What is distracted driving?

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Distracted driving is any activity that could divert your attention away from the primary task of driving, including: • Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player • Using a navigation system • Talking to passengers • Eating and drinking • Watching a video • Grooming • Reading

One of the most dangerous distractions?

Texting or talking on a hand-held cell phone involves three different types of distraction simultaneously: • Visual! Taking your eyes off the road

• Manual! Taking your hands off the wheel

• Cognitive! Taking your mind off driving

Did you know?

• Writing or reading a text message takes your eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. At 55 MPH, that’s like driving the length of a football field – blindfolded. • If you text while you’re behind the wheel, you’ re 20 times more likely to be involved in a crash than a non-distracted driver. • According to a 2014 special article in the New England Journal of Medicine, the risk of a crash or near-crash among novice drivers increased with the performance of many secondary tasks, including, texting and dialing cell phones

What is at stake?

• In 2013, 3,154 people were killed and and estimated 424,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver.

• Young people are especially at risk: In 2013, ten percent of all drivers 15-19 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crashes. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted.

What is being done?

The U.S. Department of Transportation is leading the fight to end distracted driving through a combination of:

• Tough laws! !

• Strong enforcement! !

• Increased public awareness

What are states doing?

46 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. 14 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, prohibit hand-held cell phone use by all drivers.

What can We do?

• Make a pledge to protect lives by never texting or talking on the phone while driving.

• Be a good passenger and speak up if the driver in your car is distracted.

• Spread the word to your family and friends about the dangers of distracted driving.

If you or someone you love needs to know their rights regarding a pedestrian, auto, motorcycle, bicycle or bus accident or other type of personal injury, call the attorneys at the Weber and Nierenberg Law Firm. Personal injury attorneys at Weber and Nierenberg will work hard to make sure your rights are protected. For a free consultation or to make an appointment, call 1-866-288-6010

One year marks one million rides on BART to Oakland!

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November 21 marks one year of active service for the automated BART to OAK line between Oakland International Airport and Coliseum Station.  Coincidentally, it is also expected to reach the one millionth passenger trip milestone at some point this weekend – a sign of its tremendous success and growing reputation among riders.

“The BART to OAK line is clean, modern and convenient for riders,” said BART spokesperson Jim Allison. “Based on feedback from our riders both in surveys and on social media, they agree and appreciate just how quick the ride is.”

BART to OAK’s popularity was quickly made apparent, with a 36.5% increase in ridership compared to the AirBART shuttle bus previously serving as the link between BART and the airport.  A constantly growing daily average of 3,300 entries and exits highlights the importance of a rail connection to air travel – especially as Oakland International continues to experience large increases in passenger traffic alongside expanded service routes.

Oakland Airport spokesperson Keonnis Taylor said, “The airport is delighted to be celebrating our first year of partnership with BART by also commemorating the one millionth BART to OAK passenger. It’s an exciting way to begin the holiday season, and to continue the trend of growth the airport has seen this year.”

Furthermore, BART passenger surveys underscored the positive ridership numbers, reporting a 99% approval rating of the new train system – i.e., describing the service as either ‘good’ or ‘excellent.’ Reliability also helped boost passengers’ perceptions: BART to OAK had a 99.7% service availability rating during the previous quarter.

As 2015 wraps up, BART is again expecting a significant increase in airport passengers during the holiday season.  To help travelers, BART will be making an additional 400 long-term airport parking spaces available systemwide for this year’s holiday season – so if you’re planning on traveling far away to see loved ones, BART has your transit needs covered.

Underinsured Driver and Recovering Compensation from an Accident!

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In cases involving serious head, burn, or spinal cord injuries, the insurance policy limits of the driver that hit you may not be enough to cover the costs of your injuries. If you have uninsured / underinsured motorist coverage, you can file a claim with your own insurer to cover the rest of your losses up to your policy limits. Additionally, depending on the specifics of your case, you may be able to sue the underinsured driver that hit you if he or she has additional sources of insurance (such as an umbrella policy or homeowner’s policy).
Dealing with Your Insurer when filing an Uninsured / Underinsured Claim

If an underinsured driver hit you, his or her insurer may offer you a one-time settlement to quickly resolve your injury case. Before you accept the offer, however, it’s important to discuss the matter with your own insurer. In some cases, your insurer may offer to pay your claim in order to seek additional damages against the other driver’s insurer through subrogation.

Since insurance companies are interested reducing the amount of money they payout in claims, you may encounter difficulties with your own insurer. For example, if it can be shown that you were partially at fault in the accident, the amount of compensation you are eligible to receive will be reduced by the percentage of your fault: if you suffered $100,000 in losses but are deemed 50% at fault, the most you could recover would be $50,000. For this reason, it’s important to consult an attorney who can protect your rights and ensure your insurer doesn’t engage in bad faith insurance practices.

Weber & Nierenberg – San Francisco Uninsured / Underinsured Attorneys

Dealing with hospital bills, property damage, and lost wages after being hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver can be stressful and frustrating. Hiring a personal injury attorney to protect and assert your rights and interests can reduce your anxiety and ensure your insurer doesn’t try to take advantage of you. To learn how our personal injury lawyers can help you, email San Francisco car accident attorneys or call 1-866-288-6010
 today.

San Francisco Bicyclists struck by hit and run driver on June 2

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Four bicyclists were struck in succession @ four different locations by an unidentified man who after his car crashed into a pole ran off. It appears that the accidents might have been deliberate. Three of the cyclists were taken to San Francisco General Hospital with pretty significant injuries.
Bicyclists that are injured by hit and run motorists can make a claim for injuries under the “hit and run” provisions of their automobile uninsured motorist coverage. If the cyclist doesn’t have this coverage, but reside with a relative that does have it, they can make the claim under the relative’s policy.
If you are a cyclist struck and injured by a hit and run driver you should contact an attorney familiar with handling uninsured motorist and bicycle accident claims as soon as possible.

SUV collides with Muni Bus 5-4-10

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An SUV struck a #6 Parnassus Muni bus at the intersection of Market and Montgomery in San Francisco. Reports state that the SUV struck an island divider and then the left side of the bus. The SUV driver was taken to San Francisco General Hospital for observation and treatment.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle accident — especially a serious injury such as a complex bone fracture, amputation, traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury — you should seek experienced counsel.

Schedule a free, confidential consultation with the personal injury attorneys at the Weber & Nierenberg law firm by calling us toll free at1-866-288-6010.

Why do you need a personal injury attorney?

Insurance companies want to pay as little as possible in claims. They may claim that you were not hurt or that your injuries came from another accident or condition. They may downplay the seriousness of your injuries.

If you talk to the insurance company, do not allow yourself to be recorded. We recommend not making any statements to the insurance company without counsel from an experienced lawyer. It is best to leave all communications to an attorney who has extensive experience handling car accident injury claims. Insurance companies, even your own, will use anything you say against you. They are in the business of paying out as little as possible for car accident claims.

If you have been injured in a auto accident, retain the services of a personal injury attorney with extensive experience handling insurance companies and auto accident claims. Call the personal injury attorneys at Weber & Nierenberg to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation toll free at 1-866-288-6010 or fill out our intake form and we will contact you.

How can we help you?

Once you hire us, we will try to preserve all evidence that remains at the accident scene. We will inspect and photograph your motor vehicle. We will obtain and review all police, fire and ambulance reports. Interviewing witnesses before the insurance company or public entity does is crucial.

We work with a renowned motor vehicle accident reconstruction expert to reconstruct the accident so that the insurance company or public entity can fully understand what happened.

To discuss your SUV or Muni Bus accident claim or wrongful death claim with an experienced San Francisco Bay Area personal injury lawyer, please call attorney Joe Nierenberg toll free at 1-866-288-6010
for a free, confidential consultation.

Man killed in Muni Crash on 4-21

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A westbound #14 Mission bus struck and killed a San Francisco man near the intersection of Mission and Beale streets on 4-21. The accident is still under investigation.

Why do you need a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Insurance companies want to pay as little as possible in claims. They may claim that you were not hurt or that your injuries came from another accident or condition. They may downplay the seriousness of your injuries.

If you talk to the insurance company, do not allow yourself to be recorded. We recommend not making any statements to the insurance company without counsel from an experienced lawyer. It is best to leave all communications to an attorney who has extensive experience handling car accident injury claims. Insurance companies, even your own, will use anything you say against you. They are in the business of paying out as little as possible for car accident claims.

If you have been injured in a Muni related accident, retain the services of a personal injury attorney with extensive experience handling insurance companies and accident claims. Call the personal injury attorneys at Weber & Nierenberg to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation toll free at 1-866-288-6010 or fill out our intake form and we will contact you.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured because of someone’s negligence or a dangerous or defective property condition — including such serious injuries as a complex bone fracture, traumatic brain injury, burn or spinal cord injury — you should seek experienced counsel.

For a free consultation to discuss your injury claim with an attorney who has extensive experience handling accident claims, call toll free 1-866-288-6010
or, if you prefer, fill out our intake form and we will contact you.

At the Weber & Nierenberg law firm, our lawyers can protect your interests after a serious accident, including a motorcycle or auto accident, that resulted in serious injury. With offices throughout northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area, including San Francisco, San Rafael, Oakland and San Jose, we represent clients throughout the communities in and around the East Bay, North Bay and South Bay, including San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento, Napa, Santa Rosa, San Rafael, Berkeley, Richmond, Fremont, Hayward, Modesto, Stockton, San Mateo, Santa Cruz and Walnut Creek, CA.

 
 
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1 Sansome Street, Suite 3500 San Francisco, CA 94104
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P. 415-788-3900

1999 Harrison Street, Suite 1800 Oakland, CA 94612
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P. 510-663-6000

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