Davis Law Group, P.S.

Girl hospitalized after DUI collision

Story Highlights:
One injured in Minnehaha car accident
Motor vehicle collision cause unknown



Date: March 2, 2011, 03/02/3011
Location: Minnehaha, Clark County, Washington
Type: Car accident, Motor vehicle collision
Outcome: One injured

On Tuesday evening around 7 p.m. a 6-year-old girl was hospitalized after being involved in a rear-end collision at the intersection of Highway 500 and Falk Road.

The driver, Michael A. Sovel, was allegedly driving under the influence of unspecified drugs when he slammed his vehicle into the back of an SUV. His daughter Katie Sovel, 6, who was sitting in the front seat was hospitalized with abdominal pains.

Kelly L. Szabo, 44, was stopped at a traffic light on eastbound State Route 500 when Sovel struck her from behind. She was uninjured.

Washington State Patrol reported that Sovel was cited for DUI, reckless endangerment, speeding, and not having a proper child restraint.

Child Car Accident Statistics
250,000 children are injured every year in car accidents which means that nearly 700 children are harmed due to accidents on our roadways. Of the 250,000 kids injured each year, approximately 2,000 die from their injuries. Children make up about 5% of total fatalities due to car accidents. In fact, for children between the ages of 2 and 14, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death.

Washington State Child Passenger Restraint Laws

• Whenever a child who is less than sixteen years of age is being transported in a motor vehicle that is in operation and that is to be equipped with a safety belt system.
• A child must be restrained in a child restraint system, if the passenger seating position equipped with a safety belt system allows sufficient space for installation, until the child is eight years old, unless the child is four feet nine inches or taller.
• The child restraint system must comply with standards of the United States department of transportation and must be secured in the vehicle in accordance with instructions of the vehicle manufacturer and the child restraint system manufacturer.
• A child who is eight years of age or older or four feet nine inches or taller shall be properly restrained with the motor vehicle's safety belt properly adjusted and fastened around the child's body or an appropriately fitting child restraint system.
• The driver of a vehicle transporting a child who is under thirteen years old shall transport the child in the back seat positions in the vehicle where it is practical to do so.
• For more information see RCW 46.61.687.

Seattle Car Accident Lawyers
If you or a family member has suffered as the result of a car accident, Seattle car accident attorney Chris Davis can help you. The Davis Law Group understands the devastation that can occur as a result of being in a serious auto accident are committed to helping car accident, trucking accident, and motorcycle accident victims recover the just and fair compensation they are entitled to receive under the law.


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