Auto Accident
Educating Teens About the Importance of Highway Safety
| November 16th, 2015
All motorists on the road are at risk of being involved in a collision with another vehicle, but California car crash facts and statistics show that inexperienced teenage drivers are involved in a disproportionate number of accidents. That’s why many are focusing on educating teens about the importance of highway safety and some are taking matters into their own hands. A video of a Napa, California, man telling a reckless teenage driver that “…you’re going to kill somebody someday…” has gone viral. The man recorded the teen speeding and running through a number of stop signs near Browns Valley Elementary School. When the vehicle stops, the man tells the teen about the dangers he is placing himself and others in by his actions behind the wheel. According to an article from NBC News, the video has been sent to law enforcement, who stated they have received dozens of complaints about the teen’s driving. Officers have now turned the video over to prosecutors for consideration of reckless driving charges being filed against the young man. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we don’t condone citizens taking the law into their own hands; however, the Bay Area car accident lawyers encourage anyone who witnesses another driver engaging in dangerous illegal activity behind the wheel to contact the California Highway Patrol or local authorities to report the incident. We also urge parents to talk with their teenage drivers about the importance of focusing on safety when behind the wheel of a car or truck. We hope these tips help make California’s highways a safer place to travel!Our California Car Accident Attorneys Discuss “Drowsy Driving Prevention Week”
| November 2nd, 2015
Most drivers would scoff at the idea of getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Yet a majority of motorists admit they engage in another behavior on a regular basis that is equally as dangerous: Drowsy driving! Drowsy driving presents a serious threat to everyone on the road. Studies show more than half of motorists admit to driving while fatigued, while an estimated one-quarter of drivers admit to operating a vehicle while they were so tired that they struggled to keep their eyes open and on the road. In 2013 alone, drowsy driving was listed as one of the causes of car accidents in California, resulting in 28 fatalities. Joe Farrow, Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol, says getting behind the wheel while fatigued is “…just as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.” To help make the public aware of the dangers posed by getting behind the wheel without enough rest, KSBW 8 News reports the week of November 1 through 7 has been declared “Drowsy Driving Prevention Week”. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we’d like to do our part to prevent drowsy driving accidents by offering a few tips that can help ensure you are well rested before you get behind the wheel.- Get enough rest– Experts recommend adults should be sleeping at least eight hours a night, while teens should be getting a minimum of 10 hours of rest per night.
- Don’t depend on “tricks” to keep you awake– If you’re feeling sleepy while driving, it’s crucial that you not use “tricks” like listening to loud music, rolling the windows down, drinking caffeinated beverages, or chewing gum as a means to stay awake.
- Take a break– If you start to feel yourself getting tired while driving, pull over at the next safe location and take a nap.
“Safe and Sober” Cab Rides Being Offered in the Bay Area on Halloween
| October 26th, 2015
Data from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) show California currently has one of the highest drunk driving rates in the nation. Those numbers tend to inflate even more around holidays, such as Halloween. Almost 40 percent of car accident fatalities on Halloween night involve drivers who are legally intoxicated at the time of a collision. To help prevent accidents, the legal staff at Berg Injury Lawyers sponsors a program called “Safe and Sober.” As part of the campaign, our firm will be offering to help pay for cab rides home for those who’ve had too much to drink while participating in the Bay Area’s Halloween revelry. “Safe and Sober” rides will be offered in San Francisco and Sacramento beginning at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1. The offer will conclude at 4 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1. Participants can only get a ride home and not to another location where alcohol is being served. Those who participate in the program should contact these numbers:- Sacramento: Yellow Cab Company of Sacramento: (916) 444-2222
- San Francisco: Luxor Cab: (415) 282-4141
What’s Being Done to Prevent California Car Accidents?
| October 12th, 2015
Many Factors can play a part in causing a car accident, but two of the most common are drunk driving and distracted driving. Our California car accident attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers point out that inexperienced teen drivers are most likely to be involved in motor vehicle collisions as well. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is working to address each of these contributing factors with safety campaigns. According to KHTS 1220 AM radio, the CHP is beginning to hold “Start Smart” driving classes to help reduce teen driving accidents. The course offers teens and their parents instruction on the latest traffic laws as well as techniques and tips that can be used to avoid accidents. The course is offered on a monthly basis, and the next session will take place on Oct. 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Newhall Library on Main Street in Santa Clarita. The CHP is taking a different approach toward preventing drunk and distracted driving accidents. The agency has scheduled several upcoming enforcement campaigns aimed at targeting motorists engaging in either behavior. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provided funding for the newly announced initiatives. The legal staff at Berg Injury Lawyers recognizes the risks drivers face on the road each day, and our California personal injury attorneys are hopeful each of these initiatives is successful in making our roads a safer place to drive.Settlement Reached in California Defective Product Lawsuit
| September 1st, 2015
Manufacturers of products sold in the United States are required to ensure the safety and proper function of their items; however, not all problems are discovered prior to a product’s release, which can lead to recalls and lawsuits being initiated. Our California defective product attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers point out that a settlement was recently reached in such a lawsuit, involving complaints of Fiat Chrysler Dodge Durango’s and Jeep Cherokee’s failing to start or stalling. A report from The Detroit News says it was discovered that a malfunction in the vehicle’s fuel pump module was causing the issues. The auto manufacturer agreed to pay restitution to owners who were affected by the problem and to extend warranties on the vehicles to insure any future repairs that are needed on the faulty part will be covered. Court documents show Fiat Chrysler has agreed to reimburse owners of the affected vehicles for the costs of their rental car during the duration of the time it took to repair their vehicle. The company will also cover the costs of repairs, parts, and labor. Furthermore, warranties on the vehicle will be extended four years and 34,000 miles. Our legal staff at Berg Injury Lawyers understands the dangers defective car parts can pose to all motorists on the road. That’s why our California personal injury lawyers are hopeful the settlement that has been reached brings closure to each of the vehicle owners who have been affected by the problem.California Car Accident Attorneys Examine Distracted Driving
| July 21st, 2015
Despite California’s best efforts to thwart distracted driving, the behavior continues to be a serious threat to motorist safety here in The Golden State. That’s why our California car accident attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers are taking a look at why distracted driving continues to occur in our state and what’s being done to curb the problem. California officials say that cellphone use while behind the wheel of a moving vehicle is up from last year in the state. The Office of Traffic Safety reports their researchers observed more than 9 percent of motorists using a cellphone or other handheld electronic device while driving this year. That’s a 39 percent increase from the 6.6 percent of motorists who were observed being distracted while driving in 2014. You may be asking yourself, “With so many campaigns focusing on preventing distracted driving, how is the behavior increasing?” Experts told The Sacramento Bee that it’s because cellphones are so engrained in our everyday lives. Another reason is because many drivers blindly believe that they’re capable of multitasking while behind the wheel of a car. Law enforcement is working tirelessly to bring an end to distracted driving in California. An estimated 46,000 distracted driving tickets were issued in California during a recent enforcement blitz that occurred during the month of April. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we recognize the dangers that can be associated with distracted driving and our California personal injury lawyers are hopeful the state’s efforts to end this problem will be successful.Reducing The Number of California Drunk Driving Victims This 4th of July
| June 29th, 2015
Drunk driving remains one of the leading causes of accidental injury and death in California. In fact, the number of drunk driving accidents that were reported between 2002 and 2007 increased by 8.3 percent. The number of California drunk driving victims tends to increase during the summer months and around certain holidays—like the upcoming 4th of July weekend. So it should come as no surprise that law enforcement have begun efforts to keep drunk drivers off of our state’s roads. According to an article from the Fontana Herald News, the Fontana Police Department conducted a sobriety checkpoint in the city this past Saturday. Reports indicate the stop was set up along Baseline Avenue from 8 p.m. until 3 a.m. The checkpoint is being called a success as well, considering it was responsible for a total of seven arrests. Five people were taken into custody on charges of allegedly driving under the influence, while two others were arrested on unrelated charges. As the 4th of July weekend approaches, motorists should expect more of these checkpoints. The California Highway Patrol has stated it will be conducting sobriety operations across the state throughout the remainder of the week. At Berg Injury Lawyers, our Bay Area car accident lawyers have seen the impact drunk driving can have on numerous lives. That’s why we encourage Californians to find a safe and sober ride home if you find yourself out after having too much to drink. This could include using a designated driver, a cab, or calling a loved one to get you home safely.Takata Airbag Recall Expanded to Include More Vehicles
| June 1st, 2015
If you’re ever in an automobile accident, you may depend on safety devices called airbags to save your life. These devices work by inflating a fabric balloon in the event of a crash, which prevents the vehicle’s occupants from hitting the frame, dashboard, steering wheel , or other interior surfaces of the car or truck upon impact. While these devices save numerous lives each year, our California defective product attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers explain that the airbags in your vehicle may actually be putting you and your loved ones in danger. Airbags in more than 34 million vehicles have been recalled over the past several weeks due to a problem with the how the airbags inflate during an accident. Japan-based company Takata Corporation initiated the recall after evidence showed the airbags they manufacture may eject metal and plastic debris inside a vehicle during an accident, causing serious injuries to vehicle occupants. Last week, the company extended the recall to cover even more vehicles. So far, six deaths and more than 100 injuries have been linked to the problem. Since it’s estimated that 1 in 4 American vehicles are now part of the Takata airbag recall, it’s crucial that you check your VIN at safercar.gov to find out if your vehicle’s airbags or other parts may be listed as defective. If your airbags have been recalled, contact the manufacturer of your vehicle to schedule a replacement of the defective parts. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we’ve seen the devastating injuries faulty safety products can cause, and our team of California personal injury attorneys are hopeful this information helps keep you and your loved ones safe from harm.Traumatic Brain Injuries May Have Long-Term Effects for Car Accident Victims
| May 4th, 2015
There are many injuries car accident victims can suffer and some of the most dangerous—and hardest to diagnose—are traumatic brain injuries, often abbreviated as TBIs. The California brain injury lawyers at Berg Injury Lawyers explain that almost half of all young Californians will suffer a TBI if they are involved in a motor vehicle collision. The risks of a TBI resulting from a car accident were recently discussed in an article released by Business Insider. The article told the story of a young man who struggled to overcome a TBI after being stuck by a car while crossing the street. The victim states he was walking in a crosswalk in San Francisco on November 3, 2010, when a passing motorist hit him. The impact of the collision caused the young man to be thrown across four lanes of traffic. The victim suffered a traumatic brain injury and endured months of pain and suffering as he worked to overcome his injuries and rehabilitate his body. His injury adversely affected his professional life and ability to make a living. It also had a profound impact on his personal life. If you’ve suffered a TBI through no fault of your own, the California personal injury attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers know what it takes to help you get the compensation you deserve. Learn more about how we can assist you with your case and your claim by calling us at (800) 400-2374 today.Lawyers for California Drunk Driving Victims Offering Safe and Sober Rides this St. Patrick’s Day
| March 16th, 2015
Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day, and that means many in the Bay Area will take to the streets to celebrate Irish heritage and tradition. Many of the festivities will involve alcohol, and unfortunately, the consumption of libations around this particular holiday is notorious for causing accidents and injuries—especially among young people. That’s why many organizations around the San Francisco area are doing their part to prevent accidents that could potentially leave California drunk driving victims in their wake. Both the California State Police and San Francisco law enforcement officials have vowed to crack down on alcohol violations during the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day festivities. According to an article from NBC Bay Area News, law enforcement will be focusing on arresting adults who are caught purchasing alcohol for minors. Over the last several days, officers have been able to apprehend and cite at least 60 people who bought alcohol for those who are underage. Officers will also be targeting drunk drivers by conducting sobriety checkpoints and patrols throughout the evening tomorrow. So if you’ve had too much to drink, don’t get behind the wheel. Instead, utilize Berg Injury Lawyer’s Safe and Sober program. Our campaign will provide you with a free cab ride home on St. Patrick’s Day if you live in the Bay Area and find that you’ve had too much to drink. To participate, just call Yellow Cab of Sacramento or Luxor Cab of San Francisco and have your driver send the receipt to us here at Berg Injury Lawyers. We will cover the first $35 of your ride home. We hope you choose to have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day by remembering to stay safe and sober!
