Mar 6, 2022 | By Young Wooldridge, LLP | Read Time: 2 minutes | Frank Wooldridge

Bicycle Accidents: Liability

It is not uncommon for car accidents to occur as a result of an accident with a bicycle. There are often common liability issues when it comes to car versus bicycle accidents. This will be the topic of discussion for this article. The common thread behind car-bicycle accidents is that all states have in place what is known as “side of the road” rules. This basically requires that the cyclist rides on the far right side of the road or in the designated bike lane. While cyclists adhere to the side of the road rules they are still susceptible to some of the most common types of traffic accidents involving vehicles. These include: Hitting parked car doors which are opened Getting brushed by passing cars or trucks Getting hit by vehicles are turning right To know your rights in a car-bicycle accident contact car accident lawyers in Bakersfield [https://www.youngwooldridge.com/bakersfield-car-accident-attorney/]. Fortunately, these side of road rules do not exist in isolation but in combination with other laws which protect bicycle riders who share the streets with vehicles. Where no other law prohibitions exist, cyclists are able to ride in the middle of the traffic lane and have to be afforded the same rights as other motor vehicles. That being said, side of road laws are applicable where a cyclist is not riding to speed with the current motor vehicle traffic. Further, if there is a designated bike lane provided on the road then the cyclist is required to use it. Only under the following circumstances may a cyclist leave the side of the road or bike lane, if: he/she is keeping up with the moving traffic the bicycle lane is too narrow to be shared safely with passing vehicles he/she wants to make a left turn there is debris or road hazards which need to be avoided In the event a cyclist is struck by an individual opening the door of a parked vehicle, the principle of liability used will be negligence [https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/negligence]. A person must only open their parked car door when it is reasonably safe for them to do so, or else they may be negligent.   As a result, the fault for the accident with the cyclist will fall squarely on the individual who opened the door.  A negligent person might still argue the bike rider was also negligent because he or she could have avoided crashing into the door. One of the most common causes of accidents between vehicles and bicycles is when a car is turning right. When a motorized vehicle makes a right turn it passes the path of a cyclist, whether the cyclist is traveling in a traffic lane or on a bike lane. In such circumstances the motorist is liable for the accident, because a basic rule of using the road is a vehicle must not turn unless it is safe to do so.

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Feb 14, 2022 | By Young Wooldridge, LLP | Read Time: 2 minutes | Frank Wooldridge

5 Things to do After a Car Accident

There are high chances that you or a loved one will be involved in a car accident, and you’ll need a car accident lawyer in Bakersfield to help you make claims for the damage on your car, bodily injuries, or other financial expenses caused by car accident. Although personal injuries may appear minor and harmless initially, they may later on become serious health problems. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, you should be compensated. A car accident lawyer in Bakersfield can help accident victims seek justice and recover damages for bodily injuries and damaged property. The lawyer will advise you on the available legal options and ensure your legal rights are protected as you pursue justice. Common Causes of Car Accidents The following are the common causes of car accidents: Design Defects Anything made by humans is prone to defects, and cars are no exception. Cars need hundreds, if not thousands, of parts to run, and one defective part can be an ingredient in a serious car accident. A past study shows that most automakers struggle with design defects and have had to make product recalls in the past. For instance, Ford Explorer struggled with rollover accidents while some Toyota cars experienced unintentional acceleration crashes. Unwise Lane Changes There are times when you must change lanes, like when you’re exiting a freeway, or when you’re making a turn. Most drivers do not observe safety guidelines when changing lanes, and a single mistake may cause a serious accident. Unsafe lane changes can be avoided by communicating your intentions to other road users through indicating, by checking your blind spots, and ensuring there’s no oncoming traffic. Driving on the Wrong Places It’s understandable to experience poor judgment once in a while. However, such mistakes can be costly when driving. You may take a turn thinking it’s a left turn when it is not. When you’re driving in the wrong direction, you risk causing an accident besides risking the lives of other road users. Tailgating Most drivers are uncourteous, impatient, and reckless. They do not keep a safe distance, hence failing to react appropriately if something like sudden braking happens. Drivers may dangerously tailgate you at high speeds, risking causing an accident. Tailgating accidents can be avoided by keeping a safe distance from the car in front of you. Drunkand Intoxicated Driving Most states or jurisdictions consider driving under the influence a criminal offense. Drugs, legal or illegal, can impair your driving ability and judgment as a driver. Drunken driving accidents can only be avoided by driving while sober. There are no shortcuts to this! What to do After a Car Accident You should do the following things if you’re involved in a car accident: Seek medical assistance. Document the accident scene. Document the extent of the damage. Get repair estimates. Make a formal report to the police within 24 hours. Contact a car accident lawyer in Bakersfield. Recovering personal injury and damaged property claims can be challenging and frustrating, but not when you have a good car accident lawyer by your side.

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Jan 16, 2017 | By Young Wooldridge | Read Time: 2 minutes | Frank Wooldridge

Trouble at the Start: GM Recalls Defective Cars

In a move that was too little, too late, General Motors (GM) has recalled millions of cars with potentially life-threatening mechanical defects. In February, GM recalled more than a million cars for a defective ignition switch it had known about for years. Concerns about the switch include: In 2006, GM distributed a technical service bulletin noting problems with the ignition cylinder. A heavy key chain, or an inadvertent bump, can pull down on the switch, causing the car to move from run to accessory In accessory mode, power to the car and its safety systems is terminated, including steering, braking and airbag deployment. By 2006, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had already received complaints about the car and ignition switch. GM acknowledges the defect led to at least 34 accidents and 12 deaths. In a study released in March, an independent research group using NHTSA data reviewed front-seat fatalities between 2002 and 2012 in two models recalled by GM. The evaluation revealed 303 deaths occurred in cars when airbags did not deploy during collision. If you were a part of these accidents you may need help from a personal injury attorney. GM is currently under investigation by NHTSA and the United States Justice Department for potential criminal charges and fraud relating to its 2009 bankruptcy filing. In late March, one of the first wrongful death actions brought against the company was filed in Minnesota. The collision, investigated by NHTSA, killed two teen girls and gravely injured another. During the accident, power to the vehicle was lost, causing the car to hit a utility box, vault a driveway and strike a clump of trees. The airbags did not deploy. Despite detailed knowledge of a deadly defect, GM did not act to inform regulatory agencies or consumers. If you have questions about injury from this or another automotive defect, speak to our personal injury attorney at Young Wooldridge, LLP.     Photo Credit: JM3 via Flickr Creative Commons

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Jan 13, 2017 | By Young Wooldridge | Read Time: 2 minutes | Frank Wooldridge

Truck Accidents are More Complex than Most Auto Accidents

Truck Accident Lawyer | When a small vehicle becomes involved in a crash with a massive commercial tractor-trailer truck weighing as much as 80,000 pounds loaded, serious injuries are almost guaranteed. These injuries, combined with the complex legal issues of identifying and proving liability, result in extensive challenges for victims seeking the compensation they need to effectively deal with their injuries. Due to the significant size and weight of semitrucks, sharing the road with them is more difficult and dangerous than dealing with smaller passenger vehicles. With the number of trucks increasing on the roads, it is not surprising that accidents where truckers are at fault are also increasing. According to the most recent data available from the California Highway Patrol, from 2010 to 2011, fatal collisions with trucks increased from 41 to 57, and injury collisions increased from 2,156 to 2,257. Each of these collisions represents one or more claims by injury victims or their families. However, trucking accident claimants face a more complex legal situation than the victims of passenger vehicle accidents, such as the following: The cause of the accident does not always point solely to driver error. Equipment failure, faulty cargo-loading, and countless other issues can extend liability to anyone from workers responsible for loading and inspection to trucking company management personnel who set policies. The severity of injuries is likely to result in extensive medical and rehabilitative costs. However, victims often also need compensation for long-term disabilities, requiring them to accurately predict a potential lifetime of additional expenses. Trucking companies employ a dedicated legal staff that focuses solely on defending against liability. Individual accident victims usually do not have the knowledge or power needed to help protect their rights to the full value of their claims. If you or a loved one suffers injuries in an accident with a large commercial truck, never assume a simple insurance claim can guarantee that you receive the full and fair compensation needed to deal with extensive losses. It costs nothing to consult with a truck accident lawyer at Young Wooldridge, LLP.   Photo Credit: Al Pavangkanan via Flickr Creative Commons

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