California Injury Attorney Blog

Earlier this week, a bicyclist was riding at the intersection of Market and New Montgomery Streets in San Francisco, when tragedy occurred. The wheel of his bike was caught on the Muni tracks as he rode parallel to an SF Muni Bus. He then fell under the bus, which drove over him.

The bicyclist apparently was seriously injured and was taken to the local trauma center at San Francisco General Hospital with what were said to be life threatening injuries. Our hearts go out to the injured bicyclist and his family. We do not know the status of his injuries, but will keep readers posted if we learn of his condition.

As Bay Area bicycle accident lawyers, we are aware of situations in which bike wheels have become caught in storm drains, train tracks and other permanent or temporary road fixtures. This scenario can be very dangerous.

Getting a wheel stuck is the MUNI tracks is one hazard that experienced cyclists, especially those who ride in the city of San Francisco, know can be treacherous. A local bicycle company has a muni-track bumper sticker that depicts a rider with its wheel getting stuck and the rider falling. A local bicycle maker's website notes that states "if you ride the mean streets of San Francisco and haven't had a near miss on MUNI tracks - you need to ride your bike more often."

So what can be done to avoid this hazard? The terrible accident that occurred this past week, reminds us that riding in our beautiful city can be dangerous. Many of us are committed to a better planet and riding a bike in the city cuts down on car traffic. We hope that more can be done to ensure that accidents are avoided and one step in the direction is rider awareness of this hazard.

Hersh & Hersh is a San Francisco consumer protection law firm that helps the victims of bicycle and pedestrian accidents. Please contact our offices for a free consultation with one of our lawyers.

As California consumer and injury lawyers, we have seen the tragic consequences of serious accidents of all kinds. Among the most likely to cause catastrophic injury, are those that occur when cars and people or bicyclists collide.

Recently, a Ventura County driver hit and ran after striking and killing a bicyclist -- he was arrested in his driveway. Two other bicyclists were hit but not killed by this driver.

We are all aware that pedestrian accidents and injuries can happen at any time and tragically, can result in serious injury and even death. We sometimes forget how vulnerable we are when simply walking across a street or riding a bicycle on a country lane. But pedestrians and cyclists cannot protect themselves from a driver under the influence who is not obeying the rules of the road.

That is what happened last week in San Francisco when a pedestrian was killed in a hit and run at Masonic Avenue at Turk Boulevard. The 61-year old pedestrian died at the scene and had been crossing at the intersection when a suspected drunk driver struck him while on what ended up as a hit and run rampage.

The driver of the car also hit several cars after striking the pedestrian and finally slammed into planters at the St. Mary's Medical Center on Stanyan Street.
The driver was injured and taken to the hospital. He was also arrested and will likely be charged with vehicular manslaughter.

Tragically, the Masonic and Turk intersection has been the scene of a fatal hit and run. Last year a German tourist was killed at that intersection as he rode a bicycle.
Masonic Avenue is under study for redesigns to make it safer.

The executive director of the pedestrian advocate group Walk San Francisco was quoted as saying that Masonic Avenue is under a redesign process that should lead to safety measures. Sadly the changes have not yet been made and another life has been lost.

Hersh & Hersh can help victims of bicycle and pedestrian accidents. Please contact our offices for a free consultation with one of our lawyers.

Last November, a Los Altos woman who was riding a bicycle in Portola Valley was struck and tragically killed when a truck hit her as she was traveling on property maintained by San Mateo County. The woman's family has filed a wrongful death action against the driver of the truck and the company that employed him. But the driver and his employer are seeking to make sure that the County pays for any judgment against them that might be awarded to the woman's family.

The defendants in the wrongful death case claim that the accident occurred due to a dangerous condition on public property. But it appears for now that the claim for indemnity could be rejected by the County, as they say the California Highway Patrol determined in their accident investigation that the truck driver made an unsafe turn and that the accident was not the result of any dangerous conditions. There were no eyewitnesses to the crash which occurred near an onramp to I-280.

On the other hand, the defendants in the wrongful death case say that the road is dangerous and poorly designed. And although a new investigation is still pending, there are some possible changes underway for the area in which the accident occurred. The County has met with the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition and has applied for grants to make changes to the area where the tragedy occurred.

As California injury lawyers, the attorneys of the California Injury Attorney Blog support all efforts to make roads safer for both bicyclists and motor vehicles. If we are to share the road, we must ensure the safety of all who travel, regardless of whether they are driving a truck, motorcycle, car or riding a bicycle.

We want to remind all readers to slow down, look carefully, and follow the law: do not use devices that can distract you from driving safely.

Hersh and Hersh has represented many clients dealing with injuries sustained in bicycle accidents, as well as motor vehicle accidents of all kinds. If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident, please contact us for a free consultation.

Over the past few years San Francisco, California has risen in the rankings in traffic statistics, but not in a good way.

In 2009, based on the average number of miles driven within the city, San Francisco had more vehicular collisions that resulted in death or injury than other California cities with more than 250,000 residents. The city was ranked third in 2008 and fourth in both 2006 and 2007.

A little good news? The city ranks seventh when the calculation is based solely on population.

According to the Office of Traffic Safety, 4.9 million miles were driven in San Francisco in 2009. This includes both residents and non-residents and actually adds up to fewer miles than cities such as San Jose (8.3 million miles) and Sacramento (5.1 million miles).

Unfortunately, San Francisco takes the top spot in those killed or hurt in bicycle, motorcycle or pedestrian accidents based on miles or population. For example, the stats show that in 2009, nearly 4000 people were injured or killed in San Francisco traffic accidents which included nearly 750 pedestrians, nearly 300 motorcyclists and over 500 bicyclists.

Although the reasons for these statistics is not clear, perhaps it is due to the rise in distracted driving or because there are more vehicles coming into the city to work and play. Regardless, it is a statistic that the California Injury Attorney blog hopes will decline in the future.

For more information about how you can be a safer pedestrian or bicyclist, click here.

The San Francisco, California law firm of Hersh & Hersh represents victims of car, pedestrian and bicycle accidents that cause death or injury. If you, or a loved one, has been injured in a traffic accident, we will evaluate your case at no charge and you will speak directly with a lawyer in our office. We are highly respected personal injury lawyers with a reputation for excellence and compassion in our representation for victims and their families.