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Best Source of Personal Injury Law News & Info In WA

This is the best online resource for personal injury law information in the state of Washington.  Here you will find top wrongful death and car accident legal strategies, frequently asked questions, car accident reports, successful personal injury case histories, great advice on how to handle your claim, and much more.

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Washington Accident & Legal News is published daily as a public service to the citizens of Washington state by Davis Law Group, P.S., Seattle, WA.

Vehicle Accidents

• 5-car collision in Ballard hospitalizes 3 people
  Oct 22, 2010

  Story Highlights:
  Three hospitalized in Ballard car accident
  Five-car motor vehicle collision
  15th Ave NW and NW 75th St intersection and surrounding area closed
  
  Date: October 21, 2010, 10/21/2010
  Location: Ballard, King County, Washington
  Type: Motor Vehicle Accident
  Outcome: 3 Hospitalized with life-threatening injuries
  
  On Thursday evening around 6:15pm, three people, including a 4-year-old girl, were sent to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries after being involved in a 5-car collision at an intersection in Ballard.
  
  The collision was caused when a male driver (believed to be in his 40's) driving a black Ford Fusion sedan failed to stop at an intersection and struck a Subaru carrying a man in his 40's and a 4-year-old girl. The collision forced the Subaru into the rear of a white Dodge pick-up truck, who in turn collided with another Subaru and a Volvo.
  
  The first Subaru caught fire with the man and little girl trapped inside. As people from the other cars used a fire extinguisher to put the fire out, a local store owner grabbed the girl from the burning car. Once the police and fire officials arrived they extricated the driver.
  
  The suspect, also believed to be in his 40's, was taken to Harborview Medical Center along with the other two victims. The scene of the accident, 15th Ave NW and NW 75th St intersection, was closed for further investigation. The cause of the accident is still unknown.
  
  Statistics of Car accidents involving Children
  
  According to National Highway Traffic Safety, in 2009, there were a total of 33,808 traffic fatalities in the United States. The 14-and-younger age group accounted for 1,314 (4%) of those traffic fatalities, which is a 3-percent decrease from the 1,350 fatalities in 2008. In 2009, there were an additional 179,000 children age 14 and younger injured, which is a 7-percent decrease from the 193,000 children injured in 2008.
  
  Washington State Intersection Law
  
  The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall in obedience to such sign slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions and if required for safety to stop, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering a marked crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the roadway, and then after slowing or stopping, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time such driver is moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways. To see more about Washington State intersection laws see RCW 46.61.190.
   
  Seattle Car Accident Attorney
  
  Seattle Car Accident Attorneys at Davis Law Group send out their thoughts and prayers to the victims of this terrible and preventable accident. We understand the devastation that can occur as a result of being in a serious auto accident and 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.

• Man dies after fleeing multiple motor vehicle accident on Highway 509
  Oct 19, 2010

  Story Highlights: One person killed in Burien car accident
  Multiple motor vehicle collision caused by driver going wrong way
  Highway 509 closed for over four hours
  
  Date: October 19, 2010, 10/19/2010
  Location: Burien, King County, Washington
  Type: Car accident, Motor Vehicle Accident, Pedestrian Fatality
  Outcome: One dead, Many injured
  
  A man died early on Tuesday morning after causing a multiple motor vehicle collision by driving the wrong way on near South 128th Street on Highway 509 in Burien. He was killed after trying to flee the accident when he jumped the median and was struck by four different vehicles, possibly five.
  
  The man started driving south in the northbound lanes and struck a Ford Explorer head-on, forcing it into an Acura that was driving behind it. The 31-year-old woman driving the Explorer and her passenger were taken to Harborview Medical Center with serious injuries. The driver of the Acura and his passenger were also taken to the hospital for chest pains.
  
  According to State Patrol, the driver of the wrong-way car attempted to flee the accident scene by jumping the center median and running into the southbound lanes of the highway where he was struck by four, possibly five, vehicles. His body was eventually thrown under the ambulance that was arriving at the scene and was pronounced dead immediately. The investigation is ongoing and it is still unknown whether drugs or alcohol are suspected as the cause of the collision.
  
  Pedestrian Fatality Statistics
  
  According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2008, there were 69,000 pedestrians injured and 4,378 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in the United States.
  
  Washington State Highway Driving Law
  
  "Negligent" means the failure to exercise ordinary care, and is the doing of some act that a reasonably careful person would not do under the same or similar circumstances or the failure to do something that a reasonably careful person would do under the same or similar circumstances. A person is guilty of negligent driving in the first degree if he or she operates a motor vehicle in a manner that is both negligent and endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property, and exhibits the effects of having consumed liquor or an illegal drug. See RCW 46.61.5249 for more information on negligent driving.
  
  Seattle Accident Attorney
  
  Davis Law Group sends out its heartfelt thoughts and condolences to the families that were negetively effected by this unfortunate accident. Victims of these kinds of accidents are encouraged to find a good personal injury lawyer to ensure that they receive the compensation they deserve for the financial, physical, and emotional strain that results from experiencing an accident of this degree.
  

• October 5, 2010- South Everett Multiple Vehicle Collision
  Oct 06, 2010

  DESCRIPTION: Twelve people were injured in a seven-car pileup in South Everett around 6 p.m. on Tuesday evening. Three victims were treated on the scene for minor injuries, but the remaining nine victims, including three children, were transported to Providence Regional Medical Center for treatment of serious, but non-life threatening injuries. The cause of the accident is still unknown, and is currently under investigation.
  
  TYPE OF ACCIDENT: Vehicle Crash
  CAUSE:  Not yet determined
  DATE: October 5, 2010
  TIME: ~6:00pm
  LOCATION: 128th Street Southwest and Fourth Avenue West, South Everett
  NUMBER OF VEHICLES: 7
       CARS: N/A
       TRUCKS: N/A
       MOTORCYCLES: N/A
       PEDESTRIANS: N/A
  NUMBER INJURED: 12
  NUMBER DECEASED: 0
  DRUGS OR ALCOHOL INVOLVED: N/A
  PERSONS INVOLVED: 12
  VEHICLES INVOLVED: 7
  INVESTIGATING AGENCY: Snohomoish Country Sheriff's Office patrol deputies and traffic unit deputies.
  MEDICAL ASSISTANCE: Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett
  LEGAL ANALYSIS:   Investigation is ongoing, no citiations have been issued.
  
  
  View Larger Map
  

• Study Says Seattle Drivers Involved Car Accident Once Every 8.6 Years
  Sep 04, 2010

  Allstate insurance company has just released a report that ranks US cities based on how often drivers are involved in motor vehicle accidents.  How does Seattle rank?  Seattle, WA is 128th on the list.  Allstate reports that  Seattle drivers commonly get involved in a car accident about once every 8.6 years.
  

• Annual National Cost of Motor Vehicle Crashes
  Aug 31, 2010

  According to the latest estimates from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, motor vehicle accidents (cars, trucks, motorcycles, semi-trucks, motor homes, vans, etc.) cost the nation almost $100 billion a year, about $500 per each licensed driver in the United States.
  
  The $99 billion amount includes $17 billion in direct medical costs due to accident injuries.  However, the vast majority of accident-related costs result from lost wages and productivity and disability costs. 
  
  According to the report, men represent 70 percent of the nearly 40,000 Americans killed in motor vehicle accidents each year.  Teenagers and young adults, who represent only 14 percent of the population, account for almost one-third of injuries and fatalities and almost one-third of the costs.

• Rollover Motor Vehicle Accident Kills Two
  Aug 25, 2010
  • Two people killed in Kia Sedan rollover crash.
  • Accident occurred near the intersection of 108th Ave SE and SE 208th St in Kent, WA.
  • Kia Sedan turned left into path of a moving vehicle.
  • Kia Sedan struck a third vehicle as it veered off the road.
  • Vehicle accident occurred around 8:46pm
  Two people were killed in a rollover crash involving a Kia Sedan and two other vehicles. The driver of the Kia Sedan turned left in the path of an oncoming vehicle. The collision occurred at 8:46pm near the corner of 108th Ave and 208th St.
  
  
  View Larger Map

• Washington State Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics
  Aug 16, 2010
  • More than 600 people die in collisions each year.
  • Collisions of all types have gone up 45% from 1980 to 2002.
  • Costs the State and estimated $5.6 billion annually for motor vehicle collisions.
  • The number of accidents primarily occur on state highways.
  • Most serious accidents occur on county roads.
  • The youth drivers demographic (16-20) have the highest rate of fatal collision.
  • Top three fatal accident contributors: Lane errors (43%), Alcohol (30%), Speeding (24%)
  • Only 1.4% of accidents involve motorcycles.
  • 12% of fatal accidents involve motorcycles.
  • 11% of fatal accidents involve pedestrians.

• Lawsuit Against U-Haul: Trailers Cause Motor Vehicle Accidents Seattle
  Jul 12, 2010

  U-Haul, the nation's largest provider of rental trailers, claims to be "highly conservative'' when it comes to safety precautions.  But a recent investigation revealed that company’s standard operating procedures actually increase the risk of towing accidents.
  
  According to a recent investigation, U-Haul allows trailers remain in active use for months without thorough inspections which is a violation of company’s official policy. Bad brakes are also a common problem with the company's larger-sized trailers and its midsize trailers have no brakes at all.
  
  Compounding the issue is the fact that U-Haul allows customers to pull trailers that are heavier than the weight of the towing vehicle despite the fact that the safest way to tow is with a vehicle that weighs much more than the trailer. These allowances conflict with safety recommendations of many auto manufacturers.  As a result trailers are often known swing violently when drivers travel downhill or are shaken by a sharp turn which in turn leads to serious accidents.  The company's tow dollies used to pull vehicles are also vulnerable to sway.
  
  The Los Angeles Times conducted a year-long investigation into U-Haul's rental practices conducting more than 200 interviews and a reviewing of thousands of court records, police reports, consumer complaints, etc.
  
  U-Haul believes that many customers load trailers, load them incorrectly, don’t balance their loads properly, drive too fast or fail to follow safety instructions. But the company’s distribution of the U-Haul user guide/safety manual is very poor—many renters never receive the materials.  And the company frequently rents trailers to novice drivers. 
  
  U-Haul also claims that drivers towing its trailers are less likely to crash than other drivers because people drive more cautiously when moving their families and belongings.
  
  Seattle personal injury attorney Chris Davis disputes the company’s claims that its trailers and tow dollies are safe.  As an experienced and reputable lawyer in Washington state he has seen numerous motor vehicle accidents that involve rental trailers and dollies and has helped many clients get excellent results in their accident injury claim. 

• "Ride the Ducks" Vehicle Crashes in Philadelphia, Passengers Missing
  Jul 09, 2010

  Two people remain unaccounted for after a Ride the Ducks tour boat capsized and sunk after colliding with a 250-foot barge in the Delaware River near downtown Philadelphia Wednesday.

  The Ride the Ducks amphibious landing craft stalled in the water after a fire began in the boat's engine, according to Philadelphia Police Lt. Frank Vanore. After stalling, the boat drifted for about 20 minutes before it collided with the barge, split into two and sunk. Sources on board said the boat flipped after a "huge metal object" hit the vessel.

  Visiting Navy SEALs were credited with being the first to jump into action. The SEALs were on their way to an event promoting a new program called Navy Seal Grove when they heard about the accident and rushed to the scene, Navy officials told NBC News. Thirty-five of those onboard were rescued, but two young people remained missing hours after the accident.

  Divers made their way down to the boat, but were unable to explore the wreckage in detail because it was too unstable. The Coast Guard says they will not attempt to raise the vessel, but that Ride the Ducks can do so as part of a private recovery mission.

  "Ride The Ducks" is a company based in Georgia that operates in Philadelphia, San Francisco, Atlanta, Newport, Ky., Branson, Mo.and of course here in Seattle. Yesterday, the company suspened all operations but released a statement saying they will continue business but with heavy hearts.

  From everyone at the Davis Law Group here in Seattle, we send our thoughts and prayers to families of those who are still missing in this tragic accident as well as all of those involved. This is a truly awful occurrence where even a single life lost is too many, and unfortunately more than life looks to have been lost.

   

  
  View Ride The Ducks Accident in a larger map

• I-405 Through Renton Through To Be Closed This Weekend
  Jul 08, 2010

  All lanes of I-405 through Renton will be closed this weekend as road crews demolish an over pass. The overpass that is being demolished is the old Benson Road Bridge that crosses 1-405. It is being demolished because it's replacement is now finished and is no longer needed.

  Construction crews will start working at around 2 a.m. on Saturday as demolition crews will start to dismantle the bridge. Crews have already cut holes in the roadway to be as efficient as possible once the demolition starts.

  The construction zone is between state Route 167 and the Valley Freeway which is also known as State Route 169.

  Since lanes in both directions are being closed in both directions, the DOT is asking drivers to stay away from this area and instead use Interstate 5 and Interstate 90 as well as use road detours that will be in place through Renton.

  All drivers can expect delays according to officials at the State DOT. "Drivers who think they'll get through in a reasonable time frame will instead experience backups."
  
  The lanes of I-405 are expected to reopen by 11 a.m. on Sunday.

  Renton Accident Attorney Chris Davis and the Davis Law Group would like to remind you to slow down and drive safely this summer.

  

Seattle Attorney Chris Davis

►10.0 'Superb' Lawyer rating from Avvo.
►“Super Lawyer” in 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007 by Washington Law & Politics magazine. 
►“Rising Star Attorney” in 2006 by Washington Law & Politics magazine. 
►‘Who’s Who in Personal Injury Law’ (The top 40 PI attorneys in Washington) 2007.
►Washington State Association for Justice Board of Governors in 2007 & 2008.
►“Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Washington State” by the American Association for Justice (formerly known as American Trial Lawyers Association).
► A+ Rating by the Better Business Bureau.
► 'Washington Personal Injury Attorney' of the year for 2011 by the American Lawyer Academy.

Davis Law Group founder, Christopher M. Davis, is recognized as one of the Puget Sound area's most innovative and experienced personal injury lawyers, solely devoting his practice to personal injury cases such as: car and truck accidents, wrongful death, and medical malpractice.

       
  

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