Seattle Car Accident Lawyer Blog

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" »

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" »

Washington State Trooper Guy Gill is calling the death of two men in a head-on collision on River Road near Tacoma on Monday evening a "tragedy."

One of the men, Jerry Neal, 28 of Bonney Lake, was headed to Tacoma General Hospital to pickup his girlfriend and newborn baby when the car accident occurred.

The accident occurred around 4pm when Neal, driving a Kia Sorento southbound, crossed the double center turn line and collided head on with Dodge Neon driven by Gregory Stevens, 30, of Puyallup. Stevens was returning home after running errands according to Stacey Mulick writing in the Tacoma News Tribune.

The Washington State Patrol is investigating the cause of the accident. There was no indication that Neal was distracted at the time of the accident or that he attempted to avoid the collision.

Head On Collisions

Head on collisions are some of the most deadly accidents because of the combined force of two vehicles hitting each other at a high speed. Fatalities are even higher when the vehicles are mismatched, say a pickup truck and a compact car colliding.

The main causes of head on collisions are failing to negotiate a turn, passing a slower vehicle, driver drowsiness or distraction in which the driver drifts into the opposite lane, icy or snowy road conditions or sometimes suicide.

The Effects of a Head On Car Accident

In a head on car accident the lives of those involved changes in an instant. Sometimes the drivers and passengers suffer catastrophic injuries such as brain damage, paralysis, and broken bones. In this case, presumably two families are grieving the loss of their loved one. It feels especially tragic that a newborn infant will never know his or her father.

The WSP will determine the factors that contributed to this fatal car accident outside of Tacoma. The family of the deceased may choose to file a wrongful death claim to compensate for the death of their loved one which may include burial costs, loss of consortium and future earnings.

Protect Your Rights

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a Washington motor vehicle accident, you may want to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. At The Farber Law Group, we provide a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL case evaluation. We will provide an honest assessment of your case with no obligation or pressure. Call us at 1-800-244-9087 or use our contact form.

Continue reading "2 killed in River Road head-on car accident, one was father of newborn" »

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" »

When a passenger vehicle and a semi truck collide, more than likely the driver of the passenger car will be the one who suffers serious injury or death. Case in point is the trucking accident that result in the wrongful death case of Doe V. Roe Trucking Co.

Doe, 54, was stopped in traffic when a semi truck driver, who had fallen asleep at the wheel, smashed into the rear of her car, killing her. Imagine her terror as she saw a 10,000 pound trucking bearing down on her. At the time of her death, Doe was working as a vocational counselor, a job that paid her $120,000 annually.

Doe's sister, on behalf of Does's estate filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the truck driver and the trucking company he worked for claiming negligence was responsible for Doe's death. Doe and Roe settled for the wrongful death case for $4.8 million which was to be paid by the Roe's insurance company.

In this case, the plaintiff's attorney, representing Doe's estate did an investigation into the truck driver. The U.S. judicial system allows that prior to a trial, each party in a lawsuit can obtain evidence by means of discovery. Discovery can include asking for documentation of the truck driver's previous driving history, his medical records, his trucking log, his cell phone records and also asking him to answer question to interrogatories. In a lawsuit, the court can compel the defendant to assist in discovery.

In the case of Does v. Roe, it was revealed in discovery that, prior to the trucking accident, Roe was tested for and was diagnosed with a "moderately severe" case of sleep apnea, a condition in which a person stops breathing many times during night time sleep which causes daytime fatigue, slower reaction time and other problems.

It was also revealed in discovery that Roe had a history of motor vehicle accidents and had been involved in six accidents before the accident involving Roe.

The plaintiffs claimed in the wrongful death suit that Roe Trucking Co. was negligent in employment. An employer can be held liable for the actions of an employee if the employer was negligent in entrusting an employee with a dangerous instrument.

Wrongful death statutes

Many states have a wrongful death statute. The Washington State wrongful death statute allows the family of a person who was killed by another person's negligent act to recover compensation in a civil action. Wrongful death cases often arise from motor vehicle accidents but they can also arise from on-the-job-accident, criminal attacks, school sporting activities and dangerous products.

In filing a wrongful death lawsuit, the estate should retain an attorney who is knowledgeable and skilled to successfully navigate the legalities involved.

Let us help you

The Farber Law Group, a personal injury law firm located in Western Washington, has more than 30 years experience handling wrongful death cases and has obtained millions of dollars in compensation for families.

Citation: Doe v. Roe Trucking Co., Confidential Dkt. No. (Pa., Confidential Ct. Sept. 2011).

Continue reading "Estate of woman killed by trucker who fell asleep at the wheel receives $4.8M wrongful death award" »

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" »

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" »

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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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" »

On Sunday afternoon, Laura Sheard, a graduate student at the University of Washington, and Kristopher Martin, a musician, were killed when a speeding SUV slammed into the back of their Hyundai as they waited at a light on Lake City Way in Seattle. The couple were both killed in the fiery collision.

This made for a very deadly Veteran's Day weekend in Western Washing as a total of 8 people were killed in three separate accidents.

An eyewitness to the accident said that Daniel Ray Habeeb, 43, who was driving the SUV, had been traveling at speeds of "at least 70, 80 miles an hour" prior to running into the Hyundai with his SUV.

Habeeb was injured in the accident along with his two passengers, 10 and 11 year-old girls.

Now it has come to light that Habeeb had previously been charged with Vehicular Homicide in a 2009 accident that killed Susan Peek, 65. In that accident, he had been speeding and weaving in and out of traffic when he hit Peek's vehicle. He was offered a plea agreement by the prosecution in that case and he pleaded guilty to reckless driving and reckless endangerment.

Vehicular Homicide, RCW 46.61.520, of the motor vehicle code can be charged if a person dies as a result of the negligent operation of a motor vehicle accident and the driver was driving recklessly, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or driving without regard for the safety of others.

Right now, a lot of people in Seattle are incensed that Habeeb, who spent no time in prison for Peek's death, is responsible for killing two others and endangering the lives of two young girls.

At this point, Habeeb has not been charged with Sunday's accident as the investigation of the accident is ongoing.

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.

Source: The Seattle Times, SUV driver in Lake City fatal crash killed woman in 2009

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Continue reading "Driver that caused fatal Lake City car accident had received plea bargain in previous fatal car accident" »

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.

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

Halloween can be dangerous for young pedestrians. According to Safe Kids USA, twice as many young pedestrians are killed in pedestrian accidents on Halloween compared to the other days of the year.

To prevent a tragedy, parents should talk with their children about pedestrian safety on Halloween and accompany them while trick or treating. Don't assume they will remember the spiel you gave them last year.

Here are some child safety tips for the holiday:

• Children under the age of 12 should be acocmpanied by an adult. Children younger than 12 often forget safety rules when they are excited.
  
• Walk on sidewalks and paths.
  
• Walk facing traffic, if there is no sidewalks.
  
• Look both ways before crossing the street and cross in crosswalks.
  
• Make sure wigs, hats and masks don't obscure a child's view.
  
• Make sure your child's costume is not so long as to cause them to trip.

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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Safety tips to avoid car-pedestrian accidents

Pedestrian safety in school zones

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The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children remain in rear-facing child seats at least until two years of age. This is a change to their previous recommendation of 1-year-old or 20 pounds.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has even broadened that recommendation and they say that children should ride in rear-facing seats as long as possible.

Why are rear-facing child seats safer?

The reason that rear-facing child seats are safer is that, in a car accident, they provide more support of a child's neck, head and spine.

Even with these recommendations, it is not easy for parents to keep their child in a rear-facing seat. Many rear-facing seats are only designed to 20 pounds and a 2-year-old can often weight 40 pounds or more. Or, a child who is tall but is skinny, may outgrow a seat long before they reach the weight that the seat is rated for. Therefore, parents may be required to purchase more than one car seat while their child is young.

Purchasing a child safety seat is often a confusing problem for many parents. A child must fit the seat and the seat must fit the car. This sounds like an easy objective to achieve, but it can be more difficult than one might thing.

One federal study found that, in up to 73% of the cases, child seats were not even installed in cars properly.

Parents are encouraged to consult Consumer Reports for information on child seat protection, ease of use and fit in various motor vehicles.

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.

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The family of a 14-year-old girl was awarded a $2.9 million wrongful death award against the drunken driver who hit the girl as she was walking in a crosswalk in 2004.

Ashley Lynn Nickerson-Whalen was killed as she crossed the street. Kirk Tate, 21, the driver of the car that hit Ashley fled the scene. He was later arrested and plead guilty to felony hit-and-run and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and is currently serving time in prison on that charge.

Ashley's family filed a wrongful death claim against Tate and also the owner of the car, Donald E. Williams, claiming that he negligently allowed Tate to drive his car even though he knew that Tate previously had been convicted of DUI.

The Bucks County jury awarded $697,749.92 in wrongful death damages against both Tate and Williams, $1.5 million in survival action damages against both defendants. Punitive damages of $600,000 were awarded against Tate and $150,000 against Williams.

Neither man had car insurance and it will be hard to collect the damages but Ashley's family can make a claim if either man accumulates any assets.

When a person is killed due to the wrongful or criminal action of another, the family of the deceased can file suit on behalf of their deceased loved one.

This information is provided by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We are a personal injury law firm in Bellevue, Washington and we have more than 30 years experience representing victims of auto accidents and the families of those who have died with their wrongful death claims.

Source:
PhillyBurbs.com
Girl's family awarded $2.9 million
August 31, 2011

Continue reading "Family of teen killed by hit-and-run driver awarded $2.9 M in wrongful death case" »

In February, The Farber Law Group, Bellevue personal injury law firm, added the Bikewise.org Seattle Bicycle Accident Tracker to our web-site.

Bikewise.org is a service of the Cascade Bicycle Club and allows bicyclists to enter information about bicycle accidents, street hazards such as missing stop signs and potholes, and bicycle thefts.

Bikewise now has a iPhone app which allows bicyclists to report bicycle crashes, thefts and hazards using the app.

According to Bikewise, they estimate 75% of bicycle accidents go unreported. The App allows cyclists to conveniently report accidents and the web-site then collates the data and reports it to the relevant agencies and makes the statistics available. Often, local transportation authorities will take corrective action after a problem has been sufficiently reported.

This information is provided as a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in bicycle and pedestrian accidents caused by the negligence of another. With our help, you may recover compensation for your damages.

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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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