Practice Areas
Blog 
- Attorney-Client Relationship
- Davis Law Group's May Newsletter
- Seattle Bicycle Accident News - May 8, 2008
- Bellingham Car Accident News - May 6, 2008
- Washington Accident News - May 3-4, 2008
- JAMA Articles on Whiplash
- Bicycles and Head Phones Don't Mix
- Frivolous Lawsuits by Car Insurance Companies
- Eastside Car Accident News - May 2, 2008
- Renton SUV Rollover Accident News - April 29, 2008
Firm News
- Seattle University School of Law Invites Davis To Speak...
- DLG Newsletter - April 2008...
- Davis Law Group Newsletter, March 2008, Volume 2, Issue 2...
- JOB OPENING: Legal Assistant...
- Chris Davis appointed to WSTLA Board of Governors...
- DLG Newsletter - Jan/Feb 2008...
- PRESS RELEASE: Drunk driving auto accident case settles for $350,000....
- AWARD: Christopher Davis named Rising Star Attorney...
- AWARD: Christopher Davis included in "Who's Who in Plaintiff's Personal Injury Law"...
- INTERVIEW: Upfront with Robert Mak on King5...
Recent Results
Car Accidents & Truck Collisions
- $5,000,000 for Car Accident Victim
- $350,000 Settlement of Drunk Driving Accident
- $360,000 verdict on $50,000 policy because another insurance company fails to protect its insured.
- $500,000 Jury Verdict Against Farmers Insurance Company -- Last Offer From Farmers Was $50,000
- $487,550 Jury Verdict Against Allstate Insured---Last Offer From Allstate $25,000
Wrongful Death & Fatal Accidents
Pedestrian Collisions & Bicycle Accidents
- $415,000 Settlement for Young Boy Hit by Car While Exiting Bus
- $420,000 Settlement For 7 yr old Hit on Bicycle
- $140,000 Settlement for Campers Run Over by Jeep
Medical Malpractice, Misdiagnosed Illness, & Hospital Injuries
- $100,000 for Fall at Hospital
- $700,000 Settlement for Infant Burned by Hospital
- $125,000 Settlement for Hospital Fall
Motorcycle Accidents
- $250,000 for Motorcycle Accident Rider - Herniated Disc
- $150,000 Injury Caused by "Runaway Tire" Off a Boat Trailer
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) & Nerve Damage
- $5,000,000 for TBI Victim
- $420,000 Settlement For Child Suffering TBI
- $400,000 for 7 year old Boy Hit by Ford Explorer
Spinal Cord Injuries
Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
- $165,000 for 5 yr-old Girl Bitten on Face and Scalp
- $125,000 for Bite on Arms & Legs
- $150,000 Settlement for 12 year old boy
Nursing Home Negligence & Elder Care Abuse
Other
Davis Law Group, P.S. Blog
Attorney-Client Relationship
The Attorney-Client relationship is a time honored tradition. The Davis Law Group is committed to providing you with quality ethical legal representation. But this relationship is a "two-way street" and your participation is essential.Davis Law Group's May Newsletter
Davis Law group is happy to release its May newletter. IN THIS ISSUE: Buying Car Insurance In Washington State; Kids, Car Accidents and Injuries; Safe Driving: How Germany compares to the US; Trains, Planes, and German Automobiles; Honesty Is The Best Policy; Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month; National Safe Boating Week; The Ten Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Washington Accident CaseSeattle Bicycle Accident News - May 8, 2008
SEATTLE - Traffic on Interstate 5 in North Seattle came to a halt when a man on a bicycle rode onto the freeway and rode across all the lanes this afternoon. Witnesses say they saw the man riding south in the right lane just before he cut across all lanes of traffic into the car-pool lane.Read More about "Seattle Bicycle Accident News - May 8, 2008"
Bellingham Car Accident News - May 6, 2008
BELLINGHAM - A car smashed through a plate glass window at a Bellingham Starbucks injuring five people--none of the injuries appear to be life-threatening. No decision has been made on possible charges against the driver.Read More about "Bellingham Car Accident News - May 6, 2008"
Washington Accident News - May 3-4, 2008
JAMA Articles on Whiplash
I have just placed a list of interesting whiplash articles that have appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and which are focused on whiplash and related injuries in my online library.Bicycles and Head Phones Don't Mix
There is a tragic story last week out of Virginia. Apparently a 15 year old was riding his bicycle on a busy road when a car approached him from the rear. According to published reports, the car mosed into the oncoming lane to pass the cyclist. The young boy, however, then turned left in front of the car. According to local police , the young cyclist was wearing headphones as the time of the accident. Unfortunately, he died from injuries sustained in the accident. I have read about accidents like this in Washington State too. And I have seen a lot of cyclists ion city streets, on Lake Washington Blvd, and in the parks wearing headphones.The obvious but sad lesson is that wearing headphones while bicycling (and, for that matter, while running near traffic) is a recipe for disaster.Frivolous Lawsuits by Car Insurance Companies
Insurance companies: give them an inch and they'll take a mile.We represent a very nice lady who was very seriously injured. The lady who hit her pleaded guilty to causing the accident. This major insurance company begged us not to sue... "send us your demand... send us your medical records...we want to settle."We sent them everything..we waitedand waitedand waitedand then filed suit.What's the first thing the insurance company did? Filed its own suit against the driver of our client's vehicle (our client was a passenger.) Purely 100% frivolous. Their lady pleaded guilty! This is an example of what insurance company's due to muck up the system.DelayDelay Delay..then blame someone else.Next time this insurance company says "we want to settle...don't sue..." they won't even get a return phone call.Read More about "Frivolous Lawsuits by Car Insurance Companies"
Eastside Car Accident News - May 2, 2008
REMOND - A fatal single-car accident closed Avondale Road this morning during rush hour. According to police the accident occurred around 3 a.m. The vehicle was going southbound on Avondale Way when it crashed into a tree. The driver was the only person in the car and was found dead when officials arrived. For more victim information, car accident news, personal injury statistics, car accident statistics, personal injury news, studies, and more visit our car accidents practice area page.Renton SUV Rollover Accident News - April 29, 2008
RENTON - Two people were killed when the driver of an SUV lost control and crashed into a retaining wall. The Ford Explorer was speeding when hit a ditch and sailed across a parked car. The truck smashed upside down right into a large rock retaining wall. The accident happened near the intersection of 111th Place Southeast and Southeast 162nd Street. Gus Shafferand his fiancée Sydney Mitchell-Lowery died at the scene.Read More about "Renton SUV Rollover Accident News - April 29, 2008"
Seattle Truck Accident News - April 30, 2008
Tow-truck driver dies in Magnolia after flatbed truck rolls over himRead More about "Seattle Truck Accident News - April 30, 2008"
Car Accident Collision Kit for Washington Drivers
I just found out about a very interesting product that is designed to help accident victims. DocuDent USA has produced a collision kit. The kit contains a disposable camera to photograph the scene (don’t forget to shoot any tire tracks; that could come in handy if a case went to court), a few bandages, a place for documentation, an accident report form, an LED flashlight with a built-in tape measure, a pen and a whistle. All organized in a handy case. This seems like a great idea and might really help accident victims following a collision.Read More about "Car Accident Collision Kit for Washington Drivers"
Seattle's Long Term Care Costs in Washington Increased as Much as 15 Percent Over Past Five Years
The cost of nursing home care in Washington, excluding Seattle, has increased 15 percent since 2004, according to an annual Cost of Care Survey released by Genworth Financial. In Seattle, the cost has increased 13 percent over the past five years. This compares to a 17 percent increase nationwide.Interesting Article in The Seattle Times
I just added a very interested article about speedtraps in the Seattle Times. If you were involved in an accident in Seattle, you should read this.When do car accidents happen?
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Traffic Facts, more crashes occur on Saturdays than any other day of the week. Sunday ranked second and Friday came in third. Additionally, most collisions happen between 3 and 6 p.m. From 6 to 9 p.m. ranked second and 9 p.m. to midnight finished third. The fewest crashes occur between midnight and 3 a.m.For more victim information, car accident news, personal injury statistics, car accident statistics, personal injury news, studies, and more visit our car accidents practice area page.Read More about "When do car accidents happen?"
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car accidents
car crashes
Puget Sound Area Car Accident News - April 27, 2008
SOUTH PARK - Two adults and two children have been hospitalized after a head-on collision in South Park that closed down a major intersection for hours. Apparently a white sport-utility vehicle with four occupants drifted over the center line on South Cloverdale Street near the Fifth Avenue South intersection and struck another SUV. The occupants of the white SUV were taken to Harborview Medical Center and Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center in Seattle. One of the children has been listed in critical condition.Read More about "Puget Sound Area Car Accident News - April 27, 2008"
Accident Statistics & Road Rules: Driving in the US vs. Germany
I have just returned from a one-week visit to Germany to work on n injury case for a client that lives in the Stuttgart area. My last visit to Germany pre-dates my career as a personal injury attorney. As a car accident attorney, on this trip I couldn’t help but pay special attention to the differences between US and German road rules and accident statistics.Read More about "Accident Statistics & Road Rules: Driving in the US vs. Germany"
Car Accident Statistics
With the increasing number of cars on the roads of the US each year, car accidents have unfortunately become a very common sight. Many people die as a result of car accidents, with many more receiving serious injuries. Such injuries and death often leave the victims and their families devastated. Here are some car accident statistics, which might be helpful in making people aware about trends in car accidents, and thus hopefully reducing the number of car accidents in the United States.What to do if you are in a car accident.
What to do if you are injured in a car accident:• Obtain insurance information of other drivers. • Call the police. • Obtain contact information of any witnesses. • Seek immediate medical treatment. • Consult an attorney before giving a recorded statement or signing a release• for an insurance company.Seattle Truck Accident Lawyers
An average of about 5,000 trucks are involved in a fatal traffic accident each year. Tractors pulling one semitrailer are the most common truck configuration, accounting for about 60% of all trucks involved in a fatal accident.Personal Injury Law Firm In The News
Both local and national media sources recognize Davis Law Group founder Christopher Davis as a legal expert in the area of personal injury law. He has been invited to appear on both King5 and KIRO7 television to offer legal commentary and opinion on issues that impact Washington citizens. He has been quoted on KOMO Radio and CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 has featured one of Mr. Davis' clients as a case study. And numerous internet news sources have published articles that he has authored on a variety of personal injury law topics.Seattle Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer
We have just updated Seattle lawyer Chris Davis' profile on our website. Get to know Chris Davis, attorney at law, throught videos, authored articles, and more. Review his resume and case results.Read More about "Seattle Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer"
Seattle Car Accident News - April 25, 2008
SEATTLE - Cerrissa Christensen, who had a history of driving under the influence, was drunk on Oct. 9 when she drove 90 mph in the wrong direction on Interstate 5, causing a head-on collision that left one teenager dead and another seriously injured. She was sentenced today to 6 ½ years in prison, the maximum sentence under state law. At the time of the accident Christensen had a blood-alcohol level of 0.25 percent (legal limit is 0.08). The crash killed Bawny McQuistin, 18, and injured Eric Hillstrom, 19, both of Tacoma.Read More about "Seattle Car Accident News - April 25, 2008"
Seattle Pedestrian Accident News - April 25, 2008
SEATTLE – A skateboarder was killed this morning after he was hit by a Metro Bus in Seattle's University District. The accident happened at the intersection of NE 45th and University Way. Apparentlly the skateboarder hit the bus and the bus drove over him.Read More about "Seattle Pedestrian Accident News - April 25, 2008"
Interesting Car Safety vs. Green Car Article: Safer Vehicles for People and the Planet
Safer Vehicles for People and the Planet Mar-Apr 2008 issue of American ScientistPuget Sound Area Accident News - April 20,2008
LAKEWOOD - A Lakewood man and a woman were killed and three others injured. Apparently a red Ferrari hit a shuttle bus. Two people in the Ferrari were killed in the crash. The driver and two passengers in the shuttle were injured and taken to local hospitals. The Ferrari was headed north on Gravelly Lake Drive when it crossed into the southbound lanes. Speed is a suspected factor in the crash.Read More about "Puget Sound Area Accident News - April 20,2008"
Seattle Car Accident News - April 19, 2008
SEATTLE - Authorities are in search of a driver who struck a teenager and drove away from the scene. The girl (age 16) was standing near the corner of Westlake Avenue North when she was hit by a dark-colored sedan.Read More about "Seattle Car Accident News - April 19, 2008"
Environmentally Friendly Vehicle Removal
I just found out about a service that removes and recycles junk vehicles for FREE in an environmentally friendly way. It is called Northwest Auto Recyclers. Their web address is www.NWAutoRecyclers.com. Apparently they will pick up your wrecked vehicle from your home or from the tow-truck yard; drain and dispose of all the fluids, remove and recycle the battery, tires, etc. and will then have the car crushed and the scrap metal recycled.Washington Accident News - April 16, 2008
Seattle and Puget Sound Area Accident News - April 16, 2008Statutes of limitation
Statutes of limitation vary from state to state. They limit the amount of time an injury victim has to file a lawsuit. Failure to file suit within the limitation period may destroy your injury claim. Here are some important Washington state statutes of limitation.DLG Newsletter - April 2008
The April 2008 Edition of the Davis Law Group Newsletter is now available.IN THIS ISSUE: Secrets Kept From Juries: What They Never Know During Trial; $362,500 Jury Verdict—Insurance Company’s Last Offer $50,000; April 22nd is Earth Day—-What Can You Do?; Davis Law Group Welcomes A New Legal Assistant; Seattle University Law School Asks Davis To Speak; Ask The Attorney: Dog Bites; Facts & Figures: Back-Over Accidents & KidsDavis Speaks to Students at Seattle University School of Law
On Friday I was a panelist for Seattle University School of Law's annual Choices Career Exploration Conference. The panel was entitled "Enhancing Your Legal Career through Writing” seminar. The session is designed to help law students understand how to advance their careers through good writing. I was invited to discuss my book “The Ten Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Washington Accident Case.”Read More about "Davis Speaks to Students at Seattle University School of Law"
Addicted doctors still treat patients
A woman who says she had to forgo cancer treatment because of botched surgery by a California doctor says she was never made aware the doctor was being treated for alcoholism and had been convicted for driving under the influence of alcohol.Seattle Car Accident News - April 14, 2008
FEDERAL WAY - A man was driving a Mazda northbound on Military Road South this morning when he lost control of his vehicle, struck a curb and veered into the southbound lane hitting a Ford pick-up. The driver of the pick-up was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with non life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Mazda was pronounced dead at the scene.Read More about "Seattle Car Accident News - April 14, 2008"
April 22nd is Earth Day. What can you do?
Want to do more to reduce your carbon footprint? Green Up is Seattle City Light’s voluntary green power program. By enrolling in Green Up, customers purchase green power for a portion of their electricity use and support wind power and other new renewable energy projects in the Northwest. Choosing green power reduces reliance on fossil fuels, improves air quality, and helps reduce the growth of climate-warming emissions.Free information for car accident victims
As a public service to car accident victims in Washington State I am offering free copies of my book, The Ten Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Washington Accident Case. Just fill out a quick form and your no obligation copy will arrive in 5 to 7 business days.Washington Car Accident News - April 11, 2008
AUBURN - Two Puyallup-area men were killed when their car crossed the center line of an Auburn street and slammed head-on into a one-ton pickup that was pulling a large trailer.SEATTLE - A man trying to cross Interstate 5 was struck by a truck and killed. The accident happened around 9pm in the southbound lanes of the freeway near Airport Way. The Lakewood man was crossing from east to west when the tractor trailer struck him. For more information on auto accidents, personal injury cases, or staistics, reports, articles, and studies visit my car accident library.Read More about "Washington Car Accident News - April 11, 2008"
Washington State Motorcycle Accident News - April 12, 2008
A Gold Bar man was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle on a ramp to Highway 2 near Snohomish. Apparently he crossed the centerline and hit a semi truck. Witnesses say the man was riding close to two other motorcyclists heading from state Route 9 to Highway 2 at around 2 p.m. when he veered out of control and hit the semi.Read More about "Washington State Motorcycle Accident News - April 12, 2008"
Medical Mistakes What Ever Happended To "Do No Harm"?
Every doctor makes the promise to “do no harm.” But doctors, nurses, physicians’ assistants, nursing homes, and hospitals do make mistakes. And a shocking report from the Institute of Medicine shows medical mistakes are a common occurrence and pose potentially life-threatening risks for patients. If medical mistakes were counted among the leading causes of death in America, they would be eighth on the list.Read More about "Medical Mistakes What Ever Happended To "Do No Harm"?"
Drunk Driving Accident Statistics
Nationwide in 2005, alcohol was present in the systems of 24 percent of the drivers involved in fatal crashes (BAC .01-.07, 4 percent; BAC .08 or greater, 20 percent).There is nothing mild about mild traumatic brain injury (mtbi)
Brain injuries can be of a variety of types and can lead to a variety of symptoms. Brain injuries generally can be divided into three types: physical, cognitive, and behavioral. Physical changes include problems with vision or speech. Cognitive brain injuries include short term and long term memory problems. Behavioral brain injuries often lead to mood swings, depression, and anxiety.Read More about "There is nothing mild about mild traumatic brain injury (mtbi)"
Florida Court Suspends Allstate in Florida
Late Friday, April 4, 2008, the District Court of Appeals, First District, State of Florida upheld the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation’s suspension of Allstate from writing insurance in the State of Florida. The Office had suspended Allstate weeks before for a refusal to produce the McKinsey documents during an investigation of the company. That investigation, started as a result of the media surrounding Trial Guides From Good Hands to Boxing Gloves, and Robert Hunter’s reference to it, resulted in Allstate being cut off from a market comprising 17% of its national sales. The court found Allstate guilty of arbitrary reductions of “bodily injury claim payments to its policyholders and beneficiaries by up to 20%.” It also determined that Allstate was engaged in ongoing criminal activity by failing to cooperate with the Office of Insurance Regulation’s investigation of a crime, and that this constituted a danger to the public health, safety or welfare of citizens. Realizing the seriousness of this, given the pending shareholder lawsuit against the company for other problems resulting from the company’s refusal to turn over the documents in several cases nationally, Allstate posted 150,000 documents related to McKinsey on their web site. This number of documents is substantially more than the number they had represented were “all” of the McKinsey documents, to several courts in the country. But it wasn’t that ruling alone that scared Allstate into finally disclosing the documents. It was that Trial Guides is about to release a public version of From Good Hands to Boxing Gloves. As the Miami Herald-Tribune said just as that book was going to print “Berardinelli's plan to publish a book for the general public next month, and a Florida appellate court.Read More about "Florida Court Suspends Allstate in Florida"
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Allstate
Seattle Tries To Reduce Rear-end Collisions on I-5
The speed limit on a six-mile portion of I-5 in Seattle will begin changing several times a day when the Transportation Department completes the installation of new overhead electronic signs. The Seattle Transportation Department believes that variable speed control will help traffic flow more smoothly and prevent rear-end collisions. For overhead electronic signs will be installed in the northbound lanes next year between Boeing Field and I-90.Read More about "Seattle Tries To Reduce Rear-end Collisions on I-5"
Seattle Car Accident News - April 7, 2008
KIRKLAND - Traffic was tied up for hours this morning after a fatal accident on southbound Interstate 405, just north of 124th Street in the Totem Lake area.Medical Mistakes And Children
In a detailed study that was release today in the April issue of the journal Pediatrics magazine; researchers found a rate of 11 drug-related harmful events for every 100 hospitalized children. That compares with an earlier estimate of two per 100 hospitalized children, based on traditional detection methods. The rate reflects the fact that some children experienced more than one drug treatment mistake. The new data translates to 7.3% of hospitalized children, or about 540,000 kids each year, a calculation based on government data.Seattle Accident News - April 2, 2008
SEATTLE - Today the red South Lake Union trolley was taken out of service after a collision with a truck.The train hit a parked pickup that protruded into the streetcar's path, near Terry Avenue North and Harrison Street.For the time being, only the purple streetcar is serving the 1.3-mile route. Streetcars have been in three minor collisions since the line opened in mid-December.Lakewood considers pit bull regulation
LAKEWOOD, Wash. (AP) - The city of Lakewood is looking at tightening up its animal control laws after reviewing a recent case where two pit bulls attacked a family.Wednesday, April 2, 2008 - Puget Sound Area Car Accident News
MARYSVILLE - Woman struck by car found dead along I-5 Police say a woman whose body was found along Interstate 5 early this morning appears to have been struck by a car or truck while she was walking. Apparently the woman appears to have been walking along 34th Avenue Northwest near the interstate when she was hit.Read More about "Wednesday, April 2, 2008 - Puget Sound Area Car Accident News"
Tuesday, April 1, 2008 - Puget Sound Area Car Accident News
YELM, WA - Two people were killed in a head-on crash in the 11700 block of Vail Road, an area known as Four Corners. Apparently a 1998 Mercedes driven by Daniel B. Hallock of Tacoma crossed the center line at a high rate of speed around a curve.The car collided with a northbound 2007 Hyundai Elantra driven by Melanie C. Fisher of Yelm, and both drivers died at the scene.Two passengers in Hallock's car were hospitalized.SEATTLE - A drunk driver crashed into a parked car which was then pushed into a building. Police say that the drunk femle driver slammed her black pickup into a parked car with such force that she knocked it across a sunken alleyway and pinned it against an apartment building in the 200 block of South Fifth Avenue. Witnesses say that the driver was visably drunk.Read More about "Tuesday, April 1, 2008 - Puget Sound Area Car Accident News"
Monday, March 31, 2008 - Seattle Car Accident News
SEATTLE - Speeding SUV driver kills 92-year-old South Seattle manNinty-two-year-old, Salvatore Vito Covello, was killed in South Seattle on Monday afternoon a another driver lost control of his SUV and crashed into his car and then tried to flee the scene.The car crash happened around 4:30 p.m. near Rainier Avenue South and South Holly Street.Apparnetly Covello was driving on South Holly Street when a black SUV "traveling at a high rate of speed and possibly fishtailing" crashed into his 1996 Buick.Covello was killed instantly. The driver of the SUV ran north on Rainier Avenue South where officers later found and arrested him.VANCOUVER - Boy Survives Freak AccidentRalden Redinger, a 12-year-old boy, survived a car accident on Monday in which a tire got loose on Interstate 205 and smashed into the windshield of the car he was riding in.The accident happened along Highway 205 at Padden Parkway. The tire bounced through the median and smashed into the windshield where Ralden was sitting. He suffered a broken nose, a black eye and a concussion.Kristy Hoggatt was driving the 1995 Volkswagen Jetta which lost a tire. She was ticketed for having defective equipment on her vehicle and for having no automobile insurance.Read More about "Monday, March 31, 2008 - Seattle Car Accident News"
Calif Court Orders Allstate To Cut Rates By 15%
Read More about "Calif Court Orders Allstate To Cut Rates By 15%"
Puget Sound Commute Statistics
I just read that an estimated 1.5 million people in the Puget Sound area get in their cars each weekday morning and spend 687,000 hours commuting 18 million miles. Interesting. For more car accident statistics visit our firm library or the car accident practice area page.New Treatment For Chronic Back Pain From Car Accident Injuries
Many thousands of people live each day with chronic back or leg pain that was caused by a car accident. And I have seen hundreds of car accident victims in my practice. Many try numerous treatments in their search for pain relief. Often surgery is a final option for pain relief because patients lose their ability to move normally.Read More about "New Treatment For Chronic Back Pain From Car Accident Injuries"
Seattle Car Accident News - March 28, 2008
BALLARD - Head-on CollisionLate this morning there was a two-vehicle head-on collision on the Ballard Bridge. At this point police don't know if wet roads were to blame. Apparently there were no serious injuries however 15th Avenue Northwest at Northwest 50th Street was closed for several hours.SEATTLE - Semitruck Crashed Into MedianNorthbound traffic on Interstate 5 was snarled Friday morning after a semitruck crashed into the median between northbound I-5 and the express lanes at Mercer Street. Apparently the truck spun around and into the guardrail, knocking it onto the southbound lanes below. The truck driver was not injured.Read More about "Seattle Car Accident News - March 28, 2008"
Helmet Policy and Laws - Seattle, WA & King County, WA
Did you know? The city of Seattle and King County require (according to a Public Health Seattle-King County Regulation) that helmets be worn by all bicyclists of all ages. Bicyclists can be fined $30 for not wearing a helmet, although the fee may be waived if the bicyclist shows proof of having purchased a helmet.Read More about "Helmet Policy and Laws - Seattle, WA & King County, WA"
Another insurance company fails to protect its insured – Davis wins $362,500 verdict on $50,000 policy.
Mr. Davis is busy today as he just wrapped up a trial late yesterday. So I am making this blog post for him today. -Mischelle, Client Relations ManagerSeattle Car Accident News - March 27, 2008
AUBURNA 61-year-old woman was killed when her car slid off the road and hit a parked Washington State Patrol car this morning.Read More about "Seattle Car Accident News - March 27, 2008"
Speed / Redlight Cameras In Bellevue
Bellevue is the latest Puget Sound area city with plans to add cameras to catch red light runners at intersections. Today the Seattle Times reported that six intersections in Bellevue will get the red light cameras in addition to three new speed cameras located near elementary schools. The cameras will be added in the next three to six months, although police have not decided exactly which intersections will get the red light cameras. Drivers who are caught by the cameras will get a $124 ticket. Drivers will only be given a warning if caught in the first 30 days after the cameras go into operation.WA woman pleads guilty in wrongway fatal accident
Twenty-seven-year-old Cerrissa Christensen pleaded guilty in King County Superior Court (Seattle) on Monday to charges of vehicular homicide / vehicular assault. Ms. Christensen was accused of driving into oncoming traffic at 90 miles per hour, killing an 18-year-old woman and badly injuring her 19-year-old boyfriend on Interstate 5 on Oct. 9. Apparenty Christensen had a blood-alcohol level of 0.25 percent when her blood was tested after the crash.Read More about "WA woman pleads guilty in wrongway fatal accident"
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wrong-way accident
In The Blindspot: Backup Car Accidents
Backup collisions are when a driver puts the automobile in reverse and runs into an object, person, or other car. All cars are equipped with rear view mirrors which are adequate for detecting vehicles behind a car, but they are often inadequate when it comes to detecting small children or objects that are low to the ground and fall in the car's blind spot. Large trucks have much larger blind spots that can hide entire vehicles and large adults.Sidebar: What Juries Don't Know About Civil Injury Cases
Mr. Davis is out today for a jury trial in Snohomish County. So I am blogging for him today.Read More about "Sidebar: What Juries Don't Know About Civil Injury Cases"
New Malingerer Pyschological Test Used and Challenged in Personal-Injury Cases
I consider malingering to be fraud and I will not be a party to it. For more information on malingering visit our firm library.Read More about "New Malingerer Pyschological Test Used and Challenged in Personal-Injury Cases"
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malingering
Family sues Madison Square Garden in crash that killed 2-year-old
According to a lawsuit filed Thursday, concessions workers at Madison Square Garden continued to sell alcohol to a visibly intoxicated off-duty police officer who later crashed his SUV and killed a two-year-old boy named Jose Carlo Zelaya and has left his mother in a coma. The police officer's Jeep Cherokee rear-ended the car in which the boy was riding. Freibott's blood-alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit.Read More about "Family sues Madison Square Garden in crash that killed 2-year-old"
In 1990, Washington State began requiring drivers to stop for pedestrians at unprotected crosswalks. The Seattle Police Department collaborated with the Harborview Injury Prevention Research Center to examine whether or not drivers were paying attention to the new law.
Study shows that more than 60 percent of car accident victims still suffer significant pain a year after the accident.
A recent car accident pain study has found that more than 60 percent of car accident victims still suffer significant pain a year after the accident. The study was published on Monday in the journal Archives of Surgery. Researchers tracked 3,047 patients ages 18 to 84 from 14 U.S. states who survived an acute traumatic injury--such as a car accident. A year after the injury, 63 percent reported that they had pain related to the accident.Enumclaw Car Accident
An 18-year-old Enumclaw woman was killed in a collision Wednesday morning on state Highway 410 approximately 20 miles outside of Enumclaw. Apparently she lost control of her car and struck a tree.Yet another wrong-way accident in the Seattle area
Thursday morning there was a rollover accident caused by a wrong-way driver on Highway 2 near Stevens Pass. Apparently a driver was headed eastbound about 30 miles west of Leavenworth at about 6:55 a.m. when he swerved to avoid the oncoming vehicle. The wrong-way vehicle fled the scene. Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen the light blue vehicle to call 663-9721. That vehicle was last seen headed westbound in the eastbound lane, according to the State Patrol.Read More about "Yet another wrong-way accident in the Seattle area"
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car accident
wrong way
King County Bus accident injures dozen, snarls traffic
Approximately a dozen bus riders and a car driver were taken to area hospitals Wednesday after a Metro bus accident on Pacific Highway South. The accident happened near the Kent-Des Moines interchange. According to King County Metro Transit spokeswoman, the Route 174 bus was southbound in the far right-hand lane on Pacific Highway South when a vehicle in the lane to the left cut in front of the bus in an attempt to make a right-hand turn into a parking lot.Read More about "King County Bus accident injures dozen, snarls traffic"
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bus accident
car accident
NEWS: Pedestrian hurt in downtown Seattle collision
Read More about "NEWS: Pedestrian hurt in downtown Seattle collision"
Distracted Driving Research and Legislation
Driver distraction is a major cause of accidents. Which is why 29 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws restricting cell phone use to use with a hands-free device (no jurisdiction has an outright ban). New Jersey and Washington state have been the only states ones to ban text messaging, though 21 states are considering such bills this year.Read More about "Distracted Driving Research and Legislation"
"Fast Claims Service" May Be a Disservice to You: Don't Be Too Hasty To Settle Your Claim
Below is part of an email that a car accident victim recently sent to me. Unfortunately, I cannot help her with her claim because once you have settled with the insurance company for injuries caused by a car accident you can not “renegotiate” if you are later found to have more serious injuries. This case is a good example of why you 1-) should not settle with the insurance company until your medical condition is fixed and stable for some period of time, 2-) you should not be in a hurry to settle medical claims immediately following an accident, 3-) you may need an attorney to help negotiate your settlement.Texting while driving is now against the law in Washington State!
Texting while driving is always a very bad idea. Things happen too fast on the highway. You shouldn't take your eyes off the road long enough to read or type a message.The Washington State Patrol plans to vigorously enforce the state's new law against sending text messages while driving now that the law is in effect.But texting while driving is a secondary violation. Which means that troopers cannot stop drivers if they see them texting. But it could mean drivers end up with two tickets instead of just one. If they see other driving errors, such as weaving or unsafe lane changes, they can write a second citation under the texting law if that contributed to the first violation. If a text message or cell phone call requires immediate attention, you should pull safety off the road. Handle the matter, and then get back on the road when you can give driving your full attention.It's also time to start shopping for a hands-free device to use when talking on a cellular phone. The law requiring hands free devices goes into effect on July 1 and will be also be vigorously enforced.Read More about "Texting while driving is now against the law in Washington State!"
Washington's Attorney General Is Wrong to Oppose New Wrongful Death Bill
Mr. Davis comments on the Seattle PI article,"Disturbing truth on wrongful death bill," written by guest columnist and Washington State's Attorney General Rob McKenna. The article appeared in the Seattle PI on March 4, 2008. You can find a link to the original article on our Wrongful Death practice area page.Surprisingly, Mr. McKenna opposes the new wrongful death bill which would give adult parents the legal right to sue and recover damages for the wrongful death of an adult child (age 26 and younger). Mr. McKenna's primary argument is that the new bill will cost the state of Washington more money because there will be more cases filed against the state in cases where an adult person who is unmarried and child-less (between the ages of 18 and 26) is wrongfully killed due to the negligence of another individual or corporation or state agency. Mr. McKenna makes certain erroneous assumptions to support his argument against this new bill. I'll explain:Read More about "Washington's Attorney General Is Wrong to Oppose New Wrongful Death Bill"
The Daylight Savings Time Switch and Increased Accidents
A study shows an increase in traffic accidents immediately following the spring daylight savings time shift.Read More about "The Daylight Savings Time Switch and Increased Accidents"
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car accident study
traffic accidents
Cost of Car Accidents vs. Cost of Traffic Congestion
Today AAA released the results of a suprising new study. The study reveals that the societal cost of crashes is a staggering $164.2 billion annually, nearly two and a half times greater than the $67.6 billion price tag for congestion.Read More about "Cost of Car Accidents vs. Cost of Traffic Congestion"
Anatomy of a Crash
Last night my wife and I came across a very interesting Discovery Channel program called Anatomy of a Crash. The program give a history of the work of William Haddon Jr. who wrote the first federal safety standards for motor vehicles in the 1960s. It also details modern accident reconstruction techniques; crash safety standards; car crash tests; in treatment of injuries.Wrong-way accidents in Washington State
There seems to be a sudden increase in wrong-way driving accidents occurring in the metro Seattle area.Read More about "Wrong-way accidents in Washington State"
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wrong-way accidents
New Resources for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Victims
The state Department of Social and Health Services and the Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Strategic Partnership Advisory Council are launching a campaign to raise awareness and provide a way for people to get information about available resources. There was a great article about it in the Seattle P-I today. You can find a link to the article and other TBI resources in the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) & Merve Damage library on our website.Read More about "New Resources for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Victims"
Car Accidents & Children
I recently added a new section devoted to resources that address children's safety issues as related to car accidents to our firm's online library. We have added a lot of great safety tips, articles, and studies. Check it out.Asleep At The Wheel: Car Accidents Caused By Drowsy Drivers
Here is a great article on how drowsy drivers contribute to car accidents and other types of injury accidents.Read More about "Asleep At The Wheel: Car Accidents Caused By Drowsy Drivers"
Computing While Driving: A Car Accident Waiting To Happen
According to an article in the New York Times, the switch from flying to driving is being pushed by business drivers who install wireless laptops and portable desks so they can get work done along the way. This is the cause of more and more accidents.Read More about "Computing While Driving: A Car Accident Waiting To Happen"
Car Crashes And The Elderly
A new study released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found drivers over the age of 65 are almost twice (1.78 times) as likely to die in car crashes as drivers age 55 to 64.Read More about "Car Crashes And The Elderly"
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car accidents
older drivers
Allstate Claims Process Explained
I found a great article on how Allstate Insurance Co. rigged a computer program to produce artificially low values for injury claims, sent fraudulent information to state regulators to avoid scrutiny, and accepted lawsuits over its claims handling as a cost of doing business.Great article on car accidents and airbags
I found a great article on the history of airbags and how the help to reduce car accident injuries. I put it in my library so anyone can find it.Read More about "Great article on car accidents and airbags"
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air bags
car accidents
Seattle car accident kills father, injures child
A rush-hour accident this morning near East Jefferson Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way has left a father dead, and his daughter seriously injured. Two other people were also injured. The accident involved a car and a truck. The injured girl, approximately 10- or 11-years-old, was also taken to Harborview Medical Center with "life threatening injuries." Apparently they were on their way to school when the accident occurred.Read More about "Seattle car accident kills father, injures child"
Health Insurer Ordered to Pay $9 Million for Illegally Terminating Benefits
A woman who had her medical coverage canceled as she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer has been awarded more than $9 million in a case against one of California's largest health insurers. Patsy Bates, 52, a hairdresser from Lakewood, had been left with more than $129,000 in unpaid medical bills when Health Net Inc. canceled her policy in 2004. On Friday, arbitration judge Sam Cianchetti ordered Health Net to repay that amount while providing $8.4 million in punitive damages and $750,000 for emotional distress.Read More about "Health Insurer Ordered to Pay $9 Million for Illegally Terminating Benefits"
Crash Victim Has MySpace Account Subpoenaed by Defense Attorneys
Marissa Schneider of Arlington was just out of high school and an aspiring art student, but now the 21-year-old is in a nursing home because she can't talk or take care of herself. Marissa was on her way to work when her car was hit by an on-coming vehicle that crossed the center line. She had no fault for the accident. Marissa's parents are devastated. But after Marissa's family sued Chrysler over an allegation that the vehicle was unsafe, the company denied the claim and turned its attention to the young victim. Chrysler's lawyers issued a subpoena to Marissa's MySpace account. They are seeking copies of everything that was posted to the page, including personal diary entries, photos, and other personal information.Marissa's parents are shocked and angry as you can imagine. Apparently, Marissa's MySpace page at one point made a reference that Marissa smoked marijuana one time in the past. A Chrysler spokesperson believes this type of information is relevant to the lawsuit.The Chrysler spokesperson said Marissa's accident was tragic but believes information on her MySpace page could lead to relevant evidence. The spokesperson sent this statement - "This was a tragic accident and our sympathies are with Marissa Schnieder and her family. We believe information on Marissa's My Space page may lead to evidence relevant to this case. We cannot discuss this matter further as it is currently in litigation." Marissa's lawyer says she may ask the court for a protective order to keep Chrysler out of Marissa's MySpace account.Read More about "Crash Victim Has MySpace Account Subpoenaed by Defense Attorneys"
Driver Killed In Roll-Over Crash Near Sammamish
SAMMAMISH, Wash. -- One person was killed late Friday morning when their car crashed off a winding two-lane road and rolled over. King County Sheriff's deputies say the accident happened along NE Union Hill Road near 232nd Ave. NE just before 11 o'clock. The driver of the car became trapped inside and died at the scene. That person was the only one in the car. Investigators have not yet identified the victim. Union Hill Road was expected to remain closed until early Friday afternoon.Read More about "Driver Killed In Roll-Over Crash Near Sammamish"
Man accidently falls from moving vehicle later dies at hospital
Victor Vega-Espinoza was riding home from an event with several other family members when he bcame ill and opened the car door throw up and accidently fell out of the car. Family members say that although the car was not speeding, he was not wearing a seat belt, lost his balance and fell out of the car. He later died at a local hospital.Read More about "Man accidently falls from moving vehicle later dies at hospital"
Washington State's DUI Drivers Could Get the Automobile Equivalent of the Scarlet Letter
New Study shows That Chronic Pain Interferes With Brain Activity
A new study shows that chronic pain interferes with normal brain activity more so than what was previously thought. The study suggests that chronic pain alters brain function in the same way as disorders involving cognitive impairment, the researchers said.The researchers enrolled 15 healthy people and 15 patients with back pain of 6.3 years mean duration. Brain activity was monitored with functional MRI scans at baseline and while the participants performed a simple target-tracking task. Dante R. Chialvo, M.D., of Northwestern University, published the study in the recent issue of the Journal of Neuroscience. Dr. Chialvo said, "These findings suggest that the brain of a chronic pain patient is not simply a healthy brain processing pain information, but rather is altered by the persistent pain in a manner reminiscent of other neurological conditions associated with cognitive impairments."You can read more about the study here. An abstract of the study can be found here.Read More about "New Study shows That Chronic Pain Interferes With Brain Activity"
Seattle's Pedestrian Accident Problem
I’ve posted a lot about pedestrian accidents over the past several weeks. It seems as if we hear about a pedestrian death almost every week. The Seattle PI just reported on another case where an elderly woman was run over by a motorist while walking half-way through a cross-walk. The woman, 94-year-old Ruby Blood, had made it half way across the street when the traffic light turned green. The motorist proceeded through the cross-walk and killed Ms. Blood. The death was likely instantaneous.Insurance Tip: Why Uninsured Motorist Coverage Is A Good Idea
You probably have never heard about it, or if you have, you may really not know what it is. Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage is a type of coverage that is available on your Washington automobile insurance policy. UM coverage is designed to pay you for damages that have been caused by an uninsured motorist. A related type of coverage is Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage. UIM is designed to pay you for damages caused by another motorist who may not have enough insurance to fully compensate you for all of your damages. UIM is considered “floating coverage.” That is, this type of coverage floats on top of the other motorists insurance to provide you an additional layer of coverage if it is needed.Read More about "Insurance Tip: Why Uninsured Motorist Coverage Is A Good Idea"