Personal Injury | Northern California Personal Injury Blog - Part 3

San Francisco Streets Very Dangerous for Bicyclists

By Kelly Balamuth on March 2, 2011

The streets in San Francisco are more dangerous than ever for bicyclists, according to a story published in The New York Times. Recent data shows there are 58 percent more bicycles on the streets than in 2006, and in the last two years, there have been 1,147 bicycle accidents recorded by San Francisco police.

Significantly, in the past year alone, there has been a seven percent increase in bicycle accidents in San Francisco. There were 554 accidents in 2009 and 593 in 2010. In the past two years, there have been 101 accidents where an automobile passenger “doored” a bicyclist – which means they opened a car door right into or in front of a bicyclist, causing an accident.

The top two causes of bike crashes in San Francisco are routine road violations: speeding (by bicyclists) and illegal turns (by cars). The third leading cause is dooring. The data shows that in the past two years, automobile drivers were at fault in 573 accidents, or about 57 percent of the time. Cyclists were to blame in 428 accidents, or about 43 percent. The layout of the city and its streets also share a role in the bicycle accidents.

San Francisco officials are considering plans to make the streets safer for bicyclists. They may extend the separated bike lanes that already exist. Officials have also taken steps to make intersections that are known to be dangerous to bicyclists safer.

Statistics show that in San Francisco, automobiles and bicycles are frequently involved in accidents. If you have been in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, contact an East Bay accident lawyer at Balamuth Harrington. We will strive to determine who was at fault in the accident and to obtain fair compensation for your injuries. Call us today at 1-888-254-1234 to learn more.

Thousands of Miles of Natural Gas Piping, Like that in San Bruno, Run Underneath CA

By Kelly Balamuth on September 29, 2010

In response to the recent explosion tragedy in San Bruno, the Los Angeles Times has written an informative article regarding the thousands of miles worth of piping that runs throughout the state of California. Reportedly, the potential for a disaster like the one that took the lives of at least seven people in San Bruno is relatively high, especially because multiple fault lines run throughout the state and earthquakes can quickly spark these explosions. Numerous precautions are taken to ensure that these pipes don’t fail, but disrepair remains.

Steel piping which is high-pressure tested and often as wide as truck tires is used throughout the state as the highways for natural gas transport. The gas that runs along these highways can be as dense as 1,400 pounds per square inch. According to the article, these pipelines are sometimes laid a mere three feet below the ground in some locations, particularly in dense urban areas. Cracks in the piping can seriously jeopardize the structure’s integrity, and can quickly lead to accidents such as the San Bruno explosion. To make matters worse, certain companies, such as Pacific Gas & Electric, the company responsible for maintaining the San Bruno piping, currently have spotty safety records and have been deemed responsible for explosion accidents in the past, albeit none as deadly as the recent San Bruno incident.

Questions are now arising as to whether or not safety standards are stringent enough to ensure the safety of all Californians. Accidents should never occur due to the negligence of the company responsible for the gas lines. In the event that a company is deemed to have been negligent, San Mateo county personal injury accident victims may be able to hold that company accountable for its actions and seek compensatory damages for injuries sustained due to the accident.

The Northern California personal injury attorneys at Balamuth Harrington, LLP represent injured people. For more information about accident victims’ rights in Northern California, please call our office today at 888-254-1234 for a free consultation.

San Jose Bus Accident Injures Six after Rear-End Collision

By Kelly Balamuth on June 9, 2010

When we use public transportation, we take for granted that we will be safe while traveling from one point to another. However, it is important to always keep in mind that public transportation drivers are just as susceptible to becoming involved in a Northern California traffic accident as any other motorist is.

According to San Jose’s Mercury News, a recent Santa Clara Valley Transportation bus was involved in a rear-end collision that sent six passengers to the hospital with minor injuries. The cause of the accident has not been determined, but authorities plan to test the bus driver for foreign substances that may have impaired his ability to operate the bus.

Though none of the injuries sustained were critical, those who boarded the San Jose vehicle did not expect to experience a bus crash. In any auto accident, injured individuals have valid legal rights; particularly if it is determined that negligence caused the accident. After a thorough investigation, an experienced Northern California personal injury attorney will help determine as accurately as possible exactly what happened, and whether claims of negligence may be brought against appropriate parties.

At Balamuth Harrington, LLP, our skilled East Bay personal injury attorneys will fight to ensure that your rights as an accident victim are protected. If you have been injured in a bus accident, please don’t hesitate to contact our knowledgeable legal team for more information and a free consultation of your case. Call 888-254-1234 today.

Increase in Sacramento Construction Projects Raises Accident Prevention Awareness

By Kelly Balamuth on March 26, 2010

According to a recent Sacramento Bee story, the $1.08 billion “Big Build” construction project at the Sacramento International Airport is supplying 400 workers with employment. As the construction industry receives a boost from an increase in public projects, job safety and accident prevention awareness are of the utmost importance. The building of a new airport terminal requires adhering to many rules and regulations, and a lot of employee training, all while promoting a safe work environment and creating a secure finished product for public use.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – a government agency working to prevent injury and fatality in the construction field – notes that more than 11 million construction workers perform their job within potentially hazardous conditions. Whether a construction worker is performing a task at great heights, surrounded by heavy machinery or equipment, underground, or near electricity, employers, contractors, sub-contractors, and managers are responsible for adequately training that construction worker, maintaining safety, and enforcing federal and state regulations. The NIOSH also reports that approximately 8% of workers in the United States operate in construction; however, about 22% of U.S. work-related fatalities belong to the construction industry.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident in Northern California due to another person’s negligence, the experienced construction accident lawyers at the Law Office of Balamuth Harrington, LLP can help. Our skilled personal injury attorneys can assist those affected by construction site falls, crane accidents, compressed gas hazards, scaffolding accidents, defective and dangerous machines, accidents involving welding, cutting, and brazing, as well as mechanical hazards. Contact the Law Office of Balamuth Harrington, LLP today to find out how we may be able to help you obtain compensation for your construction accident injuries. Call 888-254-1234 for more information.

Source:http://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/15/2607113/public-projects-help-sacramento.html

San Francisco Bus Strikes Pedestrian

By Kelly Balamuth on March 22, 2010

A recent pedestrian accident in San Francisco involving a Golden Gate Transit bus serves as a reminder for motorists of all commercial and private vehicles to be on constant alert for individuals crossing the street. Based on an Oakland Tribune article, a bus hit a female pedestrian in San Francisco’s South of Market District as it was making a left hand turn onto Eighth Street from Howard Street.

At the time of the article’s release, the female pedestrian’s injuries seemed minor, as she was reported to be alert and communicating with emergency personnel. No one else was injured in this San Francisco bus accident, and the bus was not transporting anyone at the time of the incident. Transit agency investigators and police worked to determine precisely where the female pedestrian was when the accident occurred and the bus driver was tested for drugs and alcohol before returning to work.

Unfortunately, pedestrians are susceptible to some of the most devastating injuries that an auto accident is capable of causing. When bus, truck, and even small passenger vehicle motorists fail to follow the rules of the road and exhibit reckless or negligent driving practice, pedestrians may suffer injuries that range from broken bones, lacerations, and bruising to spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and even death. Based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) preliminary traffic fatality statistics, approximately 33,963 individuals died in auto accident collisions in 2009. Even though this reflects a devastating number of people killed in motor vehicle accidents throughout the United States, this preliminary fatality data displays a drop of about 8.9 percent from 2008 figures, which reported a total of 37,261 auto accident fatalities.

At the Law Office of Balamuth Harrington, LLP, our experienced Northern California personal injury attorneys understand that the consequences of negligent driving may go beyond physical injury, and can often leave an injury victim and his or her family having to endure emotional and financial challenges as well. Our skilled injury lawyers assist those negatively affected by auto accidents, truck accidents, and wrongful death incidents. To learn more about how the Law Office of Balamuth Harrington, LLP may be able to help you hold negligent parties accountable for their actions, please call 888-254-1234 today for more information.

Source:http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_14678904