Seattle Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Gordon Burin, 51, was awarded a $12.29M injury accident settlement for an accident that left him with a traumatic brain injury and neck and back injuries. Burin's medical expenses after the accident were $235,100.

Burin was driving on an interstate highway when a truck lost a wheel from its axle. Burin struck the wheel and the jolt caused him to hit his car's ceiling. Burin underwent surgery for his back and neck injuries but the traumatic brain injury let him with diminished memory and cognitive abilities and caused a change in his personality. His brain injury left him unable to work as a commercial airline mechanic.

Vicarious Liability

Burin and his wife filed suit against the truck driver for negligence and also the owner of the truck alleging vicarious liability. Vicarious liability -- respondeat superior -- is a legal doctrine that holds a person or a company liable for the action of an employee in the course of their employment.

Lost Wheel Accidents

When a vehicle traveling at high speed loses a wheel, the results are often catastrophic. Sometimes a lost wheel will crash through a vehicle windshield. When the a lost wheel accident involves a commercial vehicle, authorities look at the trucking company's safety and maintenance records to insure the vehicle passed appropriate inspections as wheels do not normally come off of vehicles.

In this case, the jury must have felt that the truck driver and truck driver were negligent in maintaining the truck in finding the defendants jointly and severally liable.

Continue reading "Driver who was injured when trucker loses wheel awarded $12.29M accident settlement" »

Seattle's KOMO News reports that a 58-year-old man was admitted to Overlake Hospital in Bellevue with a serious leg injury and other injuries after he was hit by a suspected drunk driver at the corner of Main and Bellevue Way in downtown Bellevue late Monday night.

Cause of the Pedestrian Accident
The report said the driver, a 25-year-old woman, was making a left from Main Street onto Bellevue Way when she lost control of her vehicle and struck the man before crashing into a light pole.

The unidentified woman was arrested for DUI and vehicular assault. Washington Vehicle code RCW 46.61.522 "Vehicular Assault" states that a driver can be charged if he or she seriously injures someone while driving recklessly, driving recklessly or driving with recklessless disregard to the safety of others.

Pedestrian Accident Personal Injury Liability
If it is determined that the driver was driving under the influence at the time of the accident, the liability will fall with her. In cases like this, accident victims are advised to contact a Bellevue pedestrian accident attorney who has handled DUI accident and can advise the victim on their legal rights. A personal injury attorney will work hard to receive the maximum compensation for the victim including medical expenses, lost wages, and for pain and suffering.

Source: KOMO News

Continue reading "Pedestrian injured by suspected drunk driver in Bellevue" »

Drivers in Seattle have had so much to contend with this week in Seattle due to severe weather and snow and ice on the roadways. Then, a suspected drunken driver drove the wrong way on Interstate 405 early this morning causing a head-on car accident.

An unidentified 24-year-old woman from Newcastle apparently headed north on the southbound lanes of Interstate 405 in her Subaru after getting onto the freeway at the 124th street ramp. One report said she drove several miles before colliding head-on with a Jeep reports the Seattle P-I.

The wrong-way driver was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with serious injuries. The driver of the Jeep was taken to Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland.

Spate of Wrong Way Drivers in Seattle Area
This is the third wrong-way driving accident in the greater Seattle area in the past ten days:

• On January 11th when a 60-year-old retired schoolteacher drove her car 17 miles in the wrong direction on Interstate 5. The Washington State Patrol was able to stop the woman using spike strips before she caused an accident.
• On January 16,a wrong-way driver on I-5 in Tukwila hit a carload of teenagers sending one to Harborview and injury four others.

Causes of Wrong Way Driving

Most of the time when there is a wrong way car driver, the wrong-way driver is under the influence of alcohol and or drugs and misinterprets off ramps. Signage that says "Wrong Way" or "Do Not Enter" can help but if a person is so intoxicated, they often do not notice these warnings.

Another cause of wrong way drivers are elderly drivers who are confused or disoriented while driving and they make a mistake.

Some times, wrong way driving errors are caused when the local or state transportation agencies fail to provide proper signage.

Car Accident Injuries
Wrong way driving accidents often leave the injured with catastrophic injuries. The law of physics provides that the force of impact of two vehicles colliding at 50mph is the same as a one car running into a fixed object at 100mph. Often accident victims will suffer traumatic brain injuries, blunt force injuries and cuts and bruises. Often, victims are killed.

Continue reading "2 injured in Bothell I-405 wrong-way driving accident" »

Just a few days ago we wrote about a Washington wrong way driver who drove nearly 17 miles on Interstate 5 before police were able to stop her. In that wrong way driving incident, no one was injured.

Unfortunately, another wrong-way driver — again on Interstate 5 — has been involved in an accident early Sunday morning, this time sending 6 people to the hospital.

This wrong-way accident occurred on Interstate 5 in Tukwila near the South center exit around 3:30am when the wrong-way driver collided head-on with a car with 5 teenagers on board.

All but one of the injured were taken to Valley Medical Center. The most seriously injured was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle according to KOMO News.

Police suspect that the wrong-way driver was under the effects of alcohol at the time of the accident.

In the other wrong way driving incident, Pamela Drawsby a 60-year-old retired teacher from Olympia, drove at high speeds of up to 100 mph. The Highway Patrol reports that her blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time she was arrested was 0.12 percent. They also believe that she may have been under the influence of prescription medications. Drawsby has entered a not guilty plea.

Head-On Car Accidents

When two cars collide head-on, the results are often deadly. The combined force of two vehicles colliding at 50mph usually totals both vehicles.. Often, the results are deadly.

Continue reading "Tukwila wrong way driving accident on Interstate 5 injures 6" »

Today on Mercer Island, a new ordinance goes into effect which holds parents and homeowners responsible if teenagers drink at their homes.

The Ordinance
The ordinance cites homeowners or parents even if they are unaware that drinking occurred at their home. If cited, the homeowner will have to pay a fine of $250 regardless of whether they were aware of the underage drinking.

This new ordinance is highly contentious and is likely to be contested in court as it is the first of its kind in Washington state. A coalition of parents on Mercer Island, Communities that Care Coalition, lobbied for the new ordinance as one strategy to reduce underage drinking. The law might make sense for parents of teens under the age of 18 but most parents don't feel the need to provide supervision of teens 18 and older who are legal adults in every aspect except for alcohol.

Teenage Drinking
Teens who drink often binge drink. Binge drinking is often done in groups and the intent is intoxication. While binge drinking is more prevalent among teenage males, teen girls also engage in the risky behavior. Binge drinking is statistically linked to alcoholism in later life and it increases the chance for a teen to participate in risky behaviors such as drinking and driving.

Teenage Drinking and Driving
While teenagers are less likely than adults to drink and drive, when they do drive after they drink there car accident risk is substantially higher -- almost twice as much -- than adults even at low or moderate blood alcohol concentrations (BAC). Every year approximately 1,900 teenagers under 21 die from alcohol-related car accidents.

Social Host Liability
Although the definition of a "social host" can vary from state-to-state, a social host is a person who provides alcohol as an act of hospitality to a guest or condones the use of alcohol by a guest on property that the host controls. The property can be a home but it might also be a boat, a beach or a hotel room.

Social Host Liability finds that the supplier of alcohol may be liable to persons injured as a result of an intoxicated guest's actions because the social host has a duty to the public to reduce risk of injury and to serve alcohol responsibly.

If a parent allows alcohol to be served at an underage party, and a drunken teen leaves on their own and is involved in a motor vehicle accident, that parent can be held strictly liable under the law.

Continue reading "Mercer Island's social host ordinance targets underage drinking" »

King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg along with Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Lindquist and state Representative Christopher Hurst, D-Enumclaw, are supporting changes to existing Washington state DUI laws to increase the penalties for Vehicular Homicide and Vehicular Assault.

Citing drunk driving accident statistics, Satterberg noted that 170 people were killed by impaired drivers in Washington state in 2010 compared with 154 people killed by murder.

Vehicular Homicide, vehicle code RCW 46.61.520, provides that a driver can be charged if a person dies within three years of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident and the driver was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving recklessly or driving without regard to the safety of others.

Vehicular Assault, vehicle code RCW 46.61.522, provides that a driver can be charged if a person is seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident and the driver was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving recklessly or driving without regard to the safety of others.

Examples of driving recklessly include speeding, racing or aggressive driving. Examples of driving without regard to the safety of others include engaging in unsafe behavior even though the driver knows it is unsafe including texting while driving, talking no a cell phone or other distracted behaviors.

Currently the penalty for Vehicular Homicide, DUI, is between 2-½  to 3-1/2 years in prison. The new bill proposes that the penalty be increased to 6- 8-½  years.

The proposed change to Vehicular Assault would increase the current from 3 to 9 months to 6 months to 1 year.

Satterberg believes that current penalties for drivers who kill are not sufficient because these are preventable deaths. He said that when defendants get time off for good behavior their prison sentence can be reduced by a third.

Legal Recourse for Victims of Drunk Drivers

The Farber Law Group provides legal representation for people who have been disabled or injured in a drunk driving accident in Washington state.

A motor vehicle accident involving a drunken driver are different that other accidents because it is a preventable one. If only the driver would have called a cab, waited a few hours or stayed put, a drunk driving accident could have been prevented.

Washington Drunk Driving Accident Claims

If you have been seriously injured by a drunk driver or a loved one killed, your life has changed in a split second. Some people are left with catastrophic injuries which cause a life time of pain or leave them disabled. Other times, a loved one has died and that person may have been the bread winner for the family or a promising young student.

The Farber Law Group is here to answer your questions about Washington drunk driving accidents and we will fight to obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries, medical costs, lost wages and for pain and suffering.

Call Us

If you or a loved one has been injured, disabled or killed in a Washington drunk driving accident, call us TOLL FREE at 1-800-244-9087. We provide a FREE CASE CONSULTATION.

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Source: Prosecutors propose stiffer DUI sentences, The Seattle Times, by Sara Jean Green, January 9, 2012.

Continue reading "New bill seeks to harshen penalties for Drunk Driving Injury Accidents" »

A New York woman who suffered a serious knee injury after her vehicle was sideswiped by a man who was driving a company-owned van has settled a negligence lawsuit for $5 million with the man who hit her and the company he worked for.

Kimberley Benson was stopped in traffic which Matthew Yackern, driving a van owned by his employer, sideswiped her SUV. Benson suffered a serious knee injury requiring several surgeries. Benson suffered a potentially life-threatening side effect of one of the knee surgeries, a pulmonary embolism (PE). A PE is a condition in which a blood clot forms in one of the legs' deep veins and moves to the lung or other part of the body and blocks an artery. A PE can cause difficulty breathing, chest pain and is sometimes fatal. Benson is at increased risk of PE in the future.

Benson now walks with a cane and suffers from complex regional pain syndrome, a chronic progressive disease which can occur after injury and surgery.

Vicarious Liability

Benson filed an injury lawsuit against both Yackeren and his employer, World Wrestling Fedn. claiming that Yackeren had negligently operated his vehicle.

The lawsuit against World Wrestling Fedn. arose under the doctrine of vicarious liability. Vicarious liability -- respondeat superior -- is a legal doctrine that holds a person or a company responsible for the actions of another person or an employee. In this instance, World Wrestling Fedn. can be held legally responsible for the injuries to Benson.

In a case like Benson's, her personal injury attorney understood the doctrine of vicarious liability and how it could be applied to make sure the right persons were named as defendant's in Benson's injury lawsuit.

If you have questions about a Seattle personal injury lawsuit and who is liable for your car accident injuries, contact The Farber Law Group for free legal advice. We have more than 30 years experience representing accident victims and their families. With our help, you may recover compensation for your damages.

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RESPONDEAT SUPERIOR

Continue reading "Woman receives $5M award in sideswipe car accident" »

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" »

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" »

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" »

A 29-year-old Marysville woman and a 15-year-old girl were both seriously injured when they were involved in a high-speed rollover car accident on Highway 528 Monday afternoon.

Eric Stevic, writing in the Everett Herald, said that the woman suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to Seattle's Harborview Medical Center after she lost control of her vehicle and it rolled several times.

The teen suffered serious injuries in the car accident and she was taken to Providence Medical Center in Everett.

Police are investigating the accident but it appears that a woman and a man who knew each other were in two separate vehicles and speeding down the highway when the accident occurred. Both parties may have been intoxicated at the time. According to one version of the story, the woman was trying to stop a man that she had a relationship with from driving intoxicated. He drove off and she apparently went after him according to investigator Robb Lamoureaux of the Marysville Police Department.

Both the woman and the man were speeding when the woman apparently clipped a pickup truck and a van and lost control of her vehicle.

Police later arrested the man and he is being investigated for drunken driving, vehicular assault, reckless endangerment and leaving the scene of an accident.

Witnesses said the man stopped to check on the woman before leaving the accident scene.
This accident also involved several other vehicles who were traveling eastbound on the highway. One other driver suffered injuries.

It is so tragic when people make the decision to drink and drive. The Washington State vehicle code provides that if a person is seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident and a driver was driving under the influence or recklessly then the driver can be charged with vehicular assault.

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 "Police investigating Marysville accident that seriously injured woman and teenager" »

People often ask whether they can sue a friend or relative after a car accident in which they were injured. Regardless of whether it is a close friend or a relative whose negligence caused the accident, a passenger can make a damage claim.

Take for example the case of Fawlkes v. Fox. Barbara Fowlkes, 20, was riding with Seth Fox when Fox started driving erratically. He was joking and swerving and ended up losing control of his vehicle and running into a concrete wall.

Fowlkes received a serious ankle injury and subsequently required two surgeries. Even after the surgeries, she continues to experience pain. Her injuries will limit her future employment opportunities.

Fowlkes filed suit alleging Fox was negligently driving at the time of the accident. She asked for $54,500 in compensation in filing suit against Fox, and under the uninsured motorist coverage of Encompass Insurance Co. and AIU Insurance Co.

The parties in the case settled and Fowlkes received a $507,500 settlement with $52,500 awarded from Fox, $430,000 awarded from Encompass and $25,000 from AIU.

While filing a lawsuit against a friend or a relative is not easy, the passenger whether they are a spouse, child, cousin, or friend are entitled to make a car accident claim.

Passengers should not hesitate to file a claim even though it was a friends or family's car. They purchase premiums which covers them and their passengers.

This information is provided by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We are a Seattle personal injury law firm and we represent people who have been seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents.

Source: Fowlkes v. Fox, No. 08-7229 (Tex., Dallas Co. Jud. Dist. June 2011).

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Continue reading "Passenger sues driver for damages after single-car accident" »

A grandmother and her granddaughter, who were hit by a bus while in a controlled intersection, have settled their negligence lawsuit for $3.5 million against the owner of the bus company.

LaVerne Fleming, 50, was walking with her granddaughter Maraisha Jones, 4, when a Sunrise Transportation, Inc. bus, turned left and hit them in the crosswalk.

Both the grandmother and the mother of Maraisha Jones, sued the bus driver Vernon Rudd, and Sunrise Transportation Inc., claiming that Rudd was negligent in providing a proper lookout as well as failing to yield to pedestrians.

Jones was seriously injured in the pedestrian accident, suffering a fractured pelvis and a vaginal tear. The fractured pelvis left her with posture and gait problems and surgeons foresee a possible hip implant. Her vaginal tear has left her susceptible to urinary track infections and she suffers from urinary urgency and incontinence. The settlement provides her with $2.33 million dollars which provides for his past and future medical costs and for future lost wages.

The grandmother, LaVerne Fleming, suffered injuries to her left shoulder which required surgery and may require rotator cuff surgery in the future. She also suffered a degloving injury to her foot. A degloving injury is a serious injury in which the skin is completely torn off and the blood supply is severed to the underlying tissue. The settlement provided $1.17 million for her damages.

When a pedestrian accident involves someone who is driving for a company, as in the case of Vernon Rudd, who was driving fro Sunrise Transportation, the injured parties can allege respondeat superior liability which is a legal doctrine that states that an employer is responsible for the conduct of their employees when the employee is acting in behalf of their employer. This allows the injured parties to collect from the insurance company of the employee.

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 and bus accidents and the family of those who have been killed.

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Continue reading "Grandmother, granddaughter receive $3.5M bus accident settlement" »

Every week in Florida, an average of 9 pedestrians are killed and 21 are injured in pedestrian accidents. As part of the "See the Blind Spots" campaign, they made a controversial call and placed a graphic video of a pedestrian accident on their web-site. Now, a Florida state senator is calling for them to take the video down.

Florida Senator Mike Fasano says the videos are too "horrific" to be shown.

The web-site does warn " The following video contains graphic footage and may be unsuitable for small children. Viewer discretion advised."

One video clip shows a car slamming into a pedestrian and the pedestrian being thrown up onto the vehicle's hood and then crashing to the pavement. Other videos show body bags.

The web-site educates both pedestrians and drivers and because in nearly 50% of all pedestrian-car collisions the pedestrian disobey traffic laws and made judgment lapses when trying to cross a street. The following safety tips for pedestrians because drivers aren't always looking out for pedestrians:

1. Be alert and attentive and don't cross until its safe.
   
2. Obey the Walk and Don't Walk signals.
   
3. Look left-right-left before crossing.
   
4. When crossing a street, continually check for traffic, especially for cars and trucks turning right on red.
   
5. Don't assume drivers see you. Make sure you make eye contact.
   
6. Use sidewalks when available. When they aren't available, walk facing traffic.
   
7. Don't walk along or across highways and freeways.
   
8. At dusk or at night time, wear reflective clothing and carry a flashlight.
   
9. Be care about your alcohol consumption as 35% of those pedestrians killed are under the influence.
   
10. Supervise children when they are crossing streets as they do not always have the right judgement to assess the situation.

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 who have been killed.

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Continue reading "In a bid to reduce pedestrian accidents, web-site shows accident videos" »

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.

The 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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Continue reading "How to Find a Personal Injury Attorney" »

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.

Your 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.

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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.

In 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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What is a Personal Injury Claim?

Understanding Personal Injury Law

Who Is Eligible for a Car Accident Settlement

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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.

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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 

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