San Francisco California Personal Injury Legal Blog

The significant risks of driving over the speed limit

On behalf of The Law Office of Scott Righthand, P.C. posted in Motorcycle Accident on Wednesday, October 10, 2018.

As California readers know, most people likely drive their cars over the speed limit from time to time. Drivers often assume that if they are not going too fast or they are moving with the flow of traffic, they are fine. In reality, speeding is dangerous, and it can greatly increase the chance a person will cause an accident.

High-speed car collisions often result in serious injuries or even death. Increased rates of speed increase the severity of crashes and their consequences, and drivers are always responsible for maintaining reasonable rates of speed while operating vehicles. If you are a victim of an accident caused by a speeding driver, you may have options for legal recourse, allowing you to hold liable parties accountable.

The lithium batteries in vape and E-cig devices may explode

On behalf of The Law Office of Scott Righthand, P.C. posted in Personal Injury on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

Whether you vape as a tool to help you quit smoking or just enjoy the numerous flavors, you may enjoy the experience and even recommend it to others. You wouldn't be alone since vaping has garnered quite a following of people here in California and elsewhere across the country.

This has caused a surge in aftermarket and knock-off products in the market, including the lithium-ion batteries that many of the devices use. Now, these batteries are failing -- sometimes with painful results for owners.

Who is driving distracted on California roads?

On behalf of The Law Office of Scott Righthand, P.C. posted in Auto Accident on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

California readers understand that distracted driving is a serious and growing problem across the state. Thousands of people engage in distraction-related behaviors every day, greatly increasing the chance of causing an accident and causing harm to others. Distraction is one of the leading causes of serious car accidents across the country.

If you suffered injuries in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you may feel unsure of your legal options and how you should proceed. In fact, you have the right to seek financial compensation through a civil claim. Before you proceed, it may be helpful to better understand the problem of distracted driving. It may be useful to consider a recent study from Volvo about which drivers are more prone to these dangerous behaviors.

These bad driving habits lead to many traffic accidents

On behalf of The Law Office of Scott Righthand, P.C. posted in Auto Accident on Wednesday, August 15, 2018.

Sometimes getting from point A to point B can risk your safety and even your life. Countless people have been involved in multiple car accidents of varying damages throughout their lives. It is no surprise that bad driving habits are often the cause of such accidents.

Unfortunately, these bad habits may persist throughout the generations of drivers. As we age, we may experience driving issues we didn't have before and new drivers will always lack experience on the road. However, it's helpful to understand the underlying causes of common traffic collisions to try and prevent yourself from doing them.

Hit by someone driving a rental car? Here's what to do

On behalf of The Law Office of Scott Righthand, P.C. posted in Auto Accident on Wednesday, August 1, 2018.

California is a popular tourist destination, bringing in people from all over the country and even the world. With an excess of tourists comes an excess of individuals driving around rental cars. Rental cars have a high collision rate, and it is helpful to know what do if you get into an accident with someone driving one.

According to a recent study, drivers of rental cars tend to be more inattentive, display poor driving skills and are more aggressive when operating a motor vehicle compared to drivers of nonrental cars.

What happens if I'm involved in an Uber accident?

On behalf of The Law Office of Scott Righthand, P.C. posted in Auto Accident on Thursday, July 26, 2018.

Chances are, even if you have not taken a ride with Uber, you have at least heard of the rideshare company. The insurance and claim process involves essential rights and concerns no matter your role in the accident. Although Uber drivers submit a background check and the company tries to eliminate bad driving behavior, Uber accidents still happen.

When involved in a normal accident, you typically know who the at-fault party is that is responsible for property damages, medical bills and other liabilities. Whether you are the driver or passenger of the Uber, it is important to stay calm when an accident occurs. If necessary, calling 911 will be the first order of business. Make sure to check if any bodily injuries were suffered and if the police and emergency services are needed.

Pedestrian injuries are on the rise due to distractions

On behalf of The Law Office of Scott Righthand, P.C. posted in Auto Accident on Thursday, July 12, 2018.

When people think about car crashes, they first ask about drivers and passengers in the car. However, more pedestrians are sustaining severe injuries from accidents due to distracted walking. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association's report, nearly 6,000 pedestrians were killed during motor vehicle accidents in 2017.

The study contributed to the high number of pedestrian fatalities to the growth of smartphone use. Some states, such as Utah and New Jersey, are experimenting with new fines for texting while walking in dangerous situations. Other states, like New York, are lowering speed limits to help drivers spot distracted walkers.

Summer driving could be more dangerous for California motorists

On behalf of The Law Office of Scott Righthand, P.C. on Tuesday, June 19, 2018.

During the summer, there are more drivers on the road in California than at other times of year. School is not in session, tourists are in town and there are more families traveling for vacation. You know that more drivers on the road means a higher number of car accidents.

There are many factors that contribute to a higher number of car accidents during the summer months. If you are a California driver, you would be wise to understand how to drive safely during this busy time, as well as what you can do to protect your interests in the event of a car accident.

Hurt in a boat accident in San Francisco? You have options.

On behalf of The Law Office of Scott Righthand, P.C. posted in boating accidents on Tuesday, June 19, 2018.

San Francisco is a beautiful city situated on the bay, and consequently, there are many activities to do near and on the water. Both locals and tourists enjoy boat activities, but unfortunately, boat accidents do occasionally happen. These types of accidents can have detrimental consequences.

If you suffered injuries in a California boat accident, you may find it beneficial to learn about your rights regarding a potential personal injury claim. Often, boating accidents are the result of the negligent or reckless actions of a vessel operator, and victims could have grounds to pursue financial compensation through the civil claims process. These accidents are complex, and you would be wise to seek help as you walk through this process.

If you lost a loved one in an accident, what are your options?

On behalf of The Law Office of Scott Righthand, P.C. on Wednesday, June 13, 2018.

Losing a loved one is a traumatic event for any family, especially if the death was the result of the negligent or reckless actions of another person. The wrongful death of a family member can lead to unexpected financial loss and emotional duress that can impact your family for years to come.

If you are grieving the death of someone in your family after an accident, you may not know you could have grounds to move forward with a civil claim. In certain situations, it is appropriate to move forward with a wrongful death claim in order to recoup your financial losses and hold liable parties accountable. During this difficult time, it can be beneficial for you to fully explore this legal option.