As California's Proposition 8 heads toward another court hearing scheduled for next month, an interesting wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in the Midwest. Many people across the country and here in California heard the news of the tragic accident at the Indiana State Fair just before the country music duo Sugarland was to play. At least six people died and another 40 people were injured when the stage collapsed during a storm.
Multi-vehicle wreck on Highway 12 leaves one dead
Monday morning began with a multi-vehicle wreck which left one person dead, and eight injured on Highway 12.
Tractor-trailer and minivan in fiery Modesto truck accident
A double-decker car-carrier had a tire blow out while traveling southbound on Highway 99 in Modesto Tuesday afternoon. The driver of the big-rig lost control of the vehicle, which veered left toward a concrete center divider wall. The truck slammed into a 2002 Toyota Sienna driven by a 64-year-old woman from San Francisco.
Market and Octavia continues to prove dangerous for cyclists
This morning began with another bike accident, this time at one of the worst intersection for cyclists in the city.Reports indicate that a vehicle making an illegal right turn struck a cyclists while trying to enter the Central Freeway entrance. The cyclist was riding on Market Street when the car, which was traveling the same direction turned in front of him, according to a witness. The crash sent the cyclist flying over the hood before landing on his back, where he remained until an ambulance arrived. It was not immediately clear whayt the extent of the cyclist's injuries were.It may have been the case that the driver just didn't see the cyclist. The intersection has been one of the most dangerous for cyclists in San Francisco, as cars making right turns often times collide with cyclists. Last year a push was made to have a camera installed at the intersection to catch cars making illegal right turns, but the bill was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger. Until a permanent solution is made, the intersection remains a hotspot for bike accidents.
New San Francisco resident struck down in Muni bus accident
A 23-year-old woman who had lived in San Francisco for less than a month was struck and killed Friday in the Castro district. The woman had just finished speaking with her mother on the phone about how she loved her new job in San Francisco. She stepped into the street and almost made it all the way across the street when a Muni bus struck her down.
Bone Bike, at the Bone BBQ
The Bone Bike was out in full force at the Bone BBQ over the weekend. Thousands of fans came out, and hundreds entered to win the bike. The show was great. Be sure to check out future Bone events whic feature the bike.
Roll-over Carmel Valley car accident leaves one dead, several injured
A former star football player at Carmel High was killed Saturday in what police believe was an alcohol-related crash. The car accident occurred around 8:35 p.m. when an 18-year-old Carmel Valley man lost control of his Jeep on Tassajara Road. The jeep drifted to the edge of the road for unknown reasons and collided with a steep dirt cliff on the side of the road.
How does San Francisco rank for pedestrian accident fatalities?
Is San Francisco safe for pedestrians? Between 2000 and 2009, more than 47,000 Americans died in pedestrian accidents. In 2009 alone, 59,000 Americans lost their life while walking and more than 4,000 people died. A non-profit organization recently released data on pedestrian accidents, which ranks the nation's largest cities for pedestrian safety.
Dolan Law Firm obtains settlement in DMV discrimination against transgender woman
A Transgender woman and San Francisco resident Amber Yust settled her privacy and civil rights lawsuit with the San Francisco DMV. In October 2010, a DMV employee, who had a known history of denying equal service to transgender customers, retained Yust's personal information through his employment at the DMV. The employee then used the information to send her materials condemning her transgender status, and calling for homosexuals to be "put to death."
BART, Bikes, and the Bay
Big Brother BART
Things are heating up between BART and angry citizens, as the "hacktivist" group Anonymous broke into the transit companies web site and posted stolen data online. According to reports data stolen mostly comprised user information from myBART service, which notifies riders of contests, discounts and events. The hacking occurred as retaliation for BART's decision to cut cell phone service in order to thwart protests, which began after a police officer fatally shot a knife-wielding man on July 3. The decision to cut cell phone services has a number of citizens concerned about censorship and whether or not BART is violating First Amendment laws. More protests have been scheduled against BART, which as a common carrier owes a duty of safety to its passengers. However, cutting off cell phone service to achieve that end may been a mistake.
Truck driver may be to blame in fiery I-5 car accident
A fiery multi-vehicle car accident Monday near Woodland claimed the lives of three people, including a 2-year-old girl, according to the California Highway Patrol. Seven people suffered personal injuries in the multi-vehicle car accident, ranging from moderate to severe injuries.
In the Spokes: 8/11
"In the Spokes" covers news in brief from around the web.
Whistleblower saving cats fired, claims retalition
Most whistleblowers face retaliation from their employers for "letting the cat out of the bag," Marin resident Lauren Wayne claims to have been fired for protecting cats from a co-worker. According to reports,Wayne, a former pipe worker for the North Marin Water District filed a wrongful termination lawsuit, claiming he was fired after he informed authorities that a coworker was trying to poison feral cats, by filing water bowls with anti-freeze. Wayne was fired a year after the initial report on allegations he shouted at and belittled another employee at a job site, his lawsuit says. Wayne denies the accusations and claims his dismissal was retaliation for his informing against Reed.
S.F. gay married couple's immigration case denied, spouse ordered to leave
The immigration petition of Bradford Wells, a U.S. citizen, and Anthony John Makk, a citizen of Australia, was denied by Federal Authorities, on the basis that the marriage was not recognized under federal law. Citing the Defense of Marriage act, the immigration officials denied Makk's petition to seek permanent residency stating: "The claimed relationship between the petitioner and the beneficiary is not a petitionable relationship. For a relationship to qualify as a marriage for purposes of federal law, one partner must be a man and the other a woman." The couple had been together for 19 years and were married seven years ago in Massachusetts. The decision is especially difficult due to the fact that Wells has AIDS and is dependent on Makk as his caregiver. Read more about this couple. This case is yet another example of laws which deny same sex couples benefits granted to married couples. The Defense of Marriage Act in particular arguably violates equal protection rights under the Constitution.
9-year-old severely injured in pedestrian accident after Giants game
A 9-year-old boy who was in San Francisco to attend the Giants-Phillies game Thursday evening was critically injured following the game. The boy was struck in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident on Mission Street. The boy reportedly stepped into the street at roughly 10:30 p.m.
Is a California hospital more dangerous than flying?
Any Californian who has ever flown probably walked down the jetway hoping, and even expecting the journey would be safe. The same can be said when we visit a doctor for treatment. Some people fear flying, others fear doctors and hospitals. If the airlines and the medical profession held a safety contest, who would win?
Tragedy in the water
A tragic boating accident Wednesday afternoon left one man dead, after his fishing boat collided with another larger vessel off Sierra Point in the Bay. The 19-foot Boston Whaler was struck by a 46-foot Sea Ray motorized boat, causing the small boat to capsize. Two men, who were father and son were on the boat when it was struck. The father mas rescued by holding on to the hull of the vessel, but the son was trapped underneath. The son was identified as Ninh Truong, who was about 30 years old.
Juvenile probation van and Chevrolet collide, killing three, injuring seven
Two juveniles and a man in his late-30s died in a motor vehicle crash Tuesday morning at the intersection of Highway 190 and Road 152. Seven other people were injured in the car accident.
Fatalities in two accidents involving Motorcycle, Fuel Tanker
Two separate fatal accidents occurred in Northern California in a span of 12 hours.
Bikes of our lives
At the Dolan Law Firm we love our bikes. Whether cruiser or fixed gear, 500cc or scooter, we probably have someone in our office who rides it.
