Blog
California Court Rules Against Cell Phone Use At Stoplights
| November 21st, 2011
November 21, 2011 Next time you are at a stoplight and itching to call someone, think again. The San Francisco Chronicle reported last Tuesday that the state court of appeals upheld that a driver who is stopped at a red light is still technically driving, and therefore prohibited from using a hand-held cell phone. The debate began in December 2009 when a California motorist was pulled over and cited for using his cell phone while at a stop light. The man appealed the citation, saying the law that prohibits the use of cell phones while driving only applies if the vehicle is in motion. The First District Court of Appeals in San Francisco stated the law was intended for all motorists on state roadways, even if they may be temporarily stopped. The Deputy Attorney General called it a “common sense” ruling, but lawyers for the defense stated they would take the case to the next level at the state Supreme Court. Attorneys for the defense base this decision to pursue the case further on a 1991 case, in which, a man’s DUI arrest was thrown out because he was technically found asleep behind the wheel of a running–but legally parked–car. The California Auto Accident Attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers always discourage the use of cell phones while driving; but would like to know your opinion. Can a ticket be issued for using a cell phone while driving if the vehicle is not moving? Tell us what you think on our Facebook page.$73 Million Awarded In California Lawsuit Against Ford
| November 14th, 2011
November 14, 2011 A Sacramento, California, jury awarded $73 million dollars in damages to plaintiffs in a case against Ford Motor Company Thursday. According to The Sacramento Bee, the judgment came after seven years of litigation surrounding a passenger van accident caused by separation of tread from a tire on the van. The accident happened on April 9, 2004, as a group of church members headed home from a concert. During the drive, the van began to shake violently as the tread of a Goodyear tire began to peel off. The driver of the van attempted to pull over, but lost control and the van rolled several times before coming to rest. The 48-year-old driver of the van and the front passenger were killed in the accident, while several other suffered injuries. In court Thursday, the attorney for the plaintiffs told jurors that Ford and Goodyear failed to alert the customers about a $2 billion recall on the tires. The jury agreed, and with a vote of 10-2, the award was given. The jury also gave a small award after they found that the van’s design was partially at fault for the crash. Ford stated they plan to appeal the decision. The California Car Accident Attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers often handle cases where victims were injured because of faulty auto parts. If you have been injured because of a manufacturer’s negligence contact us immediately.Richmond Teen Killed, Two Others Injured During Illegal Street Race
| November 7th, 2011
November 7, 2011 In Richmond this weekend a local teen died and two others were injured in an illegal street race crash. The Contra Costa Times reported yesterday that the accident happened around 1:15 Sunday morning, along a stretch of Richmond Parkway. The street glistened as the two cars, a Nissan Altima and a BMW, floated down the asphalt that was freshly drenched with rain. The vehicles were locked neck-and-neck, when the 21-year-old driver of the Nissan hit a wet patch, lost control, and hit his friend’s BMW. The impact caused the BMW to spin out of control and flip several times before hitting a pole. The driver of the BMW died at the scene of the crash, while his two passengers were urgently rushed to the John Muir Medical Center by helicopter in critical condition. The driver of the Nissan was unharmed, but investigators arrested him on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence. California issued 800 citations in 2001 for illegal racing-related infractions–a number that has grown significantly every year since. Now, it is estimated that 49 people are hurt and killed for every 1,000 individuals who participate in illegal street races. The California Car Accident Attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers would like to encourage anyone hurt in an accident at no fault of their own to contact them immediately for a free evaluation of your case.Free Cab Rides Offered In The Bay Area Halloween Night
| October 31st, 2011
October 31, 2011 Tonight, trick-or-treaters will roam the streets in their ghoulish disguises on a quest for candy. Unfortunately, they could possibly have to share those streets with drivers who may have drank too much while celebrating the holiday, which puts everyone in grave danger. In order to help alleviate this problem, free cab rides home are being offered to anyone in the Bay area. The program is called Safe and Sober and is sponsored by California Personal Injury Attorney, William Berg, and his firm, Berg Injury Lawyers. They began the program seven years ago and have offered the rides during major holidays every year since. The rides will be offered between 10:00 PM tonight until 4:00 AM the tomorrow morning. The cab companies will offer the rides to anyone who has been drinking and needs a safe way home from a bar or restaurant. For a Safe and Sober ride this year, contact the following cab company within the your area:- Sacramento – Call Yellow Cab Company of Sacramento at (916) 444-2222.
- Alameda – Call Veterans Cab at (800) 281‐4488.
- San Francisco – Call Luxor Cab at (415) 282‐4141.
Free Health Care At Alameda County Fire Stations In The Works
| October 17th, 2011
October 17, 2011 A pilot program to provide healthcare for the uninsured and underinsured in Alameda County at five fire stations is in the planning stages and could be in place as early as fall of next year. The Oakland Tribune reports that the nearly $10 million dollar project would offer free primary and preventative healthcare to those in need. The project, called the Fire Station Health Care Portal pilot program, which is headed by Alameda County Fire Chief, Sheldon Gilbert, and Alameda County Health Care Services Agency Director, Alex Briscoe, has a list of seven stations in the area that are contenders to host the program. That list will be narrowed to five participants by January. Then, those five stations will be overhauled to accommodate three full-time employees: A firefighter/paramedic, a care coordinator, and a nurse practitioner. They will be responsible for giving non-emergency, primary care to the public as well as responding to non-emergency 911 calls, giving medical advice for 211 calls, and providing follow-up care. Gilbert and Briscoe believe the idea could offer local solutions for a nation-wide health care crisis. Briscoe commented, “We’re proposing a solution to a health care system where costs are running wild.” If enacted, the program would run for three years before assessment of its impact. The California Personal Injury Attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers would like to applaud local officials for making such great efforts to ensure everyone in our area gets the health care that they deserve.California Bans The Use Of Tanning Beds For Minors
| October 10th, 2011
October 10, 2011 When Governor Jerry Brown signed State Bill 746 into law Sunday, California became the first state to ban the use of tanning beds for children under 18 years of age. The Oakland Tribune reports that the new law will take effect January 1st of next year. Under current law, the state of California says that it is illegal for children 14-years-old and younger to use the beds, while teens between the age of 15 and 17 need only their parent’s permission to tan. The author of the bill, Senator Ted Lieu, remarked after the bill passed that although 30 other states have restrictions on the age in which children can use indoor tanning facilities, the new law gives California the highest age limit in the country. Every year, as many as 2.5 million teens tan indoors in the United States, increasing their risk of developing melanoma by 75 percent. Research by the Skin Cancer Foundation has uncovered that those who use tanning beds are also 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma, and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma. The California Defective Product Attorney with Berg Injury Lawyers are happy to see that law makers are taking steps to keep our youth safe and healthy. They would also like to encourage current tanning bed users to consider the health risks involved in tanning.California DUI Arrests Up During Labor Day Weekend
| September 12th, 2011
September 12, 2011 Every year there are hundreds of people injured or killed on American highways by drunk drivers over Labor Day weekend. Some years, such as this one, are more dangerous than others because of higher numbers of these drunk drivers. According to The Reporter, there were 1,399 arrests this year alone over the recent holiday weekend. The California Highway Patrol issued a press release early last week releasing the numbers, noting an increase from 1,360 arrests over the same time period last year. The release also stated that 14 people had died throughout the state of California over the four day period from the Friday before the weekend to Labor Day. That’s quite a jump from the 10 who died last year in holiday collisions, said California Highway spokesperson, Officer Elon Steers. Steers added that 13 of the 14 killed were not wearing seat belts at their time of death. Officer Steers explained that 242 DUI arrests were specifically made in the bay area over the holiday, which was an increase from the 221individuals that were brought in last year on the charge. The California Auto Accident Attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers see all too often the outcome of accidents involving drunk drivers, or the lack of seatbelt use. That is why they often spearhead programs such as their Safe And Sober campaign, which offers free cab rides to those who have over indulged, on certain holidays. Their cause was recently discussed in an interview with founding attorney, William BergFirework Safety Vital for Alameda County
| July 5th, 2011
July 4, 2011 With today being our country’s Independence Day, many people in Alameda County are scouring out locations that will be suitable for their own personal fireworks display. The heat that has recently dried out the area, combined with the open flames and sparks of fireworks, could prove to be quite a hazardous situation. In fact, the National Council On Firework Safety (NCFS) reported an estimated 7,000 injuries caused by fireworks in 2008 alone. That number was an all-time low, and the council credits consumer education on safety as the main contributing factor to the decrease in injuries. According to ABC News 7, one firework retailer in Dublin, California, offers a safety warning to each customer who comes through the purchase line, “We ask them to please stay where it’s legal, we ask them to go to the parks that are designated for firing the fireworks.” Firing from an open area, like a park, can greatly reduce the risk of house and forest fires as hot ashes from the fireworks descend. The NCFS also suggests that after each firing device has burned out, it should be placed under a watering hose or bucket of water to ensure it is fully extinguished. The California Fire and Burn Injury Attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July Celebration.Distracted Driving More Common and Dangerous Than We Realize
| May 16th, 2011
May 16, 2011 The State of California has found that distracted driving is now one of the top three factors in fatal and serious injury automobile accidents, joining impaired driving and speeding. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), nine percent of all drivers are using mobile devices while operating a motor vehicle. The scary part is the numbers are more than likely on the low-end according to the report released by the OTS because of the short limited view surveyors were given. Another study found that it was less dangerous to drive drunk than to drive and operate a cell phone. The University of Utah Psychology Department found that “cell-phone drivers may actually exhibit greater impairments (i.e., more accidents and less responsive driving behavior) than legally intoxicated drivers.” California Highway Patrol Commissioner Joe Farrow is quoted as saying “This shows how ingrained the use of mobile devices has become. Even when faced with laws, studies, and stories of tragedy, too many are not able to put down their cell phones.” If you or someone you know has been hurt or killed due to someone texting or talking on a cell phone, the California auto accident lawyers at Berg Injury Lawyers may be able to help. There are laws in place to protect those injured due to a distracted driver’s negligence; the victim shouldn’t pay the price.National Drunk Driving Crackdown
| August 19th, 2010
Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.
Berg Injury Lawyers has seen firsthand the pain suffered by those who have lost loved ones in alcohol-related crashes, and we’re dedicated to fighting against drunk driving. That’s why Berg Injury Lawyers designed and implemented the law firm’s Safe and Sober Free Cab Ride Home program and has paid for thousands of cab rides.
Our law firm proudly supports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s national enforcement effort—Drunk Driving: Over the Limit, Under Arrest.—that aims to crack down on impaired driving and reduce roadway fatalities.
Remember, even having one drink can affect your ability to drive. Do your part to help prevent California drunk driving accidents by planning ahead before you go out, designating a driver, and never getting behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking. 
