Seattle Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Most pedestrians should feel totally safe when they are walking on a walkway designated for pedestrians and protected from the adjacent highway by a concrete barrier. Unfortunately in a Washington pedestrian accident the day after Christmas, this proved not to be the case.

One pedestrian was killed and another injured when a suspected drunken driver drove onto a pedestrian walkway on U.S. Highway 2 and hit the two pedestrians, killing one, reports the Washington State Patrol.

In the media release, the WSP says that Darren Streeter, 47, of Chehalis, fell 40 feet to his death after he was hit by a vehicle driven by an unidentified 24-year-old Everett man.

Streeter and his companion, Thereesa Dubs, 55, were walking on a pedestrian walkway adjacent to U.S. 2 and separated by a concrete barrier when the Everett man drove his vehicle through an obstacle course of a dirt berm and around some metal pylons, striking Dubs with the vehicle's mirror and hitting Streeter.

The patrol has not identified the driver at this writing but it is suspected that he may have been under the influence of both alcohol and marijuana at the time of the accident. He is being treated for serious leg injuries at a local hospital.

The Everett man most likely will be charged with Vehicular Homicide and Vehicular Assault. Washington state vehicle code RCW 46.61.520 states that a person can be charged with Vehicular Homicide if a person is killed in a motor vehicle accident and the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol, driving recklessly or driving with reckless disregard to the safety of others.

Continue reading " Suspected DUI driver kills pedestrian on walkway off of US 2 " »

A tire that broke loose from a trailer crashed through a Kirkland woman's windshield while she was driving on SR-520 sending her to Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue with undisclosed injuries.

Anita Manueltiqui, 47, was driving westbound on the highway when the tire crashed through her windshield and landed in the passenger seat.

The car accident occurred when the rim apparently failed on a trailer being towed eastbound. The lug nuts and center of the rim remain fastened to the trailer but the wheel and parts of the rim broke free, bounced on the highway and into oncoming traffic.

The article in The Bellevue Reporter said that the Washington Patrol are investigating the accident and it is unclear whether the driver pulling the trailer would be cited.

The investigation will probably determine whether the trailer was overloaded, if the tires were improperly inflated or what kind of mechanical failure was the cause of the car accident.

Nearly 13% of all motor vehicle accidents can be attributed to mechanical failure of some type. A driver can be negligent if they fail to properly maintain their vehicle. In some cases, mechanical failure can be caused by a product or manufacturing defect or a repair shop error.

The following are some mechanical failures that may result in a Washington motor vehicle accident:

• Bad Brakes – Brakes are a mechanical part that needs to be repaired or replaced on a routine basis. Brakes consist of many moving parts and replacement time depends on many factors including driving habits, quality of replacement parts, how a person drivers and where they drive. Brake pads need to be replaced between 20,000 and 50,000 miles. Failure to repair brakes, pads, rubber seals and hoses can cause breaks to fail.
  
• Faulty or Underinflated Tires – It is estimated that 8,000 car accidents every year are due to faulty tire failures. Failure to properly inflate tires can cause a blowout, especially on hot days, which can cause a serious accident. Other tire failures can be caused by using improper tires for the vehicle, carrying a heavier load than the tire is rated for or improper mounting or balancing of a tire.
  
• Wheel Bearing Failure – Wheel and axle bearings rarely require maintenance, however, in some cases depending on a driver's habits or damage to a vehicle, an axle bearing can fail causing the vehicle to lose a wheel.

If you were seriously injured and your car accident was caused by mechanical failure or from a lost load, call The Farber Law Group, a personal injury law who will provide a free and confidential case evaluation. With our help, you may recover compensation for your damages.

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Continue reading " Car accident caused by lost tire sends Kirkland woman to the hospital " »

There are few things that can make a cyclist feel less comfortable than sharing the road with belligerent 1,500 metal beasts wearing only a plastic helmet, but lots of them do it every day. Whether commuting or just riding for pleasure, navigating busy streets presents plenty of dangers.

Of course it would be just great if cars were constantly on the lookout for cyclists, but that’s just not the case. Bicyclists shouldn’t rely on drivers or fast reaction times to keep them safe, instead they should take precautions to proactively protect themselves on the road. To that end, here’s a list of simple recommendations (beyond a helmet and “follow the law”) that will help you avoid collisions with cars:

1. Stay to the left. That’s right, it’s safer to ride closer to the cars! After all, if you’re in their way, they can see you. Cars hitting cyclists while pulling out of a side street or alley is one of the most common collision profiles. Allowing a little more space for reaction time (both yours and the drivers), and traveling further in the car lane so that you are in a position where drivers will be looking for cars, is important. The same principle applies to avoiding drivers who fail to yield and turn right directly in front of you. Riding a little farther to the left might cause drivers to honk a bit more, but at least it will keep you from plowing into the side of a turning Chevy. Keeping to the left can also prevent you from flying into an opened car door of a parked car. There are instances in which bike lanes will help you avoid this scenario, but it’s best to just stay away from the risk in the first place.
2. Don’t ride on the sidewalk. Again, it’s worth stressing that it’s important to only ride your bike in areas where drivers are looking for things not to hit. Generally, that means riding where cars are looking for other cars, ie- not on the sidewalk. Although the sidewalk is where cyclists are king (out of my way, pedestrian!) crossing a crosswalk at cycling speed is a risky proposition. When cars turn at an intersection, it is unlikely to account for you if you’re going 20mph in a crosswalk—no one runs that fast! If they aren’t looking for you, they might hit you. However if you must ride on the sidewalk for whatever reason, make sure to slow down before going across a crosswalk, and be sure to make eye contact with drivers before doing so.
3. Ride on the right side of the road. There’s a certain appeal to seeing cars moving toward you, rather than having them out of sight behind you. But doing so confuses those oncoming drivers, especially the ones turning right and pulling out into the road. Those drivers are watching for cars zooming from their left, not cyclists pedaling from the right. Riding on the left side of the road is an excellent way to implant yourself in an oncoming windshield.
4. Look before moving left. A number of accidents each year occur when a dead squirrel (or, more likely, a branch) pops up in a cyclist’s path, forcing him or her to veer left and into a trailing car. It’s much better just to slam on the breaks or fly up on to the sidewalk rather than risk a run-in with a car. There’s also a danger of this type of collision occurring when a cyclist uses a parked lane as a bike line. Seems safe enough until there’s a parked car in the way and the biker is forced into uncomfortable proximity to a vehicle approaching from behind.
5. Wear flashy clothes. This isn’t fashion advice, just some thoughts that can save your life. Especially in winter, when there is less daylight, it’s vital for cyclists to gear up: a reflective jacket or vest, reflective wheel guards, headlights and rear lights, front and rear lights, reflective wheel guards and coats, basically anything that makes you easier. It may not be the coolest look, but it will keep you from looking (and feeling) much worse.

The big theme is to bike in a way that makes you predictable and visible to vehicles. Believe it or not, cars don’t want to hit you, so if they can see you, and know what you mean to do, you’ll be much safer. Follow these steps. They may not lead to the coolest, or most expedient, ride, but remember: safety first!

Continue reading " Five ways to avoid being hit on your bicycle " »

The Kirkland police have arrested Nathan J. Godwin, 27, of Redmond and he faces charges of Vehicular Homicide in the death of an 36-year-old man who was killed in a bicycle accident early this morning.

According to Kirkland Views, the fatal bicycle accident occurred at the intersection of NE 124th Street and 132nd Avenue NE this morning around 3am.

The unidentified bicyclist was riding his bicycle home from work when he was hit. The report said that he was wearing the bicycling gear to make himself visible including a reflective vest, head lamp and blinking lamp.

One report said that Godwin initially left the accident scene but then returned. Police have booked him into King County jail after administering a blood alcohol test at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland.

Vehicular Homicide, Washington Vehicle Code RCW 46.61.520 can be charged if a person is killed in a motor vehicle accident and the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) or drugs, driving recklessly or driving without regard to the safety of others.

This is the second fatal bicycle accident in Kirkland in the past six months. John Przychodzen was killed in Juanita on July 22. The teenage driver that killed Przychodzen was only fined $42. Przychodzen's family have filed a negligence lawsuit on his behalf in civil court because they are seeking answers to what caused the driver to swerve and hit Pryzchodzen.

Approximately 110,000 people are killed every year by drunken drivers. In Washington state, 40% of all fatal motor vehicle accidents had alcohol involvement.

As the investigation into this most-recent bicycle accident continues, the Kirkland police are asking people with information about the bicycle accident to contact Sergeant Brouelette, Kirkland Police Department at 425-587-3493 or vog.awdnalkrik@tteleuorbl. 

This information is provided by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. Our personal injury law firm represent bicycle accident victims and their family.

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Continue reading " Suspected drunken driver arrested in fatal Kirkland bicycle accident " »

Joseph Brynda, 20, was sentenced to serve 7 years in prison for the pedestrian accident death of Phillip Rangel, 60, who was killed while walking in a crosswalk in 2009. According to testimony, Brynda was texting and driving with his knees when he hit and killed Rangel.

The Cook County, Illinois, jury heard that Brynda was also driving under the influence of marijuana and freon when the pedestrian accident occurred.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Brynda had a history of driving offenses. According to their report, Brynda had eight previous driving offenses ranging from failing to yield to emergency vehicles, speeding, disobeying traffic signals. He had also previously been involved in an injury accident.

Everyone knows that texting while driving is illegal yet there are so many instances of people who have been killed because of texting drivers.

It is not uncommon for a a driver who was texting while driving to also be under the influence of alcohol or drugs as in this case. People who engage in high risk activities such as drinking and driving will often engage in other high-risk activities such as speeding, flagrantly disobeying traffic laws and texting.

In April of this year, Danae Marie Miller, a 22-year-old California woman, was charged with vehicular manslaughter when she hit and killed bicyclist Armine Britel, 40. Like Brynda, Miller was texting when the bicycle-car accident occurred and she was under the influence. Like Brynda, Miller had a history of numerous traffic citations including one for using a cell phone while driving.

Studies show that texting while driving delays a driver's response time by 35% and increases the probably of an accident 23 times. Combine texting with driving and alcohol or drugs and you are an accident waiting to happen.

Plainly stated, texting while driving puts anyone who uses the road — drivers, walkers and bicyclists — at risk.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car crash, or a loved one killed, and someone else was texting or driving drunk, you may be able to file a civil suit in King County, Washington seeking compensation for your damages. The Farber Law Group, a personal injury attorney specializing in serious personal injuries and wrongful death, will work to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

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Continue reading " Texting driver sentenced in pedestrian death " »

Bicyclists are advised to make sure they have adequate insurance in case they are involved in a Seattle bicycling accident.

At one time or another, every bicyclist has been involved in some sort of bicycle accident. Whether you have hit a pot hole, been knocked off your bike by a car or gone down when riding with a group of friends, you know that at least you will wind up with bumps and bruises but just as easily you can end up with a fracture, road rash or a traumatic brain injury.

It is important to be adequately insured so that your medical expenses will be covered as well as being covered for loss of income.

Data from the U.S. Department of Transportation reveals that there are approximately half a million bicyclists treated in emergency rooms every year and of those, upwards of 67,000 have had a traumatic brain injury.

If you've been in a bicycle accident there are potentially several different insurance policies that could cover your damages including your medical bills.

1. If another driver was at fault for your accident, then their motor vehicle coverage may cover you.
2. Your own personal medical insurance will generally cover you for your injuries and then they will pursue claims against the policy of the person who hit you.
3. If the driver of the car that injured you does not have car insurance or if they are not sufficiently covered, then your own under/uninsured motorist coverage of your car insurance policy should be sufficient to cover any insufficiency of the driver's policy.
4. In the case that you injured another person while bicycle riding, your own auto insurance may cover the medical costs of the person you injured. However, you want to make sure you are sufficiently insured.

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you may want to considering hiring an experienced bicycle accident lawyer. Insurance companies are aggressive about limiting their own liability and that means they may fight your claim or low-ball your settlement. A qualified bicycle accident attorney will work to insure that you get the best settlement.

This information is provided by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in Bellevue bicycle accidents and the family of those killed.

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Continue reading " Bicyclists should have adequate insurance in case of a Seattle bicycle accident " »

Dakota Robinson, 12, and John H. Jones, 60, both of Concrete, were killed in a head-on car accident on highway 530 at Whitman Road near Oso around 10 am on Saturday morning.

According to Diane Hefley writing in the Everett Herald, Jones was driving a 1990 Toyota pickup truck west on highway 530 when he attempted a left-hand in the path of an oncoming Ford F350 pickup truck driven by a 29-hear-old Robert M. Boggs of Arlington.

Jones was killed along with his passenger, Dakota Robinson.

Boggs suffered injuries and was taken to Cascade Valley hospital. His condition is unknown.

Troopers are investigating the accident but they do not believe alcohol was factor.

This accident is a tragedy but one that is seen too often when a motorist makes an unsafe left hand turn. Our condolences to the family.

This information is provided by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents and the family of those who have died.

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Continue reading " Two killed in highway 530 head-on car accident near Oso " »