Washington Injury Attorney Blog

If you have some kind of accident, such as a car accident, workplace accident, or even if you slip and fall on someone else’s property, you may suddenly find yourself trying to learn all you can about personal injury law.

Personal injury law covers personal accidents and damages that can be awarded when claims are made.

While you can file a personal injury claim for any type of accident, there are some things you should understand about personal injury law and how you can win your case.

For starters, accidents do happen, but sometimes they are just that-accidents, meaning no one is to blame. In these cases you probably won’t get far in the way of a personal injury claim.

If you file a claim and expect to be compensated for damages, you need to be able to clearly demonstrate that the party you are filing the claim against could have prevented the accident. For example, if you are walking down the street and fall on the sidewalk in front of someone’s house because you simply weren’t paying attention to where you were going, you are probably going to have a hard time getting a settlement from the homeowner. If, however you fall because the homeowner failed to remove a branch, or ice, or something else from the sidewalk and you fall, that homeowner may be responsible for your accident and may have to pay your medical bills or any other costs associated with the accident.

While this may seem like simple logic, personal injury law is a complex, and sometimes controversial topic. Many politicians feel that the amount of damages one can receive in a personal injury claim should be capped to a certain amount. Different accidents require different things however. Maybe you not only have medical bills from an accident, but you also can’t return to work due to a hospital stay. You lose money by not working, should the responsible party not be held liable for these damages as well?

Personal injury law is hard to navigate, and for that reason, if you feel like you need to file a personal injury claim, you should immediately contact a lawyer for advice. The lawyer can tell you what they think your chances are of a settlement and what the next step should be. You should get compensated if you have an accident that is not your fault, and a lawyer can help make that happen.

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured due to construction accidents, motor vehicle accidents and slip trip and fall accidents.

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The family of Kevin Black, a University of Washington researcher who was killed in a 2009 Ballard bicycle accident, has been awarded a $1.5 million wrongful death settlement against the owner of the van that hit Black reports the Seattle PI.com.

Black was a 39-year-old father of two, when he collided with a van that had gone into the designated bicycle lane when attempting to make a u-turn. Black was unable to stop in time and ran into the rear of the van. Black died a short time later at Harborview Medical Center.

Black's family settled with Ambient Control Co., the owner of the van. The driver of the van was not charged in the accident and he said that he had not seen Black.

Washington's wrongful death statute allows the family of a person who was killed as the result of negligence recover damages in a civil action against the person or entity whose negligent or wrongful act caused their loved one's death. Wrongful death lawsuits are often brought on behalf of those who have died in motor vehicle accidents, work-related accidents and criminal acts.

In this case, the Black's daughters will receive 2/3 of the settlement while their attorney will receive 1/3 for fees.

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We are a personal injury law firm and we represent bicycle and car accident victims and their families.

Source:

$1.5 million settlement in Ballard bicycle crash that killed UW researcher
Crash that killed
By Levi Pulkkinen
Posted 05/31/11

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Continue reading "Family of UW researcher killed in Seattle bicycle accident award $1.5M wrongful death settlement" »

The World Health Organization estimates that motor vehicle accidents will kill 1.9 million peope a year between now and 2010. Starting May 11, 2011, the WHO -- with the participation of dozens of countries -- have kicked off a global road safety campaign called "Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2010" and their goal is to save millions of lives.

Motor vehicle accidents affect all nations and is the leading killer of the world's young, ages 15-29. With 1.3 million people killed annually in motor vehicle accidents, car accidents are the ninth leading cause of fatalities globally.

In addition to those killed in motor vehicle accidents, 20-50 million people are injured every year, many seriously.

The Global Plan to reduce motor vehicle fatalities includes:

• Improving road safety
• Improving vehicle safety
• Improving emergency services
• Building up road safety management.

The plan also seeks legislation and enforcement of safety precautions including helmets for bicyclists and motorcyclists; mandatory seat belt use; mandatory child safety restraints; reduction in drinking and driving; reduction of speeding.

The Global Plan seeks to save 5 million lives every year and prevent 50 millision serious injuries in the ensuing decade.

Source:
World unites to halt death and injury on roads
Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 set to save millions of lives

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in car, truck, bicycle and pedestrian accidents and the family of those killed. With our help, you may recover compensation for your damages which includes medical care, loss of wages and for pain and suffering.

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The Bellevue Police Department in partnership with The Market Place @ Factoria, City of Bellevue, and Savvy Parents Safe Kids is hosting a free Child Safety Event which will also include a bicycle helmet giveaway and additional bicycle helmets sold at a low cost.

The event is being held on Saturday Mary 14 between 11:00am to 3:00pm at the Market Place @ Factoria which is located at 4055 Factoria Mall SE in Bellevue.

In Washington state, there were 453 fatal bicycle accidents in 2009 according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. In 91% of the fatal accidents, the bicyclist was not wearing a helmet. Brain injuries are the leading reason for bicycle accident fatalities.

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in bicycle accidents and the family of those killed. With our help, you may recover compensation for your damages.

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Continue reading "Child safety event includes bicycle helmet giveaway at Factoria mall, Bellevue" »

The Washington Department of Health has designed Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland, Washington a Level III Trauma Center.

Level III Trauma centers can perform 24-hour emergency surgery and resuscitation. Previously, Evergreen Hospital was designated a level IV trauma center.

Evergreen was ranked #2 in Washington state and Top 10% in the nation for General Surgery by HealthGrades.

Harborview Medical Center in Seattle provides Level I trauma services in the region for patients requiring neurosurgery, plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery or a maxillofacial surgeon.

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents, construction accidents and slip, trip & fall accidents.

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Continue reading "Kirkland's Evergreen Hospital designated Level III trauma center" »

Washington House Bill 1018 which is sponsored by Representative Jamie Pederson, D-Seattle, seeks to add new sections to the Washington State Vehicle Code RCW 46.61 and to recodify two existing sections: RCW 46.61.755 and 46.61.770.

The proposed new section is an attempt to reduce car and bicycle accidents. The section clarifies responsibilities of both bicyclists and motorists.

Section 46.61.755 would be amended to include the following:

• Bicyclists shall have same rights and duties as a motorist on a roadway.
  
• Bicyclists on sidewalks, crosswalks or multi-use trail shall yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian, however, the pedestrian should exercise due care.

Section 46.61.770 would be amended with language that tells motorists to give bicyclists more room and drive at a safe distance away from bicyclists and pedestrians and not to honk at them. Language was also added that tells bicyclists that when they are traveling at speeds slower than motorists, they should right in the designated bicycle lane or as close to the curb as is safe.

In 2009, there were 630 bicyclists killed in accidents with motor vehicles. This was the lowest number of fatal bicycle accidents since 1975. The wider use of helmets is one reason for the reduction in deaths; helmet use reduces the risk of a head injury by 85%. 36% of bicycle deaths occurred in intersections according to data collected by the Federal Accident Reporting System.

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in bicycle accidents and the family of those who were killed. With our help, you may recover compensation for your damages.

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A Child Safety Day will be held at Factoria Market Place in Bellevue on Saturday between 11m and 3pm according to The Bellevue Reporter.

At the fair, children will be able to have their bike helmets correctly fitted. The first 50 children under the age of 12 will receive a free helmet. Child bicycle helmets will also be on sale for $9 each while supplies last.

The event is being sponsored by the Bellevue Police Department, Overlake Hospital Medical Center and Factoria Market Place.

While there is not a Washington state law requiring bicyclists to wear helmets, Snohomish, Pierce and King Counties do require them as well as the cities of Seattle and Tacoma.

Every year, approximately 700 bicyclists die in bicycle accidents and two-third of those suffered a traumatic brain injury. Bicycle helmets protect the brain and skull and the neck in an accident. However, the helmet needs to be fitted properly for maximum protection. Improperly fitted helmets have a tendency to shift so an expert fitting can insure a snug and correct fit.

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in bicycle accidents and the family of those killed.

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Continue reading "Factoria Market Place in Bellevue site of Child Safety day Wednesday, September 22, 2010" »

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the major causes of accidental death and disability in the United States. Causes of TBI can include falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries and violence.

Because brain injuries are so devastating, there is a great effort in creating technologies to prevent and protect from these injuries. Seat belts, motorcycle and bicycle helmets are an example of technologies that have reduced the incidence of severe injury.

Causes of TBI

• Falls account to more than 35% of TBI injuries. Falls account for half of the injuries in children under the age of 14 and are the leading cause of brain injuries in older adults.
  
• Motor vehicle accidents - 17% of all TBIs are caused by motor vehicle accidents and this is the leading cause of TBI-related deaths.
  
• Struck by/against events -- Getting hit in the head or colliding with a fixed object accounts for 16.5% of all TBI injuries.
  
• Assault and domestic violence/child abuse -- 10% of TBIs in the general population are caused by assault. War-related injuries are not included in this figure.
  
• Bicycle accidents - account for 3% of accidental brain injuries..

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We have more than 30 years experience in representing brain injury victims and their families. Brain injury litigation is complex and requires attorneys who are experienced in the medical and legal issues involved. With our help, you may recover compensation for your injuries.

See our Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Resources

Contact The Farber Law Group at 1-800-244-9087 or attorney@hgfarber.com to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation. We have offices in Seattle and Bellevue to assist you.

Andrew W. Hayes, 62, of Soap Lake was critically injured with a head injury in a bicycle accident at Highway 28 and Grant Street in Soap Lake around 2pm on Thursday.

The Wenatchee World reports that Hayes was riding a 10-speed bicycle when he collided with a car driven by Vera M. Walker, 80 of Quincy.

The report said that Hayes was initially taken to Columbia Basin Hospital and then airlifted to Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee. Walker was not injured in the accident.

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in bicycle accidents and the family of those killed. With our help, you may recover compensation for your damages.

Contact The Farber Law Group at 1-800-244-9087 or attorney@hgfarber.com to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation. We have offices in Seattle and Bellevue to assist you.

Patricia A. Lambine, 46, of Greenacres, Washington was killed in a bicycle accident on U.S. Highway 41 near Blanchard in northern Idaho on Saturday morning around 6:30am.

According to a report by The Seattle Times, Lambine was riding a bicycle in support of a runner who was running a leg of the 185 mile team relay race from Spokane, Washington to Sandpoint, Idaho.

Lambine was killed and an unidentified 17-year-old runner was injured when a vehicle driven by Bowden S. Kahuhu, 31, of Newport, Washington, crossed the center line and onto the shoulder and hit the two. It is suspected that Kahuhu may have been driving drunk at the time.

Both Lambine and the teen were wearing reflective gear when they were hit.

Kahuhu faces Vehicular Homicide charges. Washington State Vehicle Code RCW 46.61.520 says that Vehicular Homicide can be charged if someone is killed in a motor vehicle accident and the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving recklessly, or driving without regard for the safety of others.

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent victims of drunken driving and their family. We have more than 30 years experience representing families with their wrongful death cases.

Contact The Farber Law Group at 1-800-244-9087 or attorney@hgfarber.com to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation. We have offices in Seattle and Bellevue to assist you.

John Gerrity has disclosed that he has settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the city of Menlo Park and the city has agreed to pay him a $2.4 million settlement.

Gerrity's wife, Deborah Johnson, was critically injured in a bicycle accident in July 2007 and she died several days later of a head injury.

According to a report on Mercury News, Johnson's bicycle accident was due to the fact that Menlo Park Public Works Department had inadvertently left a flat black octagonal rubber disk they had used as a lane divider in the roadway. The orange post had become detached from the octagonal piece so Johnson did not see the disk and she hit it with her bicycle wheel, causing her to fall and strike her head.

Gerrity's lawsuit claimed that the Menlo Park Works Department was negligent in their use of this device as the federal Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices prohibits the use of such a device, "posts or raised pavement markers should not be used to separate bicycle lanes from adjacent travel lanes."

Gerrity has made his lawsuit public because he is trying to raise awareness about the many hazards on the road left by road construction. He says that that safety measures need to be adhered to even in temporary work zones.

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We have more than 30 years experience representing families in their wrongful death lawsuits when a loved one has died due to the negligence of another.

Contact The Farber Law Group at 1-800-244-9087 or attorney@hgfarber.com to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation. We have offices in Seattle and Bellevue to assist you.

The National Highway Safety Administration has seven rules for bicycle safety:

1. Wear a properly fitted helmet. While there is no state law in Washington requiring you to wear a helmet, many counties including Snohomish, Pierce and King Counties require them.
   
2. Assure your bicycle is in good working order -- make sure brakes work, handlebars won't slip, cranks are tightened and the quick release hub bolt closed.
   
3. Follow traffic laws -- bicyclists must follow the rules of the road the same as drivers of motor vehicles. Washington State law provides that bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists.
   
4. Ride like a driver -- bicyclists should ride with the flow of traffic and on the right hand side of the road.
   
5. Get noticed -- Wear clothing that makes you visible and make sure you have reflective accessories, and lights.
   
6. Ride focused and stay alert - keep focused on the road, don't ride distracted and don't ride with head phones or while talking on a cell phone.
   
7. Ride safely -- stay in the bike lane if one is available. Be predictable and don't run red lights or stop signs.

This information is provided by Washignton Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in bicycle accidents and motor vehicle accidents and the family of those killed.

Contact The Farber Law Group at 1-800-244-9087 or attorney@hgfarber.com to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation. We have offices in Seattle and Bellevue to assist you.

An 83-year-old Renton woman, who was hit by a bicyclist while she was walking on the Cedar River Trail, has died of her injuries reports Seattle's King.com.

According to the report, the woman stepped in front of the bicyclist -- a 57-year-old man -- as he was passing her on the left. The woman and the cyclist both fell and apparently the woman struck her head.

The bicycle-pedestrian accident occurred on Sunday around 4:45pm. The woman died at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on Monday.

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent pedestrian and bicycle accident victims and their family.

Contact The Farber Law Group at 1-800-244-9087 or attorney@hgfarber.com to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation. We have offices in Seattle and Bellevue to assist you.

The number of bicycles fatalities have gone up over the past couple of years and there are now about 900 bicycle accident deaths each year.

According to an article in Consumer Reports, there were approximately 51,600 bicycle-related injuries treated in emergency rooms in 2008.

Bicycle helmets save lives but many fatalities are associated with people not wearing a helmet. Wearing a bicycle helmet decreases the chance of a fatality by 85%.

Consumer Reports reminds bicyclists of these safety tips:

• Wear a helmet that meets the CPSC Bicycle Helmet standard
  
• Insure the bicycle helmet is properly fitted
  
• Ride three-to-four feet to the left of parked cars in case a car door is opened
  
• Use reflectors, blinking lights and reflective clothing when riding is low light and at night

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We are a personal injury attorney firm and represent victims of bicycle accidents and their families. With our help, you may recover compensation for your damages, including pain and suffering.

Contact The Farber Law Group at 1-800-244-9087 or attorney@hgfarber.com to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation. We have offices in Seattle and Bellevue to assist you.

A 10-year-old Marysville girl was critically injured in a bicycle accident reports The Seattle Times.

The bicycle accident occurred in the 7900 block of 80th Avenue around 4:30pm on Wednesday.

According to the report, the girl pulled out between parked cars and was hit by a motorist. She was not wearing a helmet and suffered head injuries.

The girl was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment.

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in bicycle accidents and the family of those killed.

Contact The Farber Law Group at 1-800-244-9087 or attorney@hgfarber.com to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation. We have offices in Seattle and Bellevue to assist you.

More than half of all bicycle accident fatalities are attributed to head injuries. Wearing a bicycle helmet that is properly fitted and is approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission may reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury by as much as 88 percent.

Parents should first make sure that their child's bicycle helmet has not been recalled by checking the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission web-site here.

A perfect fit is also crucial to providing protection against injury. A helmet should fit snugly on the head and sit forward, protecting the brow and it should be secured with a taut strap. Most reputable bicycle stores can help with helmet fit or check the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute's information on How to Fit a Bicycle Helmet.

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We are a leading personal injury law firm represent bicycle accident victims and their families.

Contact The Farber Law Group at 1-800-244-9087 or attorney@hgfarber.com to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation. We have offices in Seattle and Bellevue to assist you.

The parents of a 10-year-old Joel Diaz, of Kennewick, are waiting for autopsy results to find out why their son died.

Peter and Julie Diaz brought their son Joel to Urgent Care after he was injured in a bicycle accident and complained of stomach pain. In the bicycle accident, Joel was jabbed in the side with his bicycle handle bars.

The Urgent Care sent Joel to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland where the boy underwent an ultrasound and when no serious injury was detected, Joel was given pain medication and sent home. The Diaz's say they stayed by their son's side all night even phoning the doctor when they thought his condition had changed. When they realized he had stopped breathing, they called 911 and paramedics rushed the boy back to Kadlec where he died.

Joel was the middle children in a family of six kids.

Hopefully, the autopsy report will give these parents answers as to what caused their son's death.

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group.

Contact The Farber Law Group at 1-800-244-9087 or attorney@hgfarber.com to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation. We have offices in Seattle and Bellevue to assist you.

A 49-year-old Seattle man was seriously injured in a bicycle accident when a red minivan ran him off of Highway 202, just east of Redmond on Saturday.

The bicyclist was taken to Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue for treatment of his injuries.

According to a report in The Seattle Times, the bicyclist was riding with a group of about 10 cyclists with the Starbucks Racing Team when he rode his bicycle into a ditch to avoid being hit head-on by a the red minivan that was driving erratically.

Anyone with information regarding the bicycling accident or the red minivan is asked to call Detective Stacy Moate with the WSP at 425-401-7746.

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in bicycle accidents and the family of those killed.

Contact The Farber Law Group at 1-800-244-9087 or attorney@hgfarber.com to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation. We have offices in Seattle and Bellevue to assist you.

There is no doubt about it that wearing a helmet saves lives and serious brain injuries when involved in an accident while riding a motorcycle, low-power cycle (LPC) or bicycle in Washington state. Not everyone is clear about who is required to wear a helmet so we will clarify the laws here.

Motorcycle Rider

Washington state law requires all motorcyclists to wear a helmet that has been certified to meet the U.S. Department of Transportation standards. A certified helmet has a DOT sticker on it and an inner lining with approximately 1 inch thickness of foam.

Low-Power Cycle Rider

Washington state requires all riders of low-power cycles (LPC) to wear a helmet.

What is a low-power cycle exactly? A low-power cycle can be a motor-driven cycle, moped, scooter or other 2-wheeled cycle which is not included in the motorcycle definition. Broadly speaking, a LPC has an engine displacement of 50 cubic centimeters or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less and top speeds of 30 mph or less.

Bicycle Riders

Washington state does not currently have a bicycle helmet law. However, King County which includes Bellevue, Duvall, Federal Way, Kenmore, Kent, Kirkland, Redmond, Renton, Sammamish, SeaTac, Seattle, Tukwila and Woodinville does require bicyclists to wear a helmet.

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian accidents and the families of those killed.

Often people who have been injured in a cycle accident through no negligence of there own have the worst injuries including fractures, brain trauma and spinal cord injury. The personal injury lawyers at The Farber Law Group will work to obtain the compensation that you deserve for your damages.

Contact The Farber Law Group at 1-800-244-9087 or attorney@hgfarber.com to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation. We have offices in Seattle and Bellevue to assist you.

Randal J. Thomas, age 47 of Leavenworth, was killed in a bicycle accident Sunday afternoon on Blewett Pass Highway near the Highway 2 intersection.

According to a report in The Wenatchee World, Thomas suffered a head injury in the accident and was pronounced dead at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee.

The bicycle accident occurred when Thomas made a left turn in front of a tow truck driven by Kenneth W. Snart of North Bend that was traveling in the same direction.

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents and pedestrian accidents and the families of those killed.

Contact The Farber Law Group at 1-800-244-9087 or attorney@hgfarber.com to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation. We have offices in Seattle and Bellevue to assist you.