Automobile Accidents

• Tragic Train Accident Takes Life of Young Woman

  Claude Wyle | September 10, 2007 3:44 PM | 0 CommentsSan Francisco, CA

  Our hearts go out to the family of Britta Aker. At the young age of 27, her life was prematurely taken early yesterday morning as she walked over Union Pacific Railroad tracks in Newark, California. Unfortunately, it will be a tough task for her family to persuade a court to permit recovery for civil damages. This is so because California courts tend to hold that railroad tracks alone are a...

• 10 Things Your Insurance Company Won't Tell You

  Claude Wyle | October 25, 2007 11:22 AM | 0 CommentsSan Francisco, CA

  1. "You need a lawyer."2. "You're paying too much."3. "Forget your driving record. We want yourcredit rating."4. "We can dump you on a whim."5. "We're pocketing your deductible."6. "We'll stiff you if your car istotaled..."7. "...and even if it isn't."8. "Our body shops work for us, not you."9. "We make money by sitting on your claims."10. "We own your state insurance commission."Other things...

• Elderly San Francisco Driver Causes Pedestrian Death

  Claude Wyle | October 18, 2007 5:59 PM | 0 CommentsSan Francisco, CA

  A 90-year-old woman turned left onto Pine Street from Fillmore Street in San Francisco, California, last Sunday night. Six pedestrians were crossing the street in the intersection at the time. Although most of the pedestrians managed to avoid the automobile, the negligent driver struck and killed Susan Ali Shepherd, a well-known member of the San Francisco Latino radio scene. Ms. Shepherd's...

• Dangerous San Francisco Intersection Claims Another Life

  Claude Wyle | October 09, 2007 7:22 PM | 0 CommentsSan Francisco, CA

  Sloat and 19th Avenue is arguably the most dangerous intersection in the city of San Francisco. Last year, seven people suffered fatal injuries at this intersection. Wednesday, a 21-year-old pedestrian was killed during a head-on collision in which one car jumped the curb. An unidentified mother and her child were also struck, but survived, with moderate injuries. For more information on...

• Mill Valley Man Dies in Mt Tam Auto Accident

  Claude Wyle | July 27, 2007 8:32 AM | 0 CommentsSan Francisco, CA

  The cause of an auto accident that killed a Mill Valley man is still a mystery. After returning from a hike on June 18, 2007 a Mill Valley man veered off Ridgecrest Boulevard on Mount Tamalpais and down a 400 cliff. Recent toxicology tests revealed negative results. Did a dangerous condition of this Mill Valley roadway cause or contribute to this car accident and this traffic fatality? The...

• Hit-and-Run Survivor Suffers Serious Head Injury: Witness Used Cell Phone To Help Police

  Claude Wyle | July 19, 2007 7:36 AM | 0 CommentsSan Francisco, CA

  A negligent driver struck a pedestrian in a crosswalk at Amador Valley Boulevard and Regional Street in Dublin, California Last Sunday night. The pedestrian was rushed to the local emergency room because of life-threatening head injuries. The pedestrian survived, but required 12 staples on his head. Using a cell phone, a witness kept 911 dispatch apprised of the driver's location until police...

• San Francisco Settled Bicycle Accident Claim for $150,000

  Claude Wyle | November 08, 2007 3:34 PM | 0 CommentsSan Francisco, CA

  When they say that the San Francisco Police Commission will consider or review a $150,000 settlement for a bicyclist who sued the City after he was struck and suffered personal injures by an on-duty SFPD officer, who did not file a proper report, they mean that the City Attorneys and the Bicycle Accident Lawyer have reached an agreement to settle the case, pending approval by the Commission. In...

• California's Safe Routes to School Law Will Reduce Bicycle Accidents

  Claude Wyle | October 27, 2007 12:23 PM | 0 CommentsSan Francisco, CA

  On October 14, Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law California's Safe Routes to School bill. As a result, $52 million is available for California State Legislated Safe Routes to School (SR2S) Funds. As bicycle accident attorneys, we hope that by making negligent drivers accountable for their bad choices, we are changing their bad behavior. Of course, it is even better to protect bicycle...

• Hoping to Reduce Auto Accidents: Cell Phone Use Banned for Teenage Drivers

  Claude Wyle | September 25, 2007 1:00 PM | 0 CommentsSan Francisco, CA

  That's it. The California Governor has signed into law a ban on teenage use of cellphones and texting and laptop computers while driving. In an effort to reduce distraction behind the wheel, and the resulting motor vehicle collisions, teenagers are now forbidden from using these devices while driving a car. The law will take effect on July 1, 2008. We are all hoping this new law will remedy a...

• Teen Texting and Driving Ban Proposed by Lawmaker

  Claude Wyle | September 10, 2007 7:54 PM | 0 CommentsSan Francisco, CA

  Doesn't texting require both hands? Yes, and this is exactly why Senator Joe Simitian proposed legislation to ban all 16- and 17-year-old drivers from texting, and using other electronic devices, while driving. If this bill passes, fatal highway accidents like the one in the Finger Lakes region of New York earlier this summer may be prevented. Five teens lost their lives this June when,...