December 7, 2011

Texting driver sentenced in pedestrian death

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.

bellevue car accident attorneyThe 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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November 13, 2011

Motorists need to watch out for wildlife in the Fall

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) , in a media release, is warning drivers to watch out for wildlife during the fall. Collisions between motor vehicle and deer is at the highest amount between October and December. The WSP says that when people turn their clocks back and the days are shorter and more people are driving in the dark morning and evening hours, the incidence of collisions increases.

According to the WSP, in Thurston and Pierce Counties, there have already been 128 collisions between motor vehicles and animals.

Collisions with deer and other large animals are costly but they can also be deadly. In approximately 2% of the car v. deer collisions there is a fatality. In motorcycle v. deer collisions, in 85 % of the cases the motorcyclist is killed.

The WSP reminds drivers to be cautions in early morning and evening hours, to pay close attention to animal crossing signs which are usually placed where there have been collisions in the past and do not swerve to avoid an animal.

Insurance Considerations

The Farber Law Group recommends that you have comprehensive coverage on your automobile. Comprehensive coverage will cover your vehicle if you are involved in an accident and will often cover the cost of a rental car and provide "gap" coverage if your car is a total loss which often happens in a deer collision.

This information is provided 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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November 5, 2011

How to Find a Personal Injury Attorney

If you’ve been in an accident or hurt by someone and it wasn’t your fault, you may be thinking that you need to find a personal injury attorney. Of course, when you start the process of looking, you may be overwhelmed. Read on for advice on how to find a personal injury attorney that is right for your case.

bellevue car accident lawyerThe first thing to keep in mind is that you want to find a personal injury attorney that has experience in what you need. This means don’t just hire your friend or neighbor who happens to be a lawyer to help you because they owe you a favor. While any attorney is better than none, to really get the most out of your settlement, you want someone with experience to represent you.

You should also not just settle on the first lawyer you find. If you have a friend or family member who has had a similar experience in the past, you should ask them for advice, and a referral. A referral from a close friend or relative is often the best way to find a personal injury attorney, but just a recommendation does not mean you are done.

You should meet with the lawyer and talk over your case. Many lawyers offer free consultations, and you should take advantage of these if you can, but you also have to keep in mind that you want to act quickly. If you are going to file a claim, you want to do it as soon as possible after your accident in order to get the best results.

Talk to a few lawyers, and choose the one who makes you feel the most confident. Remember, price alone does not make a great lawyer. Each person and each case is different. If you don’t get along with your attorney, your case will probably not end well for you.

When you find a personal injury attorney that meets your needs, they can walk you through the process, determine how much they think your case is worth and what the settlement will be, and calm any fears or concerns you may have about your case.

When you start the process to find a personal injury attorney, it can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. By taking the time to find the right person, you will almost guarantee success.

This information is provided by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We have more than 30 years experience represent people who have serious injuries due to motor vehicle accidents.

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November 5, 2011

Getting the Most Out of Your Auto Accident Settlement

It happens all the time. Thousands upon thousands of people file auto accident claims, and get way less than they deserve in their auto accident settlement, and the reason is simple: they don’t know how the system works.

There’s a lot of legal terminology associated with an auto accident settlement, and it can be a confusing and frustrating process for sure, but it doesn’t have to be.

774604_car_accident_1.jpgYour first question often is (or should be) “do I need an accident attorney?” This depends on several factors, starting with the severity of your accident. If you believe you are entitled to more than 500 dollars, hiring an attorney is something you should think strongly about. An attorney can help you get the most out of your auto accident settlement, and make it easier to understand all the terminology that people will be suddenly throwing your way. These types of attorneys deal with auto accident settlement cases everyday, and they have the experience to get you as much compensation as possible for your difficult time. If money is a concern, you usually will not be required to pay anything upfront.

An attorney will help you get all of the necessary information together so that when you submit your claim to your insurance company, they have everything they need. Plus an insurance company will take you more seriously if you have an attorney representing you. The insurance company will know that you are aware of your rights, and take you much more seriously. This means you will have a much higher chance of getting what you deserve.

Once your case is settled, it can take up to two years to get your settlement, but usually it happens much quicker than that. Judges generally do not want your case holding up other cases, so very often you can have your auto accident settlement in a few weeks.

An auto accident settlement is never an easy thing to deal with, but it can be much worse if you don’t know how much you are entitled to. Hiring an attorney is probably the best move you can make if you think you should get your fair share. Not only can the attorney answer your questions, but they will help you navigate tough and often confusing laws, making the process move much faster and be a lot less frustrating.

This information is provided by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We have 30 years experience representing people with serious injuries due to motor vehicle accidents.

Continue reading "Getting the Most Out of Your Auto Accident Settlement" »

November 5, 2011

Filing An Auto Accident Claim

Car accidents are stressful regardless of whether or not there are any injuries. While you may not want to file an auto accident claim, sometimes you really don’t have any choice.

redmond car accident attorneyIn order to determine whether you need to file a claim, the first question you should ask yourself is if you can pay for the damage outright. Often times if you can pay for it yourself, filing an auto accident claim can hurt you more in the long run. If you can pay for it yourself without trouble, you should consider not filing a claim.

If you decide that you need to file an auto accident claim, that’s okay, but there are some things you should know. First of all, you need to file the claim as soon as possible with your insurance company, even if the accident is not your fault. If you take your time filing the claim, this may say to any insurance company involved that you don’t think this is important, or that you aren’t sure if you are not to blame. It doesn’t matter how busy you are, make the job of filing an auto insurance claim a priority and do it right away.

It’s not unusual to get a call from the other party’s insurance company, especially if there is a disagreement about who is at fault for the accident. If you get a call, don’t panic; they’re only trying to get as much information as possible. Make sure you write down the name of the person you talked to and when, and take notes documenting the call. The most important thing to remember is that you should always tell an honest account of what you think happened to both your insurance company and the one of the other driver.

Once you’ve filed your auto insurance claim, it may take some time for the insurance company to come to a resolution. Make sure you do what they say, and listen to them carefully, as they’ll be able to tell you what to expect next. Ask any insurance agent you talk to any questions you may have and be sure to write down the answers and keep them in a safe place until the whole issue is completely over.

Getting in an accident is no fun, but filing an auto accident claim doesn’t have to be a frustrating experience.

This information is provided as a service of The Farber Law Group. We have more than 30 years experience representing clients who have serious injuries due to motor vehicle accidents. With our help, you may recover compensation for your damages.

More questions? Click here.

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November 5, 2011

Before Filing A Personal Injury Claim

If you’ve been hurt in an accident and you feel another party is to blame, you may want to file a personal injury claim. There is some information you should know however before doing so.

First of all, it’s important that you let the responsible for the accident know you believe they are responsible before you file your claim. You don’t necessarily have to know for sure who is responsible, but you have to have an idea. In the first part of your personal injury claim you don’t have to give anyone including insurance companies any information about your accident. Just simply state what happened and where, that you were hurt in this particular accident, and that you intend to file a personal injury claim.

If you aren’t exactly sure who is responsible or who you should notify about your personal injury claim, then notify everyone who may be responsible. Depending on what kind of accident you were in is going to depend on whether you know who exactly is to blame. In a car accident, for example, you probably know for sure that the other driver is to blame; if you are hurt in a company with a lot of employees, you may not know.

The correct way to let all parties know you intend to file a personal injury claim is to write letters informing them of your accident. Be sure to let them know you were injured. In some cases, it may be necessary to write and send more than one letter. For example, if you were hurt in a place of business, you would send a letter to the owner of the business as well as the owner of the property where the business resides.

You do not want to take your time in getting those letters out. There is no time limit, however in order to have the best possible chance to win your personal injury claim, you need to let all parties know as quickly as possible after your accident. Always send your letter through registered or certified mail so you know for certain they received it.

As long as you notify all parties involved prior to the claim, no one will be able to say they were surprises when the time comes for the claim.

Notifying all parties involved in your accident is the first step in filing a personal injury claim.

This information is provided by The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents due to the negligence of another. For more answers to your questions, click here.

Continue reading "Before Filing A Personal Injury Claim" »

November 3, 2011

Seattle motorcyclist sentenced in accident that injured two bicyclists

A Seattle woman, who fell asleep while she was participating in the Hoka Hey Challenge cross-country motorcycle race and hit two bicyclists, has entered a plea agreement which will cause her to be confined for up to 16 months.

Vik Livingston, 54, was riding in the 8,000 mile "Iditarod of Harley Davidson's" when the motorcycle-bicycle accident happened near Nenana, Alaska.

Livingston had claimed that she swerved to avoid a braking car when she hit Andy Hutten and Karen Schaad who were riding bicycles on the shoulder of the road. However, the accident was consistent with a rider who had fallen asleep.

Hutten suffered a bad cut to his leg . Shaad's injuries were much more serious and she suffered a chipped vertebrae and a cracked pelvis. Both bicyclists suffered bad road rash , a severe skin abrasion, because they slid approximately 30 feet on pavement.

Livingston was also seriously injured with cracked ribs, a punctured lung and a broken clavicle.

Livingston was originally charged with 2nd degree felony assault but the charges were reduced to 4th degree misdemeanor assault. It is unclear at this time whether Livingston will be sentenced to jail time or whether she will be electronically monitored at home in Seattle.

She was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims who have also filed charges in civil court for their damages.

The 2010 race was not without other accidents. Another rider died after falling asleep during the race and another died after losing control of his motorcycle and crashing.

The penalties seemed harsh to some who were writing in the blogosphere. However, falling asleep at the wheel is a negligent act because most drivers feel sleepy or drowsy before they fall asleep and have the opportunity to pull over, take a nap or drink coffee. There is a legal term, "Rebuttable presumption", which means that the court will view the driver negligent without the driver having a chance to explain.

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 car accidents, motorcycle accidents and bicycle accidents and the family of those killed. With our help, you may recover compensation for your damages.

Source:
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - Charges set for motorcyclist who hit two people on bicycle 

Continue reading "Seattle motorcyclist sentenced in accident that injured two bicyclists" »

October 17, 2011

Two killed in multi-vehicle accident on I-90 near Snoqualmie Pass

The Washington State Patrol is reporting that two people in a passenger vehicle were killed in an accident on Interstate 90 near the summit of Snoqualmie Pass this morning around 11:50am. At least two semi-trucks were involved in the motor vehicle accident.

While the Washington State Patrol is investigating , it appears from news photos that the passenger vehicle was crushed between two semi-trucks. A third semi-truck may also be involved.

At this point, the cause of the accident has not been determined nor do we know if there are any others injured. However, there is heavy construction on I-90 and the eastbound lanes have been funneled down to one lane for a 6-day period while engineers prepare the opening of a new section of highway.

The construction work on the highway has caused considerable traffic slow-downs and long delays. The Washington State Department of Transportation reports that the accident, near milepost 56, has caused a 7 mile-long traffic backup.

When there is road construction, drivers must pay close attention to speed limits and also to slowing traffic.

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 and trucking accidents and the family of those killed.

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September 3, 2011

Everett woman killed in Bellevue motorcycle accidents, driver critically injured

Sommarly Suon, 26, of Everett has died of injuries she received when she was involved in a motorcycle accident in Bellevue on Wednesday night around 7pm.

Suon was a passenger on a motorcycle when it hit a barrier on the westbound I-90 interchange at I-405. Both the motorcycle driver and Suon were thrown from the motorcycle and fell 40 feet below.

Suon was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where she was pronounced dead.

The driver of the motorcycle, a 20-year-old Bothell man was also taken to Harborview Medical Center with critical injuries.

The Washington State Patrol is investigating the accident but reported that both Suon and the motorcycle driver were wearing helmets. No cause of the accident was provided at this point.

This particular highway interchange does appear to be a challenge to drivers, and especially motorcyclists, because it is an especially tight turn.

Car and truck accidents have declined markedly in the past five years but motorcycle fatalities have actually been increasing in some states. Motorcycle helmets are estimated to save about 1800 lives every year and states that have strong motorcycle helmet laws benefit with lives saved. Unfortunately in this accident, both of the victims fell a substantial distance.

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 killed.

Source: Everett woman dies after motorcycle crash, The Bellevue Reporter, Sep. 01, 2011

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August 25, 2011

Jury awards car accident victim $1.1M in lawsuit against city involving police officer

A Ohio jury has awarded a a $1.1M injury award to a man who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a motor vehicle accident when a police officer turned into his path, resulting in a collision.

Henry Jontony, 48, was injured when a police officer, responding to a non-emergency call, turned suddenly into Jontony's path.

Jontony suffered a concussion and injuries consistent with whiplash in the accident. He was eventually diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury which left him permanently disabled. His symptoms included confusion, short-term memory problems, anger management, and problems with filtering out background noises. His long term care costs are estimated at $5M and his medical costs are about $41,000.

Jontony and his family sued both the police officer and the city where the police officer worked under the "vicarious liability." Respondeat superior -- also known as vicarious liability -- is the doctrine that employers are liable for negligent or acts of their employees when the act that caused harm was within the course of the person's employment.

The attorney for the city argued that Jontony's injuries were not so severe as he was still able to drive a car and live at home. The jury, however, awarded just about $1.1 million including $50,000 to Jontony's spouse for "loss of consortium." Loss of consortium refers to "loss of companionship" or the inability of a person's spouse to have normal marital relations.

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 caused by the negligence of another. With our help, you may recover compensation for your damages.

Citation: Jontony v. Colegrove, No. CV-08-677987 (Ohio, Cuyahoga Co. Com. Pleas July 1, 2011).

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August 14, 2011

King County targets speeders, patrols write more than 1,200 tickets between July 15 - August 7

Speeding is a huge factor in traffic accidents and speeding was the leading contributing cause for car accidents in Washington State. In 2009, there were 8,744 traffic accidents in King County alone where speeding was a contributing factor.

Speeding can be deadly because it increases a driver's stopping distance, reduces maneuverability around curves and increases the distance a driver travels when reacting to situations such as cars stopping ahead of them. Speeding is also associated with other risky behaviors such as drinking and driving, aggressive driving and distracted driving.

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission has been working on changing driver behavior in an effort to reduce traffic accidents. To that end, they helped fund King County Target Zero Task Force which provided extra law enforcement patrols that specifically targeted speeding drivers.

The Seattle PI.com
reports that between July 15 and August 7, the emphasis patrols wrote 1,245 speeding tickets and also made three DUI arrests, three felony arrests, four aggressive driving violations, 15 cell phone citations, six seat belt tickets, 50 uninsured motorist tickets and 15 suspended/revoked license violations.

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 been killed.

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July 27, 2011

Shocking story: pedestrian convicted of vehicular homicide even though her son was killed by hit-and-run driver

We saw an article posted on Transportation for America, an organization that campaigns for pedestrian safety, about a mother who was charged and found guilty of vehicular homicide after her young son was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver.

How could this happen? Raquel Nelson, of Atlanta, was crossing the street with her children after stepping off of a bus at a bus stop located directly across from her apartment complex. Nelson and other people who lived at her apartment complex routinely crossed the road there to get home because the nearest crosswalk was a half mile away.

Nelson's youngest son was struck and killed by a driver who than drove off. Nelson was charged and convicted because she had failed to walk the half mile in the dark to go to the nearest traffic signal. The jury convicted her of vehicular homicide and a judge sentenced her to probation and community service.

A charge of vehicular homicide is generally reserved for a person who is driving recklessly or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs so it was quite a surprise that the Cobb County prosecutor decided to charge a grieving mother with a serious crime when she didn't even own a car.

Transportation for America has started a campaign to get Nelson's conviction overturned. We'll quote them here:

What about the highway designers, traffic engineers, transit planners and land use regulators who allowed a bus stop to be placed so far from a signal and made no other provision for a safe crossing; who allowed – even encouraged, with wide, straight lanes – prevailing speeds of 50-plus on a road flanked by houses and apartments; who carved a fifth lane out of a wider median that could have provided more of a safe refuge for pedestrians; who designed the entire landscape to be hostile to people trying to get to work and groceries despite having no access to a car?

This article certainly makes one think about the plight of the approximately 4,000+ people killed in pedestrian accidents every year. Of those killed in pedestrian accidents, the old and the young are the most common victims because these are the citizens who walk. The elderly, age 70 and over, are the most at risk for being killed in a pedestrian accident with the rate of pedestrian accident death approximately 62% higher for people 70 and older than for people under the age of 70.

For more information about Transportation America's campaign on Nelson's behalf, click here, "Demand full pardon for Raquel Nelson".

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 pedestrian accidents and the family of those killed.

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July 11, 2011

WSP asking motorcycle riders to slow down on mountain highways after fatal accidents on SR 20

The Washington State Patrol, in a media release, are asking motorcycle riders to slow down and obey traffic laws on the heels of five fatal motorcycle accidents on the North Cascade Highway (SR 20). In the last two months, there have been two fatal motorcycle accidents near Winthrop. There have been five fatal motorcycle accidents on the highway since January 1, 2010.

washington motorcycle accident lawyerThe WSP is placing special emphasis on safe driving on mountain highways and keeping speed down on curvy roads. Speed and impaired driving are the leading factors in motorcycle accidents throughout the state.

Motorcycle riders should also obtain their Motorcycle Endorsement. In nearly 40% of all fatal motorcycle accidents, the rider did not have the proper motorcycle endorsement. Getting a Motorcycle Endorsement involves taking an approved rider course with a trained instruction. Courses teach riders lane position, hazard avoidance and they work with the rider on skills such as braking, cornering, swerving and quick stops.

This information is provided by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent motorcycle accident victims and their families.

Continue reading "WSP asking motorcycle riders to slow down on mountain highways after fatal accidents on SR 20" »

July 5, 2011

$1.02M settlement in inattentive driver lawsuit in which motorcyclist was killed

The family of James Madonia, 62, who was killed in a freeway motorcycle accident, has settled a wrongful death lawsuit for $1.02 with Horizon Communications and the driver they claimed was negligent in the accident, Arthur Murrieta.

Horizon agreed to pay $1 million of the settlement and Murrieta the remainder.

According to papers filed in Orange County Superior Court, Madonia's family claimed that Murrieta was negligent in the accident because he failed to keep a proper lookout when he suddenly braked and swerved to avoid hitting another vehicle when he ran over Madonia, who was on the ground after colliding with another vehicle.

In their lawsuit, Madonia's family claimed Horizon Communications Technologies under vicarious liability. Vicarious liability holds that employers and companies bear some responsibility for the negligent acts of their employees acting in the course or scope of their employment.

All the parties to the case settled before the lawsuit came to trial.

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 with their injury claims and families who have lost a loved one with their wrongful death claims.

Source: Madonia v. Murrieta, No. 30-2010-00337626-CU-PO-CJC (Cal., Orange Co. Super. Feb. 15, 2011).

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June 6, 2011

U.S. Congress looking at "complete streets" in effort to reduce pedestrian and bicycle accidents

The U.S. Congress is considering federal legislation aimed at making roads and highways safer for people on bicyclists and pedestrians. The House is considering H.R. 1780 the Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2011, and the U.S. Senate is considering Senate Bill 1056 led by U.S. Senator Tom Harkin.

The Washington State Legislature also has two bills pending which would amend the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to ease design standards giving cities and municipalities more leeway in road design projects following “Complete Streets” principles: HB 1700 and HB 1701.

Between the years 2000 and 2009, 47,000 Americas were killed in pedestrian accidents and another 688,000 pedestrian were injured. The startling fact is that an American is injured or killed in a pedestrian accident every seven minutes.

Continue reading "U.S. Congress looking at "complete streets" in effort to reduce pedestrian and bicycle accidents" »

May 24, 2011

WSP to step up seat belt patrols in Bellevue, Clyde Hill and all of King County thru June 5

The Bellevue Reporter reports that local law enforcement agencies working in conjunction with the Washington State Patrol are stepping up their enforcement of seat belt laws between May 23 and June 5.

Police departments involved in the "Target Zero" seat belt emphasis patrols include : Auburn, Bellevue, Black Diamond, Burien, Clyde Hill, Covington, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Maple Valley, Mercer Island, Newcastle, North Bend, Pacific, Redmond, Renton, SeaTac, Seattle, Snoqualmie and Tukwila.

Seat belt law emphasis is one proven way to reduce traffic accident fatalities. Studies show that drivers who fail to use a seat belt also engage in other risky behaviors. By concentrating on seat belt enforcement, aggressive driving, distracted driving, equipment violations and speeding, law enforcement can reduce traffic accidents and fatalities.

Washington state has a seat belt compliance rate of nearly 96% which is one of the highest in the nation.

For more information, see Target Zero which explains Washington's plan to end traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

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 killed. With our help, you may recover compensation for your damages.

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May 2, 2011

Man critically injured in Olympia bicycle accident

Police are investigating an Olympia bicycle accident in which a man was critically injured when his bicycle was hit by a vehicle in the 390 block of Martin Way NE. the bicycle accident occurred around 10am on Saturday morning.

The Tacoma News Tribune reports that the unidentified man was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle which is a Level I Trauma Center. The bicyclist was not identified but the report said that he was a man who appears to be in his 30s or early 40s.

The driver that hit the bicyclist remained at the bicycle accident scene.

There were no other details provided.

According to National Highway Transportation Safety Administration figures, there were 630 bicyclist killed in accidents with motor vehicles in 2009. Bicycle accident deaths have decreased by 37% since the mid-1970s. Every year, there are more male bicyclists killed than females; in 2009 there were 82% of bicycle accident fatalities were male. Wider adoption of bicycle helmets saves lives; 91% of the bicyclists killed in 2009 were not wearing helmets.

If you have any information regarding this accident, the Olympia Police Department would like you to call them at 360-753-8300 or call Thurston County Crime Stoppers at 360-493-2222.

This information is provided by the Seattle bicycle accident lawyers at The Farber Law Group. We reprsent people who have been seriously injured in bicycle and pedestrian accidents and the family of those killed. With our help, you may recover compensation for your damages.

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April 30, 2011

Man injured in Maple Valley motorcycle accident

A motorcycle rider was seriously injured and the condition of the motorcycle passenger is unknown after a Maple Valley motorcycle accident attributed to drunk driving.

Seattle's King5.com reports that the motorcycle accident occurred on Friday evening at 8:30pm on northbound State Route 169 near Southeast 213th Street. The accident occurred when a Jeep, driven by a Kent woman, 32, made an abrupt left turn and hit the motorcyclist who was traveling next to the Jeep.

The motorcyclist and passenger were thrown down an embankment and hit a fire hydrant.

The motorcycle rider was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, a level I trauma center.

The driver of the Jeep was arrested on suspicion of DUI and Vehicular Assault. Vehicular Assault, Washington State vehicle code RCW 46.61.522, can be charged if a person is seriously injured in a motorcycle accident and the driver was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or driving with reckless disregard for the safety of others.

Police are asking witnesses of the accident to call Detective Russ Haake at 425-401-7717.

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 motorcycle accidents and the family of those killed. With our help, you may recover compensation for your damages.

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April 24, 2011

Seattle motorcycle accident kills driver, injures 12-year-old girl

Seattle's KOMO News reports Thomas C. Phillip 24, of Silverdale, was killed and his 12-year-old stepdaughter was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with serious injuries after a single-vehicle motorcycle accident near downtown Seattle on Saturday afternoon.

According to the report, Phillip and his stepdaughter were riding with a group of motorcyclist when Phillip crashed his vehicle on the 4th Avenue ramp to eastbound Interstate 90. Apparently, Phillip's motorcycle hit a concrete barrier and slid 200 feet.

Police do not believe alcohol or drugs were factors in the Seattle motorcycle accident.

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 Seattle motorcycle accidents and the family of those killed.

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April 10, 2011

Man killed in hi-speed Puyallup motorcycle accident

A 24-year-old motorcyclist was killed in Puyallup-area motorcycle accident late Saturday night in a head-on car collision. The motorcyclist has been identified as Tyler Huber.

The News Tribune of Tacoma reports that the motorcyclist was driving his 2009 Suzuki GSXR10 at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour on State Route 167 when he hit a 1993 Chevrolet Lumina.

The motorcyclist was thrown 440 feet and was killed. The driver of the Lumina was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, treated and released.

The Washington State Patrol is investigating whether the motorcyclist was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the motorcycle accident. Witnesses reported that the man was weaving in and out of traffic prior to the accident.

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 motorcycle and car accidents and the family of those killed. With our help, you may recover compensation for your damages.

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