Pedestrian Accident Blog

It’s a sad fact but the state of California has a pedestrian accident fatality rate that is nearly 25% higher than the national average. No other state in the U.S. has as many pedestrian deaths on its roads as California. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, 893 pedestrians were killed on our roadways in 2018. Another 14,000 pedestrians were injured in accidents that same year. Why are Accident Rates So High? There are many causes of pedestrian/motor vehicle accidents. Drivers today are more...

Unfortunately, a traumatic brain injury (TBI), is one of the more common and most serious types of injuries that can occur after a motor vehicle accident. A brain injury is defined as an injury to the brain that occurs after birth and is not congenital, genetic, or the result of a degenerative condition such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. TBIs are usually caused by an external blow to the head or an object piercing the skull. Types of Damage Effects from a TBI can range from...

If you’ve suffered a traumatic injury after an accident you are probably overwhelmed with many difficulties. One of the most pressing is figuring out how to get the compensation you will need to get you through this challenging time and make you whole going forward. This is where an experienced, compassionate and local personal injury lawyer comes in. If you do an online search for “personal injury attorneys” you’ll find endless options. Why decide to go with an attorney in your area? Here are 5...

In 2019 there were 846 bicyclists who died in traffic accidents according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Many of these crashes could have been avoided if both drivers and cyclists obeyed traffic laws and were diligent about watching out for one another. Below are some do’s and don’ts for preventing bike accidents: DO: Time your trip wisely. Most fatal bike accidents occur between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. As the sun sets visibility is limited and sun glare can...

It’s back to school time and just as children are preparing for a new morning routine, drivers commuting to work need to adjust as well. The Automobile Association of America’s (AAA) annual campaign, “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” offers the following tips for drivers to protect children traveling to and from school: Build extra time into your morning schedule. Leave at least 15 minutes earlier than you do in the summer to compensate for congestion and bus stops. Be on the lookout for school zone...

We all know that texting while driving is both dangerous and illegal. Recent studies show that 1.6 million annual car crashes are attributed to someone using a cell phone while driving, and 14% of all fatal motor vehicle accidents involve cell phone usage. With these statistics in mind, there is no doubt there are distracted drivers on the road. A defensive driving mindset is necessary. Being aware of distracted drivers is your first line of defense. Here are some tips for recognizing a distracted driver, increasing your...

It may seem hard to believe, but as recently as the 1980s only about 10% of Americans wore seat belts regularly when riding in a car. Fortunately, today this important safety feature has been widely adopted and even legally mandated. Seat belts are responsible for saving over one million lives! Make fastening your seat belt a habit. Put it on as soon as you get in the car before you even start the engine and insist that other family members do the same. This single...

It’s summertime and that means many more people of all ages will be out walking. As a driver this requires extra vigilance on your part when on the road. Below are some do’s and don’ts to help you avoid an accident involving a pedestrian. Do: slow down when you see someone walking. Pedestrian movements can be unpredictable. Decreasing your speed increases your reaction time. Do: make eye contact. If you can get a walker to connect with you eye to eye you can both have...

Did you know that over 9,000 car accidents occur every year because of sun glare? Behind ice, rain, and snow, it’s the most common environmental cause of motor vehicle crashes. Sun glare can literally blind a driver, making it impossible to see the road. It only takes a few seconds of glare for an accident to happen. Below are some ways to cut the glare and be safer on the road. Adjust your drive time. Right after sunrise and right before sunset is the danger...

Schools are out and the days are longer and that means more bicyclists of all ages will be on the road. California also has the most cities ranked in the top 20 for bike commuting. All of this adds up to the need for extra vigilance both for drivers and bikers. Below are some common causes of bicycle accidents and how to avoid them. Distraction Drivers take their eyes off the road to answer a phone call, adjust the radio or GPS, eat, reach for...