Monday, October 21, 2013

Cyclist Cheng Jin Lai Suffers Fatal Injuries After Being Struck by MUNI Bus in San Francisco's SOMA Neighborhood


A shocking bicycle accident occurred on October 18, 2013, in San Francisco’s SOMA neighborhood.  The tragic accident occurred at the intersection of 11th, Bryant and Division Streets.  This intersection is located beneath the Highway 101 overpass and is controlled by traffic lights.  According to published reports, a male cyclist was struck by the MUNI bus that was making a right turn onto Bryant Street. 

Tragically, the cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.  The victim has since been identified as 78-year-old San Francisco resident Cheng Jin Lai.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Lai’s family in their time of unimaginable grief and sadness. 

San Francisco Police Detectives will conduct an investigation to determine why the bus driver failed to see the cyclist.  Additionally, the operator of the bus will be given a toxicology screening to ascertain whether driver intoxication contributed to this deadly bicycle accident.  A comprehensive bicycle accident investigation is necessary to determine if driver negligence or error contributed to this deadly accident.

Concerned residents have expressed their frustrations regarding this particular intersection.  They have indicated that the intersection is dangerous and puts the safety of cyclists at risk.  Local residents complain that intersection has poor sight lines, which cause vehicles to unsafely merge and transition from lanes.  The intersection also seems to be poorly constructed and designed because the streets that compose the intersection meet at unusual angles.  There is also concern that the traffic signal that controls the intersection may not have been properly phased.  If a comprehensive bicycle accident investigation determines that this unsafe intersection was a substantial factor in causing this accident the City of San Francisco may be held liable.  

This terrible accident exemplifies the dangers facing cyclists in San Francisco and cities throughout the State of California.  Published reports indicate that this is the fourth fatal bicycle accident that has occurred in San Francisco in 2013.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP we specialize in fighting for bicycle accident victims and their families.  We have successfully represented bicycle accident victims in claims against negligent drivers, municipal transportation agencies, private companies and public entities

If you or a loved one have been involved in a bicycle accident call Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP today.  One of our experienced bicycle accident lawyers will provide you with a free case evaluation.

Pedestrian Accident in Pleasanton Claims the Life of Yizhen Zhou and Leaves Her Husband With Serious Injuries


A tragic pedestrian accident claimed the life of 65-year-old Yizhen Zhou on October 12, 2013.  The accident occurred on Santa Rita Road near Francisco Street in Pleasanton, California.  Mrs. Zhou was crossing the street with her husband in a marked crosswalk when they were both struck by a vehicle that was being operated by a 49-year-old Danville woman

It remains unclear as to why the driver did not yield for the pedestrians.  Some common causes of pedestrian accidents include: driver confusion, driver inattention, aggressive driving, and talking or texting on a cellphone.  All drivers have a responsibility to pay attention to the roadway and safely operate their vehicles to avoid this type of devastating pedestrian accident.

Yizhen Zhou and her husband were immediately transported to Eden Medical Center following the accident.  Tragically, Mrs. Zhou was unable to recover from her severe injuries.  Doctors at Eden Medical Center pronounced her dead on Monday evening.  Her 72-year-old husband remains hospitalized and is reportedly in serious condition.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP we want to offer our sincere condolences to the family of Yizhen Zhou.  We also want to wish Mr. Zhou a complete and speedy recover.

The crosswalk where the accident occurred has flashing overhead lights and embedded lights on roadway surface along the edge of the crosswalk.  According to published reports, the embedded lights were not functional on the date of the accident. 

A comprehensive pedestrian accident investigation is needed to determine whether the absence of the embedded lights created a dangerous condition of public property.  Additionally, Pleasanton residents have expressed concerns that the crosswalk is situated at an unsafe location in the middle of the block.  The City of Pleasanton may share some of the liability if accident if the absence of the lighting or the improper design of the crosswalk is found to have been a substantial factor in causing this fatal accident. 

At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our dedicated legal team specializes in fighting for the rights of pedestrians.  If you or a loved one have been involved in a pedestrian accident call our office today.  One of our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers will provide you with a free consultation and case evaluation.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Twin Six-Year-Old Boys Injured When BMW Leaves Menlo Park Roadway


Two unidentified six-year-old victims suffered severe injuries after being struck by a SUV that veered off Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park.  The shocking accident occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. on October 17, 2013. 

The boys were walking with their nanny on the sidewalk adjacent to a Walgreens store when a BMW SUV left the roadway and slammed into them.  The BMW pinned the boys against a wall.  A group of people that were at a nearby restaurant witnessed the accident and rushed to the aid of the victims.  The BMW was still in drive when the people were able to dislodge the boys from against the wall. 

According to published reports, the driver of the BMW was a 90-year-old man.  Menlo Park Police officers have indicated that the driver pressed his accelerator instead of his brake as he was attempting to back out from a parking space.  Statistics show that elderly drivers are more likely to be involved in fatal and severe pedestrian accidents.  Drivers who are unfit to safely operate their vehicles put the safety of pedestrians and cyclists at risk. 

The young victims are reportedly twin brothers.  Both victims were immediately transported to Stanford Hospital Medical Center.  The boys’ nanny also suffered undisclosed injuries.  The injuries of one of the boys have been described as life threatening.  At Matiasic Roth &Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with the victims in hopes that they are able to recover from this tragic pedestrian accident.

The dedicated legal team at Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP specialize in assisting victims of pedestrian accidents and their families.  We understand that victims of pedestrian accidents need a dedicated pedestrian accident lawyer in their corner to fight for their rights.  We are committed to holding negligent drivers accountable and getting families the compensation they deserve to help rebuild their lives.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a pedestrian accident call Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP today.  One of our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers will provide you with a free case evaluation and help explain your rights.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Bicycle Accident in South Sacramento County Claims the Life of Rachel Martinez


A tragic bicycle accident occurred on Monday October 7, 2013, in south Sacramento County at the intersection of Florin Road and East Parkway.  According to published reports, a female cyclist was struck by a Regional Transit bus at the southeast corner of East Parkway.  The bus made contact with the rear wheel of the bicycle, which threw the cyclist directly into the path of the bus tires.  Tragically, the victim was unable to survive the severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office has recently identified the victim as 51-year-old Rachel M. Martinez of Sacramento.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts are with the family of Ms. Martinez in their time of unimaginable grief.  The wrongful death of a love one in an avoidable bicycle accident is a terrible tragedy that no family should be forced to endure.    

This terrible accident demonstrates the vulnerability of bicyclists.  Given the dynamics between larger vehicles and bicycles, a brief moment of driver inattention or negligence can result in fatal and severe injuries. Drivers have a duty to comply with all traffic safety regulations and attentively operate their vehicles.  When this duty is breached, drivers can be held liable for the pain and heartache they cause.

When a cyclist is injured or killed in an accident involving public transportation there are a host of complicated legal issues and procedural pitfalls that must be navigated.  For example, claims involving public entities have an accelerated statute of limitations of six months.  Accordingly, it is important that bicycle accident victims and their families immediately contact an experienced bicycle accident lawyer to protect their rights. 

At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our compassionate legal team specializes in fighting for bicycle accident victims.  We have successfully represented clients involved in all types of public transportation including accidents caused by buses, railroads, taxis, cable cars, and trolleys.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a bicycle accident call Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP today for a free consultation.  One of our bicycle accident lawyers will provide you with a case evaluation and help explain your rights.