Seattle Washington Accident Law Blog

2009 National Safe Boating Week l Washington Boating Accident Attorney

1 dead, 9 hurt in Lake Tapps boat collision

Nine people injured and one killed in Lake Tapps boat collision

Two boats collided on Lake Tapps, leaving one person dead and nine others injured.  Injured passengers were taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and Tacoma General.

At this time the names, ages and genders of the victims have not been published.

Bothell Teacher Dies In Lake Washington Boating Accident

Type: Boating Accident
Date: September 27, 2008
Location: Lake Washington, west of Mercer Island near Seward Park, Seattle, WA
Outcome: One dead

Heather DeHart of Bothell was killed when a speedboat crashed into an anchored sailboat on Lake Washington.  Apparently the motorboat, driven by a 17-year-old boy, was traveling at a high rate of speed before it struck the sailboat. DeHart was thrown from the sailboat and killed on impact when the motorboat collided with the rear end of the sailboat at about 8:45 p.m.

Several other people involved in the crash were also injured.  The 17-year-old, his 16-year-old passenger and a 45-year-old man aboard the sailboat were taken to Harborview Medical Center with nonlife-threatening injuries.

Seattle police are still investigating the accident.

Boating Fatalities Have Increased in Washington State

SEATTLE, Wa.  The Coast Guard reported on Friday that boating fatalities have increased 13% in Washington state compared with the same period last year.  Of those deaths, 22 people were not wearing life jackets.

So far, in 2008 Washington State leads the nation in boating fatalities.  Alcohol appears to have been involved in a handful of these cases.  Wearing life jackets is not legally required in Washington, but the failure to wear one appears to be a leading contributing factor in boating fatalities.  People should wear a lifejacket as a matter of habit, just like wearing a helmut while bike riding or going on a motorcycle.

Operator error is also a likely contributing factor.  People who are careless or negligent while operating a boat or other water craft can cause serious harm and even death to other passengers.  Children should always wear a lifejacket.  Please don't drink and boat and be careful this summer!

Spokane woman's arm severed by boat propeller in boating accident

SPOKANE - After his wife was thrown from their boat, a the driver of a 20-foot ski boat on Newman Lake ran over her and the boat propeller severed her left arm.  The woman was taken to a nearby hospital and was expected to survive.  Apparently the woman was riding on the boat's bow and was thrown into the lake when her husband took a hard turn at about 30 mph.  Her arm, severed below the elbow, sank and emergency crews could not recover it.  Officials say that the boat was "littered with empty beer and wine" containers.

For more information on boating accidents and personal watercraft injuries visit our website. 

Lake Tapps Boating Incident Proves That Life Jackets Save Lives

LAKE TAPPS – A toddler was rescued and resuscitated after being trapped underneath a boat that was taking on water and then capsized.  Apparently the baby was between the driver's seat and passenger seat but went to the bow of the boat just before it rolled over.  Other nearby boaters rescued the baby and resuscitated him.  He is now fine and back in the arms of his loving family.  Everyone on the boat had a life jacket on.

We frequently help victims of boating and personal watercraft accidents.  To learn more visit the Boating & Personal Watercraft section of our website.

Seattle Light Rail Accident On MLK South l Seattle Attorney

Date: April 25, 2009
Type: Pedestrian Collision; Mass Transit Accident
Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Way South near Othello Street in South Seattle  

A Seattle woman sustained injures to her face when she ran into the side of a Seattle light rail train near Martin Luther King Jr. Way South near Othello Street in South Seattle  

Apprently the woman was on foot and running in a crosswalk at the intersection when she ran into the side of the moving northbound train.  The train had the right of way at green light.  The woman was taken to Harborview Medical Center. 

Seattle Light Rail Train Involved In A Car Accident l Seattle Attorney

Man on a Motorized Wheelchair Struck by a Community Transit Bus l Seattle Bus/Pedestrian Attorney

Three school bus accidents on the same day in Washington state

Date: January 27, 2009
Type: School Bus Accident
Location: Northeast Amboy Road and Courtney Road; Northeast 198th Avenue and 139th Street; state Highway 503 and Gabriel Road

Three school buses dring on slushy roads in Clark County crashed in separate accidents.  Fortunately no one was hurt. Two of the three collisions happened without any student passengers.  One crash involved a bus filled with 10 students from the Amboy area.

Centralia Car Accident Injures Four Teens l Thurston County Accident Attorney

Three Injured in Bellingham Crash

Date:  June 2, 2009
Location:  Lummi Shore Road Bellingham, WA
Type:  Car Accident

Three were injured June 2, when the driver of a Honda Accord tried to pass several vehicles on Lummi Shore Road and hit an oncoming car.

The driver of the Honda Accord, Victor T. Peal, 34, was driving his car northbound on Lummi Shore Road when he crossed a double yellow line on a corner to pass several cars. He collided with a Chevrolet Cavalier that was headed southbound and the three people inside the car were injured.

Verne Johnson, 75, Carol Norcross, 48, and Mike Johnson, 13, were taken to St. Joseph Hospital. Johnson and Norcross were treated and released. No information was available for the 13-year-old who was the only passenger not wearing a seatbelt.

The driver of the Honda was not injured.

Peal is believed to have been driving under the influence.

Dump Truck Hits Car Head On l Accident Lawyers In Seattle

Several Accidents On I-5 Slow Morning Traffic l Seattle Accident Lawyers

At approximately 6:30am Washington State Patrol was called to a rollover accident that involved seven vehicles in the southbound lanes of I-5.  At about 7:00am a parked ambulance that was attending the accident was struck in the rear by a motorcycle traveling in the HOV lane headed northbound.  Apparently the rider of the motorcycle was looking over at the crash in the southbound lane and did not see the ambulance in front of him.  He is now in serious but stable condition at Harborview Medical Center. 

Get the entire I-5 accident story at the Seattle PI website. 

Six Die In Washington State Accidents During Memorial Day Weekend

According to the Washington State Patrol six people died in car accidents in Washington state during the Memorial Day weekend.  This number represents an increase from the three traffic-related deaths in 2008.  

There were no motorcycle fatalities during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Lacey Woman Killed in Crash Near Rochester

Date:  May 24, 2009
Location:  State Route 12 near Forstrom Road Rochester, WA
Type:  Car Accident
Outcome:  One dead

Natalie J. McLaughlin, 22, of Lacey died after her Chevrolet Aveo collided with David W. Comfort’s Mazda MPV van. Comfort, 27, of Chehalis was traveling westbound on State Route 12 near Forstrom Road when his van crossed the center line and hit McLaughlin.

Comfort was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Drugs or alcohol factored into the accident, according to the state patrol. The crash is under investigation and charges are pending.

Ephrata Man Killed in Crash - Seattle Accident Attorney

Date:  May 21, 2009
Location:  Highway 28 Quincy, WA
Type:  Car Accident
Outcome:  One dead

Donald E. Reed, 51, was killed when his car left the road, hit a driveway embankment, forcing his Kia Optima to roll. The accident happened on Highway 28 just east of Quincy, Washington. He was not wearing a seat belt.

The highway was partially blocked while crews cleared the scene. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

One killed and three injured in Auburn car accident l Washington Accident Attorney

Date: May 19, 2009
Location: 5500 block of A Street SE, Auburn, WA
Type: Two-Car Accident
Outcome: One Dead; Three Injured

A young man was killed and a woman suffered critical injuries in a head-on car accident on Tuesday evening.  The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The injured woman was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Two other people were taken to Auburn Regional Medical Center.  The cause of the accident is unknown. 

Truck Crosses I-5 Median And Crashes l Seattle Truck Accident Attorney

Semi-truck Hits Boulder on I-90

Date:  May 12, 2009
Location:  I-90, WA
Type:  Truck Accident

A boulder, about the size of a mini-fridge, fell on I-90 and was struck by an empty milk tanker truck. Eastbound lanes of I-90 were closed around 1:30 Tuesday morning for several hours after the accident.

The driver was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Troopers say the driver was lucky the tanks were not full.

The boulder was removed from I-90 and officials checked the hillside to ensure it was safe before re-opening the eastbound lanes around 7 a.m.

Seattle Police Injures Suspect In Foot Chase l Seattle Attorney

Five Year Old Boy Dies In Car Accident l Seattle Attorney

CHECKLIST: What to do after a car wreck. l Seattle Accident Lawyer

• Call the police.  Even for a relatively minor crash it is a good idea to call the police.  A police report may be very helpful later on in the claims process
• Exchange driver information.  Get the name and phone number of the other driver.  Be sure to get the license plate number and vechicle make and model.  And get the name of their insurance company and policy number. 
• Get the name and phone number of anyone who witnessed the accident.
• Write down the exact location of the accident such as street address, cross street, mile marker, etc. 
• Use your camera phone to take pictures of the crash scene, the damage to your car, the damage to the other vehicle, and the license plate of the other car.
• Call a tow truck driver if need be.  Do not attempt to drive your vehicle if it is in questionable condition.
• Get medical attention.  If you suspect that you may be injured immediately go to the emergency room or call to get in to see your own doctor.  Failure to get prompt medical treatment may hurt you physically and may damage your insurance claim. 

SUV Drives Into Shoreline Store; One Injured l Seattle Personal Injury Attorney

According to police it was the third vehicle to crash into a commercial building in the past 36 hours in the Seattle area.

- A car smashed into a store on University Way on Friday after smashing into two parked cars at 45th Avenue and University Way  In that incident it is belived that thedriver was having a seizure.

- A Chevy Suburban drove through a window and into a Marysville restaurant on Thursday.  The driver of that vehicle was arrested for investigation of driving drunk.