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.