Auto Theft and "Sideshows" Endanger Oakland Drivers and Residents
Reckless driving has taken hold of Oakland car culture, causing the streets to be quite dangerous. Oakland car collision lawyers can tell you that auto accidents happen every day on the city’s congested streets. In 2008 there were 32 fatal car-related accidents and nearly one hundred people involved. In fifteen of these fatal car crashes, drunk driving played a role.
Though California has done a lot over the years to lower the number of people drinking and driving, it is still an issue. Further, “sideshows” — showy, reckless driving including lines of cars weaving in and out of lanes, riding on top of vehicles, and driving at very high speeds — have become popular in recent years and put all Oakland residents at risk for personal injury.
With the turn of the new year, Oakland saw two tragic car accidents due to reckless behavior. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, one accident involved three young men in a white Jeep who hit a blue Acura transporting a family of three. The Jeep was seen swerving dangerously before the impact and witnesses described the driving as “sideshow-type activity.” All six passengers from both vehicles sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. A liquor bottle was found in the Jeep after the crash, suggesting that the driver was intoxicated.
Also covered by the San Francisco Chronicle, the other car accident involved a 17-year-old boy and four other young, male passengers in a, what was later proven to be stolen, Camry. Police officers saw the Camry speeding southwest on 62nd and attempted to flag the car down. Unfortunately, the police were unable to stop the Camry before it impacted a Saturn sedan. The cars bounced off one another, destroying a near by fence as well as hitting a parked Ford Escort. One woman in the Saturn, age 66, died, and six people total, between the Camry and the Saturn, were injured and went to the hospital. The driver of the Camry is unknown, though the operation of the vehicle was described by witnesses as “extreme” and speeding at about 85 mph in a residential area.
Between “sideshows” and drunk driving, the likelihood of fatal car accidents and injuries on the roads in Oakland increases tremendously. The fact that automobile theft also plays a role in one of these accidents suggests that high rates of car theft are part of the risky attitude towards driving. According to city-data website statistics, Oakland ranked #8 in 2006 on a list of cities where automobile theft is a risk. It seems that stealing cars and showing them off dangerously, is an unfortunate development in Oakland car culture.
The tragic loss of death on the brink of the new year is a wake-up call to all drivers to take responsibility for their actions. Any Oakland car collision attorney will urge you to be safe on the road and seek help if you have been involved in a car accident.
In over three decades, BISNAR | CHASE lawyers have represented over six thousand people in car, motorcycle, truck, pedestrian and other personal injury cases and recovered over $150 Million. The law firm has an “AV” rating, the highest level of professional excellence, by Martindale-Hubbell. John Bisnar, who is the author of this article, and his partner Brian Chase each have a “Superb 10/10″ Avvo rating, the highest possible. John was named a “Community Hero” by the United Way, while Brian was named a “Trial Lawyer of the Year” in 2004,one of the 2007 Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and a 2009 OC METRO Top Personal Injury Lawyer. For more information on Oakland personal injury lawyers, visit the BISNAR | CHASE website at http://www.BestAttorney.com where you can get a complimentary copy of the book “The Seven Fatal Mistakes That Can Wreck Your California Personal Injury Claim” ($14.99 value), or call 1-800-561-4887 for a free consultation.
