Santa Rosa car accident injury lawyer

Aggressive Driving: Santa Rosa Injury Lawyer Examines a Danger to Drivers Everywhere

July 26, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

When you first get your license, driving can feel like freedom. Over time, sitting in the driver’s seat can become more about frustration. We all experience frustrating and even enraging moments behind the wheel and how we respond can make a real difference. Serving as a car accident lawyer in Santa Rosa and throughout Northern California, Attorney Greg Brod knows that the problems of aggressive driving are not always confined to San Francisco or other supersized cities. Aggressive driving is a danger on EVERY roadway.

Report Looks at the Prevalence and Risks of Aggressive Driving

This month, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Study released a report titled Prevalence of Self-Reported Aggressive Driving Behavior: United States, 2014. The report details the results of a survey of 2,705 drivers nationwide conducted in 2014. In the survey, the researchers asked drivers to review a list of eight driving behaviors and identify whether, over the past year, they engaged in the behavior regularly, fairly often, rarely, just once, or never. More than three-quarters of those surveyed admitted to engaging in at least one of the listed aggressive driving behaviors in the past year including:

Aging on the Roads: The Risks Associated with Older Drivers

January 13, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Reportedly, Maurice Chevalier is responsible for one of the most-cited quips about aging: “Old age isn’t so bad when you consider the alternative.” There is immense value in age and our oldest community members have much to offer and much to teach. However, there are also a number of concerns raised as growing numbers join the 65+ set. Our Santa Rosa injury lawyer understands that concerns over the safety of older drivers will become increasingly important in the coming years, but that doesn’t alter the fact that this is a difficult and sensitive topic for all involved.

Sunday Morning Crash Seriously Injures Elderly Santa Rosa Driver

On Sunday morning, a crash in Rincon Valley left an 85-year-old driver seriously injured according to a report in the Press Democrat. Police believe the elderly Santa Rosa woman was at a stop sign on Benicia Drive when she turned her Prius left onto Montecito Boulevard and into the path of an oncoming pickup truck. Police believe the truck driver had the right-of-way. They do not believe that alcohol or speed factored into the collision.

Roadway Safety Reminders from Your Oakland Accident Attorney as Families Give Thanks that No One is Seriously Injured in Horrific Pile-Up

December 22, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

With Christmas just days away, it seems like even more of a miracle that there was not a single serious injury from a terrifying multi-vehicle accident near the Bay Bridge late last week. We have no doubt that many area families feel they have already received the best possible gift – the well-being of their loved ones. As an Oakland accident law firm, we see the tragedy that can result from a car accident. In addition to helping accident victims, we believe in accident prevention. Today’s post looks at the recent Oakland story and provides advice for avoiding car accidents and keeping you, your loved ones, and those around you safe in the holiday season and all year long.

No Serious Injuries in Twelve Car Pile-Up Near Bay Bridge

According to ABC7, a twelve-vehicle crash occurred on I-880 near the approach to the Bay Bridge around 9:30 AM last Friday. Looking at the pictures on ABC’s website, including horrific images of a big-rig resting on a red pickup truck and a picture of the red pickup after the big rig was finally moved, it is hard to believe that the pile-up did not cause a single serious injury. The driver of that red pickup was trapped for a time and was checked out by doctors, but was back at home by Friday evening. Overall, only two drivers incurred minor injuries in the pile-up. Many of those involved shared stories that made the lack of serious injuries even more amazing, such as a father who originally planned to have his preschool-aged daughter in his vehicle but changed plans at the last minute, perhaps saving her life.

San Francisco Injury Lawyer Examines Hydroplaning Amid Wet Weather in the Bay Area

December 18, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

It has been an unusually rainy couple of weeks here in the Bay Area. According to SFGate.com, the rain is likely to continue this weekend and all next week with the forecast including a soggy Christmas Day. While we all know that we need the rain, that doesn’t make it easy to get through a long stretch of wet weather. The frequent rains also make for difficult driving and, because prevention is always the best option, our San Francisco car accident law firm wants people to stay alert for the possibility of hydroplaning and related accidents.

Parents Killed, Young Children Injured, Police Suspect Vehicle Hydroplaned

For at least one family, the threat of a wet weather accident became all too real recently. NBC Bay Area reports that an accident on eastbound Interstate 580 near West Grant Line Road claimed two lives on Sunday December 13. Officials suspect that the single-car accident, which occurred in the vicinity of the Altamont Pass, began when the vehicle hydroplaned on a pool of water. The vehicle then rolled repeatedly before coming to a stop down an embankment. The two adults in the car were pronounced dead at the scene while their children, ages 5 and 6, were taken to an area hospital with one reportedly suffering traumatic injuries.

Wrong-Way Drivers and Alcohol

October 21, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

It’s a scenario we can imagine all too well – you are driving and, almost out of nowhere, you find yourself staring into a set of headlights. Just the thought of coming (quite literally) face-to-face with a wrong-way driver is enough to send a shiver of fright down your spine. Perhaps not surprisingly, a large percentage of wrong-way drivers are also alcohol-impaired drivers. The combination can cause serious injuries or even death to innocent travelers. Our Santa Rosa wrong-way driver lawyer advocates for both the injured and the grieving, helping victims recover the compensation they need and deserve.

Alcohol-Impaired Wrong-Way Driver Had Two Prior DUIs

Last week, a judge sentenced a Cloverdale man to five years in prison for a wrong-way drunk driving crash. According to a news release from the District Attorney’s Office, on April 21, 2015, a driver called 911 to report that he’d been forced off Highway 12 in Dunbar by a wrong-way driver. Before police could respond, the wrong-way driver crashed head-on into another vehicle causing someone in the other vehicle to suffer a broken foot. Police reportedly observed objective signs showing that the wrong-way driver was intoxicated and conducted a blood test that found he had a BAC of 0.13 (0.08 is the legal limit).