Washington Injury Attorney Blog

A pastor at the Real Life Family Center in Spanaway, Thom Carlson, 43 of Puyallup, was killed in a motorcycle accident in Roy. According to a report in the Tacoma News Tribune, Carlson was riding his motorcycle in the 32100 block of Eighth Avenue South, when he ran into a vehicle pulling into a parking lot.

Carlson was taken to the hospital where he died of his injuries.

According to the article, speed was a factor in the motorcycle 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 motorcycle 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.

A father and his daughter were awarded a $6 million lawsuit settlement after a 2006 motorcycle accident that seriously injured them both. The settlement was a record settlement for a personal injury case in Will County in Illinois reports the Chicago Sun-Times.

According to the report, Richard Wright was riding his motorcycle with his daughter Kelly Wright, age 15, in Joliet, Illinois when a truck driven by John Martis him them. Richard Wright suffered serious injuries including a fractured wrist and ankle. Kelly Wright suffered multiple fractures and will require fusion surgery to her ankle.

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 accidents and the families 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.

The Yakima Herald.com reports that William Kalichman, age 45, was injured in a motorcycle accident on Interstate 82 in Richland. The driver of the car who hit Kalichman was Alexa Aggeler, age 18; She may be charged with negligent driving.

According to the report, both Aggeler and Kalichman were headed west on I-82 on Thursday night around 11:15pm when Aggeler drove her car onto the right shoulder and she hit Kalichman when she returned to the roadway.

Kalichman was taken to Kennewick General Hospital for treatment of his injuries. Aggeler was not hurt 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 motorcycle 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.

Arthur R. Waldon, 56, of Centralia was seriously injured in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident on Bucoda Highway Southeast near 174th Avenue Southeast, south of Tenino reports The Olympian.

According to the report, Waldon crashed when the wheels of his 2004 Harley Davidson Roadking went off the roadway. He was airlifted to Madigan Army Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

The Washington State Patrol say Waldon was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident and that his helmet was not compliant with Department of Transportation standards. All motorcycle helmets sold must be tested and certified in a certified testing lab. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) known as FMVSS 218 (49CFR571.218), describes what is required to be certified.

The report says that charges against Waldon are pending.

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 accidents 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 Yakima Herald.com reports that a Yelm couple, Douglas L. Chaffee and Kathryn Chaffee, are in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after a motorcycle accident on Friday afternoon.

According to the report, Douglas Chaffee lost control of the Honda GL motorcycle he was driving and landed in the median. The motorcycle accident occurred about nine miles west of Cle Elum on Interstate 90.

The Washington State Patrol reports that driver inattention may have been the cause of the motorcycle accident. The article said that Vehicular Assault charges are pending against Douglas Chaffee. Vehicular Assault can be charged if a person is seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident and the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

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 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.

Washington state's Supreme Court ruled that police officers may obtain search warrants to force motorists, who they suspect of drunk driving, to submit to a blood test reports The Seattle Post Intelligencer.

The case in front of the court was brought by a man, Robert St. John, who was forced to undergo a blood test after his Seattle motorcycle accident. The arresting officers obtained a search warrant to test St. John's blood. A Seattle Municipal court ruled that the blood evidence could not be used against St. John and when a King County Superior Court overruled the lower court ruling, St. John appealed.

The court voted 7-2 in favor of the King County Superior Court ruling. Writing for the majority opinion, Justice Susan Owens wrote:

"The implied consent statute explicitly allows a police officer to obtain a blood alcohol test pursuant to a warrant even after a driver refuses a voluntary blood alcohol test."

Some opponents of the ruling believe it is unreasonable search and seizure. Justice Richard Sanders wrote that the ruling goes against state law which allows a driver to refuse such tests.

"If we accept the majority's reasoning, a driver's refusal to consent … would be meaningless."

I don't think we have heard the last of this ruling just yet as many of the dissenters believe it tramples on the 5th Amendment, "nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.'

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 caused by drunken drivers 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.

Two men were killed in separate motorcycle accidents in western Washington, one in Seattle and one in Snohomish County reports The Olympian.

A 22-year-old man from Olympia, Shane Crowell, was killed in Seattle after "attempting motorcycle stunts" near Qwest and Safeco Fields. The Washington State Patrol said the man was attempting a stunt on the Interstate 90 on-ramp on Fourth Avenue South when he lost control and was thrown off his motorcycle and over a guard rail, falling to his death.

The Washington State Patrol Chief, John Batiste, said "I'm outraged because these deaths were completely unnecessary. I'm heartbroken because these were decent young men who died of what can only be called stupid, youthful mistakes."

The other motorcycle accident occurred on State Route 522 east of State Route 9. In that accident, a Monroe man, Walter Barron, age 22, was attempting stunts when he lost control and hit a guard rail.

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 and car 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.

Burce Rossmeyer, the owner of the "World's Largest" Harley Davidson motorcycle empire was killed in a motorcycle accident in Wyoming. Rossmeyer was killed in a collision with a truck as he was riding through Wyoming on a trip to South Dakota and a bike rally in Sturgis.

According to a report in the Orlando Sentinel, the accident occurred when Rossmeyer attempted to pass a slow moving Ford truck pulling a trailer. The driver of the Ford had slowed down and was making a left turn when Rossmeyer hit the driver's-side door. Rossmeyer was not wearing a helmet. The report said that the truck driver's signals and brake lights were operational at the time of the accident.

Rossmeyer owned 15 Harley Davidson dealerships and stores throughout the United States. His largest enterprise was Destination Daytona in Florida.

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We have more than 30 years experience representing motorcycle 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.

Motorcyclists have the highest risk of injury accident or fatality of any motor vehicle on the road. In fact, motorcyclists are sixteen times more at risk than drivers of cars to be seriously injured or killed in a motorcycle accident.

Washington State requires that motorcyclists get a motorcycle license endorsement to ride a motorcycle on the road. The motorcycle endorsement can be obtained by taking an approved motorcycle rider course or pass a motorcycle knowledge and riding test.

Motorcycle accident and injury prevention tips:

• Motorcycle -- insure your motorcycle is in good working condition. This includes checking that both the front and back brakes are working and that the lights are cleans. Motorcyclists should also check their tires. Approximately 3% of motorcycle accidents are caused by mechanical problems and most of these are tire-related. Make sure your tires are in good shape.
  
• Road conditions -- poor road conditions should be taken into consideration when motorcycle riding. 15% of motorcycle accidents are attributed to road hazards such as icy roads, pot holes, defective roads and sharp drop offs.
  
• Alcohol -- motorcycle riders drive under the influence at a statistically higher rate than the drivers are cars or trucks. All motorists should avoid driving under the influence.
  
• Other motorists -- Motorcyclists need to anticipate the actions of other drivers and alter their own positioning in the road and speed. Motorcyclists should look over their right shoulder before changing lanes.
  
• Visibility -- Motorcyclists should make themselves visible by wearing bright clothes and using headlights during the day and night.
  
• Driving Behavior -- Motorcyclists should avoid aggressive driving behaviors including splitting the road, weaving in and out and speeding.
  
• Clothing -- Motorcyclists should dress in clothing that will keep them warm because becoming too cold may impair the rider. Impact injuries may be lessened if the rider wears clothing with padding in the knees and elbows especially designed for motorcycle riders.
  
• Helmet -- Traumatic brain injuries are the cause of death in 80% of motorcycle accident fatalities. Wear an approved helmet with a full face shield.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault and resulted in serious injuries, contact a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorney. At The Farber Law Group, we have more than 30 years experience representing motorcycle 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.

See our Motorcycle Resources for more information.

Samuel Houston, age 71, and Ruby Houston, age 70, of McCall, Idaho were killed in a motorcycle accident in Banff National Park in Canada reports The Kingston Whig Standard.

The couple, who had been married more than 51 years, were described as "lovebirds."

The motorcycle accident occurred on Highway 93 around 12:30 pm on Thursday. Apparently, the Houston's motorcycle rear-ended a Georgia's couple SUV as it was waiting to make a left turn.

This information is provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent motorcycle accident victims and their families. With more than 30 years experience in the greater Seattle area and in the Pacific Northwest, we will work hard to obtain the compensation you deserve.

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 Transportation and Safety Administration study reports that 16 percent of drivers on weekend nights test positive for some type of drug including cocaine, marijuana and prescription sedatives. This is the first time the NHTSA has done this study so it is hard to compare it with previous years. However, former Seattle Police Chief, Gil Kerlikowske, who now heads the Office Of National Drug Control Policy, deems this statistic, "troubling."

Law enforcement officials are pleased that the number of drunk driving car accident fatalities has declined along with alcohol-impaired driving. Alcohol is a factor in about 20% of car accident fatalities.

Drunk driving statistics:

• A driver with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or greater is 42% more likely to be male than female.
  
• The hours of 1am to 3am are the hours when drivers are more likely to be drunk driving
  
• Drunk driving among motorcycle drivers is twice that as automobile drivers(5.6% compared with 2.3%)
  
• Pick up truck drivers have a higher rate of driving under the influence, 3.3% pick up truck drivers are DUI compared to 2.3% of auto drivers.

Information for this blog was found in the Los Angeles Times in a column written by Martin Zimmerman.

If you or a loved one is seriously injured in a auto accident caused by a drunk driver, you should contact The Farber Law Group immediately. We may be able to help you recover compensation for your injuries including medical costs, lost wages and for pain and suffering. We have more than 30 years experience representing the victims of drunk drivers and their families.

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

Seattle's KOMO News.com reports that Miriam T. Snyder, age 44, of Bremerton was killed in a motorcycle-car accident in Kitsap County.

According to the report, Snyder was riding with another motorcyclist east on Highway 308 near Scandia road when a Chevy Trailblazer driven by a 22-year-old Silverdale woman abruptly made a left-hand turn in front of the two motorcyclists. Snyder ran into the Trailblazer and was killed. Her companion was able to lay down his motorcycle to avoid an accident.

It is the duty of a driver making a left turn to yield the right of way to any approaching vehicle. The driver must exercise caution and maintain a margin of safety for any on coming motorist.

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 and motorcycle accidents and the families of those killed. In Washington State, the families of a person who was killed due another person's negligent actions may file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of their deceased loved.

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.

The Washington State Patrol announced that there were four car accident fatalities in Washington State over the long Memorial Day weekend. In 2008, there were only three car accident fatalities.

The car accident deaths occurred in Yakima County, Pierce County and Thurston County. There were no car accident deaths or serious injuries in King County. There were no motorcycle accident fatalities.

Killed over the weekend were:

• Linda Harden, age 56, on Upper Nile Road in Yakima County
• Anthony McDonald, age 33, on State Route 7 near State Route 512 in Pierce County
• Jueventino Arredondo, age 45, on Emerald Road in Yakima County
• Natalie McLaughlin, age 22, on State Route 12 in Thurston County

The Patrol said that drunk driving arrests were less than last year. They made 320 arrests this year compared to 345 arrests this year.

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 and the families of those killed.

The Farber Law Group has more than 30 years experience representing accident victims in the Pacific Northwest and we have offices in Seattle and Bellevue to assist you. Contact us at 1-800-244-9087 or e-mail .

The Washington State Patrol, in a media release, reports that they will have 25 extra state troopers on King County highways over the Memorial Day weekend between May 22 through May 25.

The troopers will be vigilant to find drivers who are speeding, driving under the influence or otherwise impaired, and drivers who are not using seatbelts. In addition, the troopers will be looking for signs of aggressive driving. Aggressive driving can include the following behaviors:

• Tailgating
  
• Speeding
  
• Honking the horn
  
• Flashing head lights
  
• Braking suddenly to annoy following drivers
  
• Passing traffic and the slowing down
  
• Speeding to beat red lights

The WSP is committed to keeping the roads safe and to prevent car accidents over the Memorial Day holiday.

This information is brought to you 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 car accidents.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident, contact the personal injury law firm with more than 30 years experience representing car accident victims and their families. Call The Farber Law Group at 1-800-244-9087 or attorney@hgfarber.com. We have offices in Seattle and Bellevue to assist you.

The Washington State Patrol, in a media release, reported that that three separate motorcycle accidents over the weekend has killed two motorcyclists and left one critically injured in Western Washington.

The three motorcycle accidents included:

• A 49-year-old Oregon resident was killed after crossing the center line and hitting an oncoming vehicle in Pacific County.
  
• A 29-year-old University Place resident was killed after losing control on SR-512 and crashing into the freeway median.
  
• A 43-year-old DuPont resident crashed her motorcycle on SR-504 west of Morton. She is in critical condition at Southwest Washington Medical Center in Vancouver.

According to Washington State Patrol Chief, John R. Batiste:

“I find these motorcycle collisions to be very sad because they were all caused by the rider.” These crashes, as with most collisions, were entirely preventable.”

So far this year, there have been nine motorcycle fatalities in Washington State. Of the nine fatal accidents, seven were single-vehicle accidents and in all nine accidents, the motorcycle driver was at fault.

The leading causes of motorcycle accidents include:

• Speeding
  
• Alcohol
  
• Driver inattention

In Washington State, motorcycle riders are required to get a motorcycle endorsement which requires them to take a motorcycle knowledge test and a motorcycle riding test. In three of the nine motorcycle accident fatalities so far this year, the driver did not have the required endorsement.

This information ins provided by Washington Injury Attorney blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent motorcycle accident victims and their families.

See our Motorcycle Rider Resources.

Contact The Farber Law Group to discuss your case.

A 15-year-old dirt bike rider was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with head injuries and two broken arms after a motorcycle accident. According to the Skagit Valley Herald, the teenager, followed by his parents, was riding down a logging-style road about 3-1/2 miles from Lake Cavanaugh Road when he collided head-on with Andrew Nakao, 23, of Everett. The teen apparently hit his head on impact. His condition is unknown at this time.

State patrol Trooper Keith Leary said that the teen was riding down the road around 25 mph as Nakao rode his bike uphill at around 60mph. Nakao apparently cut across a blind corner and the two bikes collided. The speed limit for the state managed off-road area is 25mph.

Nakao was also taken to Harborview and was in satisfactory condition with a broken right femur and wrist. He was cited for negligent driving. Negligent driving can be charged if a person fails to exercise ordinary care and endangers any person or property. First degree negligent driving involves the use of alcohol or drugs while second degree does not.

This information was brought to you by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer blog, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in motorcycle accidents and the families of those killed due to the negligence of another person.

Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free and confidential case evaluation.

The Kitsap Sun reports that a 30-year-old Port Orchard man suffered "severe injuries" in a motorcycle accident after he lost control of his Kawasaki motorcycle and landed into a ditch and was thrown from his motorcycle on Thursday evening.

The motorcycle accident occurred around 6pm on Sedgwick road in Port Orchard. According to the report, the motorcyclist attempted to pass two vehicles in a "no passing zone" near the intersection of Southworth Drive.

The man was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after the accident and he is listed in "critical condition" in the intensive care unit.

Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable in accidents because they can be thrown from the motorcycle, often suffering from severe head and spinal cord injuries. The death and injury rate for motorcycle riders is on the rise as more people are riding motorcycles. In Washington State, a motorcyclist is required to obtain a motorcycle endorsement by the Department of Licensing.

This information was brought to you 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 motorcycle accidents due to the negligence of another driver.

Contact The Farber Law Group today for a free and confidential case evaluation.

With gas prices soaring and a weak economy, more people than ever are choosing to ride motorcycles as an economical way to get to work. However, motorcycle riders are the most vulnerable in motor vehicle accidents because there are no seat belts and riders can be thrown in a crash. The death and injury rate for motorcycle riders continues to rise.

In Washington State, motorcycle riders need to obtain a motorcycle endorsement by the Department of Licensing. The endorsement is one way to encourage motorcyclists to have extra knowledge and training before taking their motorcycle on the highway.

Safety Tips:

Wear a helmet

always wear a helmet and make sure it meets the Department of Transportation (DOT) standards. A helmet is of utmost importance and may mean the difference between surviving a crash and dying.

Watch the "No-Zone"

a "No-Zone" is a truck's blind spot. Trucks have blind spots on both side where the driver cannot see you. If you ride in the blind spot, your chances of a crash increase.

Drive as if you were invisible

motorcycles are the smallest vehicle on the road and have no protection. Many times motorists do not see you. Pay attention to brake lights and signals. Be extra careful at intersections.

Drive smart

keep to the speed limit, don't over drive your ability to handle your motorcycle. An increasing number of motorcyclists are getting into accidents because they are driving motorcycles more powerful than they can handle. They also travel at speeds at which they can not handle the motorcycle. An increasing number of motorcyclists are crashing around curves, bends and turns.

Watch speed

motorcycles accelerate faster than other vehicles. Especially watch your speed around trucks at night and in bad weather. Motorcycles sometimes crash into the rear of trucks.

Safety check your motorcycle

safety check your motorcycle every single time you ride it to insure it is in good working condition. Proper maintenance is essential.

Wear proper gear

protective clothing such as leathers, jackets and gloves can really protect you if you are in a crash.

This information was brought to you by Washington Injury Accident Attorney, a service of The Farber Law Group. We represent people who have been seriously injured in motorcycle accidents. Accident victims often receive a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury and sometimes even loss of a limb. If you were seriously injured because of the negligence of another driver, you should contact a personal injury attorney who specializes in motorcycle accidents. At The Farber Law Group, we we will work to help you recover compensation for your damages.

Contact The Farber Law Group today.

The Everett HeraldNet reports that a motorcyclist was taken to Harbor View Medical Center in Seattle with serious injuries and apparent broken bones after he crashed his motorcycle at 172nd Place SW and 52nd Avenue W. The motorcyclist was a man who appeared to be in his mid-40s.

The cause of the accident is being investigated.

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 motorcycle accidents and car accidents in the greater Seattle area including Bellevue, Renton, Kent, Renton, Lynnwood, Everett, Bellingham and Redmond. We represent clients on a contingent fee basis. That means you do not pay attorneys fees unless we recover a settlement for you.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation.