California Injury Blog
Seven people were injured in a San Francisco car accident after a van made an illegal turn in front of a Municipal Railway light-rail train. According to an Associated Press news report, the accident occurred the night of March 31, 2010. San Francisco police officials say four people in the van and three people in the Muni train were injured in this collision. Their injuries are described as not life-threatening. Police say the driver of the van is being investigated for driving under the influence after officers found an open container of alcohol in the van.
My heart goes out to the injured victims of this collision. I wish them all the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
San Francisco Car Collisions
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 35 fatalities and 3,577 injuries involving car accidents in San Francisco. Also, during the same year, eight were killed and 309 were injured in DUI collisions in San Francisco.
California Car Accident Laws
Based on this news report, it appears that this accident was the van driver’s fault. First, officials say he may have been under the influence of alcohol. Secondly, the van driver made an illegal turn into the path of the Muni train. If those details are accurate and it is determined that the van driver was at fault, then he should be held both, criminally and civilly liable for this accident and resulting injuries.
California law is very specific about the requirements for drivers making a left turn or a U-turn. California Vehicle Code section 21801 (a) states: “The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety.”
It is also against the law to drive with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): “It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle.”
Liability Issues
Injured victims in such cases would be well-advised to contact an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer who will make sure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also advise victims about how their car insurance policy applies in cases where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.