Sacramento Injury Attorney Blog

May marks the beginning of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's ("NHTSA") "Motorcycle Safety Awareness" month, a national effort to increase motorcycle safety and awareness.

The good news is that in Sacramento and throughout California, motorcycle fatalities are way down. In fact, deaths from motorcycle accidents are projected to be down by as much as 29%. Experts cite factors such as improved safety by all motorcycle riders and fewer new riders due to reduced disposable income.

A few safety tips motorcyclists should remember include:

• Wear a helmet. Wearing a helmet can lessen the impact of an accident and protect against brain injuries.
• Take a class to learn how to ride the motorcycle properly - this includes learning about proper breaking, understanding hazards and riding in bad weather.
• Wear protective and visible clothing - Being visible to other vehicles can lessen the chance of collisions.

Drivers should also try to become more aware of motorcyclists on the road.

Some tips for drivers include:

• Allow motorcyclists a full lane of travel.
• Anticipate motorcyclist's actions and allow them enough room to maneuver.
• Understand that roadways contain more hazards for motorcycles than cars.

Continue reading "Prevent Serious Motorcycle Accidents With Proper Safety" »

Although it seems obvious, the first study with conclusive empirical evidence that the best way to reduce medical malpractice litigation is to reduce medical malpractice, was just released by the Rand Institute for Civil Justice. The number of malpractice cases is directly correlated to the number of mistakes and bad outcomes at hospitals throughout California.

Experienced California medical malpractice attorneys are needed in order to represent those who suffer injuries as the result of hospital and physician malpractice.

The Rand report concluded that by making improvements in safety, both patients and insurance providers would benefit. Further, although these findings were based on studies of California medical malpractice, including practices in Sacramento and throughout the Central Valley, these findings are applicable nationwide.

The Rand study noted the following:

• A significantly high correlation between adverse events and malpractice claims
• A decrease of 10 adverse events would lead to a decrease of 3.7 claims
• Decreasing malpractice claims reduces pressure on malpractice insurance providers to increase premiums

Continue reading "Safety Measures Key To Reducing California Medical Malpractice " »

After a 23-year ban, bicyclists were allowed back on the K Street Mall this week. Bicyclists can now legally ride on the Mall from 7th to 13th Streets and in the tunnel connecting 2d and 4th Streets.

Bicyclists were originally banned from the K Street Mall in 1987 to avoid bicycle accidents after light-rail tracks were installed.

The Department of Transportation stated in a news release that lifting the ban on bicycles on K Street Mall is "another important accomplishment toward creating and maintaining a safe and reliable multi-modal transportation for the city and the region."

Bicycling is an increasingly popular mode of transportation in Sacramento and throughout the area including the cities of San Francisco, Davis and Palo Alto which rank among the Top Ten Best bicycling cities the United States.

Keeping in mind a few simple safety tips will help prevent bicycling accidents and limit their severity if they occur. These include:

• Wearing your helmet. Wearing a helmet significantly decreases the possibility of sustaining a brain injury if you're in an accident.

• Obey speed limits and rules of the road. In crowded areas such as K Street it's important to be alert, not exceed the speed limit (10 mph) and use appropriate hand signals.

• Yield to Pedestrians. Not only can bicycle/car collisions lead to injuries, so can bicycle/pedestrians collisions.

Continue reading "Bicycling Now Legal On Sacramento's K Street Mall" »

5 people were injured and 7 hospitalized in a San Francisco motor vehicle crash between a bus, a car and a Muni street car. The five people were treated for undisclosed injuries. Injuries resulting from car accidents may include back injuries, brain and head injuries, or neck injuries. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the accident happened after a streetcar hit a bus that was heading west. The bus subsequently rear-ended a car. Alcohol isn't believed to be a factor.

Video of the accident is inconclusive, but shows the Muni driver looking down immediately before the crash.

The first thing to do if you've been in a California car accident is to make sure you're okay. Even at slow speeds, car accidents can cause significant injuries. If there's any question, you should seek medical attention. Some injuries do not show up for days for weeks.

It's also a good idea to exchange information including the other driver(s) names, addresses and phone numbers. In the San Francisco car/bus/Muni accident, video was available and several officials were on hand investigating. However, most Bay Area car accidents are not as well documented and rely on first hand accounts of the drivers and passersby to explain the circumstances surrounding the accident. Although an investigation may occur, it's crucial to record as much information as possible - as soon as possible - including a general description of the accident scene, how fast the cars were driving, the direction the cars were traveling and the weather conditions at the time of the accident.

Continue reading "San Francisco Motor Vehicle Crash Hospitalizes 7" »

According to The New York Times, a new bill is being considered in Sacramento, which would raise penalties substantially for using a handheld cellphone while driving. The current fines - $20 for a first offense and $50 for the second - could be raised to $50 and $100, respectively. According to Senator Joe Simitian, (Dem. -Palo Alto) as a result of the ban on using cellphones while driving, California auto accidents have significantly declined.

In 2003, a Harvard study estimated that distracted driving caused 2,600 traffic deaths and 330,000 accidents nationwide. Since then, cellphone use has significantly increased. Further, a study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) shows that texting while driving increases your chances of getting in a car crash by 20 times.

The current bill is not without controversy though. Some bicyclists are opposed to the bill because bike riders are subject to the same penalties as car and truck drivers. Further, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) even using your phone in a hands-free mode is dangerous since it's a "cognitive distraction" which may decrease driving performance.

Continue reading "California Legislature Contemplates Raising Penalties for Driving While Using Handheld Cellphones" »