Seattle Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Spokane police have arrested Jason G. Cross, 32, and booked him into Spokane County Jail on the charge of driving under the influence and seven charges of failure to leave information at the scene of an accident according to King5.com.

Spokane police reported that they believe Cross left a Spokane bar and within 13 minutes hit at least seven other vehicles. Someone at the bar called police and alerted them to the fact that someone was driving a pickup truck under the influence. Police arrested Cross after he hit the car driven by off-duty police detective Neil Gallion who then followed him.

This information was brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent drunk driving victims and their families. If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt because of the negligence of another driver, contact The Farber Law Group today. We will work to help you recover compensation including for pain and suffering.

Four teenagers were injured in an auto accident which occurred on Highway 9 and 172nd Street SE in Snohomish. The teenagers were travelling Northbound on Highway 9 in a Dodge Durango when a Chevrolet Tahoe, driven by a 45-year-old Snohomish-man crossed over the centerline and struck them. Police suspect that the driver of the Tahoe may have been driving under the influence when the car accident occurred.

The driver of the Dodge, a 16-year-old from Snohomish, was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment of his injuries. All three of his passengers, ages 12, 13, and 18, were taken to local hospitals. The condition of the teenagers has not been released.

The driver of the Tahoe has been booked into Snohomish County Jail for investigation of driving under the influence. His 6-year-old passenger, a little boy, was not injured.

In Washington State, it is illegal to drive if your blood alcohol limit (BAC) is .08% or above. If the driver was driving under the influence and someone was seriously injured, the driver could be charged with Vehicular Assault, RCW 46.61.522.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, you should contact a knowledgeable and skilled personal injury attorney. The Farber Law Group has more than 30 years experience representing the victims of drunk drivers. We aggressively gather the facts and determine all the sources of potential liability. We determine whether the driver had previous DUI arrests, whether they were served at a restaurant or a bar and whether they were in the course of their employment.

We represent drunk driving victims on a contingency fee basis; you pay nothing unless we recover a settlement for you. Contact The Farber Law Group today.

See our Victims of Drunken Driving Resources.

Information for this blog is from the Everett Herald Net.

A charter bus carrying the Bellevue High School football team overturned this morning on Interstate-5 in Tukwila as it ferried the team to the State semi-final game at the Tacoma Dome. According to Washington State Trooper Cliff Pratt, the bus was headed southbound near the S. 200th Tukwila exit when it was cut off by a car swerving to avoid a lost load. The bus then swerved, slid and rolled over onto the shoulder.

Pratt says, of the 38 people on board the bus, none were seriously injured but one report said that several players were on backboards and stretchers and were being taken to the hospital. KOMONews.com reports that eight people were injured. According to KIROTV.com, none of the injuries appeared to be life threatening.

The bus accident was caused by a chain of events apparently caused by a dropped ladder on the freeway. Lost or unsecured loads are a real frustration to the Washington State Patrol. At least 400 accidents are caused every year in Washington State because of debris, including refrigerators, couches, and ladders that are dropped from the back of vehicles. We hope the Patrol finds the driver who lost this ladder. He or she is subject to vehicle code RCW 46.61.655 which provides a penalty of up to a $500 fine and a year in jail.

This information is brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. Located in Bellevue, Washington, and just a few blocks away from Bellevue High school, home of the Wolverines, we are thankful that this accident did not apparently causes any severe injuries on this Thanksgiving weekend..

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident due to the negligence of another driver, you should contact The Farber Law Group. We have more than 30 years experience helping motor vehicle accident victims and their loved ones recover compensation for their injuries including pain and suffering.

The Yakima Herald.com reports that Sunshine Fisher, 32, of Bothell, Washington was killed on Highway Interstate 90 just 3 miles west of Ellensburg on Wednesday morning in a head-on car accident.

According to the report, Fisher was headed east in a Ford Crown Victoria when she crossed the center median and hit a Saturn head-on. The driver of the Saturn, Krzsztof Komorowski, 50, of Cle Elum was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with multiple broken bones.

Fisher's passenger, Harmony Fisher, 22, of Duvall, was taken to Kittitas Valley Community Hospital in Ellensburg with possible broken bones.

The Washington State Patrol said that Fisher was traveling too fast for the icy road conditions. All three victims were wearing their seat belts. The two cars were totaled.

This information was brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured and the families of those killed in car accidents.

Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free case evaluation.

Ramiriez Chavez, 16, of Brewster suffered injuries to his chest and neck after crossing the center line and crashing into another car on Highway 97, two miles north of Brewster, Washington reports The Wenatchee World.

The car accident occurred around 3:30 pm when Chavez, who was headed north, crossed the center line and hit Lilia V. Gutierrez, 27, also of Brewster.

Chavez was taken to Okanogan-Douglas Hospital for treatment of his injuries Gutierrez suffered a head injury and a bruise to her chest and was also taken to Okanogan-Douglas. The State Patrol said both drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.

Chavez's vehicle, a 1993 Nissan Altima, and Gutierrez's vehicle, a 2006 Nissan Altima, were both totaled in the accident.

The Washington State Patrol cited Ramirez for a center line violation and for driving with out a license or insurance.

This information was brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in car accidents due to the negligence of another driver. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, contact The Farber Law Group; we will work to help you recover compensation for your damages.

Police have determined that an 11-month-old infant that was thrown from a vehicle in a Federal Way roll over crash was in a car seat that was not properly installed reports King5TV.com. Read more about the accident here.

The infant, a little boy, suffered critical head injuries and the driver, a 30-year-old man, had to be extricated from the Mercury Sable which rolled several times after the driver lost control at Southwest 356th Street. Both the baby and the man are being treated at Harborview Medical Center but their conditions have not been released.

This accident illustrates the importance of proper installation of infant and toddler seats to insure a child's safety. Inspection stations are available to verify that an infant seat or booster seat is properly installed. In Bellevue, AAA Washington performs the inspections. In Seattle, Children's Hospital, Carter Motors, Odessa Brown Children's Clinic , The Car Seat Lady, and Swedish Medical Center perform the inspections. You can also check with The National Highway and Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) "Child Safety Seat Inspection Station Locator" for a list of other inspection stations near you.

This information was brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured and the families of those killed in car accidents. With more than 30 years experience in representing accident victims in the greater Seattle area, we will work to insure your rights are protected.

Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free case evaluation.

Dean Kahn, writing in the Bellingham Herald, thinks it is time for a bicycling under the influence law. Some states such as California and Delaware apply driving under the influence laws to bicyclists and impose fines from $150 to $1150. In Washington State, bicyclists can not be arrested for bicycling under the influence.

According to Kahn's article, one federal official said that in 30 percent of adult bicycle fatalities, the bicyclist was intoxicated at the time of the accident. While cars pose a much greater risk, there are still some risks to other involved while bicycling under the influence.

"He [the drunken bicyclist] can still cause an accident," said Bellingham police Sgt. David Richards. "He can still cause an injury accident. He can still cause a fatal accident."

In reading the comments on The Bellingham Herald web-site, many people don't believe that another law is needed. They say that existing laws regarding public drunkenness should be adequate. Bicyclists are also subject to other traffic laws and can be ticketed for offenses like running a red light or making an illegal left hand turn. Perhaps a specific inclusion of bicycles in driving under the influence laws is not needed.

This information was brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been killed or severely injured by drunken drivers. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or a loved one killed because of the negligence of another driver, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney. At The Farber Law Group, we have more than 30 years experiences in the greater Seattle area.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Walla Walla, Washington police used a "spike strip" to flatten the tires on a 2002 Honda Accord when they noticed its driver was involved in several near-misses on Interstate-182 in Pasco.

Richland police Detective Dean Murstig saw the Honda, driven by Terry Rhea, 36, of Oregon, driving erratically in Pasco and followed his vehicle in an unmarked patrol car. Murstig said he witnessed several near-misses including one with a semi-truck. He said that Rhea looked at him several times and then looked back at the road. Detective Murstig alerted the Washington State Patrol.

Once the Honda was stopped, police called an ambulance as they believe Rhea was experiencing a Diabetes-related medical problem. It is a good thing that Murstig was alert and on-duty because he may have averted a car accident which might have had tragic consequences.

This information was brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured and the families of those killed in car accidents.

Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free case evaluation.

A 16-year-old Lakes High School student in Lakewood, Washington suffered minor injuries after being hit by a car in front of the high school. The student, who was not named, was taken to Tacoma General Hospital for treatment of facial cuts.

According to the Tacoma News Tribune, the teenager was in the crosswalk around 6:45 am when he was hit. The driver, a woman, did not see him because he was wearing dark clothing.

According to the National Safety Council, nearly 100,000 pedestrians are injured a year and approximately 5,900 killed. The statistics show that children and the elderly are more likely to be injured or killed in a pedestrian accident.

This information was brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been injured and the families of those killed in pedestrian accidents.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, try to gather information from the bystanders at the accident scene. We advise not talking with the insurance company of the driver who hit you as they may not have your best interest at heart. Contact a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorney who can insure your rights are protected. At The Farber Law Group we have more than 30 years experience in personal injury law in the greater Seattle area.

Contact The Farber Law Group today.

The Seattle 911 blog written by Casey McNerthney reports that a 5-year-old West Seattle boy was hit by a van while riding his bicycle around 4:40 pm on Friday. The boy's head apparently hit the concrete but it appears that he only suffered cuts and bruises and no serious injuries.

The bicycle accident happened at the 1600 block of Southwest Barton Street when the boy rode into the street from the sidewalk mid-block. The vehicle that hit the boy was a van driven by a 23-year-old person. Police said the van driver was not intoxicated and was not cited.

Comments to the blog reminded bicyclists to wear helmets and reflective clothing and lights at this time of day. Also, a child of the age of 5 years old should have constant adult supervision while bicycle riding.

This information was brought to you by Seattle car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured and the families of those killed in bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents and car accidents.

Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free case evaluation.

An 11-month old baby boy suffered critical injuries when he was thrown from a car when it rolled in a car accident in the 800 block of Southwest 356th Street in Federal Way just past midnight on Friday morning according to The Seattle Post-Intelligencer. The baby is thought to have suffered critical head injuries.

The driver of the car, a 30-year-old Hispanic man, and the infant were taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment. The relationship of the man and the baby are not known at this time.

According to witnesses, the driver lost control and the car rolled over several times before coming to rest on its top. The baby was thrown from the car but the man had to be extricated by South King Fire and Rescue squad.

This information was brought to you by Seattle Car accident lawyer, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured and the families of those killed in car accidents, bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents and pedestrian accidents.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, call the experienced personal injury attorneys at The Farber Law Group. We will work to insure your rights are protected.

Kiro TV.com reports that a motor vehicle crashing involving eight vehicles blocked the three left lanes of Northbound Interstate-5 in Lynnwood on Tuesday morning, blocking northbound lanes and slowing down southbound lanes.

The car accident happened around 6:50 at Northeast 44th Street in Lynnwood.

It is unknown whether anyone was injured in the multi-car collision.

This information as brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in car accidents. We have more than 30 years experience in personal injury law and represent clients in Everett, Bellingham, Seattle, Lynnwood, Kent, Auburn, Redmond and Bellevue.

Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free and confidential case evaluation.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports that a 50-year-old man was killed in a car and truck accident on State Route 99 -- Pacific Highway South -- in Federal Way, Washington on Tuesday night.

The motor vehicle accident happened around 8pm.. The man who was killed was turning onto Pacific Highway South from 374th in a Toyota MR2 when he collided with a pick up truck; the driver of the pick up was not injured.

This information was brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured and the families of those killed in car accidents, truck accidents, bus accidents, motorcycle accidents and pedestrian accidents. With our help you may be able to recover compensation for your damages.

Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free case evaluation.

A driver, who ran a red light, hit a taxi and then crashed into the Brooklyn Restaurant on 2nd Avenue in downtown Seattle Washington then fled the scene on foot reported witnesses to the accident. According to KiroTV.Com, witnesses saw the driver of the car jump out and run away after hitting the restaurant.

According to the report:

"He was streaming blood out of his mouth and then he had a pretty big gash in his leg or something -- it was pretty bloody. And he went booking that way and said 'I'll be right back,' and I haven't seen him since," said Kyle Morton, who witnessed the crash."

Police are looking for the motorist. It does not appear that the taxi driver was injured.

This information was brought to you by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in car accidents, bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents and pedestrian accidents. With our help you may recover compensation for your damages. We have more than 30 years experience in the Pacific Northwest and we are here to help you.

Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free and confidential case evaluation.

We were excited to see an article in The News Tribune.com about a new product on the market called TarpX which is a load control system. TarpX is a product which makes it easy to secure loads in the bed of a pick up truck. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, unsecured loads cause an estimated 25,000 accidents and 100 deaths a year. In Washington State, the State Patrol estimates about 400 accidents a year caused by unsecured loads.

Drivers often do not understand simple laws of physics when they put a load into the back of their pick up truck. They might be transporting furniture or hauling a load of junk to the dump and they don't always realize they need to secure that load. Often, motorists believe that, when hauling a heavy item like a couch or a refrigerator, the item does not have to be secured because it is too heavy to blow out. However, the momentum of heavy objects shifting in the back of a truck can have disastrous consequences and cause an accident. Sometimes the accident is caused when a load drops and vehicles swerve to avoid whatever dropped and crash. Other times, flying debris can come through a car windshield and severely injure or kill the driver or passengers in the vehicle.

Washington State Vehicle Code RCW 46.61.655 is the statue covering lost or unsecured law. It is also known as "Maria's law" after Maria Federicci, a who was blinded and suffered severe facial injuries and brain damage in 2004 after a piece of furniture fell off a truck and a piece of particle board came flying through her windshield.

This brings us back to the TarpX, a product designed and distributed by a Tacoma-based company founded by Dan Kinley, Trevor Colby and Mike Walters. The TarpX is an easy to use tarp system with built in anchoring straps. It packs up small, is easy to use and is engineered brilliantly.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or a loved one killed because of the hazard caused by a lost load, you should contact a personal injury attorney to insure your rights are protected.
The Farber Law Group has more than 30 years experience in representing people with serious injuries due to the negligence of another person.

Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free case evaluation.

Earlier this year, the Washington State Legislature passed a law which bans text messaging while driving Also known as, "DWT" -- "driving while texting". RCW 46.61.668 -- Sending , Reading, or Writing a Text Message While Driving -- imposes a $101.00 fine on anyone caught text messaging while driving. In 17 other states, teenage drivers are banned from using cell phones at all while driving. Oregon is trying to pass a bill by their legislature which would impose a $720 fine if someone is caught texting while driving.

Driver inattention is a leading cause of car accidents. If you are busy texting, dialing your cell phone, changing a radio station, eating or using your blackberry, you are at risk of having an accident. You never know when the car ahead of you will abruptly stop and, if you aren't aware and vigilant, you will likely rear-end that person.

If you rear-end someone while text messaging, their insurance company or attorney will subpoena your cell phone records immediately prior to the accident and you'll be found negligent in the accident, your insurance company will have to pay out big bucks and your insurance rates will go up or your policy will be canceled. What a heavy price for text messaging!

Nationwide Insurance Company provides some of the following statistics about DWT. From the numbers, you can see that using this technology is certainly a generational thing.

• 46% of drivers age 16 and 17 admit to texting while driving
• 37% of drivers ages 18-27 admit to texting while driving
• 14% of drivers ages 28-44 admit to texting while driving
• 2% of drivers ages 45-60 admit to texting while driving

If you've been involved in a car accident and you believe the other driver is at fault due to using a cell phone or text messaging, read our article, "What if my accident was caused by someone using a cell phone?"

This information is brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in automobile accidents due to another driver's negligence. We will work to help you recover compensation for your damages.

Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free case evaluation.

In a media release yesterday, the Washington State Patrol announced that they will be targeting state routes and interstate highways in the Tri-Cities area -- Richmond, Pasco and Kennewick -- looking for drivers not wearing their seat belts.

The WSP dubs their initiative "Nighttime Seat Belt Enforcement" (NTSBE). The Patrol will be looking for drivers not wearing seat belts in areas where there has been a higher incidence of automobile accidents and where drivers have a low seat belt compliance. The NTSBE program will be concentrated between the nighttime hours of 7pm - 6 am. The death rate due to car accidents is four times higher at night than in day time night as people comply with seat belt laws less.

There have already been 12 fatalities in auto accidents in the Tri-Cities area in 2008. In seven of the twelve fatalities -- 58% -- the driver was not wearing a seat belt. 67% of the 12 deaths involved a driver who was impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Washington State Patrol Captain Shawn Berry said, “The majority of fatality collisions in this region involve drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and occupants who are not wearing seat belts. We are urging motorists to remember to wear their seat belts and to not drink and drive during this upcoming holiday season.”

This information was brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in car accidents and the families of those killed. We are aggressive in the actions we take against motorist who were driving drunk at the time of the accident.

Contact The Farber Law Group for a free consultation. With our help, you may recover compensation for your damages, including pain and suffering.

Western Washington is experiencing flood conditions in several counties. Rising rivers calls for evacuations of homes and closure of roads throughout the Puget Sound Region and has prompted government officials to declare emergency status in some counties.

In King County, flood conditions were reported on the Tolt and Snoqualmie Rivers. In Sumner, the Puyallup River should be cresting some time today. In Thurston County, the Nisqually River should crest sometime tomorrow. In Pierce County, residents were evacuated near the Carbon River. Mount Rainier National Park has closed because of heavy flooding.

Flooding and landslides have caused many roads to be closed throughout the Puget Sound regions.

Often during flood conditions, motorists get stuck on roads that are submerged or are deluded because of flash flooding. The following Driver Safety Tips provide information to drivers regarding driving during flood warnings.

Driver Flood Safety Tips from FEMA:

• Do not drive through flooded areas.
  
• Do not drive on roads covered with water. Even if the water looks shallow, your car may stall.
  
• Even six inches of water on the road could cause a driver to lose control or a car to stall.
  
• One foot of water can float many vehicles.
  
• One foot of water depth can displace 1500 lbs.
  
• Two feet of rushing water can sweep away most vehicles including SUVs and pick-up trucks.
  
• Beware of roads where flood waters have receded. The road bed may be undermined and the road could collapse under a vehicle's weight.
  
• The majority of deaths during flash floods is to motorists who drive through flooded areas.

Driver Resources:

National Weather Service Forecast Office in Seattle Washington:

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sew/

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service Watches and Advisories for Washington State:

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/alerts/wa.html

Washington State Department of Transportation information on which roads flood warnings are issued:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather/

FEMA Flood Information:

http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm

This information was brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in car accidents and the families of those killed.

Contact The Farber Law Group for more information.

Police investigators say that the impact of a car crash on Highway 99 south of the Aurora Bridge in Seattle caused a car to split into two pieces, killing the driver. It appears that the driver was traveling at a high rate of speed around 2:30 am.

The Southbound lanes of Highway 99 were closed for hours while police investigated the fatal accident reports The Seattle Times.

This information was brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We have represented Seattle Car Accident victims for more than 30 years. We will work to help you receive compensation for your injuries.

Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free and confidential case evaluation.

King5.com reports that a multi-car accident on the corner of South 212th Street and 84th Avenue South in Kent has injured drivers of two vehicles. The accident occurred just about 5pm at the 4 way intersection. Police say that the traffic lights were not working at the time.

Although we do not know the sequence of the events in the crash, a one-ton pickup landed on top of two passenger cars and these three vehicles were up against a semi-truck in the intersection.

The drivers of the passenger cars both suffered injuries and at least one was taken to Harborview Medical Center for treatment; The truck drivers were not injured in the accident.

Kent police reminds drivers that if the lights are out at a four way intersection that it should be treated as a 4-way Stop.

This information was brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in car and truck accidents. With more than 30 years experience representing accident victims in the Pacific Northwest, we will work to obtain you compensation for your damages.

Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free case evaluation.

The Seattle Times reports that a car driven by a 16-year-old girl swerved off of Green River Road and went into the Green River near the Auburn Golf Course during very heavy rain conditions on Friday morning. The driver of the car managed to escape but she was unable to rescue two boys in the car, one 2 and one 14. The car was swept down the river.

King County Sheriff's Office's dive team believe they have located the car but they have been unable to recover it because of current conditions.

Our hearts go out to the driver of the car, the two boys who lost their lives and their families.

This information was brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured and the families of those killed in motor vehicle accidents.

Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free and confidential case evaluation.

A Chelan woman, 52 year-old Heidi J. Soehren,was injured in a car accident after she was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer on Highway 97A east of Wenatchee while stopping to allow mountain sheep to cross the highway. Soehren suffered neck, back and chest injuries and was taken to Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee according to The Wenatchee World.

The State Patrol said the driver of the tractor-trailer Lamont R. Lind, 51, of Riverside was not injured.

This is the time of year -- October through December -- when deer and sheep are migrating and mating. Besides the danger of being rear-ended as in this accident, many people lose control while trying to avoid hitting an animal or they actually collide with an animal. This i a very serious problem as approximately 150 deaths and 10,000 injuries every year are attributed to deer-collisions alone. In motorcycle-deer collisions, 85% result in the death of the motorcyclist.

In the area where this accident occurred, signs have been posted warning motorists of sheep crossings. The semi-truck driver may have been inattentive.

This information was brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured and the families of those killed in car accidents, motorcycle accidents and trucking accidents.

Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free case evaluation.

With six semi-trucks sliding off the road at Blewett pass yesterday, it seems like winter weather is upon us. The passes are expecting their first serious snow storms in the next few days. Winter weather and poor road conditions bring more car accidents so drivers must be vigilant and prepared.

The Washington State Department of Transportation provides on-line access to pass conditions at
www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes. 

The WSDOT also provides the following tips for drivers who will be crossing some of Washington State's mountain pass including Snoqualmie (I-90), Stevens Pass (US-2), White Pass (US-12) and Blewett Pass (US-97):

• Provide plenty of time to cross the passes, don't get into a hurry.
• Check road conditions via the web-site before embarking on your trip.
• Carry chains. Drivers who don't chain up face a $500 fine.
• Check on using traction tires or studded tires. Remember that studded tires are only legal November 1-April 1.
• Drive with your head lights on.
• Slow down while driving. Don't get over confident even if you have 4-wheel drive.
• Allow greater stopping distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you.
• Avoid abrupt steering maneuvers.
• Don't cut in front of trucks.
• Don't use cruise control
• Stopping on snow and ice requires a longer stopping distance. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the brake pedal down and hold it. If you don't have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal.

This information was brought to you by Seattle Car Accident lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We have more than 30 years experience in representing people who have been seriously injured in car accidents and the families of those killed.

Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free case evaluation.

A school bus carrying students from the Paschal Sherman Indian School went off the road east of Omak, Washington on Monday reports the Wenatchee World.

As a precautionary measure, all the students aboard the bus and the driver were taken to Mid Valley Hospital in Omak after the bus accident. The students were examined, treated and released.

It appears as if no one suffered any serious injuries.

The cause of the accident is being investigated.

This information was brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured and the families of those killed in motor vehicle accidents.

Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free and confidential case evaluation.

A cross-over crash involving three vehicles killed a Puyallup woman and injured three others on State Route 512 in Puyallup in Pierce County on Monday according to The Seattle Post Intelligencer.

The accident occurred around noon when a 54-year-old Puyallup woman crashed through the cable barrier and collided with a semi-truck. The semi-truck then jack-knifed and collided with a pickup truck. The wrong-way driver was killed, the semi truck driver, a 41-year-old Tacoma man, suffered minor injuries and the driver of the pickup, a 22-year-old Silverdale man, was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma with serious injuries. The pick up driver's four-year-old male passenger suffered serious injuries and was taken to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma.

Wrong-way crashes are a very serious problem. Just last week there was a deadly crossover crash in Federal Way which killed two people and seriously injured three others. The two people killed have been identified as Robert Galaviz, 55, of Federal Way, and Georgina Steele, 61, of Seattle, reports the Washington State Patrol. In that case, a 51-year-old Puyallup man, a youth basketball coach, has been arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide because police believe he may have been impaired due to alcohol or drugs.

Alcohol or drugs are often a factor in these crashes and they usually result in deaths and very serious injuries because drivers of the cars involved are often going at high rates of speed. In this Puyallup accident, we don't yet know the cause and whether health problems, mechanical problems with her vehicle or road design were factors.

Cable Barriers

Many people have some serious concerns about the use of cable barriers to prevent cross-over crashes. Many call for greater safety features and concrete barriers.

This information has been brought to you Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured and the families of those killed in motor vehicle accidents because of the negligence of another driver. We also represent those who have been injured by drunken drivers.

Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free case evaluation.

Making a trip to the dump? Transporting furniture for a friend? Make sure your load is secured or you will be breaking the law. In Washington State, if you carry a load that is not secure, you may receive a fine from between $216-$5,000 and possible jail time. Vehicle Code RCW 46.61.655 is the statute covering lost or unsecured loads.

Every year in Washington State, over 12 million pounds of refuse end up on interstate, state and county roads. Litter is an eyesore, harms wildlife and puts motorists at risk. Each year more than 400 traffic accidents in Washington State are caused by unsecured loads.

People often have the misconception that if they are carrying something heavy in their pickup truck, they don't need to tie it down. While a couch or refrigerator is not likely to blow out of a truck, the momentum of heavy objects when a vehicle stops can have disastrous consequences.

If you witness an item falling off a vehicle, you should call 911 immediately.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or a loved one killed because of the hazard caused by a lost load, you should contact a personal injury attorney to insure your rights are protected. The Farber Law Group has more than 30 years experience in representing people with serious injuries due to the negligence of another person.

Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free case evaluation.

Are you considering buying a motorcycle? Motorcycles sales in the past 8-10 years have tripled and the number of fatalities and injuries have doubled. Some motorcycles, however, have higher accident and death rates than others.

You should definitely consult the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety report on anti-lock brakes for motorcycles before you make your motorcycle purchase. According to the report:

Both the frequency of crashes for which insurance claims are filed and the rate of fatal motorcycle crashes go down among bikes with antilock brakes. … “Even though adding antilocks [brakes] won’t make motorcycling as safe as going by car, it’s something manufacturers can do to reduce the risk of traveling on 2 wheels instead of 4,” Lund says. “It’s a way to reduce the chances of overturning a bike and crashing, so it can save lives among people who choose motorcycles for their basic transportation, to save on gasoline, or just for fun.” Adrian Lund for the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI)

The HLDI study found that insurance claims for motorcycles with anti-lock brakes was 19% lower than without anti-lock brakes. The fatality rate with antilock brakes was 38% lower. Because the anti-lock brakes reduce wheel lockup during braking, many bikes are kept from overturning.

BMW bikes are not included in the statistics because the data could not determine which bikes were fitted with anti-lock brakes and which weren't by looking at Vehicle Identification Numbers. Harley Davidson bikes were also not included because they didn't introduce their anti-lock brake models until after the study was completed.

2008 Model Motorcycles with Antilock Brakes

For a copy of “Antilock braking systems for motorcycles and insurance collision losses” by M. Moore and Y. Yan or “Effectiveness of antilock braking systems in reducing fatal motorcycle crashes” by E. Teoh, write: Publications, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 1005 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA 22201, or email publications@iihs.org.

BMW K1200GT (std)
BMW K1200LT (std)
BMW R1200RT (std)
BMW F800S/F800ST
BMW G650 Xchallenge
BMW G650 XCountry
BMW G650 XMoto
BMW HP2 Megamoto/HP2
BMW K1200R/K1200R Sport
BMW K1200S
BMW R1200R/R1200S
BMW R900RT
Can-Am Spyder
Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Classic
Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard
Harley-Davidson Night Rod
Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special
Harley-Davidson Road Glide/Road King
Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
Harley-Davidson Screaming Eagle Electra Glide
Harley-Davidson Screaming Eagle Road King
Harley-Davidson Street Glide
Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide
Harley-Davidson V-Rod
Honda Gold Wing
Honda Interceptor 800
Honda Reflex
Honda Silver Wing
Honda ST1300
Kawasaki Concours 14
Moto Guzzi Norge 1200
Suzuki Bandit 1250S
Suzuki B-King
Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive
Suzuki SV650/SV650S/SV650SAF
Suzuki V-Strom 650
Triumph Sprint ST
Triumph Tiger
Yamaha FJR1300 (std)
Yamaha FJR1300 Electric Shift (std)

This information was brought to you Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured and the families of those killed in motorcycle accidents.

Contact The Farber Law Group for a free and confidential case evaluation.

Two people were killed and two people were injured when a 2004 Suzuki driven by Daniel Geronimo Varela of Burbank crashed into a tractor-trailer driven by James Kooch of Hermiston, Oregon about eight miles East of Pasco on Highway 12 reports The Seattle Times.

Killed in the crash were the two passengers in Varela's car: Jesus Jaime Mendez, 19, and Jorge Mendez, 17, both of Burbank.

Valera and Kooch were taken to Kennewick General Hospital with injuries.

This information was brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We have more than 30 years experience in Washington State representing victims of car accidents and their families.

Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free case evaluation.

The victims in Thursday nights' Federal Way cross-over crash have been identified according to The Seattle Times. Killed in the accident were Robert Galaviz, 55, of Federal Way and Georgina Steele, 61, of Seattle. A 66-year-old passenger in Steele's car suffered serious injuries and a 25-year-old Des Moines woman suffered minor injuries.

Washington State Patrol reports they have arrested a 51-year-old Puyallup man, who crossed over the center median near the 320th Street exit and struck four southbound cars. The man is suspected of being impaired at the time of the accident and he may be charged with vehicular homicide.

Vehicular homicide (RCW 46.61.520) is a statute that provides a driver can be charged if a person dies as a result of "negligent" operation of a motor vehicle. A driver is negligent if he/she was driving recklessly, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or driving without regard for the safety of others.

When a driver is charged with vehicular homicide, the family may also bring a suit for wrongful death.

If you or a loved one has received serious injuries, or a loved one has been killed due to an automobile accident, you should contact The Farber Law Group. We have more than 30 years experience in Western Washington representing automobile accident victims and families of wrongful death victims.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), in a Media Release, warns motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians: beware of accidents as daylight savings time ends on Sunday and darkness comes earlier.

According to the WSDOT, nearly 50% -- 33 of 67 pedestrian accidents between February 1, 2007 and January 30, 2008 -- occurred between the October and January, the days with the shortest amount of daylight.

The two most "at risk" groups for pedestrian accidents are children between the ages of 1-19 and seniors age 71 and older.

WSDOT Tips for Pedestrians:

• Wear reflective clothing, cross at intersection & carry a flashlight
  
• Make eye contact with drivers and watch for vehicles
  
• Walk where it's safe -- sidewalks and facing traffic if you are walking on a roadway edge
  
• Cross at intersections -- jaywalking is one of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents

WSDOT Tips for Drivers:

• Drive at the posted speed limit
• Stop for pedestrians. It's the law.
• Do not pass another vehicle who is stopped at a crosswalk.
• Pay attention near schools and recreation areas

This information was brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured and the families of those killed in pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, car accidents and motorcycle accidents. With our help, you may recover compensation for your injuries.

Contact The Farber Law Group today.