Author Archives: maryalexander
Government Relaxes Train Safety Rules for California and the Nation
This spring, the White House drew back the scope of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which require all railroads to install crash-avoidance systems on its railways. Now, railroads that do not carry passengers or toxic materials are exempt from the regulation. The Rail Safety Improvement Act The Rail Safety Improvement Act was… Read More »
Deck and Balcony Accidents Can Lead to Serious Injuries
Decks and balconies can add value to your property and create a space that is perfect for entertaining friends and family. However, when these structures are not constructed or maintained properly, they can be dangerous – causing serious accidents and devastating injuries. Causes of Deck and Balcony Accidents Deck and balcony accidents are generally… Read More »
Back to School: Protecting Children from Pedestrian Accidents
Now that the school year is in full swing, it is vital to instruct and remind children about traffic safety. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,280 pedestrians were killed and approximately 70,000 were injured in traffic accidents in 2010. Out of those pedestrians, children accounted for 7 percent of those… Read More »
New rules aim to reduce truck driver fatigue
When truck drivers don’t get enough sleep, the trucks they drive can easily become dangerous weapons on the road. Driver fatigue is a well-known cause of truck accidents and traffic fatalities. Because of the dangers associated with driving while drowsy, truck drivers are required to abide by Federal Regulations that limit the number of… Read More »
Employer liability in California for car accidents caused by employees
When a motor vehicle accident causes serious injury, one of the first things that must be determined is who was at fault. If it can be shown that the accident was caused by negligence, injured victims can recover financial compensation for losses including medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. Of course, the… Read More »
Bay Area seeing increased use of alternative commuting options
As the California San Francisco Bay Area has become more populated – and as concerns about the environment have become more pressing – many residents have started to explore alternative ways of commuting to work. According to recently released data from the U.S. Census, only 37.6 percent of San Francisco residents commute to work… Read More »
California Caltrain deaths often due to rail line company negligence
California’s commuter rail line, Caltrain, claimed its twelfth fatality of 2012 just two weeks prior to end of the year. A 56-year-old Oakland man walking near a Caltrain station one evening was struck and killed in a collision with the fast-moving train. Caltrain officials are investigating the death and it has yet to be… Read More »
Sacramento proposes drunk driving bill, targeting repeat offenders
Recently, two pedestrians and one vehicle passenger lost their lives in separate car crashes, marking the last of 19 pedestrian fatalities for 2012, and the first two traffic deaths of the New Year in the Bay Area. The incidents spur discussion concerning the need for the stronger prevention of drunk driving accidents. One incident… Read More »
Wrongful deaths caused by car accidents rampant in California Bay Area
The Bay Area is seeing a number of fatal accidents so far this year between motor vehicles and pedestrians. Two separate cars hit one woman as she walked home from work. A car collided with a young girl in a crosswalk and a Muni bus driver struck an elderly woman in another crosswalk in… Read More »
San Francisco pedestrians’ safety at risk
San Francisco traffic is legendary. The Texas Transportation Institute consistently ranks the Bay area as one of the most highly-congested cities in the U.S. While the traffic may be aggravating for those who drive in San Francisco, it can be dangerous for those who are walking. A succession of pedestrian fatalities in early 2013… Read More »