Traffic moves at a snail’s pace when driving during rush hour on Mission Boulevard in the Mission San Jose area of Fremont since thousands of vehicles are on the road all at once.

The drive was particularly frightening on August 3rd when a big rig dump truck rolled over while turning right off the Interstate 680 southbound exit ramp onto Mission Boulevard going north, dumping gravel all over the road and destroying parts of a car in the process.

Traffic accidents involving trucks often cause devastating injuries or even death to victims. Due to the enormous size and weight of big rigs and other commercial trucks, the rates of severe injuries and death for the occupants of the smaller vehicles in these accidents are higher than in most other traffic accidents.

The trucking industry, as well as the government, is well aware of the risks that tractor-trailers, big rigs, semi-trucks, and 18-wheelers pose to others sharing the road. This is apparent when you look at the increased regulations and the additional requirements in the hiring and training of drivers as well as the loading. Despite all of these precautions, truck accidents still occur.

According to Fremont officials, there have been five similar rollover accidents involving big rig trucks at the very same interchange since December 2015. This is a very dangerous situation for thousands of commuters, not to mention the gridlock these accidents cause that can last for hours.

Fremont’s director of public works, Hans Larsen said about this recent accident, “I immediately thought, ‘Wow this feels like déjà vu.’ ” Others posted similar sentiments on Facebook about the frequency of these accidents.

“This occurred with another gravel truck just a few months back at that very same intersection. Maybe that location needs some work to make things safer,” Heather Wallace commented on a Fremont Police Department posting on the latest accident.

Just over a year ago, on August 31, 2017, a nearly identical accident happened in the exact same spot during rush hour traffic in the afternoon.

A big rig carrying a full load of dirt rolled over on the road while turning right off the Interstate ramp. It landed in the median with one of its rigs thrown across the southbound lanes, crashing into a fence. This backed up traffic for hours.

“Apparently, trucks are speeding down that same 680 off ramp way too fast,” Glenn Gutierrez commented on the police department’s Facebook post about the accident. “What can be done to make it safer?”

Larsen said, “We are very distressed about this,” adding, “It’s definitely a problem that deserves serious study.”

In this last incident, two people suffered injuries, and highway lanes and ramps remained closed for hours, which severely delayed traffic.

It’s become such a concern that the city of Fremont is meeting with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the agency in charge of managing the Interstate, the off-ramp and Mission Boulevard to seriously discuss that particular interchange.

“It’s to make them aware of the seriousness and frequency of the problem and how many trucks have overturned at that one location. We need to know how they intend to respond to the situation and what solutions are available to remedy the problem,” Larsen said.

Spokesperson for the California Trucking Association, Eric Sauer said he’s glad that officials from the city of Fremont and Caltrans are meeting to take up the issue.

Sauer said, “We’ll have to see if anything happens as a result of those meetings. I hope we can join in on those discussions at some point.”

“We need to add more signs and rumble strips while making sure that all drivers know they need to slow down,” he said. “These are steps the association can fully support,” he added.

There are reminders on Mission Boulevard of the toll these accidents have taken. Along the curve there is a huge gouge in the pavement, caused when the trucks overturned, and oil stains from the engines blanket the median and roadway from all the previous accidents.

If you look closely at the median that runs along Mission Boulevard near the ramp you can see dirt, gravel and other debris from cars and trucks, including lug nut covers and glass.

Expert researchers who have studied large truck rollovers when carrying huge loads say that these huge trucks may not have the ability to sufficiently slow down when exiting the Interstate and are therefore unable to safely navigate that sharp right turn at the bottom.

On the 680 Interstate leading towards this off-ramp, vehicles are travelling downhill, and this particular ramp is sloped downward as well.

Drivers going left onto Mission Boulevard or continuing straight ahead must stop at the bottom of the ramp at the signal, but drivers going right onto Mission Boulevard are in a dedicated merge lane, so they do not need to stop at all.

Larsen is of the opinion that this current situation discourages vehicles from adequately slowing down, so they end up making their turn at higher speeds than are safe, especially when its a large commercial truck with a relatively high center of gravity.

“There really is no reason to slow down or stop unless you notice a pedestrian crossing the road there,” he said of the downward right turn.

There is also a lack of signage. Yes, there is a sign suggesting a speed limit of 30 mph posted just ahead of the ramp, but there was no sign warning drivers that the off-ramp slopes downhill until just recently.

Three days after this recent accident, Caltrans put up two new “hill warning” signs, one just before the off-ramp and another one where the ramp begins. The signs show an “8%” with a drawing of a truck going downhill.

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Highways and Streets says that federal guidelines are that those signs are supposed to be installed before any downgrades of 8% that are over 750 feet in length and “where field observations and crash experience show a need.” The Mission Boulevard off-ramp certainly qualifies.

A yellow sign was recently installed near the bottom of the off-ramp, showing a right arrow and a 15 mph suggested speed limit for the curve. However, officials from Caltrans seemed not to know whether that sign had been there before the latest accident or not. Looking at some Google Maps images, the sign does not seem to be there going back to 2015.

However, warning signs for drivers, especially truckers, to slow down when approaching the bottom of the ramp may be useless. This is according to a senior researcher at the Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Berkeley, Xiao-Yun Lu, whose expertise is in vehicle dynamics control.

“Some drivers assume that their truck could come to a stop if necessary. However, once they enter the curve, it’s too late,” Lu said when interviewed.

“Unless these drivers act sooner, there is no way they can slow down,” he explained, especially when carrying a heavy load. “If their load is not evenly distributed, it is more likely that the truck will roll over.”

Lu co-authored a commercial vehicle safety report in 2007 with other researchers that said speed is a vital aspect of truck safety.

“Travelling at high speeds is not only a threat to other vehicles on the road, but it also creates instability when it comes to the truck itself and can cause a rollover,” says the report. It also warned that, “A loaded big rig requires 20-40% more stopping distance than an average sized sedan. The situation becomes worse on downgrades and/or on a wet roadway.”

Lu said that although road and traffic engineers would need to carefully study the off-ramp and turn before they could recommend changes, there are some easy solutions that could be accomplished quickly.

He said that although the curve at the turn is banked slightly on its outer edge, it might be helpful to have steeper banking, which would allow trucks to more safely handle the turn. Reducing the suggested speed to 25 mph for the off-ramp, and putting up more signs well in advance along the Interstate warning drivers to slow down could also help, Lu added.

Larson is in full agreement, saying that police reports have suggested that one of the main reasons for most of these overturned trucks “has been their inability to get the brakes to adequately slow the truck down due to the downgrade.” In a later email he said that in a couple of the accidents the left front tires buckled in the turn, “which caused the trucks to roll over.”
He added that the area of Mission Boulevard has drawn their attention for needing to be upgraded for other reasons, specifically the danger faced by bicyclists and pedestrians crossing where the curve is.

Larson suggested that reconfiguring the bottom of the off-ramp to make it safer for everyone would be where they need to start.

“We have to acknowledge that there are too many problems with this off-ramp to leave it as is.”

If you or a family member has been injured in a big rig or trucking accident and would like to consult with an experienced lawyer, please contact us. We will discuss your case, answer your question and explain how you can legally protect your rights.

The Law firm of O’Connor, Runckel & O’Malley has more than 50 years of legal experience specializing in personal injury cases. Our track record of successful outcomes for clients is well known in the legal community.

(Source: East Bay Times )

Published on behalf of O'Connor, Runckel & O'Malley LLP

O’Connor, Runckel and O’Malley LLP would like to announce our 2018 scholarship recipient, Tamar Anna Alexanian. Tamar received her bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University in 2016 where she double majored in Women's & Gender Studies and English Literature.  Upon graduation, she spent a year as an English Teaching Assistant with Fulbright Taiwan and the following year as an AmeriCorps member serving under-resourced communities in Chicago. In the fall, Tamar will be attending the University of Michigan Law School where she hopes to study international human rights. 

We look forward to seeing Tamar succeed in her upcoming years at the University of Michigan Law School. 

LAFAYETTE, CA – On Thursday afternoon a bicyclist was tragically killed on Reliez Valley Rd. in Lafayette when a big rig truck struck him. The truck never stopped at the scene, but later on the driver and truck were both found.  

The accident was called in at 12:28 p.m. according to Lafayette Police. Firefighters and an ambulance were called to the scene and rendered treatment before transporting the victim to John Muir Medical Center, where he was unfortunately pronounced dead.

The name and age of the victim have not yet been released. The Lafayette Police Department continues to investigate the incident.

If you happened to have witnessed this accident, or have any information that could shed light on what occurred, please contact the Lafayette Police Department by phoning (925) 283-3680.

The Danger Big Rigs Pose

The U.S. Transportation Department has data that reveals that there are nearly a half-million truck accidents in this country each year. Estimates are that big rigs are the cause of 8% - 12% of all deadly accidents on the road. The weight of one of these trucks can be 40 tons or more and they can be up to 75 feet long. When you compare the size and weight differences between a big rig and a car, not to mention a bicycle, it’s no surprise that accidents involving big rig trucks result in far more serious injuries and a lot more fatalities than all other road accidents.

Typical Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Lafayette

There are a lot of different causes bicycle accidents in Lafayette, some of which could be an unanticipated rainstorm, an impaired driver due to alcohol and/or drugs, a bicyclist or motorist not yielding or stopping, and more frequently, a driver or bicyclist who’s distracted.

The types of injuries likely to occur from a bicycle accident: 

• Major road rash or skin abrasions, cuts and severe bruising
• Fractured, crushed or broken bones, so severe that amputation might be necessary
• Spinal cord injuries, perhaps resulting in paralysis
• Head injuries including traumatic brain injuries

The law firm of O’Connor, Runckel & O’Malley LLP have decades of experience handling severe personal injury cases. We consult with medical professionals including experts in vocational rehabilitation as well as accountants and financial planners to determine the full long-term impact of such serious injuries. We have the legal expertise to ensure that our clients are awarded the financial support they need to heal from their injuries and move on with their lives. Contact us now to schedule a free legal consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys.

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) announced that the number of pedestrians killed in the U.S. in 2017 was nearly 6,000. After two straight years of significant increases, the number of pedestrians being killed on our streets seems to be holding steady.

According to GHSA, this number is the highest it’s been in the last 25 years. Although the rise “seems to be holding,” the “ongoing problem of so many pedestrian fatalities raises concerns about the dangers facing pedestrians on our streets.”

This is even more concerning when you realize that the number of fatalities resulting from other types of traffic accidents is falling. GHSA mentioned that enhanced vehicle safety features make collisions safer for people inside vehicles – but these are not helpful to pedestrians.

There was a rise of 27% in pedestrian deaths from 2007 to 2016, but during this same time deaths from other types of traffic accidents fell by 14%, GHSA reports. The result is that pedestrian fatalities account for a higher proportion of overall traffic accident fatalities. 

The GHSA report is derived from early data from state highway agencies. A total of 23 states plus Washington, D.C., showed a rise in pedestrian fatalities. During the same time period there was a decrease in 20 states while the balance remained more or less the same.

Five states – Arizona, California, Florida, New York and Texas – made up 43% of pedestrian deaths in the first six months of 2017. This is despite the fact that only 30% of the country’s population resides in those states.

Laurel Wamsley last year reported on NPR that a study was done by Smart Growth America revealing the most deadly cities in the U.S. for pedestrians. According to this study, eight cities out of the top 10 were in Florida. The study also revealed that the population most at risk is people of color, as she reported:

“People of color are disproportionately represented among the pedestrians being killed. Non-white individuals make up 34.9% of the U.S. population, whereas they comprise 46.1% of the country’s pedestrian fatalities.

“In some regions, this disparity is very pronounced. For example, Native Americans make up just 5% of the population of North Dakota, but this group accounts for almost 38% of pedestrian fatalities.”

The study also discovered that people with no health insurance, the poor and the elderly were more apt to reside in areas that are particularly deadly for pedestrians.

The most recent GHSA report does not categorize deaths by income, insurance or race. However, it does show that the elderly and children are “especially at risk.”

The question remains as to why pedestrian deaths have increased so much since 2014. Last year, when the GHSA report revealed an 11% increase over the previous year in pedestrian deaths, David Schaper of NPR took a close look at some of the possible causes:

“GHSA spokesperson Maureen Vogel said that there was ‘a perfect storm’ when a number of factors came together to spur the increase: There were more cars on the road due to a better economy and lower gas prices. People were just driving more, ‘but that doesn’t explain the whole story, so something else must be going on.’

“One possible explanation can be seen during downtown Chicago’s rush hour traffic if you look at all the drivers inching their way through traffic and the dozens of pedestrians crossing the street in the intersections. You can clearly see that many of the drivers and the pedestrians as well looking down at their cell phones.

“ We are totally distracted," said Melody Geraci, who is the deputy executive director of a Chicago group called, the Active Transportation Alliance, that advocates for improved public transportation, walking and cycling. ‘Speeding and not yielding are the top two causes of pedestrian deaths, but the third cause is distractions, which are usually by mobile devices."

“There is a lot of documentation attesting to the fact that drivers distracted by their mobile devices cause traffic accidents. But, there is an increase in pedestrians being distracted too, causing them to be totally unaware of all the traffic whirling around them.” 

Other factors would be speeding vehicles and alcohol – not just drunk drivers, but drunk pedestrians too. The GHSA most recent report said that 33% of pedestrian deaths involved a pedestrian who had a blood alcohol count over the legal limit for driving. Yet, there are no laws against walking down the street while drunk, but obviously this is a very dangerous practice, which can kill you.

Another factor was time of day with 75% of pedestrian deaths occurring at night in the dark. In 72% of the cases, the deceased was jay walking, or crossing in the middle of the street without being in the intersection. 

This latest report also indicates that marijuana use may also be a factor:

“From 2012 to 2016 there were seven states plus Washington DC, that voted to legalized the recreational use of marijuana. These states were Alaska, Colorado, Massachusetts, Maine, Nevada, Washington and Oregon. These states reported a 16.4% rise in pedestrian deaths in the first half of 2017 vs. the first half of 2016. Interestingly, all other states had a collective 5.8% decrease in pedestrian deaths.”

However, GHSA cannot assert a “definitive association” or “direct correlation” in explaining those particular states’ much higher rates of pedestrian fatalities.

If you have a loved one that was killed in a pedestrian accident that was caused by someone else, you may be entitled to seek compensation. You need to know your legal rights and how to protect them and an experienced pedestrian accident attorney can help. The law offices of O’Connor, Runckel & O’Malley has handled hundreds of clients in similar situations. Call today and speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer who will treat you with the respect and concern you deserve during this very difficult time.

(Source: NPR)

Published on behalf of O'Connor, Runckel & O'Malley LLP

Late Wednesday afternoon, just as rush hour began and traffic began backing up on Vasco Road, a motorcyclist was injured in a 4-vehicle accident. The rider was transported to a local hospital with injuries that were described as “moderate to major,” according to a spokesperson from the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD).

The 33-year-old male rider was reported to be an Alameda County police officer who was off duty at the time. He suffered a number of broken bones and was transported via CALSTAR medical helicopter to John Muir Medical Center’s trauma unit in Walnut Creek. Captain Dan Baio of the ECCFPD said that the victim might have sustained other internal injuries as well.

“Now that he’s being taken care of by the medical team at John Muir, his injuries are being fully examined and treated,” said Baio.

The accident was called in at about 4:20 p.m. and happened approximately three miles south of where Vasco Road intersects with Camino Diablo.

An officer from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) who was investigating the scene of the accident surmised that distracted driving likely set off a series of collisions as northbound traffic suddenly slowed down on Vasco Road. The CHP officer said a black Hyundai Sonata slammed into a grey Honda CRV, propelling that vehicle into the back of a silver Acura TSX. Several cars spun around from the force, with one striking the motorcyclist, who had been riding on the shoulder at the time. The rider explained to the CHP officer that he had purposely moved over into the shoulder trying to avoid being hit.

Three other people were reportedly injured in the accident, but after being initially assessed by paramedics on the scene, they all chose not to be taken to the hospital.

While ECCFPD firefighters cleared a landing area for the medical helicopter, traffic was halted in both directions on Vasco Road. Traffic going northbound was backed up to Livermore. Traffic going southbound was back open one hour after the accident and traffic going northbound was back open not long after.

The CHP is still conducting an investigation into what caused the accident, however they do not think drugs and/or alcohol were a factor.

Because motorcycle accident cases are so complicated, you should definitely consult with an experienced attorney who specializes in motorcycle accidents. The law firm of O’Connor, Runckel & O’Malley have the knowledge and background you need. Our team of attorneys has more than 50 years of personal injury experience and a track record of success that is second to none. If you’ve been wrongfully injured we will negotiate for a top-dollar settlement or take your case to trial to ensure that you are fully compensated for your injuries.

(Source: The Press)

Published on behalf of O'Connor, Runckel & O'Malley LLP

CONCORD, CA – A pickup truck struck and killed a 60-year-old man on his bike Wednesday morning just after midnight, police said.

The fatal accident occurred at about 12:05 AM on southbound San Miguel Road in the vicinity of Systron Drive, according to police. The truck driver, a 57-year-old man from Antioch, suffered no injuries. He immediately called 911, remained at the scene and cooperated fully when the police arrived to investigate the collision.

Police held off identifying the victim until his family could be notified. Officers however did go ahead and pronounce him deceased at the scene.

Investigators still have not ascertained why the truck struck the cyclist, but it is not believed that drugs or alcohol played a part. Police closed San Miguel Road for 3 ½ hours between 1080 San Miguel Road and Systron Drive, a three-tenths-mile stretch.

Were You Hurt in a Cycling Accident in Concord? Contact O’Connor, Runckel & O’Malley for Help!

When you think about the fact that bicyclists have hardly any protection, save for a helmet to safeguard their head and maybe a little protective gear for arms and knees, when they collide with a car it is often catastrophic, if not fatal.

If you or a close relative has been seriously injured in a cycling accident, the personal injury law firm of O’Connor, Runckel & O’Malley can definitely help.

With many decades of legal experience in this area of the law, we waste no time in doing all we can to get you the maximum amount of financial compensation. Furthermore, we have plenty of experience going to trial if that’s what it takes, so we’re not going to settle for a meager amount.

We have an outstanding team of lawyers specializing in bicycle accidents who understand the full extent of the physical injuries they can cause. Very often these injuries are devastating if not disabling. Reach out to us today at (925) 939-5600 to arrange for a FREE legal consultation. Our bicycle injury attorneys will listen to you and dig into the police report. We will represent you throughout your claim so that you get the medical care you need and the compensation you deserve. 

What typically causes a cycling accident in Concord?

There can be quite a few contributing factors, any one of which can lead to a serious bicycle accident in Concord. It could be distracted driving and/or a distracted cyclist, either one could ignore a stop sign or fail to yield, one or both could be drunk or on drugs, and bad weather can often be a factor.

Types of injuries that commonly result from bicycle accidents include the following:

• Fractured or crushed bones that can be so serious that amputation may result
• Serious bruises, road rash, skin abrasions and cuts that may lead to disfigurement
• Partial or complete paralysis due to severe spinal cord injuries
• Closed head injuries and/or traumatic brain injuries

Arrange a FREE legal consultation with a top-notch bicycle injury attorney

Our Concord personal injury lawyers understand the ordeal you’ve been through and the uphill battle you are still facing. We specialize in bicycle accidents and have the ability to prepare a rock-solid case on your behalf. We can enter negotiations for a generous settlement or take your case to trial.

We are a highly experienced personal injury law firm that has represented hundreds of clients with serious injuries, including clients involved in all kinds of bicycle and pedestrian accidents. No one will fight harder for you than the law firm of O’Connor, Runckel & O’Malley.

Call O’Connor, Runckel & O’Malley today

You can trust our team of bicycle injury attorneys to successfully handle your case. We have more experience in this area of the law than any other Contra Costa County law firm. For a law firm that will aggressive fight for you, call O’Connor, Runckel & O’Malley at (925) 939-5600.

(Source: East Bay Times)

Published on behalf of O'Connor, Runckel & O'Malley LLP

SUNOL, CA – A young girl just 8 years old was tragically killed just after midnight on Friday. The car she was riding in was violently rear-ended by another car near a highway construction zone on I-680, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The 3-car crash also sent the girl’s parents to Eden Medical Center, with one having sustained major injuries, Officer Tyler Hahn of the CHP said.

The accident occurred on the northbound lanes of I-68 around 12:20 a.m. As a black Dodge in the far left lane neared the exit at Calaveras Road, traffic slowed due to the two left lanes having been closed by the California Department of Transportation. 

The Dodge did not slow down and slammed into the back of a white Toyota, according to Hahn. The driver of the Dodge had apparently fallen asleep, which was confirmed Friday morning by the CHP.

The girl who was killed had been riding in the back seat of the white Toyota, Hahn added. Her father had been driving and he sustained major injuries. Her mother was sitting in the front passenger seat and was hospitalized with minor injuries, according to the CHP.

The crash caused the Toyota to slam into a gray Ford. Fortunately, no one in the Dodge or Ford sustained any injuries, Hahn said.

The accident caused all three northbound lanes of I-680 to be blocked until the CHP was able to clear the scene a little after 2:20 a.m.

Hahn said that it did not appear as if alcohol or drugs played any role in the accident. Anyone who may have witnessed the accident are asked to contact the Dublin office of the CHP at: (925) 828-0466.

If you have lost a family member in an accident caused by someone else, you may be entitled to seek legal recourse and compensation. To ensure that your legal rights are protected, contact an experienced wrongful death lawyer. Pick up the phone and call the law firm of O’Connor, Runckel & O’Malley to speak with an attorney who has handled hundreds of cases similar to yours. You deserve to be treated with sympathy and respect during this very difficult time.

(Source: East Bay Times)

 Published on behalf of O'Connor, Runckel & O'Malley LLP

CROCKETT, CA – The California Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash involving a big-rig truck on Interstate Highway 80 this past week in Crockett.

The accident involved a sedan crashing into a big-rig truck near the Pomona Street off-ramp from the I-80, according to the CHP. In addition to the fatality, there was one injury.

The crash was called in to the CHP at 3:55 a.m., but the fatality wasn’t reported until 5:28 a.m.

The victim who died was transported to a local hospital after the crash and later succumbed to the injuries, according to the CHP.

This crash happened in near the same spot where another big-rig truck crashed and burned earlier that same morning on I-80, not far from the Carquinez Bridge.

That crash also resulted in injuries and occurred about 1:00 a.m., all lanes of the highway had to be closed off for over two hours.

If you have lost a family member in an accident that was caused by someone else, you may be entitled to financial compensation. To have your legal rights protected contact an experienced wrongful death lawyer. O’Connor, Runckel & O’Malley are highly skilled personal injury attorneys with many years experience.When you call our law firm, you will speak with an attorney who has successfully handled hundreds of similar cases. We understand your anguish and will treat you with the sensitivity you deserve during this difficult time. 

(Source: ABC News)

Published on behalf of O'Connor, Runckel & O'Malley LLP

OAKLEY, CA – A man on the run after escaping a jail in Wyoming was driving a stolen Honda when he plowed into another vehicle last Tuesday, killing his female passenger and severely injuring himself.

Erica Pearce, 35 succumbed to her injuries later Tuesday at Walnut Creek’s John Muir Medical Center trauma unit after initially being taken to Sutter Delta Medical Center for assistance with her breathing.

The Contra Costa County Coroner’s office confirmed her identity on Thursday. Pearce was wanted by law enforcement in Missoula, MT for escaping a minimum-security jail and a warrant had been issued for her arrest.

The driver of the Honda, Jerome Dunks, 37, was in taken to John Muir Medical Center and remains in critical condition, according to police. It is too early to know whether he’ll survive his injuries.

Law enforcement said that Wyoming had issued an arrest warrant on Dunks for escaping a minimum-security jail. At the time of the accident he was driving a stolen Honda Civic that belonged to the state.

Police claim they have no idea how Dunks and Pearce knew each other or what their relationship was. They both managed to escape their minimum-security jails at about the same time, 10 days ago, according to authorities.

The collision occurred at about 5:10 a.m. in the intersection of Laurel Rd. and O’Hara Ave. As the Honda approached Laurel Rd. in the northbound lanes of O’Hara Ave., it moved into the southbound lanes, passing cars that had come to a stop, police said.

The Honda then moved back into the northbound lanes before entering the intersection and immediately T-boned the SUV. The driver of the SUV was taken by ambulance to a local hospital where he received treatment for his injuries.

The Honda and SUV were both totaled. The collision also damaged a critical fiber optic line, causing Internet and cable TV service to be interrupted for hundreds of people in the vicinity.

If you or family member has been in a motor vehicle accident or been the victim of motor vehicle negligence and want to consult with a Bay Area attorney who specializes in auto accidents, please contact us. We at O’Connor, Runckel & O’Malley have over 50 years of experience in litigation and at trial. Our record of success demonstrates our level of expertise. We would be happy to schedule a free consultation to answer your questions, explain your legal rights and how best to protect them.

(Source: East Bay Times)

Published on behalf of O'Connor, Runckel & O'Malley LLP

Weather conditions can have a huge impact on driver safety. It can affect driver visibility and control as well the vehicle’s maneuverability, stability, and traction. Rain, high winds and extreme temperatures affect roadway conditions, pavement friction and the flow of traffic, all of which can increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents. Weather conditions affect roadways, the flow of traffic and the operational decisions that follow.

In an average year there are more than 5,748,000 car crashes occurring on U.S. roadways. Statistics show that in approximately 1,259.000 (22%) of these accidents, weather played a role. Weather-related traffic collisions are defined as car crashes that happen in bad weather. It could be fog, rain, snow, sleet, heavy crosswinds, the wind blowing sand, debris or snow across the road, and/or slick/slushy pavement caused by rain, snow, or ice. As a result of these weather-related collisions, nearly 6,000 people lose their lives and more than 445,000 are injured every year.   

The overwhelming majority of these accidents occur when it’s raining and on wet pavement: 46% occur when it’s raining and 73% occur on wet pavement. Other weather-related collisions happen during typical winter weather conditions: 3% happen in the fog, 13% happen on icy roadways, 14% happen on snowy/slushy roads and 17% happen during sleet or snow storms.

What Drivers Should Do to Stay Safe

Everyone’s driving is affected by extreme weather. Heavy fog, rain, snow, sleet, ice and dust will all diminish your visibility.

Of all the various weather conditions that driver’s face, fog is considered the most treacherous. If you find yourself driving in heavy fog, slow down and turn on your car’s low-beam lights. If the fog is so thick that you barely have any visibility, pull off the road to safety and wait until the fog lifts to resume driving.

When it first starts drizzling, raining or snowing, slow down because this is exactly when roads are the most slippery. When moisture in the air mixes with dust and oil on the road, it can get very slippery, causing reduced traction. Under these conditions you are at risk of losing control of your car.

It’s not just cold winter weather, rain, sleet, ice and snow that can affect your driving, but high temperatures, heavy winds and glare from the sun can cause problems as well.

Bright sunlight and/or how light reflects on a streaked or dirty windshield will diminish visibility and this puts you at risk. Before starting your car you should remove dew, frost, or ice from not just your windshield, but all the windows as well. 

It’s up to you to ensure that you are able to see clearly and be seen by other drivers. If you’re driving in rain or snow, stop regularly to wipe any mud or snow off all the windows, as well as the side mirrors, headlights and even the taillights. In an abundance of caution, even in daylight during perfectly clear weather, keep your headlights on so that other drivers can see you.

When it’s windy outside it can affect how well you can control the steering. Head winds can slow you down, whereas tail winds will push the car forward, increasing your speed.

Crosswinds can push the car sideways, causing it to swerve. This affects larger vehicles like vans, SUVs and trucks more. If you find yourself driving in a crosswind, slow down and steer very carefully. If heavy winds persist, pull over to safety until the winds die down.

The automobile accident attorneys at O’Connor, Runckel & O’Malley are well known and respected throughout the legal community and among our clients. From our offices in Contra Contra Costa County, San Francisco and Sacramento, we serve clients throughout Northern California. Our experience and expertise are available to you.

(Source: Federal Highway Administration )

Published on behalf of O'Connor, Runckel & O'Malley LLP