Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

When drivers don’t pay attention, pedestrians get hurt or killed. The pedestrian accident lawyers at RAHMAN LAW PC not only represent pedestrians who have been hit by cars, they also are actively trying to make the laws better protect pedestrians.
Pedestrian accidents with fatalities are increasing. If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident and want to talk to a lawyer, don’t wait. Contact us today. Consultation are free.

Vision Zero 2.0 in San Francisco

Posted on by Rahman Law PC
san francisco pedestrians at crosswalk

San Francisco was the second city in the United States to adopt a Vision Zero resolution back in 2014. The pledge was to reach zero severe and fatal traffic accidents within 10 years. Walk San Francisco, a non-profit we love supporting, advocated heavily to bring about Vision Zero in San Francisco. As of the writing of this post in May of 2024, San Francisco is already up to 13 fatalities this year. That is 13 fatalities over the goal and the year is not finished. The most recent fatality was just this month and the collision was in an area declared a “High Injury Network” by the Vision Zero plan. It’s time for Vision Zero 2.0 in San Francisco and we’re sponsoring Walk SF to help lead the way.

A Recap of Vision Zero in San Francisco

Since 2014, there have been 300 catastrophic collisions resulting in fatalities in San Francisco (there may still be some under investigation). 2022 was a record-breaking year that hadn’t been seen since 2007 with the most fatalities during the Vision Zero initiative. As we all know too well, nothing moves quickly in government settings, including the release of data. The most recent report from the San Francisco Department of Public Health in collaboration with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and the San Francisco Police Department was published in May of 2023 (hopefully the next report will be available soon) and recapped Vision Zero at the end of 2022. In fact, the report only counted 39 fatalities for 2022 as two fatalities were still under investigation. The report looked at demographics, modes of travel, collision factors, and even time of day to look for correlations beyond the already identified High Injury Network. Pedestrians continue to be the highest group impacted by San Francisco’s unsafe streets with the most fatalities each year.

San Francisco Traffic Fatalities from 2005 to 2022

Bringing Vision Zero 2.0 to San Francisco

As we mentioned earlier, we’re sponsoring Walk SF for Vision Zero 2.0 advocacy. It’s clear the efforts made in San Francisco over these last 10 years haven’t been enough. Other cities in the United States and around the world are making similar efforts and having much higher success rates. Why not San Francisco? Red tape, delays, leadership (or lack thereof), slow data analysis, lack of funding, lack of support, and maybe even a fear of change or backlash from drivers. You can take your pick from these and many other factors that might contribute to the lack of success so far in Vision Zero.

What we’re calling for, along with Walk San Francisco, is a renewed pledge to Vision Zero as Vision Zero 2.0. Let’s learn from the inadequacies and be brave enough to examine the failures and make the tough decisions needed for success in having zero fatalities in San Francisco streets. If we take a hard look at what we’re doing in San Francisco as compared to other cities having success with their Vision Zero resolutions, we can make Vision Zero 2.0 a success in San Francisco.

San Francisco started with Quick-Build Programs for reducing catastrophic injuries and fatalities in the High Injury Network areas, but most of the projects turned out to not be very “quick.” The delays in the projects have expanded the timeline beyond the 10-year goal. If we renew our pledge with Vision Zero 2.0 in San Francisco, we believe we can be successful. We need to move beyond the “quick” Band-Aids and address the root of what could be called a disease for San Francisco as more people have been killed in collisions so far this year than by homicide. Looking at New York, who also started Vision Zero in 2014 like San Francisco, banning right turns on red lights, reducing speeds, and adding more speed cameras to aid the Police with enforcement did show a significant drop in pedestrian deaths. We know banning right turns on red lights isn’t a small ask, but perhaps what we need to ask isn’t “can this be a quick fix,” but instead ask, “is this a necessary fix?” When lives continue to be lost, we want to look at necessary interventions, even ones that may not be so popular with drivers like ending right turns on red lights. San Francisco needs to be safe and end collision-related fatalities more than it needs to get you to work on time when you got out the door late.

How You Can Help Make Vision Zero 2.0 a Reality

Start with a visit to Walk San Francisco’s Vision Zero Campaign page. On the right, you’ll see a menu of resolutions by district. You’ll be able to quickly and easily send a letter to your district’s Supervisor thanking them for supporting Vision Zero and asking them to renew their efforts. Let them know why safe streets matter to you.

Next, we need a plan of action from City and Government Leaders. S.B. 961 just passed at the State Senate and is going to the Assembly. Bills like this that target the root of the problem, like speeding drivers in this case, are going to be necessary as part of a plan of action. Do your part and VOTE for action items like S.B. 961 when they become available for a vote. And when they start working their way through the government, send letters of support to your leaders and ask for their support in making positive changes that will save lives. If you don’t know what’s coming up in government that might save lives for people in San Francisco, check out the news page from Walk SF. They will frequently post not only what’s coming but whom to contact with your support or request for change. They also frequently have something posted on their Take Action page.

What is S.B. 961?

SB 961 would require all cars and trucks manufactured or sold in California starting in 2027 (except emergency vehicles) to have ‘Intelligent Speed Assistance’ technology. All new vehicles in Europe will have this starting this summer. SB 961 would require audio and visual warnings to the driver when the vehicle is being operated in excess of 10 MPH over the speed limit.
If passed, SB 961 would bring needed safety technology into the vehicle fleet in California and likely our entire country, just like when seat belt laws started at the state level.

If you or a loved one have been in a traffic collision with injuries, know that we’re not only advocating for change, but we’re also personal injury attorneys in San Francisco ready to help fight for your rights. Consultations are free.

What You Need To Know About California’s New Daylighting Law

Posted on by Shaana A. Rahman

At the end of 2023, California Governor Gavin Newson signed into law SB 413, making it illegal in California to park within 20 feet of the approach of any marked or unmarked crosswalk, whether or not there is a red curb painted or a sign. 

What is the ‘California Daylighting Law’ is all about?

The new law (SB 413 or the ‘California Daylighting Law’) amends Section 22500 of the California Vehicle Code, adding a new section to the law prohibiting stopping, standing or parking of a vehicle within 20 feet of any marked or unmarked crosswalk or within 15 feet of any crosswalk with a curb extension.  For now, cities can only issue a warning if the law is violated, unless the area has already been painted red or a sign erected.  On January 1, 2025, violators can be cited.

Daylighting, or removing visual barriers within a minimum of 20 feet of a crosswalk or intersection, makes everyone on the street easier to see.

Why do we need this law for pedestrians?

Until AB 413 was passed, California was one of only 10 states that did not have a law restricting parking near crosswalks, despite the high rate of pedestrian injuries and fatalities.  The law allows cities to implement a pedestrian safety concept called daylighting which increases visibility for both pedestrians crossing the street and drivers approaching an intersection.  With daylighting, pedestrians no longer have to edge into the intersection to try and peek around parked cars for approaching traffic.  Daylighting increases safety for drivers too as it gives drivers a clear view of the intersection, allowing them to see if someone is waiting to cross, well before they reach the intersection.  This also helps drivers more readily identify children, who are less visible at intersections behind parked cars, who are waiting to cross the street.  

Preventing fatal pedestrian injuries

Some cities, like San Francisco began implanting daylighting in 2015, after adopting Vision Zero, a nationwide movement putting safety first to decrease traffic deaths to zero by 2024.  San Francisco started their program in some of the high injury network streets where there are the most concentrated numbers of severe and fatal pedestrian injuries.  By 2019, San Francisco had implemented daylighting in the collection of intersections throughout the city where more than two-thirds of all severe and fatal traffic crashes happen. 

Won’t this California Daylighting Law remove parking spaces?

In moving cities toward a new mindset where streets are shared by pedestrians, cyclists, transit and cars there will always be trade-offs between safety and convenience.  The reality is at some point during an average day, most of us will be a pedestrian, whether we define ourselves that way or not.  Whether you drive and park your car to run and errand and cross a street, or are car-free and walk everywhere, you are a pedestrian and now there is a law in California that will help improve the chances that you can get from one side of the street to the other safely. 

New Year, New Law for Pedestrians

Posted on by Rahman Law PC

Pedestrians are safest in crosswalks.  However, crossing the street outside of a marked crosswalk is still something pedestrians do and is commonly known as jaywalking–crossing between adjacent intersections controlled by traffic signal devices or law enforcement where there is no crosswalk.  California law has historically prohibited jaywalking allowing police officers to issue citations for a moving violation to pedestrians carrying a fine of up to $250.00. (California Vehicle Code section 21955). 

Unfortunately, California has seen an inequitable number of jaywalking fines going to minority groups, which is part of what started the momentum behind the “Freedom to Walk” act signed in by Governor Gavin Newsom.  Phil Ting, a San Francisco assembly member helped write the legislation along with fellow assembly member Laura Friedman of Glendale.  Mr. Ting commented that “minority groups don’t need to be harassed by law enforcement.” Data from the California Racial Identity Profiling Act shows that Black people in San Diego are 4.3 times as likely to be cited for jaywalking as white pedestrians and 3.7 times as likely to be cited by the Los Angeles Police Department. Effective since January 1, 2023, the new law restricts police officers from stopping pedestrians for jaywalking unless “a reasonable person would realize there is an immediate danger of collision with a moving vehicle or other device moving exclusively by human power” (which would be something like a bicycle). The new act, AB-2147,  also applies to pedestrians walking against a traffic light or pedestrians not walking closest to the left side of the road. 

The key here is “reasonable person.”  A police officer may still issue a ticket to a pedestrian that violates the laws that apply to pedestrians if they believe you are going to cause a collision. 

AB-2147 was enacted to rectify the disparity of the imposition of monetary fines on minority groups and the targeting of individuals for minor infractions of the law.  The changes to the law decriminalizes jaywalking and the law now can’t be used as a pretext to detain someone. But, there are still laws on the books that require pedestrians to use crosswalks, obey traffic signals and other basic traffic laws.  The sad fact is that even when pedestrians follow safe practices for walking and crossing the street, including using crosswalks and obeying traffic signals, pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. are high.  2022 was a record-breaking year for pedestrian fatalities with an estimated 7,485 pedestrian deaths in the United States, the most in four decades.   San Francisco saw 13 pedestrians killed in 2021, and on average more than 500 are severely injured each year.   So while we support the goal behind AB-2147 to end targeting of racial minorities and low-income communities, we believe that whenever or wherever you are walking you need do whatever you can to stay safe and stay visible to cars.   We support Vision Zero and we won’t stop advocating for pedestrian safety until we see ZERO pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities each year.

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

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Pedestrian Fatalities Peak in 2019; Highest Since 1988

Posted on by Rahman Law PC
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.

Contact Rahman Law PC

Beat the Heat with these Summer Safety Tips

Posted on by Rahman Law PC
summer cyclist safety tips in paso robles and san francisco personal injury lawyers

Summer is here and with the extra hours of sunshine comes the heat!  In San Francisco, a “hot” day might be in the 80s, but this year it’s already been hotter than usual and at our Paso Robles office and in other scenic riding locations on the Central Coast, temperatures can easily surpass 100 degrees.  If you plan to go out in the heat for cycling or other activities, read on for some of our favorite tips to combat the hot weather.

Hydrate

Hydration always sounds like an obvious first step in the heat, but it isn’t just about hydrating during your summer activities, you’ll want to hydrate before and after, too.  The CDC and Cal/OSHA recommend 1 cup of water for every 15 minutes of physical activity in the heat and consuming electrolytes (sports drinks/fruit juice) before and after to replenish the salt we use for sweating.  They also warn that alcohol can reduce the body’s ability to regulate temperatures and should be avoided before your planned cycling day or any other activity in the heat.  And just a reminder, CA Vehicle Code 21200.5 does not provide a specific blood-alcohol threshold to be considered riding a bicycle under the influence, but cycling impaired is unlawful and a violation fine can be up to $250.

Keep Your Core Cool

There are a variety of products out there to help keep your core temperature down in hot weather like specialty towels and jerseys.  For motorcyclists, there are suits and jackets with mesh ventilation flaps.  But there are also some very easy ways to keep your core cool without needing a gear upgrade.  A favorite of many cyclists is freezing your water bottle when half full to create an ice block.  A fun alternative from wine country is to freeze grapes and use them as ice cubes; they’ll cool your water and provide a tasty snack later.  Want more?  Here’s a DIY tutorial on how to make your own neck cooler here.

Watch for Signs of Heat Stroke

While you may have taken all of the steps to beat the heat, others with you may not have properly prepared.  Symptoms of over-heating include headache, nausea, dizziness, and weakness.  At the point of heat exhaustion, the affected person may sweat more profusely than usual and have a rapid pulse.  If heat exhaustion goes untreated, the person may stop sweating altogether and/or become confused; the warning signs of heat stroke, a serious medical condition.  If you believe someone is in danger of over-heating, get them into a cool area immediately.  If there are concerns of heat stroke, call 911.  For more information, visit the CDC’s website here.

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Add Rahman Law to Your Phone Contacts

No one ever expects to be involved in a collision.  If you plan to be out cycling, riding a motorcycle, or driving this summer, be sure to add us to your contacts in your phone.  That way, you can call us immediately if you ever need us.  We also have free toolkits and guidebooks on our website here.  Have a great summer!

Rahman Law PC

Bicycle Safety: How the Speed Limit Factors into Cyclist and Pedestrian Injuries

Posted on by Shaana A. Rahman

Most cyclist fatalities in urban and rural areas occur in 45 mph zones (link to other blog on fatalities); however, the likelihood of sustaining a survivable injury as a pedestrian or cyclist in a 45 mph zone is not the same. 

What is the same is the speed limit where the most injuries occur: 25 mph.

Part of the reason most injuries occur for cyclists and pedestrians in 25 mph zones is the survivability factor.  The likelihood of sustaining a serious or fatal injury in a collision with a vehicle as a pedestrian or cyclist goes up dramatically from 18% at 20 mph to 77% at 40 mph (AAA Foundation).  Another reason for more cyclist and pedestrian injuries at lower speeds is the increased exposure as there are likely going to be more pedestrians in a 25 mph zone than a 75 mph zone.  

The speed limits where the most cyclist and pedestrian injuries occur according to the NHTSA are 25 mph, 35 mph, and 30 mph (in that order).  This data is combined for urban and rural areas.  Keep in mind that the data for injuries comes from serious injuries which are reported.  There may be more injuries occurring than what are reported and would likely be in lower speed zones because of the lack for the need of medical care.

bicycle safety, pedestrian injury, cyclist injury
bicycle safety, pedestrian injury, cyclist injury

Speeding is Also Responsible for Cyclist and Pedestrian Injuries

The information gathered by the NHTSA, NCSA, FARS, and ARF between 2010 and 2015 relied on speed limits to assume speed for much of their data.  Speeding (going over the speed limit) factors into approximately 30% of all motor vehicle fatalities in the United States and is the leading cause of about 8% of pedestrian fatalities.  The most common speed limit zone for pedestrian and cyclist fatalities to occur as a result of speeding is 35 mph.  Specifics on the number of cyclist and pedestrian injuries that were a direct result of speeding was not published; however, 35 mph is the zone with the second-most injuries for both pedestrians and bicyclists, making it likely that there are a portion of injuries occurring as a direct result of speeding.  The unfortunate reality is that speed kills.

Pedestrian Safety

The California Legislature enacted the Pedestrian Safety Act in 2000 which includes new requirements for driver education on pedestrian safety among other items.  California Vehicle Code sections 21950-21954 provide legal measures for pedestrian safety and protection, including that drivers have a higher duty of care than pedestrians.  And in San Francisco, pedestrian safety is going even further with Vision Zero to bring the number of pedestrian injuries and fatalities to zero.  These measures are looking to increase pedestrian safety through more awareness and enforcement in California, including speed-related pedestrian safety issues.

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Bicycle damaged in an accident? Download our free toolkit here.

Personal Injuries Are Happening Inside the Crosswalk: WalkFirst Initiative

Posted on by Rahman Law PC

personal injury attorney crosswalks in san franciscoWalkFirst is part of the Vision Zero program targeting ways to reengineer the City of San Francisco to reduce personal injuries to pedestrians from vehicle collisions.  170 locations have been identified as the highest priorities and they are being corrected over the next five years.  As personal injury attorneys in San Francisco, we’ve been following along with these plans excitedly.  WalkFirst is focusing on Engineering, Enforcement, and Education to reduce the number of fatalities and personal injuries to pedestrians and we think it’s great!

Engineering to Reduce Personal Injuries to Pedestrians with WalkFirst

Many of the changes you will see in San Francisco revolve around intersections with Stop signs and crosswalks.  If you’re wondering why that is, much of the WalkFirst data was created in conjunction with SFMTA Municipal Transportation Agency.  Their San Francisco 2012-2015 Collisions Report released in November of 2016 showed many non-fatal injury collisions with pedestrians revolved around exactly that (no. of collisions): crosswalks (1,305), Stop signs (364), and violations of the traffic signals (1,101).  Correcting these three things would correct 23% of pedestrian personal injuries from vehicle collisions.  In an effort to reduce these incidents, the WalkFirst initiative includes pulling back Stop and Yield lines, painting curbs red near crosswalks, and more pedestrian islands.

Speed is understandably at the top of the list for the causes of pedestrian personal injuries caused by vehicle collisions (2,199 or 18%).  To aid pedestrians in crosswalks when the car coming at them is speeding, high visibility crosswalks and HAWK Beacons are also being added along with more medians.   But until these tools are in place, remember to look carefully and make sure the drivers see you before you step off of the curb.

These preventative tools have been engineered to reduce the number of collisions with pedestrians and tested with great success in other urban cities.  The HAWK Beacon has reduced collisions as much as 69% and pedestrian islands as much as 56%.  Altering a traffic signal to have a separate left turn phase can reduce collisions with pedestrians at an intersection by 48%.  Expect to see these changes in the “High Injury Corridors” of San Francisco as WalkFirst and Vision Zero continue to bring the number of personal injuries and fatalities down to zero.  We’ve taken the pledge to support these initiatives, have you?

Law Enforcement to Reduce Personal Injuries to Pedestrians with WalkFirst

Both WalkFirst and Vision Zero have the City and County law officials working with the initiatives to bring about the needed changes.  After identifying the top causes of pedestrian collisions (there are nine top factors in collisions with personal injuries and the “Focus on Five” linked to collisions with fatalities), SFPD committed 50% of traffic enforcement to these identified most dangerous traffic behaviors.  Data from other metropolitan areas with similar initiatives have found enforcement with education can lead to a 23% reduction in vehicle collisions with pedestrians.  This includes red light cameras which have already led to a reduction in severe and fatal traffic injuries at their intersections.

WalkFirst and Vision Zero Education

Every day in San Francisco, about 3 people are hit by cars while walking and we have four times the national average of pedestrian fatalities for our traffic fatalities.  WalkFirst and Vision Zero along with the City of San Francisco have all launched campaigns to educate the public about the issues with traffic safety in San Francisco.  We are all pedestrians every day.  Here at Rahman Law PC, we advocate for safer streets in our community for pedestrians and bicyclists and actively participate in WalkFirst and Vision Zero.  As personal injury attorneys, we see the reality of these injuries every day and know that change is needed.  If you would like more information, please visit these resources:

http://walkfirst.sfplanning.org/

http://visionzerosf.org/

Rahman Law PC Attorneys Sponsor San Francisco Pedalfest, Answer Bicycle Accident Questions

Posted on by Lacey

Bicycle Accident Attorneys pedalfest

SAN FRANCISCO, California, July 17, 2018 – (Digital Journal) – Rahman Law PC announces their sponsorship of Bike East Bay’s Pedalfest 2018.  Pedalfast is in its eighth year as is a free event to celebrate bikes and cycling with music, food, and art for the whole family to enjoy.  Bringing in an estimated 25,000 attendees, the event is an opportunity for the bicycle accident attorneys at Rahman Law to support Bike East Bay’s mission to make bicycling “safe, fun, and accessible” through advocacy, education, and community engagement.

Principal and founder of Rahman Law, Shaana Rahman, is a member of Bike East Bay and has sponsored Pedalfest all eight years as a bicycle accident attorney and advocate for bicycle safety awareness inclusive of improvements to bikeways and streets, which is a shared vision of Bike East Bay.  While much of Pedalfest revolves around the joy of bikes with amphibious races and a bicycle rodeo for children, there is still a commitment to “improving access to biking, walking and transit” while also “increasing the number of people who ride bicycles safely, confidently and knowledgeably” from Bike East Bay.

The team of bicycle accident attorneys at Rahman Law attend as many bicycling community events like Pedalfest in San Francisco each year as they can, to talk about bicycle safety, City advocacy measures, urban bicycle accident hazards, and answer common questions from cyclists.

“We want to get out there and talk to cyclists to help raise awareness on topics that could prevent catastrophic injuries,” said Ms. Rahman.  “We support Vision Zero for San Francisco and a big part of that is education.”

Last year, a common safety topic the public asked the bicycle attorneys related to bicycle lighting. The team at Rahman Law is happy to talk to cyclists again this year and free consultations are available for those who cannot make it to the event at rahmanlawsf.com.

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 lawyers 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 lawyers and bicycle accident attorneys 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 http://www.rahmanlawsf.com or call (415) 956-9245 in San Francisco, (805) 619-3108 in Paso Robles, California.

 

San Francisco Injury Lawyers Rahman Law PC Join Walk to Work Day

Posted on by Shaana A. Rahman

san francisco injury lawyers walk to work

SAN FRANCISCO, California, 4/3/2018 – ReleaseWire – San Francisco Injury Lawyers Rahman Law PC are pleased to announce their repeat sponsorship of Walk San Francisco’s annual Walk to Work Day.  The event will take place Thursday, April 5th between 7:30am and 10:00am with participation expected to exceed last year’s 10,000 pedestrian commuters.

 

Walk to Work Day raises awareness that everyone in San Francisco spends a portion of their day as a pedestrian.  By expanding on-foot communizing times, people become more cognizant of the streets and sidewalks around them and why organizations like Walk San Francisco and their advocacy efforts are important to keep pedestrians safe from injury and keep San Francisco a walkable city.

 

Shaana Rahman, an injury lawyer and the principal and founder of Rahman Law PC, is on the Board of Directors of Walk San Francisco.  Ms. Rahman believes in advocating to keep San Francisco safe for everyone and as an injury lawyer in San Francisco she has seen firsthand how dangerous the high-injury corridors can be to pedestrians.  These corridors are the 6% of streets in San Francisco where 60% of pedestrian collisions occur which can result in injury or death.

 

Rahman Law PC is both sponsoring Walk to Work Day in San Francisco and will be volunteering at a Work Day Hub.  Work Day Hubs will be available throughout San Francisco for pedestrians to get coffee, enter drawings for prizes, and pick up additional swag from sponsors.  Ms. Rahman will be at the SFMTA Hub at Market Street and Van Ness Avenue if you would like to meet a pedestrian injury lawyer advocate in-person and learn about current advocacy efforts in San Francisco to keep it walkable.

 

 

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 lawyers 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 http://www.rahmanlawsf.com or call (415) 956-9245 in San Francisco, (805) 619-3108 in Paso Robles, California.

 

Prevent Pedestrian Accidents for the Disabled to Keep Sidewalks Free and Equal

Posted on by Shaana A. Rahman

Pedestrian Accident Lawyer, Dangerous Roadways

 

In California especially, we protect the rights of the disabled so that they, too, are free and equal.  As pedestrian accident lawyers in San Francisco and Paso Robles, California, we advocate for all pedestrian rights.  Recently, principal and founder Shaana Rahman published the following in Plaintiff Magazine:

The Unruh Act broadly provides that all persons within California are “free and equal” and “are entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments of every kind whatsoever.” (Civ. Code, § 51(b).) The California Disabled Persons Act (DPA) additionally provides that individuals with disabilities “shall be entitled to full and equal access, as other members of the general public,” to places to which the general public is invited. (Civ. Code, § 54.1(a)(1).)  Both Acts broadly prohibit discrimination without qualification and require equal treatment in all public accommodations. (Civ. Code, §§ 51 & 54.)

http://www.plaintiffmagazine.com/recent-issues/item/sidewalks

Access to the disabled is non-discriminatory.  Wheelchair access, persons with vision impairments, those with crutches or walking assistive devices, service animals…   The legislation from the Supreme Court, the DPA, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Unruh Act all lead to the same goal: “the commendable goal of total integration of handicapped persons into the mainstream of society.” (In re Marriage of Carney (1979) 24 Cal.3d 725, 738, 740.)  Preventing pedestrian accidents for the disabled becomes a topic of free and equal access provided that doing so would not “fundamentally alter” the nature of the accommodation per the ADA.

Full and equal access includes the sidewalk.  Uneven sidewalks can be an inconvenience to a young, healthy parent pushing a jogging stroller, but are impermissible to many wheelchairs.  In San Francisco and Paso Robles, the streets and sidewalks are old due to the age of the cities, resulting in gaps, cracks, and deviations in the sidewalks greater than 1”, which can be hazardous to anyone and potentially result in a pedestrian accident.  If you see a dangerous sidewalk, report it.  If you are a property owner, it may be under your duty of care to repair it.  Remember, the general public is entitled to equal access and many cities have ordinances placing the burden of repair for the sidewalk on the property owner.  Courts have already been looking to adjacent property owners to warn and protect the public to prevent pedestrian accidents.

Courts have held a landowner who exercises possession or control over an adjacent sidewalk has a duty to warn or protect pedestrians and others who foreseeably may be in the area from dangerous conditions on the sidewalk.  (See, Alpert v. Villa Romano Homeowners Ass’n (2000) 81 Cal.App.4th 1320, 1335-1337.) In Alpert v. Villa Romano Homeowners Assoc. (2000) 81 Cal.App.4th 1320, the court held that a landowner owed a duty of care to pedestrians using a sidewalk on adjoining property, where the defendant knew the sidewalk was hazardous due to roots from trees located on the defendant’s property. In doing so, the court analyzed the impact of Civil Code 1714(a), Streets and Highways Code 5610, and other authorities in determining liability. In essence, Section 5610 of the Streets and Highways Code established the rule that the owner of the property adjoining the sidewalk has a duty to maintain it. (Ibid.)

http://www.plaintiffmagazine.com/recent-issues/item/sidewalks

Now is a great time to go outside before the rain comes and take a look at the sidewalks around you.  Are they reasonably free of defects to avoid pedestrian accidents?  Do they allow free and equal access to disabled pedestrians?  Are they on or adjacent to yours property?  If you have concerns about liability should a pedestrian accident occur, give us a call.  The lawyers at Rahman Law PC have handled many pedestrian accident cases and can help you understand the ordinances in your area.