Oakland Personal Injury Lawyer - Bicycle Accidents

Injured Bicyclist Close to $150,000.00 Settlement

Claude Wyle — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:35:19 GMT

Approximately three years ago, San Francisco Police Officer, Philip Welsh, crashed into Robert Kellogg, a bicyclist. Officer Welsh was on duty and in uniform when he collided with Kellogg in San Francisco's "North Beach" District. Instead of trying to assist Kellogg, Officer Welsh fled before providing the injured cyclist with his full name or address, and never filed an accident report. Justice will soon be served; the San Francisco Police Commission will likely compensate Kellogg $150,000 for this inexcusable bicycle accident.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle

Alameda Cyclist Memorialized With "Ghost Bike."

Claude Wyle — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 08:34:28 GMT

Had only one motorcycle learned to "share the road" with the car it was trying to pass exactly one year ago today, Ed Weiss may still be alive. Instead, this avid cyclist was struck by that motorcycle and suffered fatal injuries. Today friends, family and admirers memorialized him with a bicycle painted white -- the famed "ghost bike." Let's hope this raises awareness and prevents future auto accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle

Marin Lawsuit Raises National Awareness of Dangerous Bike Hubs

Claude Wyle — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 09:34:49 GMT

Traditional quick release bike hubs pose a danger to children because the wheels may spontaneously fall off, causing disfiguring and serious injury. This fall, New Jersey may become the first state to enact a ban on quick-release bicycle hubs. The movement against the defective bike hubs is rooted in Marin County, California, where families of eight injured children filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart and the manufacturer of the bike hubs. Three of the injured children suffered serious brain injuries; others suffered broken bones, missing teeth, and severe cuts and bruises. Although the defendants prevailed, the Marin families are now appealing.

The Marin lawsuit has prompted improvements within the industry. Schwinn, Mongoose and Trek have all began using the "CLIX" hub, which ensures retention of the wheel even if it is not completely tightened. The lawsuit has also given rise to SHOK, a nation-wide consumer activist group organized to raise awareness on the dangers of the hubs and to seek redress from Wal-Mart.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle

Guilty! Bus Driver Injures Bicyclist

Claude Wyle — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 08:56:14 GMT

Golden Gate Transit is increasing training around bicyclists after a Marin jury recently found a driver guilty on charges related to a bus versus bicycle accident. The incident occurred on February 5, 2006 when a rider tapped on a bus and the angered the bus driver then allegedly attempted to run the cyclist off the road before intentionally hitting the rider at a bus stop on Ward Street near its intersection with Magnolia Avenue in downtown Larkspur. For the victim, who suffered bodily injuries, the improved bicycle training program has come too late. Click here to read more.

For more information on this subject matter, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle

Bicyclist in Santa Cruz Killed by Drunk Driver

Shannon Weidemann — Wed, 23 May 2007 14:35:03 GMT

A person riding a bicycle in Santa Cruz was hit and killed by a drunk driver on May 18th. A 19-year-old man driving a pickup truck swerved into the path of the bicyclist on Thurber Lane. The bicycle accident happened near Soquel Avenue.

The cyclist was thrown into brush and was declared dead at the scene, the CHP reported.
Hodali was tested at the accident site and was determined to under the influence of alcohol, according to the CHP.
He was arrested and booked into Santa Cruz County Jail for felony drunk driving and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

The California Highway Patrol is still investigating the accident. It is the seventh fatality in Santa Cruz for the year.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Boy Hurt in Bicycle Accident in Napa

Shannon Weidemann — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 18:38:08 GMT

An 11-year-old boy from Round Mountain was injured while riding his bicycle in Napa. He was hit by a man driving a car down the same road he was riding his bike on. The driver of the car is a 42-year-old resident of the area.

The victim

suffered a head injury, broken arm, lacerated liver and kidney. He was initially taken to Queen of the Valley Medical Center and transferred to the Oakland hospital.
According to his mother, the boy is in and out of consciousness.

The police are investigating the accident. They do not believe that a high rate of speed or alcohol was a factor in the accident.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

What NOT To Do Right After a Crash

Claude Wyle — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 14:07:00 GMT

You've been in a motorcycle or automobile or bicycle accident and you were injured. Now what do you do to protect your claim for personal injuries? Call an attorney right away? If you delay, you may make mistakes that will permanently prejudice your claim and prevent you from getting a fair settlement with the insurance company. Obviously, you will have your hands full, or will not be well enough to call the attorney from the scene of the accident. Please take this free advice, and avoid making some common and potentially very costly mistakes. Please read below for a list of the Seven Deadly Sins that people commit after a motor vehicle accident.

1. Not taking photographs of property damage
2. Not taking photographs of injuries
3. Not taking photographs of the accident scene
4. Not getting the names contact info of witnesses
5. Not seeking immediate medical attention
6. Missing recommended medical appointments
7. Speaking with the insurance adjusters for the other side
I will add more ideas in the next few entries, in the hope that, by the time you call an attorney, you will not have sunk your own case.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle

Jail Time for SUV Driver Who Fled Scene of Car v. Bicycle Accident

Claude Wyle — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 10:41:46 GMT

An SUV driver involved in a car v. bicycle crash, which caused a spinal cord injury and head injuries, to the cyclist, received three years probation and 90 days in County Jail on Monday, not because he was at fault, but because he fled the scene of a bicycle v. car accident. While the fault for the paralysis and the head injuries to the cyclist is disputed, the SUV driver was prosecuted because drivers who leave the scene of a car accident, or a bicycle accident or a pedestrian accident, may aggravate the injuries of the victims.

The SUV driver faced actual prison time for leaving the scene of an injury accident. The cyclist, a 43 year old Marin County doctor, is undergoing therapy at Kentfield Rehabilitation Hospital, and is expected to be transferred to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center for further physical therapy. The injured cyclist is an emergency room physician at Highland Hospital in Oakland, who plans to return to work early next year.

The driver of the SUV stated that the bicyclist lost control of the bicycle and crashed into his stopped truck. The bicyclist says the fault for the accident is with the driver, since the SUV veered into the bicyclist's lane causing him to lose control of his bicycle and to hit the truck.
Allegedly, the driver shouted to witnesses to call 911, but panicked and drove away.
The CHP did not officially hold anyone responsible for the accident.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Claude Wyle

Safety Tips to Prevent Bicycle Accident Injuries

Staff Writer — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 13:47:12 GMT

Over half a million riders suffer bicycle accident injuries that require hospital visits every year. About 15 percent of those go to the hospital with head injuries. I ran across an article from a Massachusetts newspaper that offered some simple safety tips for avoiding injuries while riding:

Every time anyone gets on a bike, they should wear a helmet, even for a short trip.
Parents should set a good example for children by wearing their helmets.
Riders should wear bright colored clothing and/or reflective gear, even during the day when people believe they can be seen.
Before entering any street, intersection or crossing a driveway, check for traffic.
Learn to share the road or path. Remember to call out when passing others who might not be aware you are behind them.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer