The word “negligence” is commonly tossed around in casual conversations. A driver might accuse someone else of driving negligently without knowing the legal definition of negligence. Here in California, the law recognizes both ordinary negligence and gross negligence. Do you know the difference between them? The finer points of negligence become important in certain scenarios, […]
Poor road design is one of the biggest reasons why some streets are more dangerous than others in California. This is particularly true for non-motorists who share our roads, like pedestrians, bicyclists, and scooter riders. Many of our city streets are great for cars but terrible for pedestrians. San Francisco has a long history of […]
You’ve heard that distracted driving is dangerous and against the law. What about distracted walking? When a pedestrian is too distracted to walk safely, they’re a danger to themselves and everyone else nearby. Oblivious pedestrians sometimes trip over curbs, stumble on stairs, walk into glass doors, bump into cars, or even walk straight out into […]
If you’re a pedestrian who walks in San Francisco, Los Angeles, or another California city, here’s something important you should know: You’re more likely to be hit by an SUV or truck than a car. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) released a new report on pedestrian safety that shows concerning statistics about pedestrian […]
San Francisco is a global trendsetter when it comes to devising innovative ways to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe on city streets. In the past 10 years, the city has launched more than 30 road improvement projects, plus 130 miles of new bike and pedestrian zones. San Francisco spends more than $25 million per year […]
Is walking a criminal act? It can be. When a pedestrian becomes a jaywalker, a police officer can cite them for crossing the road outside a marked crosswalk. This sometimes triggers additional police interactions. California’s current jaywalking laws could even be creating dangerous situations between well-meaning walkers and law enforcement officers. A simple citation can […]
If you’ve ever wondered what kind of settlement a California pedestrian might get after being hit by a car, please keep reading. This is the true story of one of our clients – a healthy, fit 72-year-old woman who was hit by a car on Christmas Eve in San Francisco while visiting her son, his […]
Here’s something you might not realize: Drunk driving laws apply to cyclists, too. Under California Vehicle Code 21200.5, when you’re too intoxicated to ride your bike safely, you’re breaking the law. Alcohol and drugs can turn cyclists into dangerous drivers, just like anyone else on the road. And intoxicated cyclists pose a particular risk to […]
What if you were just walking down the sidewalk and a scooter came along and hit you? It happens more often than you might think in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other cities in the Bay Area. Despite its small size, a scooter can cause severe injuries. And a pedestrian is extremely vulnerable to a […]
Each day in San Francisco there are two pedestrian accidents, on average. And across California, there are thousands of accidents every year that involve injured pedestrians. Although it’s easy to blame motorists, they’re not always at fault. Often, pedestrians’ actions contribute to these accidents. Sometimes, a pedestrian is 100% to blame. Know the Facts About […]