Personal Injury Lawyer

The personal injury lawyers at Rahman Law PC are powerful advocates for people who have been injured through no fault of their own.  These personal injury blogs contain articles with information relating to personal injury law, personal injury lawyers, and personal injury cases of interest.

When Do You Need a Personal Injury Attorney?

Posted on by Rahman Law PC

personal injury attorneyNot everyone feels comfortable picking up the phone and calling a personal injury attorney.  We’re not sure why – we’re really great people to have in your corner!  We care about our clients and have a personal relationship with each one.  We even spend time on the phone answering questions from people who are not our clients because we are passionate about advocating for our community.  (Learn more about who we are and our team here).

But if you are someone who is still trying to decide if this is the right time to pick up the phone, let’s talk about when you need a personal injury attorney.

  1. If you’ve been hurt by no fault of your own and have medical bills, you need a personal injury attorney.

Hospitals and insurance companies have forms which will ask you if this was an accident.  They are going to want to know if there is someone at fault that should be paying for this other than your health insurance.  And we all know how quickly medical bills can add up for a severe injury, especially if an insurance company decides the injury is not their obligation to pay.  Or you may have submitted your bills to the insurance company of the other party already, from a car collision perhaps, and that insurance company isn’t paying.  If you are injured, you need to focus on healing.  A personal injury attorney can manage the bills: where they need to be sent and which party is responsible.  If needed, a lien can be placed on your medical bills that will suspend their payment due date pending trial.  This will protect you from debt collectors which can again, let you focus on healing.

 

  1. If your injury is causing you to miss work and lose wages, it is time to talk to a personal injury attorney.

In California, we have 12 weeks of Family Medical Leave, but those 12 weeks can go by rapidly in the event of a severe injury and at that point, an employer might dismiss you from your job completely which can remove any benefits you had with it, including your medical insurance which you might be using.  Do not wait until the 11th week to see out assistance from a personal injury attorney, start looking as soon as you realize you’ll be missing work.  Your injury may become long-term, especially if there are any unforeseen complications.  And this lost time is something you’ll want to recover from the at-fault party, which a personal injury attorney will be able to evaluate for you.

 

  1. The moment there is a dispute over liability or payment – call a personal injury attorney to protect your rights.

The moment of an accident or injury, many people will say things without knowing what their insurance company or employer will actually do.  For example, if you were hurt on public transportation, the driver might apologize profusely and say that the City or other responsible entity will pay for everything, but this person is not in a position to make those decisions.  The moment someone tells you “no” when you’ve been injured (mentally or physically) or suffered a loss (of property, money, or job) is the time to pick up the phone and call a personal injury attorney.  If the person, company, or insurance provider deemed at-fault is no longer working with you, you need professional assistance.  They have a team on their side and you should have one, too.

 

Hiring a personal injury attorney is not an over-reaction to a situation.  You are protecting yourself against insurance companies and businesses with teams of attorneys skilled at working against people who do not seek legal counsel.  By selecting a personal injury attorney to represent you, you’ll have an advocate for you and as needed, they will bring in a team of experts who understand the focus of your case.  If you’ve been injured through no fault of your own, you shouldn’t have to fight alone.

 

You should be comfortable with your attorney.  We offer free consultations if you ever feel like you need to talk to us, please reach out!

Contact Rahman Law PCcontact personal injury attorney

San Francisco’s Unacceptable Number of Bicyclist Deaths in 2018

Posted on by Rahman Law PC

The vision we share with many is that no pedestrian or bicyclist will be fatally injured by a vehicle in San Francisco – ever.  The City of San Francisco is behind Vision Zero with a mandate to bring traffic deaths to zero by 2024.  This year has been looking on track at reducing pedestrian fatalities, but we have reversed our progress for bicyclists and the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition has already said it is unacceptable.  As bicycle accident attorneys, we agree.  On Thursday, September 13th 2018, the fourth bicyclist this year was fatally injured by a vehicle in San Francisco.

To put this number into perspective, since 2009, the two times San Francisco has seen as many bicyclist fatalities were in years with over 30 total traffic fatalities: 2013 and 2015*.  2013 in particular was the year with the most overall traffic fatalities since 2010.  It’s only September and we have already reached this unfortunate target.  Based on traffic collision statistics, it is impossible to say that there won’t be another bicyclist fatality in San Francisco this year.  Data is still being compiled for this year, but last year was a record breaking year with low numbers and this year had been low as well.  Unfortunately, it is turning out to be unacceptably high for bicyclist accidents and fatalities, especially compared to the ratio of overall traffic fatalities for 2018:

san francisco bicycle fatalities 2018

Why Are Bicycle Accidents on The Rise in San Francisco?

The increase in injuries and fatalities is on the rise in the state by some data.  It is harder to be certain when looking at data for 2018 as so much of it is still being aggregated.  The Govenors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) which reviews road safety in all states found that in 2016 and 2017 pedestrians are now the largest proportion of traffic fatalities nationwide than they have been in 33 years.  More people outside of cars are dying; it is on the rise as a nation and as a state.  Year after year California fluctuates at the top of the nation for the state with the highest number of bicyclists and pedestrians killed each year in traffic collisions.  Usually, we’re first in total number of deaths, but sometimes we’re second.  This means what San Francisco is trying to do with Vison Zero goes against the majority of the nation, state, and metro-area statistics.  It will take education, engineering, and enforcement, but as bicycle accident attorneys and advocates for safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists, we believe it is possible.

The most recent incident occurred outside of a Vision Zero high-injury corridor on the 1600 block on Howard Street near South Van Ness and 12th Streets (Hoodline).  The cyclist was on his way to a bicycling rally to advocate for more protected bike lanes (SF Examiner).  Studies have been showing bicyclists feel safer in these protected lanes and they are a part of Vision Zero.   The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is calling for quick action and asks that San Francisco do a better job to prevent more loss in their press release following this terrible tragedy.

San Francisco Bicycle Coalition calls for quick action

 

What Can You Do To Prevent The Next Traffic Fatality?

  1. Don’t touch your phone! Not for a call, text, or map.  Never drive distracted.  In 2015, 10% of traffic fatalities resulted from distracted driving (NHTSA).  This is easy for you to avoid.
  2. Never drive impaired by alcohol, drugs, or medications. Drivers who were impaired by drugs or alcohol in collisions resulting in a fatality has been dramatically increasing!  In 2015 it was up to 42.6% (NHTSA).  And the worst time for this is during the holidays… which is coming up.
  3. Slow down. To put it simply: speed kills.  Approximately 31% of traffic fatalities are a result of speeding as the main factor (NHTSA).  And experts believe the increase in fatalities is due to more people speeding… Are you really in that big of a hurry?

 

Rahman Law PC is dedicated to making San Francisco’s streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists because we walk and ride these streets, too!  As bicycle accident attorneys we regularly attend events and advocate for pedestrian and bicyclist rights.  Four deaths in one year is a setback in the progress everyone has been working so hard for, but we will not give up.  Even one death is one too many.

*Data from Vision Zero SF.  Some data is still under investigation.

 

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5 Rules Every Parent Should Know Before Letting Your Child Ride Their Bike in San Francisco

Posted on by Rahman Law PC

San Francisco bicycle accident attorneySchool is back in session and just like you, your child is a commuter.  You may drive your child to school and give them a quick tuck-and-roll drop-off, or they may ride the bus, but some still pedal their way among the throngs of cars, pedestrians, and other cyclists.  Or, you may have children who only cycle at home afterschool and on weekends.  In either case, we wanted to share with you 5 rules every parent should know when letting their child ride their bike in San Francisco.  Children under 14 accounted for 37% of all fatal bicycle accidents in 2015 and San Francisco is still in the top 13 cities in the entire United States for bicycle fatalities with motor vehicle collisions.  It is important for parents to be vigilant.

1: Urban Cycling Ends at 6:00pm

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis looks hard at fatal bicycle accidents and tries to find patterns.  One that they have found to be consistently true is the spike in bicycle accidents resulting in fatalities between 6:00pm and 9:00pm during any season. If your child has extracurricular activities keeping them out, make sure they are home with their bicycle before 6:00pm.  If they have come home and gone out for a ride, the same rule applies.

2: Ride with Traffic

Ride in the same direction as traffic in the bike lane.  Use the travel lane (the vehicle lane) when needed to avoid obstacles and always signal your actions with your hands to tell the drivers and other cyclists what you are doing.  Children under the age of 13 may ride on the sidewalk in San Francisco (CVC 21560, San Francisco Transportation Code Sec. 7.2.12).

3: Always Wear an Approved Helmet

Cyclists and passengers under the age of 18 must wear an approved helmet.  Parents – set a good example, be safe, and wear one, too!  Also be sure the helmet is properly fitted.  Many children will wear their helmet too far back away from the brow.  In addition to a helmet, adding extra reflective gear is beneficial.  Elastic straps that go around the ankles with hook-and-eye closures can catch headlights and give extra visibility.

4: No Surround Sound

Headphones may not be in/cover both ears (CVC 27400).  Many children like to listen to music while commuting, but they may not have both ears covered while operating a bicycle.  A hands-free device is permitted in one ear, but this may cause further distractions if a child tries to answer a phone call while navigating an urban area.

5: Obey the Lights and Signs

Children who have not yet learned to drive often don’t know to stop or yield in the right locations for signs and crosswalks which can potentially lead to bicycle accidents or collisions.  When on a bike, operators must obey the same rules as a car, which means they must stop at a stop sign and wait their turn.  If your child is commuting on their bicycle, consider riding their route with them a few times to help explain the lights and signs to them.  DMV booklets contain road rules and can be picked up free of charge.

Talk to Your Child to Prevent a Bicycle Accident

These are 5 rules we think every parent should know before letting their child ride their bike in San Francisco.  In California, the law regarding riding on the sidewalk varies from city to city, but the other rules are beneficial for adults who ride and parents with children who ride throughout California.  As bicycle accident attorneys in San Francisco with a second office in Paso Robles, we talk to a lot of parents with concerns after an accident or a close-call who are looking for what they can do to prevent a bicycle accident.  In the urban landscape of San Francisco, children need extra help learning about bicycle safety and constant reminders to ride safe.  We hope these 5 rules will help you talk to your child about bicycle safety.

If you would like more information about the rules in California, you may download our Ride Safe Reference Guide here.  It has these and other rules of the road for bicycle safety in California.  And if you would like to talk to one of our bicycle accident attorneys in San Francisco or Paso Robles, contact us for a free consultation today!

Resources for Parents about Bicycling with Kids:

Kidical Mass

Safe Routes to School

Walk & Roll to School Day

http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/

Is Your Demographic Most Likely to be in a Fatal Bicycle Accident?

Posted on by Rahman Law PC

fatal bicycle accidentIt takes a long time for data to be compiled and released.  In March of 2017, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis released their data from 2015 with comparisons going back to 2006.  By gathering data over the years, the statistical team has sought to find patterns: is there a most fatal time of day for bicycle accidents with motor vehicles, or perhaps a demographic most likely to be in a fatal bicycle accident?

There is a difference between causality and correlation: a demographic might be found in a pattern but that in no way points to an immediate cause.  Something we talk about frequently is the immediate blame placed on pedestrians, pedalcyclists, and motorcyclists when an accident occurs; we blame the victim.  When a bicycle accident is fatal, the victim has lost their ability to speak which is one of many important reasons why they should not be immediately placed in the wrong.  All avenues must be explored.  So when a demographic is found to correlate to fatal bicycle accidents, we must explore that, too.

So, is your demographic most likely to be in a fatal bicycle accident?

Gender

Gender can rule out roughly half of the population.  Men are more likely to be killed in a bicycle collision involving a motor vehicle than women and it’s a fairly significant difference (4.40% men v. 0.74% women).  Men were also much more likely to be involved in a bicycle collision with a motor vehicle resulting in an injury without a fatality (229% men v. 54% women).

Age

Both men and women shared their top-tier category for the age with the highest number of fatal bicycle accidents (ages 55-59, 92m/16w) while men had their second-tier follow in age (50-54, 87), women were not as significant in difference for their second-tier apart from their third-tier (65-69, 13; 50-54, 12; 20-24, 12).  Women also have the most reported bicycle accidents with injuries (not fatal) at 20-24 years of age.  Men in their 50s and women in their early 20s or late 50s are all in the demographic that appears to be significant for bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles.

Region

As bicycle accident attorneys, we have offices in Paso Robles and San Francisco, California assisting with bicycle accident and personal injury cases.  California was the first in the nation for pedestrian and bicycle fatalities for the longest time (as advocates to reduce those numbers, it felt like an eternity).  Per the Traffic Safety Facts report, California is now second in the nation to Florida.  It is a big win for our state as we have a larger population.  In 2015, Florida had 150 pedalcyclist fatalities while California had 129.  For other readers trying to determine if they are in an at-risk demographic, these are the only two states to have more than 100 fatalities in 2015.  Texas is the third highest with 50 fatal bicycle accidents.  Alaska, Idaho, Maine, Rhode Island, and Wyoming are the safest states for cyclists with none (and that is the list we really want California to be on!).

So why California, Florida, and Texas?  The areas with the highest bicycle injury and fatality rates are the urban areas.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has compiled city data and the cities with the highest resident populations are most often the ones with the highest total bicycle fatalities.  The total fatal traffic accidents of San Francisco including fatal bicycle accidents and fatal motor vehicle collisions with pedestrian made up over 10% of the entire country’s traffic fatalities for the year.  Other urban regions with dense populations and high cyclist fatality rates here in California include Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose.  Los Angeles, CA was the city with the most fatal bicycle accidents in 2015; New York, NY, was second.

Ride Safe

California cyclist guideIf you would like to read more about the demographics collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, you can download their Bicyclists and Other Cyclists Traffic Safety Facts report here.  But knowing that your demographic is more or less likely to be in a fatal bicycle accident is not the end of safety precautions when riding.  We want you to ride safe each and every time you go out there and that means proper gear, visibility, and knowing the rules of the road.

Download our free Ride Safe brochure here or pick one up the next time you see as at an event.

 

If you or someone you know has been injured in a collision as a pedestrian or while riding a bike, contact our bicycle accident attorneys today.

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 Personal Injury Attorney Shaana Rahman Named a 2018 Northern California Super Lawyer

Posted on by Lacey

san francisco personal injury attorney

SAN FRANCISCO, California, July 16 2018 – (Digital Journal) – Rahman Law PC announces the seventh year of the law firm’s principal and founder, Shaana A. Rahman, a personal injury attorney in San Francisco and Paso Robles, being selected to the Northern California Super Lawyer’s List.  Super Lawyers® is a rating service for lawyers in a variety of practice areas broken down by region.  However, the service only selects 5% of attorneys to Super Lawyers based on professional achievement, independent research, and peer-recognition.  Rahman Law PC is honored to share the news of Ms. Rahman’s continued selection to this list.

The news of Ms. Rahman’s seventh year as a Northern California Super Lawyer comes shortly after Rahman Law PC was renamed on the Top 20 Personal Injury Lawyers in San Francisco list by Expertise.  Both companies review customer service and client satisfaction as a part of their review.  To be selected by Super Lawyers, other professional activities are also taken into consideration including pro bono work, community service, and lectures/writings.  Ms. Rahman has become well known in the bicycling community in San Francisco for her advocacy work.  She is a member and sponsor of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, Bike East Bay, and the Marin County Bicycle Coalition.  With a second office in Paso Robles, Ms. Rahman is also a member and sponsor of the San Luis Obispo County Bike Coalition.  Rahman Law PC sponsored and participated in Walk to Work Day in San Francisco on April 5th, 2018, where Ms. Rahman volunteered at the SFMTA (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency) pedestrian hub to hand out coffee and talk to pedestrians about their rights as commuters and road safety issues in San Francisco which can lead to personal injury.

“There are many personal injury attorneys in San Francisco,” said Ms. Rahman, “but I know each time I receive recognition from a group like Super Lawyers it is because they see what makes Rahman Law PC different: we want to advocate for the rights of everyone in our community to make it a better place to live.”

Super Lawyers uses independent research and peer evaluation to make their final selection of attorneys for the Super Lawyers List.  To remain within the top 5% as a Super Lawyer for five years is an accomplishment to be proud of for any personal injury attorney in San Francisco.  Additionally, Ms. Rahman is in the minority as a practicing female attorney, which will place her on the Top Women Attorneys of Northern California List published later in 2018.  According to the American Bar Association’s January 2017 Commission on Women in the Profession, only 34.6% of the American Bar Association lawyer members are women.

About Rahman Law PC

The personal injury attorneys 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 attorneys 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.

 

3 Important Summer Bicycle Accident Precautions: Tourists, Holiday DUIs, and Teen Drivers

Posted on by Shaana A. Rahman

Tourists, Holiday DUIs, and Teen Drivers

When someone talks about holiday traffic and safety in California, they often focus on “the” holidays in November and December, but for bicyclists and pedestrians, the summer holidays like The 4th of July and Labor Day can be quite hazardous, possibly more so than the holidays at the end of the year because there is more cycling and walking to do in the summer when it’s so beautiful outside!  We want to share three important things you should look out for this summer we’ve learned as bicycle accident attorneys working in San Francisco and Paso Robles where the summer is a great time to get outside and ride.

 

One: Summer Tourists Don’t Expect You

We do a lot as bicycle accident attorneys to advocate in San Francisco and San Luis Obispo County for safer conditions for cyclists.  Some areas are beginning to have better lane markings and even separated bike lanes, which is great!  But despite better conditions where available, at any time a tourist is unfamiliar with the road in a new place and doesn’t know to expect a bike lane or a bicyclist.  They don’t know the road they are on is a local favorite for riding.  They also may not have their eyes fully on the road as they look for their next turn, or at the beautiful scenery. Summer is here and so are the tourists.  As a bicyclist or pedestrian, we must all be paying attention to the traffic around us at all times (and remember – we are all pedestrians at some point during our day!).

How much should we be paying attention?  Not just to one car here are there, but to all of them!  The San Francisco Travel Association said 25.5 million people visited San Francisco City in 2017.  Not all tourists come with a car or rent one, but many do.  And if you live or have been to San Francisco, you know there are many narrow and one-way streets to pay attention to.  The 13% of roads in San Francisco where 75% of collisions with pedestrians are occurring are located in areas where tourists want to be (see the map and click on it to see the live version) bringing up concerns for pedestrians and bicyclists now that summer is here and has brought with it an influx of heavy tourism.   This is not to say that tourism is bad – tourism is a good thing for local economies.  But as bicycle accident attorneys we know first-hand the hazards cyclists face.

san francisco pedestrian collisions

 

Two: Summer DUIs are Rising

A lot of bicycle accidents are caused by vehicle drivers who are under the influence. In California, DUIs are rising.  Drivers in collisions resulting in a fatality who were impaired by drugs or alcohol rose from 26.2% to 42.6% between 2005 and 2015 (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).  In San Luis Obispo, bicycle collisions have been decreasing (down 11% from 2015 to 2016), but DUIs have been increasing and in August of 2017, a cyclist was killed in a hit-and-run collision.  The alleged driver was 17-years-old and intoxicated. California State as a whole appears to have seen a decrease in annual DUIs, depending on which report you read; however, holiday DUIs always show a spike which is why we want to remind pedestrians and cyclists to be careful during the summer and especially during the holidays.  The 4th of July holiday is the deadliest holiday due to collisions with the most fatalities over any other time period during the year (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).  As the Thanksgiving holiday has the most traffic, alcohol and drugs have to be questioned with the 4th of July.  DUI-related collisions can happen at any time, but statistically are more likely to be fatal starting after 8:00pm, peaking between midnight and 3:00am (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).   Remember to add extra lights to your bicycle if you plan to ride at night to give yourself as much visibility as possible.  While tourists can possibly be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs as they’ve been out partying, the locals can be to blame on this one, too.  This is why we suggest keeping the phone number of a good bicycle accident attorney in your phone (hey – like us!), just in case something happens and you are unsure of what to do next.

 

Three: New Drivers and Teens on Summer Break

If you are the parent of a new driver, you may have heard of the “100 Deadliest Days,” but if you’re a cyclist or pedestrian and haven’t heard this term, you need to know about this.  The 100 deadliest days for teen drivers fall between Memorial Day and Labor Day as these are the days when the most fatalities involving collisions and teen drivers occur.  In 2016, there were about 10 people killed per day by a teen driver in this window, which was a 14% increase from 2015 (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety).  Of these 100 days, there are 10 considered the most deadly (9 falling between May and August) and are believed to be so dangerous due to teenage drinking.  With or without substance abuse, new drivers are out in full force during the summer.  The risk for them is highest at night (considered after 9:00pm by AAA) and/or if they are speeding.   If you have a new driver, be sure to talk to them about the added risks of substance abuse, speeding, and reduced visibility.  If you are a cyclist or pedestrian, be extra alert during these summer months.

 

Need a Bicycle Accident Attorney?

We want you to be safe and have fun this summer, but if things don’t go as planned and you think you might need a bicycle accident attorney in San Francisco or Paso Robles/San Luis Obispo, give us a call!  We are happy to provide you with a free consultation.  We also have two helpful free downloads you might want to save now for future use to keep in your phone, glovebox, or bike-bag:

 

THE PROPERTY DAMAGE DEMAND TOOLKIT: How to get the Insurance Company to Pay you for your Damaged Bike After a Crash

Download the free toolkit here:

Download

Fill this out for your free download!

 

 

 

 

 

 

What to Do After a Vehicle Collision

Know-Your-Rights, What To Do In a Vehicle AccidentDownload the free guide here:

Download

Fill this out for your free download!

 

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.

 

Rahman Law PC Again Among Top 20 Personal Injury Lawyers in San Francisco

Posted on by Shaana A. Rahman

top 20 personal injury lawyers in san francisco

SAN FRANCISCO, California – /ReleaseWire/ 3/12/18 – Rahman Law PC announces their renewed selection to the Top 20 Personal Injury Lawyers in San Francisco by Expertise.  Rahman Law PC was among the top of the list in 2017 and is pleased to announce their standing on the list a second year in a row as a San Francisco personal injury lawyer professional among more than 25 variables in this coveted, hand-picked list.

Expertise reviewed 189 personal injury lawyers in San Francisco utilizing five categories in selecting Rahman Law PC as one of the top personal injury lawyers in San Francisco: reputation; credibility; experience; availability; and professionalism. Expertise reviewed Rahman Law PC’s customer satisfaction ratings and recommendations, accreditations, awards, education and experience of the team, responsiveness to both clients and new business, and dedication to quality. As personal injury lawyers, Rahman Law PC has a proven track record of customer service and client dedication, which is reflected in their review. Rahman Law PC’s principal and founder is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, was recognized as a Top 40 and 40 Attorney and a Top 100 Trial Lawyer, named an AV Preeminent Woman Lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell®, and has been a tap-rated personal injury attorney with Super Lawyers® for Northern California since 2012. Currently, Ms. Rahman and Rahman Law PC hold several distinguished titles of professional excellence, including Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent Peer Review Ratings™ for the Highest Level of Professional Excellence and Avvo’s Superb Rating as a Top Rated Personal Injury Attorney. All of these awards and ratings contributed to the review conducted by Expertise.

Expertise is a Seattle, WA based company. They will not accept money to include a business and utilize proprietary research including a manual review process to make their selections covering 85% of the United States. They aim to provide their users with the “confidence to find and connect with exceptional businesses that are objectively qualified and authentically well-reviewed” (expertise.com).

“Our team will continue to put our clients first,” said Ms. Rahman. “As personal injury lawyers in San Francisco, we work with bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists. We have a company philosophy of treating our clients with respect and advocating within our community for their rights and safety. Being named as one of the best personal injury lawyers in San Francisco by Expertise two years in a row means a lot to us; it shows us our clients feel taken care of.”

Rahman Law PC also launched a new website this year to better serve potential clients. The website includes two free PDF downloads, a free consultation request form, and insights from the team from their blog about various topics on personal injury rights, bicycle and pedestrian safety, motorcycle awareness, and advocacy events.

 

 

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.