San Jose Pedestrian Killed in Early Morning Multi-Vehicle Accident

An early morning accident claimed the life of a pedestrian on Friday November 8, 2013.  The tragic accident occurred at approximately 5:00 a.m. on or near the connector ramp from northbound Highway 280 to southbound Highway 87 in San Jose, California.  The accident shut down the ramp for several hours and slowed traffic throughout the South Bay.

Preliminary reports indicated that an unidentified 26-year-old man was struck by a Toyota Corolla and was also possibly struck by other vehicles.  Investigators have not yet released any additional details regarding the mechanics of the accident or the identities of those involved.

Tragically, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by emergency responders.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP, our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his family.  The loss of a loved one in a preventable pedestrian accident is a tragedy that no family should be forced to endure.

California Highway Patrol Officers are conducting an investigation to determine the exact cause of this fatal accident.  Some common causes of pedestrian accidents include:  driver inattentiveness, driver confusion, driver intoxication and aggressive driving. 

The dedicated pedestrian accident lawyers at Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP specialize in assisting pedestrian accident victims and their families.  We have extensive experience holding insurance companies responsible for the injuries and damages caused by negligent drivers.  When insurance companies refuse to adequately compensate pedestrian accident victims and their families, we do not hesitate to take the fight to court where we have a proven track record of obtaining successful verdicts on behalf of our clients. 

All pedestrian accident victims deserve a qualified pedestrian accident attorney in their corner to help get them the compensation they deserve.  If you or a loved one have been involved in a pedestrian accident call the compassionate legal team at Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP today.  We can provide you with a free consultation and help explain your rights.  

San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Claims the Life of Bryan Goodwin

A tragic pedestrian accident claimed the life of 31-year-old San Francisco resident Bryan Goodwin. The devastating accident occurred on Monday November 4^th shortly after midnight at the intersection of Market Street and Octavia Street. 

According to published reports, a vehicle struck Mr. Goodwin as he was crossing the street.  Following the accident, Mr. Goodwin was transported to San Francisco General Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.  At Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP our thoughts and prayers are with Bryan Goodwin’s family and friends in their time of unimaginable grief and sadness. 

Bryan Goodwin is remembered by friends and family for his warm spirit and inspirational outlook.  Mr. Goodwin was confined to a wheelchair because he was born with a genetic defect called osteogenesis imperfecta which resulted in brittle bones.  Mr. Goodwin never let this condition slow him down.  He was a graduate of UC Berkeley who was employed as a hearing clerk in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of the Regional Counsel in San Francisco. 

Mr. Goodwin had also been involved in the continuing fight to make San Francisco’s streets safer for disabled people.  Disabled people are often at a greater risk of being victimized in pedestrian accidents because it is more difficult for motorists to see them, they may be unable to make quick evasive maneuvers to avoid being struck by a vehicle, and may require additional time to cross streets.  Despite these challenges, motorists have a duty to safely operate their vehicles to avoid placing the safety of disabled pedestrians at risk.  Furthermore, municipal entities have a duty to ensure that intersections and crossing mechanisms are safe for all pedestrians. 

The dedicated legal team of Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP is committed to fighting for the rights of pedestrians.  Our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers understand the importance of initiating a comprehensive pedestrian accident investigation to identify all potential sources of liability.  We are committed to do whatever is necessary to hold negligent drivers and irresponsible public entities liable for the heartache and pain they cause.  Although no amount of money can bring back a life that was abruptly cut short due to an avoidable pedestrian accident, our dedicated legal team specializes in fighting to get families of pedestrian accident victims the compensation they deserve to help rebuild their lives.

If you or a loved one have experienced a pedestrian accident, call Matiasic Roth & Johnson LLP today.  One of our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers will provide you with a free consultation and case evaluation.  

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 11^th, 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.

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.