Light Runners

Portland Car Accident Lawyers Applaud Red-Light Cameras

An experienced Portland, Oregon car accident lawyer will tell you that Portland is no stranger to car accidents. Many note that car crashes are disturbingly high in and around certain city intersections. What’s more, these accidents are among the most lethal.

Tragic Car Accidents in Portland, Oregon

Auto accident data from 1999 and 2000 showed that the most dangerous intersections in Portland were at SE 82nd Avenue & SE Powell Boulevard, SE 82nd Avenue & SE Johnson Creek Boulevard, SE 122nd Avenue & SE Division Street, NE 122nd Avenue & NE Glisan Street, and NE 39th Avenue & NE Sandy Boulevard. The study evaluated intersections using an insurance company’s “danger index,” which includes the number of crashes at each intersection, adjusted for the crash severity. In 2005, some of the most dangerous intersections for pedestrians were on West Burnside in the central core; two other problem intersections were on SE 82nd Avenue. Car accident statistics for 2007 revealed that 35 car accidents resulted in 36 fatalities in Portland. These numbers fell to 18 car accidents, resulting in 19 fatalities in 2008.

Red-Light Cameras Stem Car Accidents in Portland

Knowledgeable Portland car accident lawyers know that red-light runners often cause right-angle or T-bone collisions, which Portland Police say are 2.5 times more likely to result in serious injuries and fatalities than rear-end crashes. To help bring down the number and severity of car crashes, Portland installed red-light cameras at the following intersections between 2001 and 2003: East Burnside at Grand Avenue, northbound approach; NE Sandy Blvd at 39th Avenue, westbound approach; NE Sandy Blvd at 39th Avenue, northbound approach; SE Grand Avenue at Madison Street, northbound approach; West Burnside at 19th Avenue, eastbound approach.

More Red-Light Cameras Go Up

Portland car crash lawyers noted that in 2007, the city added six additional red-light cameras at selected intersections, with five on the city’s east side. Each intersection had a high incidence of crashes caused by red-light scofflaws. Cameras are now present at SW 4th at Jefferson, which had experienced 29 red-light crashes; SE Stark at 99th, with 19 red-light crashes; SE Stark at 102nd, 44 red-light crashes; SE Foster at 96th, 53 red-light crashes; NE Broadway at Vancouver, 28 red-light crashes; and SE Washington at 103rd, 35 red-light crashes.

Red-Light Runners and Car Accidents Drop

In addition to reducing red-light scofflaws, car crashes have dropped. During the three-year period before the cameras went up, there were 252 crashes at five of the most dangerous intersections–78 involved drivers going against the red light. In the three years after installation, there were 199 crashes–54 due to red-light violators. Total injury crashes for all approaches at the intersections were reduced by 30% in the three-year time period. Portland car collision lawyers applaud these efforts to reduce car accidents and injuries in the city.

By: J. Bisnar

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Saturday, October 17th, 2009 Car Accident Lawyer No Comments

A Car Accident Lawyer Needs to Be Familiar With City Traffic Problems

An experienced Woodland Hills car accident lawyer understands that in order to more efficiently serve a client, he or she should be familiar with the city, its traffic problems and accident statistics. Savvy lawyers know that this California city has a unique set of traffic conditions that contribute to its car collisions.

A Deadly Day of Tragedies in Woodland Hills

Knowledgeable car crash lawyers are painfully aware of the city’s many traffic tragedies. On one day alone, five people were fatally injured in four car accidents in Woodland Hills. A motorcyclist died at Mulholland Drive near Flamingo Street when a truck turned in front of him. Less than an hour later, two elderly women were killed when their car ran a red light and collided with an oncoming car at Shoup Avenue and Oxnard Street. Later, a motorist lost his life when his convertible overturned on Winnetka Avenue. And capping this day of tragedies was the loss of a 14-year-old boy who was struck by a car while riding his bike along Fallbrook Avenue, across Saticoy Street.

Woodland Hills’ Unique Traffic Problems

Smart Woodland Hills car accident lawyers are also aware of the fact that Woodland Hills’s traffic problems can contribute to car accidents.

They know, for example, that illegal street racers have become a major problem for the city, causing serious injuries and death. One example would be the street racing that occurred on Vanowen Street between Platt Avenue and Valley Circle. This has already been the site of one fatality and several injuries.

The city has also been plagued by red-light runners at Topanga Canyon and Burbank, and Victory Blvd. and Mason Avenue. These types of accidents can be particularly lethal.

Other traffic problems in Woodland Hills include motorists who tend to drive too fast on San Feliciano Drive, and on Dumetz between San Feliciano Drive and Topanga Canyon. Many commuters use San Feliciano Drive as a “cut through” street instead of using Topanga Canyon. There have been three hit-and-run accidents and five cars totaled on just the 4700 block of San Feliciano due to excessive speeding. Most of the accidents occurred at the curve at the bottom of the hill at Cerillos because motorists drove down the hill too fast.

By: J. Bisnar

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Friday, October 16th, 2009 Car Accident Lawyer No Comments

Car Accident Statistics Can Be Useful When Seeking Compensation For an Injury

An experienced Covina car accident lawyer will tell you that knowing a city and its accident and traffic profile can be useful when seeking compensation for a car crash injury. However, before we go into detail, perhaps some quick facts about car accident statistics in Covina, California may help.

Car Accidents in Covina Injure and Kill Motorists, Motorcyclists and Pedestrians

Accident statistics reported by the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) showed that in 2006, six people were killed and 134 people were injured in Covina car crashes. Pedestrian car accidents killed four and injured 13. Bicycle accidents injured 20. Motorcycle accidents injured one person and killed six. DUI crashes caused two deaths and six injuries. In 2007, six car collisions ended in seven fatalities. In 2008, city traffic collision data revealed there were 811 motor vehicle collisions resulting in 150 injuries and five fatalities.

A Look at Covina’s Unique City Accident Characteristics

Skilled Covina car accident lawyers know the traffic accident “lay of the city.” They’re aware of the most common traffic violations that cause accidents in Covina. For example, in 2008, speeding caused 238 collisions, turning left without yielding caused 83 accidents, and red-light runners caused 55 crashes. They also know the intersections where most accidents occurred–19 crashes each at Azusa/Cypress and Vincent/San Bernardino, 17 at Citrus/Covina, 16 at Badillo/Grand and 13 at Lark Ellen/San Bernardino. Should you become injured in a car accident and seek compensation for damages, this knowledge and experience can help you when Covina car crash lawyers prepare your case for trial or negotiate at the settlement table.

Experienced Car Accident Lawyers Know How to Use Accident Data.

The best Covina car crash lawyers carefully study previous car accidents, their location and what caused them. This information can become useful, if say, a Covina intersection is poorly designed to confuse motorists or poorly controlled or enforced to encourage red-light runners and unsafe turns. Knowing how to properly evaluate a car accident is an acquired skill that takes years of experience.

By: J. Bisnar

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Thursday, September 24th, 2009 Car Accident Lawyer No Comments

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