Author: Rahman Law PC

Rahman Law PC Sponsors Walk San Francisco for Pedestrian Friendly Streets

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., FEBREUARY 23, 2022

Rahman Law PC, a personal injury law firm with offices in San Francisco and Paso Robles, California, announces their sponsorship of Walk San Francisco, an organization with the goal to make San Francisco the most pedestrian-friendly city in the United States.  Rahman Law has been a sponsor of Walk San Francisco in the past, but this year they are increasing their sponsorship engagement in support of making San Francisco safe for pedestrians. 

This year, Rahman Law will be sponsoring multiple events, including Member Walks and Crosstown Adventure Walks throughout the year, Peak2Peak in the Fall, Walk to Work Day in the Spring, and Walk & Roll to School Day in October.  Both the Crosstown Adventure Walks and Peak2Peak give pedestrians the opportunity to explore parts of San Francisco seldom seen by anyone.  The Crosstown Adventure Walks span the 16-mile route from Southeast to Northwest San Francisco, which fully opened in 2019.  The Peak2Peak walk follows a secret, unique route across hidden trails with off-the-beaten-path treasures put together by Walk San Francisco.

Of all of the events being sponsored, Walk to Work Day and Walk & Roll to School Day are the favorites for Rahman Law because they engage the entire community.  Shaana Rahman, a personal injury lawyer and the principal and founder of Rahman Law, frequently volunteers to work at a booth for Walk to Work Day handing out tote bags and chatting with pedestrians on their way to work.  Walk & Roll to School Day invites teachers, parents, and kids to engage in transportation that is good for the environment and community while having fun participating with friends and classmates. 

“We support Walk San Francisco because of their involvement in the community to raise awareness and their advocacy for pedestrians, which are things we fully believe in,” commented Ms. Rahman.  “Walk San Francisco’s vision is to end severe and fatal traffic crashes for pedestrians.  We think this is something everyone in the community can get behind.”

Shaana Rahman and the Rahman Law team will continue to support the vision of Walk San Francisco throughout the year and do not see an end to their commitment in joining with Walk San Francisco to promote safer streets for all.

About Rahman Law PC

The personal injury lawyers at Rahman Law PC are powerful advocates for people who have been injured through no fault of their own.  What makes Rahman Law PC different from other personal injury law firms is they care about what happens to their clients; they aggressively advocate for their clients’ interests and have a personal relationship with each client, taking the time to listen and figure out solutions that make sense from a legal point of view but also from a human perspective. By providing the highest quality legal services to those who have been injured or have suffered wrongdoing at the hands of other individuals, corporations, or public entities, the personal injury attorneys and trial lawyers at Rahman Law PC have a proven track record of results and have successfully recovered millions of dollars for clients throughout California. Rahman Law PC offers clients attentive service backed with big firm experience, making them ready to take on any opponent.  To learn more about the personal injury lawyers at Rahman Law PC, visit https://www.rahmanlawsf.com or call (415) 956-9245 in San Francisco, (805) 619-3108 in Paso Robles, California.

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Who is Liable for a Defective Product?

Posted on by Rahman Law PC

We’re personal injury lawyers and handle a multitude of cases from various types of personal injuries including those from defective products.  After the holidays and the surge of new products, we typically see a rise in injuries from defective products.  We are often asked who Is liable for a defective product? 

A product defect can be caused by the manufacturer or designer, but suppliers, distributors, and retailers may also be liable for a defective product.

The Manufacturer’s Liability

Sometimes a product is defective in a one-off instance.  Something may have gone wrong at the manufacturing stage and one product may be the only product to become dangerous.  It is also possible that a manufacturer was told there was a risk and failed to place adequate warnings on a product to protect the consumer.  When a manufacturer fails to be responsible in protecting the consumer, they may become liable for a defective product.

The Designer’s Liability

A designer may become liable for a defective product when they make a design that can cause personal injury or even death.  An example of this might be in designing a toy for very young children with small parts that can be swallowed and cause choking.  If the design does not meet certain standards for safety, especially when designed for children, the designer may be liable for a defective product.  This can also be true when dealing with LiPo batteries which are known to be dangerous if not adequately protected.

The Supplier’s and Distributor’s Liability

Suppliers and distributors may have no knowledge of a product’s defects until after an incident occurs.  However, when a product is placed on the market with a known defect, or continues to be sold after a defect has been warned, they may be liable for a defective product. 

Faulty Products

Faulty products that are defective and/or dangerous can cause serious injuries and even death.  When a personal injury occurs from a defective product, it’s important to follow the supply chain to discover where the defect stemmed from and if it was known and by whom.  It is important for consumers to read all safety instructions that come with a product and use it accordingly.  When used appropriately and with due caution, if a product causes an injury or death, you’ll want to have a team of experts on your side.  At Rahman Law, we have experience representing clients in defective products cases and use experts to help us discover where the liability may lie to build an appropriate case. 

Consultation with us are always free and we would be happy to set up a time with you to talk if you or a loved one has been injured by a defective, faulty, or hazardous product. 

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What is Negligence in Cycling Injury Cases?

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If you can believe it, one of our team members was behind a car getting on the freeway when one of the rear tires flew off of the car, narrowly missing another vehicle and causing a lot of mayhem on the onramp.  Someone failed to put the tire back on the vehicle with proper care.  This is negligence.  And negligence is often a point of dispute in cycling injury cases. 

What is Negligence?

Negligence is a term you may have not heard before if you haven’t been involved in a legal dispute.  In California, negligence is defined as “the failure to use reasonable care to prevent harm to oneself or to others.  A person can be negligent by acting or by failing to act,” (CACI No. 401).  This means when someone fails to take proper or reasonable care in doing something or doesn’t take steps or precautions necessary to proceed safely, and this failure to act or negligent act injures someone, the injured party can recover monetary damages from the negligent party.

What’s Considered Reasonable Care?

The argument for what’s “reasonable” as a step or procedure is often debated.  “A person is negligent if that person does something that a reasonably careful person would not do in the same situation or fails to do something that a reasonably careful person would do in the same situation” (CACI No. 401).  A “reasonable person” is also sometimes referred to a prudent or rational person.  Often violating a California law, such as laws applying to drivers and cyclists found in the Vehicle Code is determined to be negligence.

What is Negligence in Cycling Injury Cases?

When cyclists are struck by cars, the most common types of a driver’s negligent behavior include distracted driving, like texting while driving, driving too fast for the surrounding conditions, and failing to obey traffic signs and signals. 

A company, like bicycle manufacturer or bicycle repair shop, can also be found negligent if their product or repair is unsafe. We handle a lot of cycling injury cases as personal injury lawyers, but we also represent cyclists in product liability cases.  If you were cycling and a weld suddenly broke loose on your bicycle causing an accident, the question would arise if there was any negligence on the part of the manufacturer or repair shop. 

Insurance Companies Fight Liability to Avoid Paying Compensation

Remember that in all legal cases, gathering the evidence to establish another party’s negligence and liability can be a complicated process.  Insurance companies fight very hard to try and show the injured person was negligent, not their driver.  Things may not always be black and white, which is why it is so important to hire a cycling injury lawyer as soon as possible.  We’re here to help fight for your rights and we bring years of experience in handling cycling injury cases, plus… we ride, too!  We know what it’s like to cyclists out there.  If you have been injured or had property damage to your bicycle, give us a call; consultations are free.  You may also contact us online here.

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What you Need to Know About California Assembly Bill from a Bicycle Accident Lawyer’s Perspective

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California Assembly Bill Number 122 was introduced in December of 2020 but has undergone some amendments in March and May of 2021, as is typical in the lifecycle of an Assembly Bill.  Here’s what you need to know about Assembly Bill 122 to limit bicycle accidents from a bicycle accident lawyer’s perspective. 

First, it’s important to know that more than a dozen bicycle advocacy organizations support the Bill across the state of California, including MCBC (Marin County Bicycle Coalition, an organization focused on bicycle safety which we support).  Also, other states already have similar vehicle codes in place, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Colorado, Arkansas, and Delaware, which means AB 122 is not a new concept. 

What does AB 122 Change?

If passed, California Assembly Bill Number 122 would change the vehicle code in California to allow bicyclists to treat Stop signs as they would a Yield sign.  This increases bicycle rider safety and decreases bicycle accidents, which has been demonstrated in studies in Idaho (who was first to create the stop-as-yield law) and Delaware.  In 2008, an investigation was conducted locally by the San Francisco Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which has added to the data on this subject.  In 2009, a study of Idaho conducted by J. Meggs at UC Berkeley showed a decrease of 14.5% in bicyclist injuries after the passage of the new law. 

As bicycle accident lawyers, we support new systems which reduce the rate of bicyclist injuries. 

What does AB 122 Not Change?

California Assembly Bill Number 122 is not a free license to blow through stop signs all the time or every time.  Bicyclists will still obey red traffic lights and treat them as a full stop.  Bicyclists will also still give the right-of-way to pedestrians who always have the right of way.  And bicyclists will continue to stop at stop signs when there is traffic with the right-of-way.

Intersections are Dangerous for Cyclists

While according to the NHTSA, most bicyclist fatalities occur away from intersections in 45- and 55-mph zones, most bicyclist injuries occur in 25-mph zones where intersections and stop signs are most prevalent.  Bicycle accidents do often happen at intersections and the UC Berkley study calls intersections the “most dangerous zone” for bicyclists.  Reducing injury rates by 14.5 % would be a great step in the right direction. 

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E-Scooters May Not Be as Green as You Think

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e-scooter injury attorney

Electric scooter (or “e-scooter”) sharing companies want consumers to believe the use of an e-scooter is a green method of transportation.  Two major e-scooter companies, Bird and Lime, advertise that the use of e-scooters is environmentally friendly and Bird says they are a carbon-free alternative to cars. Unfortunately, science does not back up their claims. 

Are E-Scooters Carbon Free?

A common complaint from communities with e-scooter sharing services it the litter the scooters themselves produce when they are broken and abandoned on the sidewalk, street, or even in rivers (check out @BirdGraveyard in Instagram to see pictures of e-scooter debris).  E-Scooters are relatively disposable items with an average lifespan of just two years.  With all of the components involved in the manufacturing of an e-scooter, the carbon footprint is hardly carbon-free.  Add to that the emissions attributed to the collection and storage of the scooters and it’s easy to see that e-scooters have an environmental impact from their lifecycle.

E-Scooters Have Emissions

While a study in North Carolina published in the MIT Technology Review in 2019* found that e-scooters produce about half of the emissions of a standard motor vehicle, the study also found that their per-passenger-mile emissions are higher than an electric moped, an electric bicycle, or even a diesel bus with high ridership.  And while e-scooters may be seen as an alternative to using a standard vehicle, the study found that only 34% of users would have used a car instead of the e-scooter leaving the many users replacing the true carbon-free mode of transportation – walking. 

Sponsorships

E-Scooter sharing companies have been known to give sponsorship money to non-profits and advocacy groups to gain support.  In the beginning, little was known about the cost e-scooters would have on the environment, so you may see advocacy groups promoting the eco-friendliness of e-scooters, but over time more and more studies will emerge showing the true color of e-scooters, and it isn’t going to be green.

E-Scooter Injury Attorney

If you or someone you know has been injured in an incident involving an e-scooter, please contact us for a free consultation.  The hundreds of pages of cell phone screen space it takes to read an entire rider agreement should not make you feel powerless.  At Rahman Law, we advocate and fight for the rights and safety of pedestrians and cyclists.  We’re here when you need us.

*MIT Technology Review, Sorry, scooters aren’t so climate-friendly after all, James Temple (August 2019)

E-Scooter Personal Injury Cases are on the Rise

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personal injury attorney San Francisco

Electric scooters (often called “e-scooters”) are a relatively new resource promoted by sharing companies, like Bird Rides, Inc., that are found in major cities like San Francisco and the greater Bay Area.  There was almost immediate backlash for the distribution methodologies of these companies by pedestrian and disability advocates with concern for safety.  Now, a few years into the use of e-scooters as a shared resource for transportation, studies are finding personal injury cases related to e-scooters are on the rise. 

Bird Rides, Inc. conducted their own research and have been promoting e-scooters as equally as-safe-as or safer-than riding a bicycle, but these “key findings” are related to internal (“secret”) data and “independent research.”  However, there is published research evidencing the rate of injury for e-scooters may be higher than that of personal vehicles and motorcycles with particularly heavy incidences of head and limb injuries.  Injuries from e-scooters treated in emergency rooms throughout the U.S. nearly doubled between 2018 and 2019.*  In California, helmet use is only required for riders under the age of 18, but while other vehicle laws remain in place inclusive of e-scooters, personal injuries result from a multitude of factors including failure to obey the traffic laws, alcohol, and rider inexperience. 

There has been a string of class action personal injury lawsuits nationwide against e-scooter sharing companies and e-scooter companies are calling for safer streets, but better roadway infrastructure as a way to lessen scooter-related injuries does not follow the emerging research on e-scooter injuries.  A limited study conducted by Austin Public Health in 2018 revealed only 10% of riders who were injured sustained injuries in a collision with a motor vehicle vs. 37% of injured e-scooter riders reporting excessive e-scooter speed contributed to their injuries.  And despite legislation already being in place and continuing to remain in place prohibiting the use of e-scooters on sidewalks, riders still ride e-scooters on sidewalks, putting pedestrians at risk of injury, too. 

The rental agreement from Bird to use an e-scooter is 261 cell phone screens long and incudes a waiver of a (constitutional right to a) jury trial in favor of binding arbitration and a provision to protect the company (and any Municipality contracted to provide the services) from all claims of negligence.  The rider is riding at their own risk, but the chances of them reading through the 18,404-word agreement are small.  This creates a consumer hurdle to suing Bird for a personal injury. 

As personal injury attorneys in San Francisco, we advocate for bicyclist and pedestrian safety as personal injury attorneys.  In San Francisco and other California cities, e-scooters are appearing to be adopted as a way to shift away from gas-powered vehicles, which is beneficial, but there is a complete disregard for the safety of users of these e-scooters.  If you or a loved one has been injured in an e-scooter collision, contact us today for a free consultation. 

* JAMA Network Open, Estimated Incidence of Electric Scooter Injuries in the US From 2014 to 2019, Kevin Xavier Farley, Matthew Aizpuru, MD, Jacob M. Wilson, MD. (August 2020)

How to Recover Property Damage for a Bicycle after a Collision

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No collision is a good one, but thankfully in many instances there is only property damage to your bicycle without any physical harm to you, the rider, and we’re always thankful to hear someone wasn’t hurt.  However, this still leaves a nagging issue – how to recover property damage for a bicycle after a collision.  We’re here to help!

The first thing to know is that you’ll want to gather as much information at the scene as possible; including the name, phone number, and insurance company of the driver.  You’ll be filing a claim with the insurance company, which can be a slow and frustrating process, but we have some tips for you to help make it a less stressful process.  In fact, we have an entire property damage demand toolkit available for free download here if you need it.

Tip #1 – Don’t throw anything away or get it repaired

An important component of dealing with an insurance company is evidence.  The insurance company may want to take a look at your damaged bicycle, helmet, and/or accessories.

Tip #2 – Take pictures of everything

If you can, take pictures at the scene of the collision, then take more pictures of your damaged bicycle and other items (if any) to show the damages in detail. 

Tip #3 – Gather receipts

If you can find your original receipt for your bicycle, that’s great! You can also find listings online of your bicycle model for sale to show how much it would cost to replace everything.  And when we say ‘everything’ we mean the frame, the tires, the rims, and all of your upgrades, if any, to the bicycle that were damaged in the collision.  Make a list of everything on your bicycle that was damaged (including anything you were wearing like your helmet or riding shirt) and write down how much it would cost to replace and include the source of that price.

Tip #4 – Get repair estimates

Some damages might be repairable rather than needing to be replaced.  If that’s the case, get a repair estimate from a cycling shop you trust.  You may want to get a repair estimate even if the repairs would cost more than the price of the bike because showing that to the insurance company may prompt them to replace the bike rather than insist on repairing it. 

Tip 5 – Compile everything into a demand for payment letter

Our property damage demand toolkit includes an editable demand letter that you can use as your template or starting point.  It’s free to download and many cyclists have found it to be helpful at this step when trying to recover property damage for a bicycle.  You’ll most likely open a claim with the insurance company over the phone first and then send this letter with your claim number written on it to outline your damages.  From here, the insurance company will likely make you an unreasonable offer (one that might buy a kids’ bike at Walmart) or start using delay tactics.  Stay strong and stick with it. 

Tip 6 – Be ready to negotiate

Remember, it is the job of the insurance adjuster to pay you as little as possible.  Your job is to get a fair settlement or take them to court (it might be a ‘Small Claims’ lawsuit).  If you are struggling with this step, you are welcome to give us a call.  We love talking to cyclists because we ride, too, and we know what it’s like to negotiate with an insurance company!  Consultations are free and sometimes that’s all you’ll need to get the courage to negotiate with the insurance company.  If negotiating isn’t working or you have damages that exceed a ‘small claim,’ we can talk with you about your options, too. 

Download our Property Damage Demand Toolkit here.

Pedestrian Fatalities Peak in 2019; Highest Since 1988

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pedestrian accident lawyer

We are pedestrian accident lawyers and we take our mission as advocates for pedestrian (and bicyclist) safety to heart, and we think you’ll agree with us when we say the increase in pedestrian fatalities is something to speak up about. 

Over the past 30 years, pedestrian fatalities have been increasing in the United States and California is one of the states with the most fatalities.  New (preliminary) data is out and it shows that 2019 will be the year with the most pedestrian fatalities since 1988! The report comes from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and they predict that 6,590 pedestrian fatalities occurred in 2019 from their preliminary data.  This is a 53% increase of pedestrian fatalities just since 2009.

California is looking like it will reclaim its place as the state with the most pedestrian fatalities (Florida took the title away from California in 2015).  Vision Zero in San Francisco has been raising more awareness for pedestrians and pedestrian safety in San Francisco, but 2019 did not meet its target even though 2017 and 2018 saw reduced numbers in pedestrian fatalities within the County.

We won’t stop until we see ZERO pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities and neither should you!

This new data is alarming.  But that doesn’t mean we should quit fighting.  The report from the GHSA included correlational data about the increase in smartphones and the shift between owning fewer passenger cars and more light trucks or SUVs, but correlation isn’t a guarantee of causation.  We’ve written in this blog before about the relationship speed plays in pedestrian and bicyclist injuries and concerns over the relationship rideshare services play in the rise of traffic fatalities.  There are many factors involved. 

Here’s what we do know:

  • Distractions while driving are increasing
  • Alcohol is a factor in nearly half of pedestrian accidents with a fatality
  • Speed is the top factor in pedestrian accidents with a fatality
  • Most incidents resulting in pedestrian fatalities occur in urban areas and at night
  • Injuries and fatalities happen at intersections but most fatalities occur away from intersections

What this means for drivers:

  • Put distractions out of reach
  • Never drive impaired by drugs, alcohol, or sleep deprivation
  • SLOW DOWN
  • Be extra vigilant when driving at night
  • Watch for pedestrians around parked cars and not just at crosswalks

None of these requests are difficult to achieve and when driving, we all must do our part to protect pedestrians, after all, we are all pedestrians even if that’s just walking to and from our car.

If you would like to read more about the rise of pedestrian fatalities from the GHSA, the report is available here: https://www.ghsa.org/resources/Pedestrians20

As pedestrian accident lawyers, this topic is important to us.  You are welcome to browse through our other articles on pedestrian accidents, injuries, safety and advocacy here: https://www.rahmanlawsf.com/archive/category/personal-injury-lawyer/pedestrian-accident-lawyer/

If you or a loved one wishes to speak with a pedestrian accident lawyer, please contact us.  Consultations are free.  We have offices in San Francisco and Paso Robles, California.

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Dog Bite Lawsuit FAQs

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Dog bite injuries are unfortunately very common which means dog bite lawsuits happen more often than you might think.  In fact, dog bites are the most common claim for liability on homeowner insurance policies according to the Insurance Information Institute.  But keep in mind, not all homeowner policies include provisions for dog bites and it’s a good idea to check your policy if you own a dog.  In California, the law imposes strict liability on the owners of a dog that bites someone, and as personal injury lawyers, we get a lot of questions about what that means.  Here, we’ll answer some of the most common dog bite lawsuit FAQs.

1. Do I need to file a police report?

There is some important information you’ll want to collect at the scene of a dog bite (if you can; if you are seriously hurt or in danger, call 911).  We talk about what information to gather in another of our blogs, “What to Ask When a Dog Bite Happens.”  You do not need to file a police report in order to file a lawsuit, but you will want to report the bite to the local County Health Officer and possibly Animal Control so that an officer can investigate the dog.  The dog will be quarantined to check for rabies. 

2. Will the dog be euthanized?

When we say the dog will be quarantined, we do not mean euthanized.  Quarantining is required; euthanasia happens under special circumstances.  California does have a euthanasia policy, but it requires the dog to have bitten at least twice before or have been specifically trained to attack (California Civil Code §3342.5(b)).  An action will be brought against the owner in such circumstances and a dog bite victim may inquire about this.  An owner has the duty to take reasonable steps to remove the danger presented by the animal (California Civil Code §3342.5(a).). 

3. Is there a statute of limitations for a dog bite lawsuit?

Yes.  It is important you contact an attorney right away if you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite.  Our consultations are free and we can discuss the timeline in more detail with you. 

4. Does a dog have to have bitten once before to file a dog bite lawsuit?

No, California does not require a dog to have previously bitten in order to file a lawsuit.  Per California Civil Code §3342(a): “The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.” 

5. Is the owner liable for lost wages?

In a dog bite lawsuit, the dog bite victim can seek to recover damages, including lost wages from time off from work due to the injury.   Damages also include medical bills or a damaged bicycle if you were cycling when the dog attacked. 

6. Can a burglar sue for a dog bite?

It’s a common myth to hear about someone breaking into a home, being bitten by the dog living there, then suing the owners of the dog for the injuries.  It is not typical for someone to recover damages for a dog bite if they are trespassing on private property or if the dog bit out of self-defense of itself or the owner. 

7. Can I sue if a dog bites my dog?

This is a common question as some dogs are more likely to bite another dog than a human.  California Civil Code §3342 does not pertain to dog-on-dog aggressions; however, your dog is your personal property and damages to your personal property can warrant a lawsuit to recover the damages (i.e. veterinarian bills). 

We hope you found the answer to your dog bite lawsuit questions here, but if you have more questions, we are happy to talk to you.  We welcome your phone calls and emails. 

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Don’t Own a Car but Still Sometimes Drive? A Personal Mobility Policy Might be for You!

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Don’t Own a Car but Still Sometimes Drive? A Personal Mobility Policy Might be for You!

San Francisco has a great public transportation system network that is so effective, many San Francisco residents don’t even own a car!  In 2014, a study found 88% of all new households (people who moved to San Francisco since 2000) didn’t own a car (source). This shows a rising trend in more families going car-free when compared to the total of all current households in San Francisco without a car, which is roughly 30% (source). 30% puts San Francisco in the top 10 cities in the nation for households without a car.  At Rahman Law, we handle a lot of personal injury cases in San Francisco for pedestrians and bicyclists involved in a collision, and we know many of these bicyclists and pedestrians ride or walk because they do not own a car (and may not even need to own a car).

Not having a car to manage maintenance, fuel, and insurance on can be a financial relief for many people (and did we mention the psychological relief of not having to fight for a parking spot between street cleaning days here in San Francisco?!?), but sometimes we all need a car.  After all, other California cities do not offer the same level of public transportation convenience available in San Francisco.  Or maybe you’re thinking about a road trip to Las Vegas with a few friends?  Let’s face it, sometime we all want or need a car to get us to our destination.  People in households without their own car often rent one or borrow one for their long treks, but what many of us don’t fully understand is how insurance works when you’re driving a car that isn’t yours… until something happens. 

There is an insurance policy known as a Personal Mobility Policy that a few insurance agencies provide.  These policies typically cover private passenger cars that are being driven by but not owned by the policy holder (you).  And most often, the car cannot be owned by a resident of your household, resident relative (someone related to you living in the same household), or an employer of you or any of these types of people.  These policies may also include insurance to cover rental vehicles driven by you.  Personal Mobility Policies offer a more affordable way to have protection when you’re behind the wheel of a car you don’t own should something go wrong. 

Personal Mobility Policies can even go a step further than protecting you and your assets as a driver; these policies now often include coverage as a bicyclist, pedestrian, or as a passenger (even when using transportation networks for ridesharing services). 

With Personal Mobility Policies covering things like bodily injury, property damage/loss, uninsured motor vehicle coverage, and even emergency road services on top of the standard comprehensive and collision pieces for people driving a car they don’t own, riding in a rideshare vehicle, riding a bike, or simply walking along on the sidewalk, Personal Mobility Policies might be best fit for the new San Francisco lifestyle as we continue to own fewer and fewer cars.

So if you don’t own a car but sometimes rent or borrow one, or if you ride a bicycle regularly (especially if you commute on your bike), or if you use rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, talk to your insurance provider and ask about a Personal Mobility Policy to see if they offer it and if it might be right for you.  Some insurance companies will bundle it in with homeowners’ or renters’ insurance as an additional policy for a reduced premium, so if you have one of these insurances, start by speaking with your insurance agent there and asking about what’s right for you.  Having the right coverage in place can help you should anything ever go sideways.  Many of the phone calls we receive as personal injury lawyers in San Francisco stem from someone involved in a collision not having any or enough insurance.