Transportation

Road users and those riding public transit or other forms of travel can face serious risk. Our Transportation section focuses on bicycle, motorcycle, car, and pedestrian accidents, crash statistics, regulatory change, vehicle defects, and wrongful-death outcomes—providing practical guidance before and after an accident.

Speeding Teen Driver Causes Fatal Auto Accident

Rachel Vargas, a 14-year-old, suffered fatal injuries when the car she rode in spun out of control and hit into the center divider on Interstate 680, near Pleasanton. Police say the driver, Drori Levi was driving at an extremely high rate of speed, which likely was the cause of this auto accident. F

By Claude Wyle

/ 28 Sep 2007

The Dangerous Streets of San Francisco

Whether you are driving in San Francisco, or trying to walk across a busy street, you will always be risking personal injuries or wrongful death. Although it’s never really been easy to negotiate the Streets Of San Francisco, this year marks a troubling spike in motor vehicle collision deaths, and d

By Claude Wyle

/ 28 Sep 2007

Wrongful Death of Caltrans Highway Worker

In Dublin, California, near the 580-680 interchange, a negligent driver lost control of his Porsche, hit a Caltrans truck, bounced off, and struck and killed Djuan Bush, age 24, of San Leandro, before striking another truck. Mr. Bush, a Caltrans employee, was hit by the Porsche as he was working on

By Claude Wyle

/ 27 Sep 2007

Hoping to Reduce Auto Accidents: Cell Phone Use Banned for Teenage Drivers

That’s it. The California Governor has signed into law a ban on teenage use of cellphones and texting and laptop computers while driving. In an effort to reduce distraction behind the wheel, and the resulting motor vehicle collisions, teenagers are now forbidden from using these devices while drivin

By Claude Wyle

/ 25 Sep 2007

Big Victory for San Francisco Pedestrians

Good news for San Francisco pedestrian safety; 19th Avenue between Junipero Serra Boulevard and Lake Street, one of San Francisco’s most dangerous streets for pedestrians, will be designated a Safety Enhancement Double Fine Zone in the next California legislative session. This residential street has

By Claude Wyle

/ 23 Sep 2007

Big Rig Crash On San Mateo Bridge Injures Drivers and Pedestrians

In yet another bizarre crash involving multiple trucks, three people suffered major personal injuries, including the driver of one of the trucks, a passenger in another truck and someone standing on the shoulder who was hit by flying debris. The truck accident on the San Mateo Bridge happened when o

By Claude Wyle

/ 21 Sep 2007

Teen Texting and Driving Ban Proposed by Lawmaker

Doesn’t texting require both hands? Yes, and this is exactly why Senator Joe Simitian proposed legislation to ban all 16- and 17-year-old drivers from texting, and using other electronic devices, while driving. If this bill passes, fatal highway accidents like the one in the Finger Lakes region of N

By Claude Wyle

/ 10 Sep 2007

Tragic Train Accident Takes Life of Young Woman

Our hearts go out to the family of Britta Aker. At the young age of 27, her life was prematurely taken early yesterday morning as she walked over Union Pacific Railroad tracks in Newark, California. Unfortunately, it will be a tough task for her family to persuade a court to permit recovery for civi

By Claude Wyle

/ 10 Sep 2007

Five Dead From Motor Vehicle Accidents in San Francisco Bay Area Over Weekend

Even before the Labor Day weekend was half over, it proved deadly for several people traveling on San Francisco Bay Area roads and highways. By Saturday night, a 61 year old man died in a motorcycle crash in Concord, when he rode into the Kohl’s department store. On Highway 4, a motorcyclist was kil

By Claude Wyle

/ 4 Sep 2007

Pedestrian Attorneys Seek Accountability From Muni

In SAN FRANCISCO, the fourth victim of a Muni-involved pedestrian crash in two weeks was struck by a Muni train Tuesday. According to the Muni’s own spokesperson, as of last week, San Francisco Muni vehicles had been involved in 956 accidents this year alone, 39 with pedestrians, five of which were

By Claude Wyle

/ 3 Sep 2007

When Drivers Kill Motorcyclists It's Civil Law That Helps The Family

A 25 year old reckless driver Ramon Pineda caused a deadly motorcycle-car crash this past Sunday, killing an off-duty Flint police officer, Vincent Owen, age 26, of Goodrich. According to witnesses, Pineda was driving a Camaro about 8 p.m. Sunday on Sashabaw when he rear-ended the motorcycle driven

By Claude Wyle

/ 30 Aug 2007

Pedestrian Killed in Hit and Run in Castro in San Francisco

San Francisco Pedestrian Roger Tennyson, 77, was killed instantly by a speeding car in the Castro on Sunday, according to Larry Bartholomew, 66, his partner of 15 years. Tennyson had just parked his own car when an unidentified vehicle estimated to be going 70 to 80 miles per hour hit him outside hi

By Claude Wyle

/ 27 Aug 2007