Oakland car crash lawyer

Wet Weather Driving Tips as Bay Area Sees Rainy Start to 2016

February 5, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

When it comes to the weather in California, one word has dominated the headlines in recent years: drought. However, this year is off to a much rainier start than years past. While we could certainly use the rain, it is important to remember the fundamentals of rainy day driving. Rain and water can make travel more complex and more hazardous, but our San Francisco car accident law firm believes drivers must take responsibility and exercise appropriate caution in wet conditions.

January Sees Huge Rainfall Totals in Northern California

According to SFGate, El Nino delivered on its promise of a wet start to 2016. Forecasters say that the weather phenomenon typically brings in warm Pacific Ocean waters that can add moisture to the region’s air mass. In San Francisco, where a typical January sees 4.5 inches of rain, January 2016 brought a whopping 6.94 inches, the highest total since 2008 and more than the past five Januaries combined (a statistic “helped” by the fact that January 2015 saw no rain at all)! Other impressive totals include 12.06 inches in Eureka (186% of average) and 12.68 in Redding (213% of average). While most of California is still dealing with drought conditions, forecasters say this may ease if the season brings in 150% of the average rainfall. One section along the North Coast has already been removed from the official drought tally.

Roadway Safety Reminders from Your Oakland Accident Attorney as Families Give Thanks that No One is Seriously Injured in Horrific Pile-Up

December 22, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

With Christmas just days away, it seems like even more of a miracle that there was not a single serious injury from a terrifying multi-vehicle accident near the Bay Bridge late last week. We have no doubt that many area families feel they have already received the best possible gift – the well-being of their loved ones. As an Oakland accident law firm, we see the tragedy that can result from a car accident. In addition to helping accident victims, we believe in accident prevention. Today’s post looks at the recent Oakland story and provides advice for avoiding car accidents and keeping you, your loved ones, and those around you safe in the holiday season and all year long.

No Serious Injuries in Twelve Car Pile-Up Near Bay Bridge

According to ABC7, a twelve-vehicle crash occurred on I-880 near the approach to the Bay Bridge around 9:30 AM last Friday. Looking at the pictures on ABC’s website, including horrific images of a big-rig resting on a red pickup truck and a picture of the red pickup after the big rig was finally moved, it is hard to believe that the pile-up did not cause a single serious injury. The driver of that red pickup was trapped for a time and was checked out by doctors, but was back at home by Friday evening. Overall, only two drivers incurred minor injuries in the pile-up. Many of those involved shared stories that made the lack of serious injuries even more amazing, such as a father who originally planned to have his preschool-aged daughter in his vehicle but changed plans at the last minute, perhaps saving her life.

Car Accidents and Daylight Savings Time: The Dangers After We Fall Back

November 3, 2015 | Gregory J. Brod

The end of Daylight Savings Time is a yearly occurrence that many of us eagerly anticipate and dread in equal measures. Many people reveled in an extra hour of rest this past weekend (at least those without young children whose sleep cycles don’t change simply because we adjusted our clocks!). However, that extra hour of sleep comes at cost: lost daylight. While many people worry about the impact on afternoon activities and even on people’s moods, at our Oakland injury law firm we worry about another danger – the tie between car accidents and daylight savings time.

Increased Risk of Car Accidents When Daylight Saving Time Ends

sunset Last year, Time Magazine delved into the twice-yearly debate about changing the clocks, focusing on the impact of Daylight Savings Time (“DST”) on road safety. The article suggests that losing an hour of afternoon sunlight, as we do each fall when DST ends, may result in an increased number of traffic accidents. According to a 2004 study, the lives of some 170 pedestrians and 200 motorists could be saved each year by maintaining DST all year.