrong-way crash on I-5 near Woodland. A 2013 Chevrolet with only a driver inside collided with a Dodge carrying five family members. All six individuals involved in the crashed died at the scene. They leave behind numerous family members.

Second Head-on Crash on I-5

On the same Sunday, another wrong-way collision occurred on a different portion of I-5 in Redding. A 29-year-old man was driving a 2012 Honda Accord on his way to residency interviews to become a physician when he was struck by a 28-year-old woman driving a Chevy Impala the wrong way.

San Pablo Hit-and-Run Crash Kills Four, Injures Six

December 1, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

On Saturday, November 25, four individuals were killed in a hit-and-run accident on I-80 in San Pablo, California. The collision was sizable, involving five vehicles and blocking all westbound lanes off I-80. The four individuals killed were a family from Napa Valley and included Daryl Horn, an active community member. The only Horn family member to survive the accident was Daryl’s eldest son. In addition to the four individuals killed in the crash, six others were injured.

The accident took place when Fred Lowe, 47, hit the Horn family’s Nissan sedan, which flipped over and crashed into oncoming traffic. Lowe was arrested later that night when he was involved in a second crash. Authorities reported that Lowe was intoxicated at the time and was driving on a suspended license due to a previous DUI. Lowe has been charged with four counts of felony hit and run, a felony DUI, and driving on a suspended license.

The Criminal and Civil Aspects of the Accident

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.

Insurance Institute Releases New Report on Safest Vehicles

December 9, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Vehicles continue to become safer to drive. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute, IIHS HLDI, released its annual report on vehicle safety. The report ranks new vehicles on their overall safety, providing ratings that help consumers purchase vehicles. The ratings are made using a variety of data.

Crashworthiness Tests

In order to qualify for a top safety pick, a vehicle needs to get good ratings in five crashworthiness tests. The tests are used to evaluate structural design and restraints. The tests ensure good structure, which includes a strong compartment for occupants, crumple zones to absorb impact, side structure to protect the compartment, and a roof that will survive a rollover accident. Seat belts and airbags are also tested. These types of tests are performed:

Highway 99 Named Most Deadly Road in the U.S.

November 23, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

California is one of the largest states in the US, with a large population, as well. With some rugged terrain, our highways are the only way to get from here to there in some areas. One of the most traveled roads is State Route 99, also commonly called Highway 99. Running mainly north and south along the entire stretch of the state, almost everyone has traveled on it at one time or another. Recently, data was compiled and a report was released of America’s most dangerous roads. US 99 topped the list, being named the most dangerous road in the United States.

Factors That Make Roads Dangerous

There are a number of factors that are considered when rating dangerous roadways. Some of these factors include:

The Great Divide: Understanding Criminal and Civil Law in California Drunk Driving Cases

January 5, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

We want 2016 to be a healthy and safe year for all of our readers and all of our neighbors here in Northern California. We also want to remind people that our personal injury law firm in San Francisco, Oakland, and Santa Rosa is here to help if you or a loved one is injured in 2016 due to someone else’s negligence, carelessness, or wrongful acts. In this spirit, this blog post looks at a recent drunk driving accident and reviews the difference between criminal and civil drunk driving cases in California.

Charges Filed Against Suspected Drunk Driver Following Hit-and-Run Crashes

According to CBS SF, police have arrested a 22-year-old man and charged him with suspected felony drunk duikeys driving and hit-and-run causing injury after a series of crashes in Petaluma. The series of incidents started around 12:30 AM Saturday when a pickup truck hit a parked vehicle on Mary Street near Petaluma Boulevard North. A woman who had been placing items in the parked vehicle’s rear seat was knocked over by the impact and suffered minor injuries. Reportedly, the driver fled the scene and then stopped at a nearby parking lot to examine his own vehicle. As he attempted to leave again, he backed into the store building damaging the establishment’s door and window before hitting a crosswalk sign on his way out of the lot. Officers later caught up with the man they believe was the driver and a test allegedly put his BAC at 0.13.