Rising Car Accident Rate Worries Oakland Personal Injury Lawyers

Oakland, with its population of 420,000 people, is the 8th largest city in California and one of the country's most diverse cities. Oakland personal injury lawyers say that the city is also known for reckless drivers who cause a number of serious car accidents every year.

Statistics show that Oakland car accidents are on the rise. In 2006, at least 38 people were killed and 1,749 others sustained serious personal injuries in Oakland car collisions. Officials also say that alcohol-related collisions led to the deaths of 16 people in Oakland while injuring 235 others.

Young Students Most Vulnerable in Oakland Car Accidents

With about 46,000 students or more than 10 percent of the population, Oakland's youth is a particularly vulnerable demographic when it comes to car accidents.

In October 2009, three students were involved in car accidents throughout Oakland in one day. They included an elementary student, a middle schools student and a high school student. The middle school student, 11-year-old Alana Williams, was killed when she was struck by a hit-and-run driver while on a crosswalk near the corner of Foothill Boulevard and 64th Avenue, in front of Frick Middle School. Officials said this was the same area where a teacher at the same school lost part of her lower leg after also getting struck by a hit-and-run driver. In response to the latest incident, officials recently installed a crossing guard at the intersection.

In the same day, an elementary student was hit by a school bus while riding his bicycle near Jefferson Elementary School at the corner of 40th Avenue and Mera Street, while an Oakland High School student on a skateboard ran into a car on MacArthur Boulevard. Thankfully, in both those incidents, the drivers stopped their vehicles and helped the young students who sustained minor accident injuries.

Oakland Teachers, Safety Officials Encourage Pedestrian-Safety Education

Teachers said that in addition to gang violence and earthquake preparedness, more attention must be paid to Oakland car accidents and have suggested that safety begins in schools. They say that a number of undocumented residents who cannot get a driver's license still get behind the wheel of a car every day, possibly leading to an increase in the number of hit-and-run incidents such as the one that befell the Williams family.

With the goal of improving safety on Oakland's streets, teachers have proposed the following measures. They include increased campaigns on pedestrian awareness and an injury prevention curriculum in schools that would teach students the importance of wearing protective gear while biking or skateboarding.

Meantime, the Oakland Pedestrian Safety Project also promotes pedestrian safety in the city. They have conducted major projects such as the Pedestrian Master Plan whose goal is to encourage more people to put on their walking shoes and leave their car keys behind by promoting a pedestrian-friendly environment. The Walk Oakland! Map Guide meantime is made available to visitors and residents and includes bikeways and information on pedestrian and cyclists' safety. Also, the OPSP has created a Safe Routes to School Toolkit and hosts an annual Walk to School Day.

Oakland Personal Injury Attorneys Protect Pedestrians, Car Accident Victims

If you or a loved one has been involved in an Oakland accident of any kind, please consult an Oakland personal injury attorney.

Your accident attorney will explain the legal issues of your personal injury case and fight for any damages to which you may be entitled. They will also ensure that any guilty parties involved in the accident will be held accountable. While there are many personal injury and accident lawyers claiming to have your best interests at heart, it is helpful to keep in mind that the best law firms will always offer a free consultation on your case.

Law firms with strong records of successfully handling personal injury lawsuits meantime may also offer a no-fee guarantee meaning that you don't pay anything unless they win your case.

If you are the victim of a personal injury, you owe it to yourself to get a FREE copy of the book "The Seven Fatal Mistakes That Can Wreck Your California Personal Injury Claim" ($14.99 value). If you need help immediately, call one of our expert personal injury lawyers now at 1-800-561-4887 and we will schedule a consultation the same day or by the next business day at the latest.

Please see other BISNAR | CHASE California personal injury lawyers and San Francisco personal injury lawyers.

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Our Oakland car accident lawyers specialize in San Francisco car accidents.

Be on the Hit-and-Run Lookout

BISNAR | CHASE, in conjunction with WeTip, a leading anonymous crime reporting service and law enforcement advocacy non-profit organization, is launching a program intended to wipe out hit-and-runs in the state of California by offering rewards for tips leading to the arrest and felony conviction of hit-and-run drivers. See Hit-and-Run Reward for more details.

BISNAR | CHASE 2006-2010 Super Lawyers names outstanding lawyers from more than 60 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. BISNAR | CHASE has received this award for five consecutive years. Brian Chase was named one of the 2010 Top 50 Orange County Lawyers.