Backing Up Accident Causes Death of Child l Seattle Injury Attorney

Man Killed In McDonald's Parking Lot | Injury Trial Lawyer

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.

Five Year Old Boy Dies In Car Accident l Seattle Attorney

One Teen Killed, One with Serious Injuries in Mason County Accident - Seattle Accident Attorney

Date:  April 14, 2009
Location:  SR 3 at milepost 17 Allyn, WA
Type:  Car Accident
Outcome:  One dead

A single car crash in Mason County killed the 14-year-old passenger of the car and seriously injured his 16-year-old brother.

Joshua McGuire, 16, was driving his 1987 BMW northbound when the car left the roadway and hit a utility pole. The passenger, his 14-year-old brother, Jordan McGuire, died at the scene as a result of his injuries.

Joshua was taken to Mason General Hospital with a head injury and a broken neck and was later airlifted to Harborview Medical Center where he’s in serious condition.

Drugs or alcohol were not a factor in the accident.

Deadly Car Accident On Highway 202 in Redmond l Seattle Attorney

Bothell High student killed in one-car accident

BOTHELL - Nicole Lehtinen, a popular Bothell High School student, was killed in a one-car accident on Saturday morning.  Apparently she was a passenger in a car driven by a friend.  The car veered off 61st Avenue Northeast and hit a chain-link fence.  A piece of exposed piping from the fence went through the windshield and struck and killed Lehtinen.  Friends and family have been visiting a makeshift memorial at the crash site. 

Cell Phone Texting And Driving Kills 16-year old girl

Authorities say a 16-year-old girl who died after losing control of her car had been texting on her cell phone moments before the accident.  Kayla Preuss was driving when she lost control of her car and crashed. She died of head injuries.  Authorities say Preuss had been driving drunk and was speeding. But another factor may have contributed to the crash.  Phone records show Preuss was texting just before the accident. Her cell phone, which was flipped open, was found resting on the floorboard by her feet.  Preuss' mother Kelly said she hopes the accident will make other people think before texting and driving.

Puget 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.

REMINDER:
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 & Kids

Seattle Truck Accident News - April 30, 2008

Tow-truck driver dies in Magnolia after flatbed truck rolls over him

SEATTLE - A tow-truck driver was killed in Magnolia after being trapped by a flatbed truck.  Apparently the driver was responding to a call by Seattle police to impound a flatbed truck on the 4400 block of 26th Avenue West.  It was clear that his vehicle was too small to do the jobso the driver called for a bigger tow truck.  Sometime after he called for the larger truck the truck rolled back over the him.  He died at the scene.

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. 

Washington State Car Accident News - May 13, 2008

SEATTLE – A five car accident shut down traffic in the Battery Street Tunnel.  Luckily nobody was hurt.   

BLAINE COUNTY - A Jones man was killed Tuesday in a two-vehicle accident.  Robert A. Spencer died of head and internal injuries at the scene.

MANSON — A man killed over the weekend died from internal injuries caused by being run over by a passing pickup.  The autopsy was unable to determine injuries the man may have sustained in an earlier rollover accident or a reported fistfight just prior to his death.

HOLLYWOOD, CA - Actress Drew Barrymore was involved in a hit-and-run car accident, but managed to chase the other vehicle to get its licence plate number.  The star was not injured in the accident that happened in West Hollywood.  Police are reportedly investigating the incident, but no arrests have been made as yet.

Washington Fatal Accident News - June 23, 2008

PUYALLUP — Two people have been killed in a sports car crash in Puyallup that resulted in a car fire.  Apparently the sports car was speeding when it went out of control.  It drove through a metal fence and became airborne, flew aabout 100 feet, and crashed into the side of a building.  One person was thrown from the car and killed.  The other was trapped in the burning car and also died.  It appears that the car may have been stolen as it was registered to a car dealership. 

Enumclaw Car Accident l Seattle Wrongful Death Attorney

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.

There were an estimated 6,420,000 car accidents in the US in 2005. There were about 2.9 million injury cases and 42,636 car accident deaths. An average of 115 persons die each day in car accidents in the United States -- one every 13 minutes. According to the World Health Organization about 3000 people die in car accidents each day worldwide.

This and other car accident statistics, reports, news, videos, etc. are available at http://www.injurytriallawyer.com/practice_areas/car-accidents-truck.cfm.

Fatal Motorcycle Accident on State Road 25 | Washington Personal Injury Attorney

Fatal Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Motorcyclist killed by Drunk Driver on Highway 7

One Dead Pierce County Motorcycle Accident

Risky ride: More motorcycle deaths fuel new debate over helmet laws

WASHINGTON - Death rates from motorcycle crashes have risen steadily since states began weakening helmet laws about a decade ago, according to a Gannett News Service analysis of federal accident reports.

As deaths have increased, so has the proportion of older riders killed. Dying on a motorcycle could soon become a predominantly middle-aged phenomenon, the GNS analysis shows.

Most states once required all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. But a trend in the other direction began accelerating after 1995, when the federal government decided to stop withholding highway money from states without helmet laws. Ohio requires riders wear helmets for one year.

As states weakened or repealed the laws, the percentage of riders who wore helmets began dropping. And fatality rates increased.

In 1996, 5.6 motorcyclists were killed for every 10,000 registered motorcycles, according to federal transportation officials. By 2006, the most recent data available, the rate had risen to 7.3, the GNS analysis shows.

In raw numbers, the annual death toll rose from 2,160 to 4,810 over that same period. Meanwhile, fatality rates for other passenger vehicles have been falling, transportation officials say.

The numbers appear to contradict claims by some motorcycle groups that helmet laws alone don't save lives.

"The data are pretty compelling," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, herself an avid motorcyclist who survived a crash thanks to a helmet she displays in somewhat battered condition in her office. "It's discouraging to see the (fatality) numbers going up. But at least people are talking about it now."

GNS analyzed data from the federal government's Fatality Analysis Reporting System on thousands of motorcycle deaths between 2002 and 2006. The analysis found that:

About 42 percent of riders killed were not wearing helmets.

Nearly half of the riders killed in 2006 were 40 and older, and nearly a quarter were 50 or older. The average age of motorcyclists killed in accidents was about 38.

Transportation officials say the age trends reflect the growing popularity of motorcycles among older people with increasing incomes but decreasing physical dexterity and reaction times.

Half of motorcyclists killed between 2002 and 2006 lost control and crashed without colliding with another vehicle, underscoring the inherent risks involved in riding a motorcycle. Motorcyclists account for about 2 percent of vehicles on the road but 10 percent of all traffic fatalities, according to federal statistics.

Southeastern states had some of the highest fatality rates in 2006. Some of these states require all riders to wear helmets, but they also have long riding seasons that expose bikers to more risk over time.

A consistently large majority of those killed - about 90 percent - were men.

Critics of motorcycle helmet laws say riders should be guided by common sense rather than a government mandate when deciding whether to wear a helmet. They argue that wearing a helmet is uncomfortable and obstructs their view.

They promote their view through advocates across the country, including ABATE state groups, which track helmet legislation and lobby against it. The ABATE acronym stands for different names, depending on the state.

"It's my body and I should have the right to do with it as I choose," said Terry Howard, state coordinator for ABATE of Colorado, which vigorously fought the state's recent adoption of a helmet law for riders under 18.

Not all bikers agree.

Simon Rosa, 22, of northern Virginia, doesn't have a problem with the helmet law there. In 2003, he crashed his Honda sportbike making a turn.

"I still have the helmet and it has scratches all over it, so I could have suffered a nasty head injury," he said. "You just never know what's going to happen, regardless of how good a rider you are."

As states seek to save lives and cut government medical costs, there are signs that helmet laws may become popular again.

Also last year, 25 states considered laws to increase motorcycle safety, including laws mandating helmet use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana and Oklahoma took up bills that would have required all motorcyclists, rather than just young riders, to wear helmets. None passed.

The National Transportation Safety Board unanimously recommended last year that states require all riders to wear helmets. It was the first time in its 40-year history that the independent panel had weighed in on motorcycle safety.

"Medical and other costs for unhelmeted riders involved in crashes are staggering," the board notes on its Web site.

Opponents of helmet laws passionately dispute such claims.

"It's just a myth that states without helmet laws are an extra burden on society," said Jeff Hennie, vice president of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.

Man Killed Trying to Cross I-5 l Seattle Lawyer

Date:  March 18, 2009
Location:  I-5 near Fort Lewis, WA
Type:  Pedestrian/Car Accident
Outcome:  One dead

A 21-year-old man was killed just before 1 a.m. Wednesday morning when he was hit by a car as he tried to cross I-5 near the main gate at Fort Lewis.

He was crossing the northbound lanes of I-5 when he was hit by a Toyota Corolla. The driver of the car was not injured.

He died at the scene. The military is notifying the man’s family of his death. His name has not been released.

The Washington State Patrol was looking into whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the accident.

Police Search For Vehicle Involved in Hit-And-Run Death in Shelton l Washington Personal Injury Attorney

SHELTON - Officials are looking for a vehicle with a missing antenna and other damage.  The vehicle was involved iin a fatal hit-run on Highway 3 in Shelton.  Apparently a 23-year-old man from Mason County was hit from behind and killed on Friday.  The dead man was walking along the highway when he was struck. 

Sumner Bicyclist Killed By Dump Turck l Washington Bicycle Accident Attorney

Date: September 18, 2008
Type: Bicycle collision
Location: Eighth Street East, Sumner, Washington
Outcome: One killed

A bicyclist was hit by a dump truck in Sumner, WA.  Apparently the biker hit a rought patch on the shoulder of the road and fell into the path of the truck.  The bicyclist died at the scene. 

Seattle Pedestrian Struck By Car In Early Morning Accident - Is Daylight Saving Time to Blame? l Crosswalk Accident Lawyer

Here's another report about a pedestrian being struck by a car while crossing an intersection in the early morning hours in Seattle.

If you recall, there was some reports about the increase of pedestrian-auto accidents during daylight saving time.  The theory being that when daylight saving time goes into effect, it is much darker outside in the morning hours.  Thus, more pedestrians are struck by motorists who cannot adequately see the person when it is so dark out.  See also Wikipedia's report on daylight saving time and the increase of pedestrian accidents.

The Washington State Department of Transportation warns:

During this period of dark, rainy and foggy conditions, drivers are reminded to watch for pedestrians along school bus routes, intersections and transit stops and centers.  Pedestrians wearing headphones might not be aware of oncoming traffic around or behind them. Please use extra caution when backing out of driveways and driving around in parking lots.

Another Pedestrian Hit and Killed While Crossing Street in Seattle

Here’s another story about a pedestrian who was hit and killed while crossing 23^rd Avenue in Seattle’s Central District.  The pedestrian, a woman in her 20’s, died Friday night (Jan. 4, 2008) while crossing the street according to Seattle police spokesman Mark Jamieson.  The accident occurred around 10 p.m. at the intersection of 23rd Avenue South and South Dearborn Street.

The woman was crossing 23rd Avenue South from east to west when a northbound vehicle on the same street struck her, Jamieson said.  Seattle fire medics rushed her to Harborview Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.  The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with police officers investigating the accident, Jamieson said shortly before midnight.

Just in my office alone, I’ve seen an unprecedented number of cases involving pedestrian-auto accidents.  Most involve very serious injuries.  Some also involve the death of the pedestrian.  My own experience tells me that there has been an increase in pedestrian-car accidents, but I can’t speak to the actual statistics.  Please, if you will be walking or crossing the streets while it’s dark out, try to wear light clothing or reflective clothing so drivers can easily see you.  Never let a child cross the street without an adult.  And drivers, please slow down, especially in school zones and in areas with high pedestrian traffic.

Lynnwood Girl struck and killed while standing on sidewalk l Seattle Lawyer

LYNNWOOD - A teener was killed when she and her friend were hit by a pickup while they were standing on the sidwalk.  Her friend was taken to Harborview Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.  Apparently the girls were standing on a sidewalk in the 3300 block of 164th Street Southwest when a white Ford Ranger pickup lost control. It's unclear why the man lost control of the truck.

For information on wrongful death claims and pedestrian collisions visit the practice area pages on Davis Law Group's personal injury lawyer website. 

Judge Dismisses Wrongful Death suit from 2007 Shooting

Port Orchard Man Killed in Car Crash - Washington Accident Lawyer

Date:  March 2, 2009
Location:  Sedgwick Road/State Route 160, WA
Type:  Car Accident
Outcome:  One dead

On Monday around 9:20 p.m. Joshua D. Heuer, 23, was driving northbound on Bodle Road headed toward Sedgwick Road. When his 1985 BMW turned on to Sedgwick Road/State Route 160, it hit a car headed eastbound. 

Heuer, who was reportedly not wearing a seatbelt, was taken to Tacoma General Hospital with serious injuries. He later died.

The 19-year-old woman in the other car was wearing her seatbelt and suffered minor injuries.

The roadway was close for two hours while Washington State Patrol investigated the scene. The cause of the accident is unknown, and investigators said it is unclear whether alcohol or drugs played a role.