One year marks one million rides on BART to Oakland!

November 21 marks one year of active service for the automated BART to OAK line between Oakland International Airport and Coliseum Station.  Coincidentally, it is also expected to reach the one millionth passenger trip milestone at some point this weekend – a sign of its tremendous success and growing reputation among riders.

“The BART to OAK line is clean, modern and convenient for riders,” said BART spokesperson Jim Allison. “Based on feedback from our riders both in surveys and on social media, they agree and appreciate just how quick the ride is.”

BART to OAK’s popularity was quickly made apparent, with a 36.5% increase in ridership compared to the AirBART shuttle bus previously serving as the link between BART and the airport.  A constantly growing daily average of 3,300 entries and exits highlights the importance of a rail connection to air travel – especially as Oakland International continues to experience large increases in passenger traffic alongside expanded service routes.

Oakland Airport spokesperson Keonnis Taylor said, “The airport is delighted to be celebrating our first year of partnership with BART by also commemorating the one millionth BART to OAK passenger. It’s an exciting way to begin the holiday season, and to continue the trend of growth the airport has seen this year.”

Furthermore, BART passenger surveys underscored the positive ridership numbers, reporting a 99% approval rating of the new train system – i.e., describing the service as either ‘good’ or ‘excellent.’ Reliability also helped boost passengers’ perceptions: BART to OAK had a 99.7% service availability rating during the previous quarter.

As 2015 wraps up, BART is again expecting a significant increase in airport passengers during the holiday season.  To help travelers, BART will be making an additional 400 long-term airport parking spaces available systemwide for this year’s holiday season – so if you’re planning on traveling far away to see loved ones, BART has your transit needs covered.

Motorist Killed, 3 Injured in Head-On Collision on Hwy 84 in Sunol on 3/23/13

At approximately 9:20 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2013, a man driving a Dodge Viper was killed when he crossed the center line and struck a pick-up truck head-on. The collision caused injuries to the pick-up driver and two passengers, who were transported to the hospital.

Cases where the responsible party dies bring up special issues different from a normal traffic accident claim.

The personal injury attorneys at Weber & Nierenberg law firm have years of experience in these types of auto accident cases, including those involving serious injuries,broken bones or wrongful death, and will work hard and competently to obtain complete compensation for your injuries and losses.

If you or someone you know needs to know their rights regarding an auto accident, motorcycle accident or other type of personal injury, call the attorneys at the Weber and Nierenberg law firm. Personal injury attorneys at Weber & Nierenberg will work hard to make sure your rights are vindicated. For a free consultation or to make an appointment, call 1-866-288-6010.

NASCAR Crash at Daytona

Over two dozen fans watching the recent NASCAR races at Daytona International Speedway were injured after driver Kyle Larson’s No. 32 car crashed into a fence. As a result, this sent car parts flying into the stands. The accident occurred a day before the Daytona 500. At least 14 people were taken to area hospitals for treatment for injuries, while 14 others were treated at an infield care center located at the racetrack. Read more: Full article.

NASCAR isn’t the only dangerous roadway. Sometimes the public transportation which people rely on can be dangerous. People who have suffered loss or injury because of a negligent public transportation driver or operator should seek legal advice. Many drivers and operators fail to exercise the appropriate degree of care necessary to get their commuters to a safe destination, often resulting in accidents that lead to minor injuries for a commuter.

Have you or someone you know been injured in a car accident? Make sure you know your rights. The attorneys of Weber and Nierenberg may be able to help you. Please contact our office at 1-866-288-6010 for a free initial consultation.

Safety Tips While Using Public Transportation

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Public transportation has improved and certainly expanded over the last several years. However, there is still great potential for accidents and injuries on public transportation. If you have been injured in a public transportation accident, an experienced San Francisco personal injury attorney can help you determine if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries.

To help prevent an accident or injury while using public transportation the following safety tips may be helpful:

  1. Do not rush to board a bus or subway, this way you can avoid falling or slipping and becoming injured.
  2. As the bus or train approaches stand back from the edge of the platform or curb and stay a bit to the side to avoid being accidentally pushed or shoved off balance.
  3. Do not try to enter a subway car when the doors are closing and ensure packages, pocketbooks and backpacks are clear of closing doors after you have entered the train.
  4. Only use the emergency cord to prevent an accident or injury.
  5. Do not run or walk on escalators—stand, hold the rail and face forward. Improper use of escalators can cause serious injuries.
  6. Do not run for the bus—you can slip, trip or fall and sustain serious injuries.
  7. Do not stand in stairwells or lean against doors while traveling on a bus—sudden stops could cause you to fall and become injured.
  8. When boarding or leaving a bus watch for slippery surfaces, icy sidewalks or other hazards, which may cause you to fall.

A San Francisco personal injury law firm can help

Unfortunately, no matter how many advances have been made in transportation, accidents still happen and individuals can become seriously injured. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a public transportation accident contact us online or call 866-288-6010 to discuss your injury case.

Safety Tips to Prevent Gas Explosions

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Gas explosions frequently occur on construction or other industrial sites due to the proximity of chemicals and other combustible materials. However, gas explosions can also happen at home. Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) is commonly used for home barbecues, RV appliances, and heating and cooking appliances. And while LPG has proven to be exceedingly useful for domestic purposes, it is also a frequent cause of gas explosions at home.

Depending on the nature and location of the explosion, the consequences can be devastating including:

  • Property damages—to vehicles, appliances and homes
  • Burn injuries—from minor to severe
  • Traumatic/emotional distress—such as PTSD or other psychological reactions
  • Death—from smoke inhalation and severe burns

To help avoid the risk of a gas explosion you should:

  • Keep LPG tanks or any other type of combustible away from flammable materials such as matches, lighters, lit candles, campfires, etc.
  • Turn off gas tanks when not in use.
  • Check tanks or other combustible material containers regularly for cracks, leaks or other potential hazards.
  • Do not leave cooking food unattended, including barbecue grills.
  • If you detect the smell of gas, do not turn on any type of electrical appliance because any kind of spark can ignite an explosion.

Gas explosions whether domestic or industrial can cause severe damage and injuries and give way to numerous San Francisco personal injury claims. By practicing preventative safety measures, the life you protect may be your own.

Contact a San Francisco personal injury law firm

All too often negligence and/or product malfunction cause gas explosions resulting in serious injuries and even death. If you or a loved one has been injured in a gas explosion, contact us online or call 866-288-6010 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

Light Rail Safety Tips

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Muni Metro is San Francisco’s light rail system and serves over 150,000 passengers daily. In fact, it is the third busiest light rail system in the United States. The line consists of over 70 miles of track, seven lines and transports passengers throughout San Francisco and surrounding areas. With so much activity, it is not surprising that serious accidents can sometimes happen. If you become involved in a light rail accident, an experienced San Francisco personal injury attorney can help you determine if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Observing the following safety tips can help you avoid the risk of a light rail accident:

  • Stand behind the caution strip as your train approaches. Refrain from touching the sides of the train while it is moving and wait until the train has stopped completely before pushing the button to open the doors.
  • After leaving the train, always wait until your train has pulled out to cross the tracks—watch for approaching trains coming from the opposite direction.
  • Never walk along the light trails or trespass on the bridges or underpasses.
  • When boarding or exiting with children, always hold their hand so that you are not separated.
  • Always obey blank-out signs because they signal an approaching train.
  • Refrain from listening to personal music players and texting or talking on a cell phone when near the tracks.
  • Motorists and trains share the road and trains always have the right of way, remain alert and look for approaching trains.
  • Never drive around lowered crossing gates.

When accidents happen contact a San Francisco personal injury law firm

Even the most conscientious person can have a light rail accident and often through no fault of their own. If you or a loved one has been injured in a light rail accident, contact us online or call 866-288-6010 to discuss your light rail accident case.

Public Transportation Safety Tips for Seniors

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Unfortunately, as we age we begin to notice a loss of balance, agility and strength making us more vulnerable to injuries. Seniors may also take advantage of public transportation more than younger individuals may and so employing the following safety tips can help ensure they stay healthy and uninjured.

  1. When boarding or leaving a public vehicle look for uneven or slippery pavement or other hazards that could cause a fall.
  2. Before boarding a bus, have your fare ready to avoid losing your balance while looking for change.
  3. When boarding or leaving a subway car pay attention to the gap between the edge of the platform and the door and step cautiously.
  4. Before boarding a bus or subway car, stand to the side and let others get off first—this is not only polite but helps prevent being pushed and thrown off balance.
  5. Remain alert to your surroundings and steady yourself when the vehicle is slowing or turning.
  6. Never board a bus or subway car with too many packages, leave one hand free to hold onto railings or straps.
  7. In bad weather and at night, allow for extra time to cross intersections to ensure you are seen by motorists and do not slip and injure yourself.
  8. Wear light colored or reflective clothing at night or carry a flashlight to make yourself visible to motorists and other pedestrians.
  9. When you riding in a taxi, fasten your seat belt to ensure your safety—just because it is a cab doesn’t mean you should neglect vital safety measures.

Talk to a San Francisco public transportation accident lawyer today

Unfortunately, too many seniors are injured because of negligence and the failure of others to employ basic safety precautions. If you have been injured in a public transportation accident, an experienced San Francisco public transportation accident lawyer can help. Contact us online or call 866-288-6010 to discuss your public transportation accident case.

Forklift Safety | Tips for Keeping Workers Safe

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Forklift accidents kill hundreds of people and seriously injure thousands more every year. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces strict requirements on forklift operation as well as other industrial machinery and equipment. These requirements are meant to protect the operator, other workers and the public. Unfortunately, when safety practices are not observed or equipment is faulty individuals can become injured and need the help of a San Francisco personal injury attorney.

Many forklift accidents are the result of a tip – over which is caused by excess loads. When a forklift operator takes on too large a load, he can risk tipping over the forklift. Tip-overs are a common cause of accidents.

Another common cause of forklift accidents is related to visibility, when an operator’s line of vision is blocked by the load, other equipment or even the vehicle itself.

Further, because forklifts do not operate like automobiles and has rear steering, when entering a turn the vehicle swings wide which can result in collisions.

To avoid accidents and injuries operators and employers of forklift operators should observe the following safety practices:

• All operators should be thoroughly trained, evaluated and tested before operating a forklift.
• Do a safety inspection of forklifts before each shift.
• Forklift operators should always wear safety belts to avoid being thrown from the vehicle.
• Never take on a load beyond the forklift’s rated capacity.
• Always secure the load before operating the forklift.
• Always slow down and sound your horn at intersections or areas where vision is obstructed.
• Never drive toward anyone even in an unloaded forklift, the machine cannot stop quickly and could tip or drop debris from the load and injure the person.
• Always place loads as far back as possible to ensure stability.
• Always drive, turn, and stop slowly and smoothly when operating a forklift.
• When operating a forklift on grades, ramps or inclines, slow down to avoid tipping or casting off debris.

Contact Weber & Nierenberg

Contact us online or call 866-288-6010 to schedule a free consultation. We handle all heavy equipment accident injury claims on a contingency basis, which means that we only charge legal fees if we recover compensation for your losses.

Hydroplaning and Car Accidents

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San Francisco California Car Accident Attorneys

There’s a perception on the part of some drivers that rain simply means wet roads. As a result, drivers don’t always reduce their speed even though more water on the road means an increased risk of hydroplaning. What is hydroplaning? Put simply, hydroplaning occurs when the water in front of your car builds up faster than the weight of the car can push it out of the way. As a result, when a car hydroplanes, its tires lose all or most contact with the surface of the road and essentially float on a thin layer of water. When this happens, a car can fishtail, skid, or spin out of control.

Causes of Hydroplaning and Car Accidents

Hydroplaning is caused by different factors. In some cases, worn-out tires and a lack of proper treading increase the likelihood of hydroplaning under wet or rainy conditions. In other cases, under-inflated tires can make it difficult for the treads to properly remove water in front of the car as it moves forward. If it hasn’t rained for some time, oil may rise to the surface after a rainstorm, leaving the road surface slick and wet. Driver error can also cause hydroplaning, especially when a driver turns too quickly when driving in the rain. In the case of trucks, the wrong tires on an eighteen-wheeler can increase the likelihood of hydroplaning.

Car Accidents, Hydroplaning, Driver Negligence

Maybe you’ve recently been in an accident during or shortly after a rainstorm or foggy night. The other driver may try and deny responsibility, alleging road conditions are to blame for the accident. Of course, this begs the question as to whether or not their tires were properly inflated, were too worn, or whether they were driving in a manner appropriate for the conditions. Here, it’s important to investigate the circumstances surrounding a car, motorcycle, or bicycle accident involving hydroplaning to determine if there were other acts of negligence involved as well.

Contact San Francisco Bay Area Car Accident Attorneys

If you’ve been injured in a car accident due to another driver hydroplaning into you or into an intersection contact San Francisco car accident attorneys Weber & Nierenberg today. We have the resources needed to investigate car accidents that happen in the rain or fog and know what to look for when exposing driver error and negligence. Protect your rights and learn how we can help you – call today.

After Your Case is Settled – Structured Settlement or Special Needs Trust

What can I do to Provide Future Care for My Loved One?

When a serious accident leaves a spouse or child debilitated with a need for lifelong medical care, a number of legal and financial issues must be addressed in order to provide future care for them. While a large settlement or personal injury award is important for providing financial support for in-home nursing care, medical equipment, hospitalizations, future surgery, and physical therapy, planning for how your family member’s care will be paid for after you’re gone is essential. In general, there are two options – a structured settlement or establishing a special needs trust (also referred to as “supplemental needs trust”). In both cases, there are certain tax advantages that should be considered, as well as how each could affect Medicaid eligibility calculations.

Structured Settlements

If the settlement or award won in a personal injury case involves a large sum of money, you can choose to have the money paid in installments over a specified period of time. Payment schedules can be on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annual basis. Structured settlements can last for the lifetime of a recipient with a beneficiary named for any remaining amount should the recipient pass away before all of the funds are distributed. Alternatively, a lump sum option can be included or a date named after which the amount disbursed can be increased. Regardless of which option you choose, structured settlements are not taxable.

Here, structured settlements can be customized to meet the unique needs of an injured person and his or her family. For instance, if a debilitating head injury or spinal cord injury has left you or your spouse unable to work, a structured settlement can provide you with monthly funds to pay your mortgage, rent, utilities, medical bills, and needs for your children. The amount paid can be increased once your children are of college age and need to attend school.

Special Needs Trust and Medicaid Eligibility

A special needs trust allows you to set up a trust using money from a personal injury settlement or award in order to provide for the upkeep and care of the person injured. Not only are the funds in a special needs trust exempt from federal income tax, they are also exempt from Medicaid eligibility calculations. This is especially important since, in order to qualify for Medicaid, you must first spend down your asset or be impoverished. Consequently, a catastrophically injured person with a special needs trust doesn’t have be impoverished to received long-term care benefits from Medicaid that can help defray the costs of institutional or in-home care.

San Francisco Bay Area Car Accident Injury Attorneys Weber & Nierenberg

If you or a family member has been seriously injured due to a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, construction accident, or slip and fall, email San Francisco, California personal injury attorneys Weber & Nierenberg today. We’re experienced personal injury attorneys who can discuss whether a structured settlement or special needs trust makes sense for you and your family.

For more information regarding our practice or to speak with one of our attorneys for a free consultation, call Weber & Nierenberg at 415-788-3900.

 
 
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1 Sansome Street, Suite 3500 San Francisco, CA 94104
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P. 415-788-3900

1999 Harrison Street, Suite 1800 Oakland, CA 94612
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P. 510-663-6000