Washington Injury Attorney Blog

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.

Bicycle accident deaths are up approximately 14 percent since 2003. Bicycle safety is paramount and all riders should wear helmets to protect from brain injuries. While Washington state law does not require bicyclists to wear a helmet, many cities in Western Washington require helmets. King County has a helmet law which includes Seattle and Bellevue.

In addition to wearing a helmet, here are some bicycle safety tips:

• Be visible -- use lights at night, wear visible clothing and ride in the street.
• Be predictable -- don't make sudden maneuvers or attempt to dart in and out of traffic. Use your arm signals to let motorists know what you are doing.
• Ride on the road, not on sidewalks. Riding on the road especially decreases your chances of being hit at an intersection as you are more visible. On narrow roads, it is ok for the bicyclist to take the lane.
• Install safety equipment like a rear-view mirror and flashing reflector lights.
• Obey traffic laws.
• Choose your route wisely.

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.

A 15-year-old speeding driver killed a jogger, injured a seven-year-old bicycle rider and injured himself and his passenger on Lopez Island around 3:30pm on Sunday evening in a series of accidents reports The Seattle Times.

Accident details are sketchy but according to the report in The Times and in the San Juan Islander, the 15-year-old driver was speeding when he ran into a group of bicyclists and seriously injured the young boy. He continued down the road where he hit and killed a male jogger.

The injured bicyclist was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment.

The teenage driver was airlifted to an unspecified mainland hospital and his passenger was airlifted to Harborview.

There are a lot of questions not answered in the two articles that we read. Was the teenage driver driving with a parent? Did he have a learner's permit? What was his speed at the time of the accident? What did the teen's vehicle crash into so that he and his passenger sustained injuries?

This is a terrible tragedy and we hope the police investigation will determine how and why a 15-year-old was speeding and imperiling the lives of so many. The teenage driver could face criminal charges including Vehicular Assault and Vehicular Homicide if it is determined he was speeding and driving with reckless disregard to the safety of others or if he was driving under the influence.

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 accidents, bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents.

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.

Seattle's local TV station, King 5, reports that Rittner "Ritt " Lewis, age 51 of Everson, Washington, was killed in a bicycle accident in Telluride, Colorado. Everson is about 45 miles north-east of Bellingham.

According to the report, Lewis was mountain biking on a trail when he lost control on a steep downhill and hit his head. He died as a result of a severe head trauma. He was wearing a bicycle helmet at the time of the accident. Of the 700 bicyclists who die of accidents each year, approximately two-thirds are from traumatic brain injury.

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 for assistance with your case.

The Daily World of Aberdeen reports that Carolyn Girod, age 31, of Cambridge, Massachusetts was killed in a bicycle accident on Highway 105 near Raymond, Washington. The accident occurred Wednesday afternoon and Girod died late Thursday night from "massive internal and head injuries."

According to the report, Girod was riding with Nils Sorensen, age 34 of Warwicck, NY, when a van drifted onto the shoulder hitting Sorensen who then knocked down Girod. The van was driven by Gregory Cedell, age 50, of Montesano.

The Washington State Patrol believe driver inattention may have been the cause of the accident though they said their investigation may take up to a month. No charges have been filed against Cedell at this time.

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

Contact The Farber Law Group at 1-800-244-9087 or e-mail attorney@hgfarber.com. We have offices in Seattle and Bellevue to assist you.

Seattle's KOMONews.com reports that a Quilcene man, age 51, was hit and killed on Highway 101 while riding his bicycle. The bicycle accident occurred approximately four miles south of Discovery Bay.

Washington State Patrol trooper Krista Hedstrom said that the bicyclist veered in the path of a Ford Mustang driven by a 47-year-old Quilcene man. The driver of the Mustang tried to avoid the bicyclist but was unable.

The WSP did not issue a citation to the driver.

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

For a free and confidential case evaluation, contact The Farber Law Group.

As cities such as Bellevue increasingly encourage residents to bicycle, we thought we'd take this opportunity to point out some Bellevue City Codes and laws which pertain specifically to biking in Bellevue.

Bellevue Bicycle Laws

Riding on the Sidewalk

Bellevue City Code 11.60.061 Riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is permitted in Bellevue however the bicyclist should exercise caution and should not ride faster than is reasonable and proper.

Right-of-way on side walk -- Overtaking and passing.

Bellevue City Code 11.60.062 Bicyclists who are riding on a sidewalk should yield to pedestrians and also signal to pedestrians by voice or some other audible signal that he/she is going to overtake and pass the pedestrian.

Bicycle Helmets

Bellevue City Code 11.60.090 Bicycle helmets are required in Bellevue on public roads, bicycle paths, sidewalks, right-of-ways or any facility under the jurisdiction.

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people with serious personal injuries due to bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents and car accidents.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident due to another person's negligence, you should contact The Farber Law Group today. We represent people on a contingent fee basis; that means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Spring is finally here in the Pacific Northwest and children are beginning to ride their bicycles to school, to baseball practice and around their neighborhoods. We advise parents to make sure their child's bicycle helmet can be found and still fits.

We also want to make parents and children aware of the most common bicycle vs. car accidents which can cause serious injury to children.

Most Common Accidents

Driving out of the driveway

8% of all bike vs. car accidents occur when a child pulls out of the driveway and is hit by a car. This type of accident usually occurs in children under the age of 10. To prevent this accident:

• Make sure your trees and shrubs are trimmed so views are not obstructed.
• Pull your parked cars into the garage or away from the street so they do not block views.
• Teach your child to look left, then right and then left again before pulling into the street.
• Teach your child to slow down and think before they take their bike out for a spin.

Running a stop sign

10% of all bike vs. car accidents involves the bicyclist running a stop sign. The average age of a child in this type of accident is 11. To prevent this accident:

• Stress the importance of coming to a full stop where your child's feet touch the ground behind the crosswalk like.
• Teach your child to stop at all stop signs.
• Teach your child to look left, right and left again for cars.

Failing to Look before making a Left Turn

In 10% of all bicycle accidents, the bicyclist failed to look behind them before making a left turn and ended up being hit by a car going straight ahead. To prevent this accident:

• Teach your child to walk their bicycle across busy intersections.
• Teach your child to look back before making a left turn.
• Teach your child to yield to traffic.
• Teach your child to signal before turning left.
• Teach your child if they don't know what to do, go to the sidewalk and proceed across the street by walking their bicycle across in the crosswalk.

Crashing on the sidewalk

One common accident is caused by a driver pulling out of a driveway and failing to notice bicyclists and pedestrians on a sidewalk. The driver is so intent on entering the roadway and making sure there is an opening in traffic to make a right or a left turn that he/she fails to see a bicyclist or pedestrian crossing in front of them on the sidwalk. To prevent this accident, pedestrians and bicyclists should:

• Make eye contact with a driver before crossing a driveway
• Yield to all driveway traffic.
• Cross driveways with care.

See our Bicycle Resources for more information. Look for bicycle safety workshops in your neighborhood sponsored by your local fire station, school or scout troop.

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 their families.

Contact The Farber Law Group at 1-800-244-9087 or e-mail attorney@hgfarber.com. We have offices in Seattle and Bellevue to assist you.