San Francisco car accident lawyer

Safety and Justice: Northern California Accident Attorney Examines What Causes Fatal Car Accidents

May 25, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, 3,074 people died in traffic-related incidents in California in 2014. As far as our San Francisco car accident lawyer is concerned, that is 3,074 deaths too many. At the Brod Law Firm, we represent people left grieving after a family member dies in a fatal car accident in the San Francisco Bay Area region or anywhere in Northern California. We are also dedicated to providing our readers with information to help them stay safe. We know about the tragedies that can stem from a car accident and we want to do everything in our power to prevent those tragedies.

Study Focuses on Causes of Traffic Fatalities by State

If we want to prevent fatal car accidents, we need to know what causes them. Last year, the journal Business Insider looked at this very question. The report relies on a study conducted by the Auto Insurance Center, an insurance information website, that reviewed all fatal car accidents recorded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s information systems from 2009 to 2013 to determine what dangerous behaviors caused the highest number of fatal accidents in each state. For purposes of the study, the researchers included pedestrian, passenger, and driver fatalities.

A Look at the Numbers: What Time Periods See the Most Accidents?

April 6, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

As your San Francisco/Oakland car accident law firm, we understand that automobile collisions can occur at any time of day, any day of the week. Different times carry different dangers. In the late night/early morning hours, there may be a higher risk of encountering drunk drivers or highly fatigued drivers and there is the challenge of driving without daylight. Daytime drivers, however, may face more traffic and may encounter drivers who are multi-tasking as work, children, and other distractions pull attention away from the task of driving. So, we wondered: Ultimately, what time of day sees the highest number of car accidents? Which is more dangerous, daytime or nighttime driving?

NHTSA Statistics on Injury and Fatality Crashes by Time of Day

A report entitled Traffic Safety Facts 2009 presents a plethora of data gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) on accidents ranging from basic fender-benders to deadly multi-car pile-ups. The report includes over 100 tables and charts, examining crash data from many different angles in order to uncover patterns and trends. Table 25 focuses on time of day and reveals that the three hour timespan with the highest number of fatal crashes was 6 to 9 P.M. (4,988) followed very closely by 3 to 6 P.M. (4,994). Looking at injury crashes, the highest number occurred between 3 and 6 P.M. (371,000), with the next highest number occurring from noon to 3 P.M. (290,000).

Wet Weather Driving Tips as Bay Area Sees Rainy Start to 2016

February 5, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

When it comes to the weather in California, one word has dominated the headlines in recent years: drought. However, this year is off to a much rainier start than years past. While we could certainly use the rain, it is important to remember the fundamentals of rainy day driving. Rain and water can make travel more complex and more hazardous, but our San Francisco car accident law firm believes drivers must take responsibility and exercise appropriate caution in wet conditions.

January Sees Huge Rainfall Totals in Northern California

According to SFGate, El Nino delivered on its promise of a wet start to 2016. Forecasters say that the weather phenomenon typically brings in warm Pacific Ocean waters that can add moisture to the region’s air mass. In San Francisco, where a typical January sees 4.5 inches of rain, January 2016 brought a whopping 6.94 inches, the highest total since 2008 and more than the past five Januaries combined (a statistic “helped” by the fact that January 2015 saw no rain at all)! Other impressive totals include 12.06 inches in Eureka (186% of average) and 12.68 in Redding (213% of average). While most of California is still dealing with drought conditions, forecasters say this may ease if the season brings in 150% of the average rainfall. One section along the North Coast has already been removed from the official drought tally.

The Threat of Injuries and Deaths in the Aftermath of a Minor Fender-Bender

June 30, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

You’re in a car accident. It’s relatively minor, but this certainly you are still shaken, upset, and angry. You take a deep breath and try to be thankful that no one was injured. That, however, can change in an instant. In today’s blog post, our San Francisco car accident lawyer looks at serious car crashes that follow on the heels of more minor accidents and reminds readers to keep safety in mind during the confusing moments after a crash.

Milpitas Fender-Bender Leads to Fatal I-80 Collision

Late Sunday night, a man was killed when he was hit by a car while checking on the damage from a minor crash that occurred only minutes before. According to the Milpitas Post, a 36 year-old South San Francisco man was driving a Toyota Prius along northbound Interstate 880 when he rear-ended a Mercedes vehicle. Officers believe the man exited his car to check on the other driver whose vehicle was disabled in a travel lane. After confirming she was okay, he returned to his car and stood in its doorway. A blue Toyota Matrix sedan approached in the same lane as the disabled Mercedes. Swerving to avoid the disabled vehicle, the Matrix hit and killed the Prius driver. Police are still investigating but say they do not expect to make an arrest.