California Injury Lawyer Blog

SAN FRANCISCO -- A pedestrian in a wheelchair was severely struck by a car in San Francisco, Mercury News reports. The accident was said to occur at about 7:08 a.m. Friday, at the intersection of 7th and Harrison streets. Officer Albie Esparza indicated the pedestrian was crossing Harrison Street with a green light, but did not make it across before the light turned red. Officer Esparza also mentioned vehicles in three of the four lanes traveling west on Harrison stopped to allow the pedestrian to cross, but the vehicle in the fourth lane did not.

Following this tragic incident, the pedestrian, whose name was not immediately available, was transported to San Francisco General Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver was reported to have remained at the scene and is cooperating with the police.

Cause of the San Francisco Pedestrian Accident

The accident on October 28th remains under investigation by the San Francisco Police Department. However, based on the information provided by the Mercury News, it is unclear why the driver struck the pedestrian. Therefore, police officials with look at numerous factors that may have been the cause of the collision. These factors can include, the speed of the vehicle at the time of the accident, distracted driving, and negligent or reckless actions of the driver.

Pedestrian Accident Personal Injury Liability

Collisions involving pedestrians and automobiles can have devastating and catastrophic results. In the aftermath of accident such as this one, a pedestrian can sustain serious injures or worse lose his or her life. Therefore, while the investigation of this accident is ongoing, the victim or family members of the victim would be well-advised to contact a San Francisco personal injury attorney. An experienced lawyer who has handled San Francisco pedestrian accidents, can help the victim protect his legal rights to hold the responsible party or parties financial liable for his injuries. The lawyer can also help the victim obtain the maximum compensation for medical car expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this horrific pedestrian accident.

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Every day, dozens of ships carrying all types of cargo enter through the Port of San Francisco on the western edge of the San Francisco Bay. The fishermen, maritime laborers and dock workers that work on or alongside the ships and vessels are essential to the industry. Jobs in the maritime industry are not without risk. Maritime accidents and injuries are relatively common, and may result in catastrophic injury or even death.

Following any San Francisco maritime accident, injured workers should work with an experienced and knowledgeable San Francisco maritime injury attorney. A skilled lawyer who specializes in port, harbor and maritime accidents can advise victims and their families of their legal rights and options, and the laws that are in place to protect injured maritime workers, Jones Act and the Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers Compensation Act (LHWCA). If you were injured in a San Francisco maritime accident, contact Estey Bomberger to learn more about your legal rights to be compensated for your injuries.

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SAN FRANCISCO - A motorcyclist tragically died early Sunday morning in a solo vehicle accident in San Francisco's Sunset District, the San Francisco Examiner reported. The victim, identified only as a man in his early 20's, was riding a motorcycle eastbound on Judah Street, when he collided with a center median at 39th Avenue. The impact caused his bike to overturn, and the motorcyclist slid under a parked car and died at the scene. San Francisco police are investigating the cause of the fatal May 22nd Sunset District motorcycle accident.

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A couple vacationing in San Francisco from Ohio was tragically killed shortly after their taxicab left the SFO International Airport on Monday, the San Francisco Examiner reported. The solo-vehicle accident occurred moments before 11:00 a.m. June 14th. According to news reports, the man and woman from Cincinnati, Ohio, Dennis Marshall, 61, and his wife Karen Marshall, 59, had just caught a DeSoto Cab Co. taxi at the airport and were on the Interstate 280 off ramp at Mariposa Street in the Potrero Hill neighborhood, on their way to the Mark Hopkins hotel. Apparently, the brakes on the Dodge Intrepid taxi failed and the vehicle struck a steel and concrete freeway support pillar at about 40 mph, coming to rest against a steel mesh fence.

Three sheriff's deputies were driving an empty jail van behind the taxi cab, which burst into flames after the collision. The deputies helped pull the two passengers out of the burning cab and the driver was able to escape on his own. Karen Marshall died at San Francisco General Hospital shortly after arrival, and her husband died at 4:20 p.m. The driver, Fageh Hassan Behbahani of Daly City, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and later released.

Cause of the Taxi Cab Accident

The cause of the June 14th taxi accident is under investigation. Law enforcement will no doubt have the Dodge Intrepid inspected to determine exactly what happened. If news reports are accurate and this accident was caused by brake failure, the taxicab company, DeSoto Cab Co., may be liable for this accident, along with the driver and possibly other parties. CBS 5 News reported that the driver of the cab noticed smoke was "pouring out of the front" of the cab before the accident, which may be an indication that he knew there was a problem with the vehicle, but kept driving it. Authorities said Tuesday Fageh Hassan Behbahani is under criminal investigation for not immediately pulling over when he first saw smoke.

Taxi companies are considered "common carriers" and owe passengers a higher duty of care. When taxi drivers are negligent, the taxicab company is also liable. Unlike other taxi companies in San Francisco, DeSoto Cab Co. rents its vehicles to cab drivers on a shift-by-shift basis. Under municipal code, taxi cabs must be inspected at least once a year with valid registration, proof of insurance, and brake certification.

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Nine people were hurt early Tuesday, January 5, 2010, when a San Francisco Municipal Railway bus collided with a small truck shortly after midnight. The bus accident occurred near 18th Street and De Haro Street. The collision forced the bus off the roadway and into some nearby bushes.

Seven people were taken to a nearby hospital with moderate to serious injuries, including the driver of the inbound Polk-19 bus. The driver of the truck, who suffered serious injuries, was pinned in his vehicle and had to be extricated by rescue crews. The cause of the crash is under investigation by Muni officials and the San Francisco Police Department. Muni officials have not yet commented on the San Francisco Municipal Railway bus crash.

Thankfully, everyone survived this crash, and hopefully, everyone involved will fully recover from their injuries. Based on the initial reports in the San Francisco Chronicle, it is impossible to tell what caused this collision, why the bus and the truck collided. Was there something mechanically wrong with the bus, or did the driver suffer a medical condition? Was the driver of the other truck drunk, reckless or negligent? Was the bus driver distracted or negligent on his part? The investigation will hopefully answer these questions and determine what caused this accident.

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A cyclist suffered serious injuries Thursday afternoon after he was struck by a white Volvo SUV at the intersection of Haight and Pierce Streets, on the Wiggle in San Francisco. The cyclist was travelling south on Pierce, and the SUV was travelling east on Haight, when the collision occurred. The cyclist suffered numerous injuries including possibly a broken leg or ankle, and collarbone or shoulder. The cause of the bicycle accident remains under investigation, and it is not known who was at fault.

"The Wiggle" is a popular bicycle route for commuters in San Francisco. It moves zig-zag throughout the city while staying nearly flat through hilly areas. If you are a cyclist in San Francisco, the Wiggle is a great energy-saving route between Market Street and Golden Gate Park. It connects the eastern and central neighborhoods with the major western neighborhoods, including Golden Gate Park.

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