From 1910 to 0.08: The History of Drunk Driving Law and Civil Liability
From early statutes with no BAC limit to the Breathalyzer, MADD and the 0.08 standard, here is how drunk driving law evolved, and how California holds impaired drivers civilly liable.
Early Rules of the Road: How Speed Limits and Licenses Came to Define Negligence
The first speed limits, registration laws and driver’s licenses did more than organize traffic. They created the written standards that still help decide fault after a crash.
MacPherson v. Buick (1916): The Case That Made Carmakers Answer to Drivers
In 1916, a collapsed wooden wheel on a Buick led Judge Cardozo to hold carmakers responsible to the people who drive their cars, not just their direct buyers.
1896–1899: The First Traffic Deaths and How Negligence Law Met the Car
Bridget Driscoll in 1896 and Henry Bliss in 1899 were among the first people killed by cars. Their cases show how negligence law met the automobile.