Washington Injury Attorney Blog

The Washington State Patrol announced that they will be conducting extra patrols starting July 3rd through July 6th to reduce motor vehicle accidents and fatalities These "holiday emphasis" patrols target violations which they know causes the most fatalities including:

• Impaired driving -- drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  
• Excessive speed
  
• Aggressive driving

Washington State participates in a pilot program to reduce fatalities and injuries resulting from aggressive driving. Aggressive driving includes many unsafe driving behaviors like:

• Unsafe lane changes
  
• Tailgating
  
• Failing to signal a lane change
  
• Failing to yield the right of way
  
• Aggressive driving -- a combination of two or more of the above behaviors

Studies show that when patrols target aggressive driving, fatalities and injuries are reduced.

Emphasis patrols include:

District I -- Pierce & Thurston counties -- DUI, speed seat belts and aggressive driving
District 2 -- King County -- DUI speed, seat belts, Aggressive Driving and criminal violations
District 3 -- Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, Walla Walla and Yakima counties -- DUI and speed and coverage of firework shows in Kennewick and Pasco
District 4 -- Adams, Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Orielle, Spokane, Stevens & Whitman counties -- Criminal interdiction and DUI
District 5 -- Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Lewis & Skamania Counties -- DUI, Speed, Seatbelt, DUI & Aggressive Driving
District 6 -- Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas & Okanogan Counties -- DUI emphasis, Speed, Seatbelt & Aggressive Driving
District 7 -- San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish & Whatcom Counties -- DUI and Aggressive Driving
District 8 -- Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson Kitsap, Mason, Pacific & Wahkiakum counties -- DUI and MC violations

“We know this time of year many people get together to celebrate Independence Day. Unfortunately, people under the influence of drugs and alcohol will head out onto our highways,” said Washington State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste. “Our Troopers are dedicated to reducing the number of collisions and fatality collisions caused by drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol.”

This information was brought to you by Washington Injury Attorney, a service of The Farber Law Group. Our attorneys represent victims of serious injuries caused by car accidents, motorcycle accidents, trucking accidents and boating accidents.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

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Posted In: Car Accidents , Motor Vehicle Accidents

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The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports that Redmond police have decided to cite a driver who was involved in a bicycle accident earlier this week. The bicyclist, a 43 year old Kirkland man, was commuting to work on his bicycle along the 14400 block of Old Redmond Way when a pickup truck made a right turn in front of him. The accident left the bicyclist with severe head injuries. He remains in Harborview Medical Center in stable condition a few days after the accident.

The driver of the pickup truck, a 48-year-old man from University Place in Pierce County, was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident. However, the Redmond police are citing him for "inattentive driving." It is the duty of all drivers to give their driving the attention required based upon the weather conditions, traffic level, roadway conditions and the presence of pedestrians or bicyclists.

An "inattentive driving" citation is also given to people using cell phones while driving when they are involved in an accident.

Jim Bove, a Redmond policeman spokesman said, "Whether you are driving a vehicle or riding a bike, it's important to be aware of your surroundings." He said that there have been at least three accidents involving bicyclists in the past month and this one has been the most serious. The pickup driver was said to be unfamiliar with the area.

This information was brought to you by Washington Injury Attorney, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured or killed in bicycle accidents. In the past year, more than 700 bicyclists died in accidents with two-thirds of those suffering traumatic brain injury.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, contact The Farber Law Group immediately. We will work to insure you are compensated for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any damages for permanent disabilities that you may have suffered.

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Posted In: Bicycle Accidents , Brain Injury , Car Accidents

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The Wenatchee World reports that three people were injured in a two-car accident on Highway 2, west of Leavenworth, Washington. 11-year-old Lauren E. Galloway of Bothell, sustained injuries to her head and neck and was treated at Central Washington Hospital and was then transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where she underwent surgery. Her mother, 56-year-old Linda Binckley, sustained head and chest injuries and was treated at Central Washington Hospital and then released.

The accident occurred as a Honda driven by Linda Binckley was traveling east on Highway 2. A east-bound Mazda driven by 25-year-old Steven B. Schooler of East Wenatchee pulled in front of the Honda as Schooler attempted to make a left turn. Schooler was taken to Central Washington Hospital where he was treated and released.

The Washington State Patrol said Schooler will be cited for failing to yield the right of way which is statute WPI 70.02.01 of the vehicle code. It states that a driver intending to turn left shall yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.

This information was provided by Washington Injury Attorney, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people have sustained serious injuries, including whiplash, in car accidents due to the negligence of other drivers. We will work to insure you are fully compensated for your injuries including property damages, medical costs and damages for pain and suffering. We have more than 30 years of experience in representing auto accident victims.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

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The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports that a recent University of Washington graduate is suing his fraternity, Delta Upsilon International Fraternity, for medical bills for injuries he sustained after he fell 45 feet from his bed window onto a parking lot in April of 2005. In the lawsuit, Erik Anderson and his parents, claim that the Fraternity was at fault for failing to provide "a safe living and sleeping space." Anderson's top bunk had no guard rails and it was placed next to a window that swung out. The suit also claims that the Fraternity condoned underage drinking. Reports said that Anderson had been drinking the night of his fall at a chapter-coordinated party.

Luckily, Anderson survived the fall but he sustained serious and permanent damage to his arms, pelvis, lower spine and nervous system. He has had to undergo three years of physical therapy and his medical expenses are nearing $300,000 to-date.

The lawsuit names Delta Upsilon International and Caledonia Bay Builders both as defendants in the suit. Caledonia builders had installed the windows in the house shortly before Anderson's fall.

We reported, just a few weeks ago, that a current UW student, Kevin McDonald, was killed on June 15 when he fell from his fraternity-house bedroom window to concrete below.

In cases we call slip, trip and fall, serious injuries are debilitating and sometimes fatal. The law states that property or business owners must keep a property free from any hazard and in a "reasonable and safe condition." Negligence arises when the home or business owners does not exercise proper caution. In the case of these two tragic falls, one wonders if screening on the windows was present and whether the fraternity is trying to place too many beds in one room when a bed is positioned in front of window.

This information was brought to you by Washington Injury Attorney, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seen seriously injured in slip, trip and fall accidents. We will investigate your case to determine whether the property owner's negligence caused your accident.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

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Posted In: Serious Personal Injuries , Slip, Trip and Fall

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The Seattle Times reports that two people were killed in a motorcycle accident in Monroe and one other person has serious injuries. The accident occurred on Highway 203 and Tualco Road just south of Monroe. According to the report, Thomas Devine, 44, of Newcastle was riding his motorcycle south on Highway 203. A car driven by Myka Campell, 17, of Everett was merging onto Highway 203 from Tualco Road when the crash occurred. Devine on his motorcycle crashed into Campbell's car with such impact that the car on its roof.

Devine was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Campell was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where she died of her injuries. Along with Campbell was an 18-year-old male passenger who was also airlifted to Harborview; his condition is unknown at this time.

The cause of the accident is being investigated. Some witnesses said that the motorcycle was traveling at a high rate of speed and others said that Campbell pulled out in front of Devine. In 80% of accident cases involving motorcyclists and automobiles, the motorcyclist is not at fault. Driver inexperience and pulling out in front of the motorcyclist or inattention is often the cause.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, call the motorcycle accident attorneys at The Farber Law Group. With more than 30 years experience in representing clients with serious injuries, we will help you recover your damages including pain and suffering.

Contact us today.

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Posted In: Motor Vehicle Accidents , Motorcycle Accidents

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A Seattle woman who was boating with her husband near Dyes Inletin Kitsap County lost her leg beneath the knee in a tragic boating accident according to The Seattle Times. The incident, which occurred Saturday afternoon, happened when the woman was climbing onto the couple's boat that was in 2'-3' of water. She slipped off the boat's step and make contact with the spinning propeller. Her leg beneath the knee was severed.

The 45-year-old woman, who was not identified, was taken to Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton initially and then airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Her condition as of Sunday morning is listed as "serious."

This information was bought to you by Washington Injury Attorney, a service of The Farber Law Group. We have more than 30 years experience in the Pacific Northwest representing boating accident victims. If you or a loved one is seriously injured or killed in a boating accident, contact us for a free case evaluation.

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Posted In: Boating & Watercraft Accidents

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Fireworks go on sale in Washington State as we approach the 4th of July. Fireworks can be extremely dangerous explosives and should be left to professionals. Even your common place fireworks sold at local stands can be extremely dangerous and result in serious burns. Bottle rockets and sparklers are the most dangerous explosives with M80s and M100s "cherry bombs" as some of the most dangerous types.

Fireworks can cause permanent damage, can cause severe burns, loss of finger, hand or an eye and can even result in death.

According to the State Fire Marshal Michael Matlick, last year in Washington State there were 1,059 injuries due to the use of fireworks and 42% of these injuries were to children with no adult supervision. 49 of these were children under the age of 14.

Fire work safety tips:

• Do not purchase any illegal fireworks such as M80s or M100s.

• Only use fireworks where they are legally allowed

• Supervise children at all times

• Only adults should light fireworks
  
  
• Store your fireworks in a secure location.

• Use fireworks away from dry vegetation and grass that may be vulnerable to fire.

Do not allow yourself, your child or a neighbor's child become a firework accident victim. Every year, our firm receives a call from someone who suffered a burn injury or serious injury like an eye injury due to fireworks.

This information was brought to you by Washington Injury Attorney, a service of The Farber Law Group. If you of a loved one has suffered a serious injury, do not hesitate to contact us.

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Posted In: Burn Injuries , Serious Personal Injuries

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The family of an 81-year-old patient in a HCR Manor Care facility was awarded $6 million dollars in a case of nursing home abuse and neglect after the patient was given an overdose of morphine. In awarding $6 million, the jury found that Manor Care facility in Tucson, was negligent in giving Sylvia Culpepper twice the prescribed dosage of morphine. Manor Care also has facilities in Lynnwood, Gig Harbor, Spokane and Tacoma, Washington.

According to court transcripts, Culpepper was being treated for sciatica, a nerve condition that causes pain. When her physician changed her dosage of morphine, Manor Care erroneously gave her both the old dosage and the new dosage. The jury found that the nursing home was to blame for failing to recognize a morphine overdose and for not having adequate staffing.

In many cases of nursing home abuse or neglect, inadequate or poorly trained staff is the cause.

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury or died as a result of nursing home staff negligence or abuse, you should contact The Farber Law Group, a law firm that specializes in nursing home abuse and neglect.

See our Nursing Home & Elder Abuse Resources.

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Posted In: Medical Malpractice , Nursing Home Neglect , Wrongful Death

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The Seattle Times reports that a single car accident has claimed the lives of two people and two people are in the hospital with life-threatening injuries. All of the victims are thought to be in their 20's and were riding in the same vehicle. The surviving victims were taken to Southwest Washington Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington.

The accident which occurred on Northeast 29th Avenue in rural Clark County occurred around 10pm when the vehicle flipped several times. The Clark County sheriff's Office believes speed and alcohol were factors in the crash.

This information was brought to you by Washington Injury Attorney, a service of The Faber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in car accidents, motorcycle accidents and boating accidents.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

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Posted In: Car Accidents , Motor Vehicle Accidents

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A 5-year-old-boy was seriously hurt and taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after falling from a 2nd story window in Baring, Washington near Index. Falls from open windows becomes increasingly common during the summer months and warm weather. According to King5.com, last summer 25 children were treated for falls from a window. Falls can be very serious resulting in serious head, neck and back injuries, broken bones, permanent brain damage and often death.

As a homeowner, you may be found negligent if a child falls from a window in your own home. Negligence arises when a person fails to exercise proper caution. In the case of a window, it should be properly screened or the lock should be fastened. You would be liable to compensate the injured person for their injuries, medical costs and pain and suffering.

The personal injury attorneys at The Farber Law Group routinely handle slip, trip and fall cases. We have more than 30 years experience in representing people who have suffered serious injuries due to the negligence of others.

Contact The Farber Law Group for a free case consultation.

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Posted In: Brain Injury , Serious Personal Injuries , Slip, Trip and Fall

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The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports that three people were injured in a Lake City car accident on Wednesday evening around 11:30pm. Two vehicles were involved in the accident at the intersection of Lake City Way Northeast and Northeast 120th Street according to Renee Witt, a spokesperson for the Seattle police department.

Witnesses reported that a Chevrolet Blazer was speeding north and crashed into a Volkswagen Jetta as it turned onto Lake City Way. The Jetta had the green light at the time. A woman in the Jetta had to be extricated from the vehicle by the fire department. The driver of both the Jetta and the Blazer had to be taken to the hospital for treatment as well as the woman in the Jetta.

Police are investigating whether the driver of the Blazer was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

This information was brought to you by Washington Injury Attorney, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in car accidents including whiplash.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

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Posted In: Car Accidents , Motor Vehicle Accidents

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The Tacoma News Tribune reports that a female pedestrian, who was crossing in the middle of the 600 block of St. Helens, last night around 6:30pm was hit by a driver who then kept on driving. The woman, appeared to be in "pretty bad shape" after the pedestrian accident according to Mark Fulghum a police spokesman. Her condition is unknown at this time.

Police are asking that anyone with information about the driver of a boxy blue SUV who might have been involved in an accident, to contact them at 911 or call 253-798-4721.

This information was brought to you by Washington Injury Attorney, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in car accidents, bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents and pedestrian accidents. We have more than 30 years experience in the Pacific Northwest including Olympia, Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Bellingham and Renton.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

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Posted In: Car Accidents , Motor Vehicle Accidents , Pedestrian Accidents

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