San Mateo Personal Injury Blog

On any given day, we all have to make critical judgment calls that affect our safety and overall well-being. For example, you can choose to take the stairs or the elevator when going up to another floor at work. You can choose the healthy salad or the greasy burger when you go out for a meal.

You can also choose to rest before getting behind the wheel, asking someone else to drive or make a dangerous decision by driving while feeling exhausted. Many people mistakenly assume that as long as they aren't texting while driving or getting behind the wheel after drinking, they aren't doing anything dangerous on the road.

The Bay Area boasts a relatively high number of large bridges intended to move traffic efficiently over and around the numerous stretches of open water. For the most part, the system of bridges and highways lives up to its intended design goals, but when an accident occurs, the bridge system may become jammed with traffic that has no other place to go. A recent motor vehicle collision on the Bay Bridge showed how a single accident can prevent thousands of drivers from reaching their destinations.

The accident happened at about 4:30 a.m. when a box truck smashed into the rear of a commuter bus on the Bay Bridge. The box truck tipped onto its side, thereby blocking two traffic lanes. A passenger in the truck was killed, and two passengers in the truck were injured. Two passengers on the bus complained of pain and were hospitalized. Police are focusing their investigation on excessive speed by the truck driver. The driver of the bus is undergoing standard drug and alcohol testing.

Chain reaction accidents often involve peculiar incidents of both bad luck and good luck. Mere seconds can mean the difference between a clean escape and serious injury or even death. A recent motor vehicle accident on Highway 101 near the Brisbane exit shows just how slim the margin can become.

A Ford Excursion was heading north on Highway 101 when one of its tires blew out. The following vehicle, a Toyota Camry, slowed to avoid a collision, but it was rear-ended by a Volkswagen. The impact of the Volkswagen pushed the Camry into the Ford Excursion. This impact pushed the Excursion into the far left lane, where it was struck by a tour bus. Moments later, the bus was rear-ended by a Lincoln Navigator. The bus and two cars burst into flames and became fully engulfed in fire. The driver of the Excursion died at the scene. The drivers of the other three cars were taken to a nearby hospital and treated for minor injuries.

California has beautiful weather. There is no denying that fact that during the spring and summer, when the rain has stopped and the sky is clear, there is nothing better than being outside to experience the beauty of a sunny day. Some San Mateo residents plan their commutes to involve some walking when the weather is good, and many families plan walking outings when they have time to spend together.

Walking and being outdoors are common pastimes for Northern Californians, but just because many people take to the roads and streets by foot to get to where they want to go does not mean that they are always seen and avoided. Pedestrians are often the victims of senseless and deadly accidents with cars and in many situations the drivers of the involved vehicles are to blame.