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Auto TextBak Program Helps Deter Texting While Driving | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Another new anti-texting while driving program has been developed and released for purchase. Developed to help “help drivers focus on the road instead of their phone,” Auto TextBak allows users to set away messages on their mobile devices. Before you start your car, the program allows you to set an auto-response that will be sent to the sender of any text message that …

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Aberdeen, Washington Man Crashes Van into 7-11 and Causes Serious Personal Injuries to Mother and Her 2-Year-Old Daugter | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

A 57-year-old man in Aberdeen crashed his van into a 7-11 Friday night and caused serious personal injuries. The man, Kelvin Kinney, had parked his blue Chevrolet van directly in front of the 7-11 convenience store and ended up somehow losing control of the vehicle. The van smashed through the front entrance and ended up traveling about 20 feet through, all the way …

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Lake Stevens Teenager Suffers Serious Personal Injuries in Car Accident with Semi Truck | Seattle Auto Accident Lawyer

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Earlier this afternoon a 19-year-old Lake Stevens woman suffered serious personal injuries after being involved in a car accident with a semi truck on Highway 9. The accident occurred just after 12 o’clock and the woman was immediately rushed to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

The extent of the woman’s injuries as well as what caused the car accident are unknown at this …

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Edmonds Car Accident Leaves Pedestrian With Serious Injuries | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Not many details are available at this time, but late last night a pedestrian suffered serious life-threatening personal injuries in Edmonds after being hit by a car.

A 33-year-old man was rushed to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after being hit by a car at the 23800 block of Highway 99. Pedestrians are always at great risk whenever crossing a street, but this …

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Fake Wake at Illinois High School Teaches Dangers of Texting While Driving | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

In an attempt to raise awareness about distracted driving and the car accident injuries and auto accident deaths that it causes, last week, students at Granite City high school put together a mock car accident that resulted in the fake wrongful deaths of nine of the school’s students. The school’s students then experienced the fake wake during their P.E classes and signed a …

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AT&T Anti-Texting While Driving Campaign: “It Can Wait” | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

In an effort to reduce auto accidents, truck accidents, and pedestrian accidents which cause countless injuries and wrongful deaths, campaigns are being created left and right across the country in order to help put an end to cell phone use and distracted driving. Now, a cell phone company has finally joined the fight. AT&T has launched their “Txtng & Drivng … It Can …

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Washington House Passes Stricter Texting While Driving Ban | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Friday, March 5th, 2010

I’m not the only one who wants the roads to be safer and to have less car accidents in Seattle and the rest of our communities in Washington. Wednesday night in Olympia, the Washington House of Representatives approved a stricter ban on texting while driving with a vote of 86-12. This bill would make texting while driving a primary offense if police catch you …

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Car Accident Caused By Texting While Driving| Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

A Gloucester, Massachusetts woman was nearly killed in a car accident last month that was caused by texting while driving. Police reported that the driver that caused the car accident and caused serious personal injuries to a woman was in fact texting while driving. The injured woman, Jerry Favaloro, suffered a shoulder injury, injuries to both her knees and had to have a …

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Startling Results Show Texting While Driving Increases in Washington | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Pemco Insurance, a Seattle, Washington auto insurance company, has recently completed a poll concerning cell phone use while driving among Washington residents. The survey showed disturbing results as it seems Washington drivers are texting while driving more frequently than in the past. Not just more frequently, but WAY more frequently.

Pemco’s study showed the number of Washington drivers who admitted to …

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Three Taken to Harborview Medical Center in Auburn Car Accident | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Auburn police are investigating a car accident that took place around 6 PM last night in Auburn. It was at about that time when a passer-by noticed a four door sedan that was turned on its side about 20 feet down an embankment near Kersey Way. When authorities responded they found three people trapped in the car after what appeared to be a …

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What’s Up In Arizona? Do They Like Drinking and Driving Too? | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Some things defy logic. How can anybody be opposed to a texting while driving ban? Don’t state lawmakers want to decrease distracted driving, reduce car crashes, and generally make the roads safer? As a Seattle lawyer who represents victims of Washington car accidents against insurance companies, I would hope that lawmakers in every state would get behind bans on texting while driving.

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Texting and Driving Kills | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Texting and driving causes countless Seattle area car accidents, but what about other areas? A recent blog post demonstrated the dangers of driving and texting. James Ballidis, a California personal injury lawyer, wrote of a driver that struck a pedestrian in the crosswalk of his city Newport Beach, California. Only moments before, the driver was texting on his cell phone. …

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Are You Experiencing Ongoing Pain From a Car Accident? You May Be a Candidate for Cervical Fusion | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

Auto accident injuries can be debilitating. They can totally wipe you out. The effects can be even more overwhelming when you require surgery to fix the problem. A common surgery we see as a result of car accident injuries is the cervical fusion. Car crashes can damage the spines of those involved. The discs and vertebrae can be damaged …

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Been Involved in a Car Accident? You Might Be Suffering From Effects of Whiplash | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

Anyone who has ever been involved in a rear-end car accident has probably suffered from the most common type of auto accident personal injury, whiplash. Rear-end car accidents cause the most whiplash injuries and the side effects can be felt in an individual’s head and neck. Learn more about the way that whiplash occurs and what you can do about it. …

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NHTSA Calls for Nationwide Ban on Texting While Driving | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called for a nationwide ban of texting while driving in all states. While some states, like Washington, have already called for a ban, and others are considering it or working towards it, there are others who do not have any plans or framework to begin the process. That is where the NHTSA wants to …

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Bremerton Motorcyclist Taken to Harbor View After Accident | Seattle Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

Monday at around 12:15 PM, a 30-year-old man riding a motorcycle was involved in an accident in Bremerton, WA. Officials say the accident occurred at 13th Street and Cambrian Avenue. The man on the motorcycle collided with a car and witnesses say he was thrown about 20 feet off of his bike.

The motorcycle rider was taken to Harborview while the driver of the …

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North Bend, Washington Wrong Way Driver Causes Fatal Head On Car Accident | Seattle Auto Accident Lawyer

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Early Saturday morning, in North Bend, Washington, a wrong-way driver caused a fatal car accident that resulted in one death and two serious personal injuries. A 25-year-old man was driving eastbound on I-90 just west of North Bend, which is approximately 45 minutes east of Seattle. The only problem was that he was driving eastbound in the westbound lanes. A state trooper …

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Lynnwood Woman Killed While Attempting to Cross the Street | Seattle Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

While attempting to cross the street Thursday night, a 50-year-old Lynnwood pedestrian was hit by a car and killed. The Lynnwood wrongful death occurred at around 7:30 PM. The pedestrian was crossing the5300 block of 168th Street SW not in a crosswalk when she was hit. Authorities say that the car was not speeding, but they are continuing the investigation of the …

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Woman Injured In Seattle Hit-And-Run Car Accident | Seattle Car Accident Attorney

Friday, February 19th, 2010

Straight Talk Law unfortunately has to report another Seattle hit-and-run car accident. Thursday night in the Sodo neighborhood of Seattle, one person suffered personal injuries when they were involved in a hit-and-run rollover car accident. The crash took place at around 9:20 pm on Highway 99 near Safeco Field. The woman who was driving the car that was hit was taken to …

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Clemson University Researchers Develop Voice System to Prevent Hands-On Texting While Driving and Reduce Distracted Driving Auto Accidents | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Friday, February 19th, 2010

A team of researchers at Clemson University’s Human Centered Computing Division recently developed an alternative to texting while driving. They created a system called VoiceTEXT that lets drivers speak text messages that they want to send through their phones. This system allows the driver to keep both of their hands on the wheel and both eyes on the road while still being able …

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Traditional Risk Gap Associated Between Males and Females Narrows Among Teens: Girls Admit to More Frequent Texting Behind the Wheel | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Friday, February 19th, 2010

The stereotype, and perhaps even evidence to back it up, has been there for years; teenage boys are the more dangerous and risky drivers. Insurance companies have always showed their support of this belief as the rates they charged for male teenagers have been higher than those for females. Yet new studies are showing that the dangerous driving behavior gap between teenage males …

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A Law to Ban Texting While Driving Fails to Pass in South Dakota | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Friday, February 19th, 2010

By now everyone knows the dangers of texting while driving and many states are attempting to make the act illegal. South Dakota attempted to pass a bill in the House on Wednesday but it fell short of getting passed by four votes. The bill would have banned drivers from sending and receiving text messages, but not from talking on the phone.

Opponents of the …

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Federal Way Hit and Run Car Accident Critically Injures Pedestrian | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Friday, February 19th, 2010

Auto accidents are something we never want to hear about. When a car accident is a hit and run it is even tougher to hear about because it means someone did not have the decency to stay at the scene and take responsibility for their actions. Just before 7 o’clock Wednesday night a 59-year-old man was driving his Dodge Dakota pickup truck on Southwest …

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Tragic Sultan, Washington Motorcycle Accident Results in Wrongful Death | Seattle Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Friday, February 19th, 2010

On Wednesday afternoon around 3:30 PM, a motorcycle accident on Highway 2 resulted in the wrongful death of a man in Sultan,Washington.

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The 47-year-old motorcycle rider was driving on Rice Road when a 16-year-old driving a Honday sedan pulled out in front of him. The manon the motorcycle was unable to avoid the car and crashed …

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Wrongful Death of Teen Likely Caused By Texting While Driving | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

Car accidents are devastating to those involved. When a car accident results in a death, the devastation can reach beyond those involved. When the car accident causes fatal injuries to a young person still in high school the devastation reaches into the whole community.

Last month in Grand Rapids, Michigan an 18-year-old high school student was killed in a car accident. Authorities …

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Lawmakers Attempting to Fix Texting While Driving Loophole in Maryland | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

It is now illegal in Maryland to send or write text messages or emails while you are driving. Yet there is a large loophole in the new law that may not prevent distracted driving or car accidents like it intends to. While it is illegal to send and write text messages, the law does not prevent drivers from reading texts and emails while driving …

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Suspected Alcohol Related Car Crash Causes Three Serious Personal Injuries in Renton | Seattle Car Accident Attorney

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

A rollover car accident this morning resulted in three serious personal injuries in Renton, Washington. The vehicle, a van, was driving on state route 900 at around 12.25 a.m. The driver of the van lost control of the vehicle, causing the van to slide off the road and roll onto its side. There were three men inside the van and all three of …

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Department of Safety Reaches Out to Teens to Create Anti-Texting While Driving Commercials | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety and AAA Minnesota/Iowa are doing something to prevent car accidents because of texting while driving. The two groups are reaching out to teenagers to help spread the word and create awareness about the dangers of texting while driving. Minnesota teenagers in grades 9-12 are eligible to enter the Don’t Text and Drive, Teens! TV Commercial Challenge. …

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Police In Atlanta Cite Texting While Driving As Cause For Wrongful Death Vehicular Homicide | Seattle Car Accident Attorney

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Gwinnett police in Atlanta used texting while driving as the basis for a vehicular homicide charge yesterday in an auto accident wrongful death case. On October 30, Lori Reineke was driving her 2008 Ford Edge when she struck and killed a pedestrian, James Eaton III. While Reineke was neither impaired nor speeding, police say she was texting at the time of the wrongful death …

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Irresistible Free Offer from a Child Safety Blog | Seattle Car Accident Attorney

Friday, February 12th, 2010

At Straight Talk Law we are always looking for places and ways to make our community a safer place. I just came across a resource for parents of young children who want to make sure that their children remain safe in the car, and want to do so at a reasonable price. Currently the site is giving away free car seat IDs. …

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Ethel, WA Teenager Causes Auto Accident After Falling Asleep at the Wheel| Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

18 year-old Michael Eng is being treated for severe back, neck and head injuries and is listed in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle following a car accident. Monday morning Eng was driving on U.S. Highway 12 just west of the Lake Mayfield Bridge. It was here when a head on collision occurred after Eng fell asleep while driving. He …

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Driver Involved in Multiple Hit and Run Car Accidents | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

Image courtesy of Komo News
http://media.komonews.com/images/100208_white_center_hit_run.jpg

stlaw 2:10 blog pic

There were at least three people with personal injuries as a result of a series of hit-and-run car accidents in White Center last night. At around 7:45 PM, the first auto accident occurred at the intersection of 4th Avenue SW and …

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North Seattle Man Seriously Injured in Car Accident | Seattle Auto Accident Attorney

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

This morning in North Seattle a 61-year-old man was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle following a car accident to treat serious personal injuries. The man was driving an SUV and somehow crashed into two parked cars. At first police officers thought that the driver may have been under the influence of alcohol; later they determined that this was not the …

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Othello Car Accident Leaves Moses Lake Woman Injured | Seattle Car Accident Attorney

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

The second driver in the accident was Javier F. Delaogomez, a 23-year-old from Othello. Delaogomez ran a stop sign and then collided with La Mere. He was cited for running a stop sign and also did not have any car insurance. We hope La Mere has a full and quick recovery.

Any time someone runs a stop sign they are putting others at …

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Jason Epstein and Straight Talk Law Introduce New Free Guide On How To Settle Your Property Damage Claim| Seattle Car Accident Attorney

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Seattle Car Accident Attorney Jason Epstein has completed his newest free information resource for the public, “The Do It Yourself Guide to Settling Your Property Damage Claim.”

If you have had the unfortunate experience of being involved in a car accident before, you know that settling your property damage claim can be a real hassle and you don’t want to take the chance of …

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13 Year-Old Boy From Lynnwood Struck By Car | Seattle Car Accident Attorney

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Shortly before 5 PM Friday night, a 13 year old Lynnwood boy suffered personal injuries when he was involved in a car accident while attempting to cross the street. The boy was attempting to cross Highway 99 near 148th Street SW with a group of pedestrians when he was hit by a car. He was immediately taken to Harborview Medical …

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Powerful Anti-Texting While Driving Service Announcement Created By High School Student | Seattle Car Accident Attorney

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

What can we do to reduce the amounts of Seattle car accidents? The media has recently increased their education on the dangers of texting while driving, many others around the country are doing their part to spread the word. One of them being a 16-year-old student from Denver, Colorado named Alex Calderon.

Alex, an aspiring filmmaker, created a 30 second public service …

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Car Totaled? Useful Tip from Straight Talk Law | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Have you been in an auto accident and your car was totaled? Now you need to buy a new car? If so, and you are looking at buying a used car, wouldn’t you like to be able to know for sure whether or not the car has been in a car accident? Well now thanks to the National Motor Vehicle Title …

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Texting While Driving Accident Paralyzes Woman | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

On June 24, 2008 Loretta Strong and her husband Clarence were driving to visit their daughter in Indiana. It was on this trip that a teenager who the Strong’s didn’t even see caused a life-changing car accident. The teenager, who was distracted by texting while driving crossed over the median. She then overcompensated and ran into the Strongs. The car accident caused …

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Study Shows Fatal Car Accidents Are Down in Washington | Seattle Car Accident Attorney

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

According to statistics collected by the Washington State Safety Commission, 2009 saw the fewest number of fatal car accidents since 1955. In 2005, there were 649 fatal car accidents in Washington State, last year, there were 483.
Please do everything that you can to help bring the total number of wrongful deaths caused by car accidents even lower in 2010.

This information is provided …

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STRAIGHT TALK LAW BLOG: THE CELL PHONE DRIVING LAW BACKLASH BY SEATTLE PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER JASON EPSTEIN

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Do new Distracted Driving laws really work?

In my recent article, “Tough New Cell Phone Driving Laws,” I mention the results of a new study by the Highway Loss Data Institute which claims that new legislation against distracted driving hasn’t really been effective.

They studied auto accident claims in four states where laws against cell phone usage have been passed and compared the rate …

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Man Drives Car into a Pole in Texting AND Drunk Driving Car Accident| Seattle Car Accident Attorney

Monday, February 8th, 2010

Keith Bashaw, 38, of Oxford should be the spokesperson for stupid drivers. Thursday night, in Hackettstown, NJ, Bashaw was involved in a car accident when he crashed head on into a utility pole. Not only did Bashaw admit to the police that he was texting right before the crash, but he also failed a field sobriety test. Police smelled alcohol on …

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Forty One Texting While Driving Fines Given in One Hour | Seattle Car Accident Attorney

Monday, February 8th, 2010

Distracted driving causes car accidents. The good news is that many States and counties have outlawed texting and using cell phones while driving. The bad news is that citizens still don’t seem to care. In an effort to reduce distractions and increase awareness, police officers in Torrance, California set up a traffic operation on a busy road at 10:30 in the …

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Rear-End Car Accident Victim Dies at Harborview | Seattle Car Accident Attorney

Monday, February 8th, 2010

Rear-end car accidents are common. In fact, they are the most common type of auto accident we see. Injuries in these cases can range from soft tissue whiplash injuries to more serious injuries involving broken bones or surgeries. Rarely, however, do rear-end car accidents result in wrongful death . Wednesday, we unfortunately saw one of these …

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DUI Car Accident Injures Two in Yakima, WA | Seattle Car Accident Attorney

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Drunk drivers cause auto accidents in Seattle and throughout Washington state. This is not a newsflash, but it is still always disturbing when we learn of a car accident that could have been prevented if someone made a simple choice to not drink and drive. This time, the car accident occurred in Yakima, Washington. A 44-year-old man’s attempt to pass another vehicle …

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Texting While Driving Contributed to Death of Colorado Teacher | Seattle Car Accident Attorney

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Looking for proof that distracted driving causes car accidents and wrongful death claims in Seattle, in Washington, and throughout the country? A teacher at the Thomson Primary School in Brush, Colorado died last week in an auto accident. Police determined that Megan Schneider was not wearing her seatbelt, was speeding, and was texting at the time of the crash. Icy road conditions …

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‘Texting While Driving is Dangerous.’ An Essay Written by a Michigan High School Student | Seattle Auto Accident Attorney

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

When trying to figure out ways to prevent distracted driving car accidents we often overlook the obvious: the perspective of the texter. My guess is that most people reading this are not teenagers, the most likely group to text and drive. The following essay was written before the recent efforts in Michigan to ban texting while driving. It has been edited for timeliness …

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Engineers Develop New Program to Help Stop Texting and Driving; But Will it Cause More Harm Than Good? | Seattle Auto Accident Attorney

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Many of us have been wondering what could be done to stop or reduce distracted driving Seattle, Washington car accidents. Finally, someone has an answer. PM&L, a Rochester engineering firm, has developed a software program designed to stop individuals from texting while operating their automobile. The program hopes to impede a driver’s ability to respond to any text messages that they may receive …

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Possible Texting Causes Wrongful Death of Alabama Woman | Seattle Wrongful Death Attorney

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Distracted driving is dangerous. It can also be deadly. A car accident in Limestone County, Alabama that caused the wrongful death of Edna Barker may have been the result of texting while driving. 23-year-old Feliciano Diaz-Perez ran a red light and crashed into the side of Barker’s car. Barker died at the scene.

Police have not yet filed charges against Diaz-Pererz, but …

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Top 5 Tips to Help Break Dangerous Texting and Driving Habit | Seattle Car Accident Attorney

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

By now, we should all realize how dangerous texting and driving is. Texting and driving, and other types of distracted driving, are a huge cause of Seattle auto accidents, Seattle truck accidents, and all sorts of personal injury claims throughout Washington. While laws to ban the activity are hot topics in State Legislatures across the United States, people will still not resist the …

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Seattle Motorcyclist Seriously Injured in Northgate Wreck | Seattle Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Motorcycle accidents are different than car accidents. That seems obvious, but to some lawyers it isn’t. One of the main reasons is that instead of being surrounded by 3000 pounds of steel like in a car accident, a motorcycle rider has only a thin layer of clothing between them and whatever hard surfaces they hit in a motorcycle accident. Tuesday afternoon at …

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Experiment Shows Texting and Driving Worse Than Drinking and Driving for Causing Car Accidents | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Which is a bigger cause of auto accidents, drinking and driving, or texting and driving? Car and Driver Magazine, and the magazine’s editor Eddie Alterman, conducted an experiment last summer to determine how much of an effect different stimuli have on the safety and alertness of drivers. The cars to used in the experiment were rigged with a red light that turned on …

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Double SUV Accident Sends Seven to the Hospital | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

The human body can be a fragile thing. Especially when exposed to the forces generated in car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and SUV accidents. Those forces increase as the weights of the vehicles involved in a crash increase. Yesterday that was double trouble in a two SUV accident that caused injuries. Wednesday evening near the intersection of Lincoln and Custer …

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Two Kirkland Pedestrians Hit by Car While Crossing the Street | Seattle Pedestrian Injury Lawyer

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

On Wednesday afternoon a girl and her toddler sister were crossing the street at the12600 block of 100th Avenue North East in Kirkland. The two pedestrians were crossing eastbound in the crosswalk. The problem was, as is the case in many crosswalk incidents, that they crossed after the first lane of the traffic had come to a complete stop while the traffic in …

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Technology Companies Join Fight Against Texting While Driving | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Distracted driving is dangerous. Texting and driving has been linked to a huge increase in car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury claims, and wrongful deaths. This is true in Seattle and all across the world. While legislatures, communities, and the media are all becoming aware of how dangerous texting and driving truly is, technology companies are attempting to develop a solution.

In …

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New Cell Phone device: Safe or Stupid? | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

State lawmakers are listening to the data and trying to prevent car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle wrecks and needless wrongful death claims by making distracted driving a traffic offense. While the movement to ban the use of cell phones and texting devices while driving has been picking up steam, there are those individuals who seem to be ignoring the risks. Some still think …

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Seattle Woman Charged with Vehicular Homicide | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Fortunately, car accidents that result in death are not too common. Most people will also stop after an auto accident to exchange information and check for injuries. However, this is not always the case. A 46-year-old Seattle woman was charged with vehicular homicide in King County yesterday. She was also charged with a hit and run felony after she struck and …

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Father and Daughter Admit Addiction to Texting and Driving | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

We all know, or have at least seen, someone who is attached to their BlackBerry 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This addiction includes having to constantly check and send messages everywhere they go, even in the most dangerous place they can possibly do it: their car. Tyler Strandberg, 23, is one of these individuals. In the past three …

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STRAIGHT TALK LAW BLOG: MAKING TRAFFIC LIGHTS MORE SAFE BY SEATTLE PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER JASON EPSTEIN

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

I hope you’ve had a chance to read my recent article, “How Traffic Signals Can Cause Auto Accidents.” In particular, the section about how some cities have reduced the length of yellow traffic lights – in order to catch more drivers running red lights with automatic cameras – should be eye-opening to you.

As a personal injury lawyer in Seattle, Washington, I’m proud my state …

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Oprah and America’s New Deadly Obsession: Texting While Driving | Seattle Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

The rise of texting while driving auto accidents and even deaths has received the attention of a noteworthy celebrity. Recently, Oprah aired an episode of her show titled, “This Show Could Save Your Life: America’s New Deadly Obsession.” As you probably have heard, the episode focused on the dangers that texting while driving cause. I highly recommend that you view the episode, and …

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Simulator Reveals the Danger of Texting and Driving | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

It is obvious that texting while driving is dangerous and a leading cause of Seattle auto accidents. But just how dangerous is it? An Ohio TV station, WTOV9.com posted a video today of a driver simulation that shows just how dangerous texting and driving really is. Former Ohio Valley State Trooper Bob West is doing his best to get the message out …

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Few Tickets Issued for Texting and Driving in Missouri | Seattle Auto Accident Lawyer

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

We have all heard the news that texting while driving is a major cause of serious auto accidents in Seattle, throughout Washington, and even the entire country. While Missouri has recently made laws to help stop the use of texting while driving, police officers say that the bans have so far been difficult to enforce. Missouri passed the ban five months ago and since …

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Texting is Now Illegal for Truck and Bus Drivers | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Texting while driving is a serious problem. Countless car accidents and injuries ranging from mild to severe occur as a result of texting while driving. This is true in Seattle, in all of Washington State, and throughout the country. What is one way to cut down on car accident and trunk accident injuries? How about banning commercial truck drivers from texting. …

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Texting While Driving Trial of Martin Kuehl Begins | Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

What happens when someone is texting while driving and hits and kills a pedestrian? The trial of a 42-year-old man from Costa Mesa, California began on Monday. Martin Burt Kuehl was accused of fatally striking a pedestrian in a crosswalk with his car while texting. The victim was a 32 year-old woman named Martha Ovalle. Kuehl is accused of showing no regard for the …

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Father and Daughter Admit Addiction to Texting and Driving | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

We all know, or have at least seen, someone who is attached to their BlackBerry 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This addiction includes having to constantly check and send messages everywhere they go, even in the most dangerous place they can possibly do it: their car. Tyler Strandberg, 23, is one of these individuals. In the past three …

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‘FocusDriven’ Advocacy Group Forms to Fight Distracted Driving | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

We have been frequently discussing the dangers of driving while distracted here on Straight Talk Law. Just yesterday the National Safety Council announced that 1.6 million auto accidents a year are caused by individuals using their cell phones while behind the wheel. Among those 1.6 million are many Seattle auto accidents. According to the report the majority of these …

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97-Year-Old Woman Dies in Renton Car Accident | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

According to the Washington State Patrol, early Thursday, Januray 7th, a 97-year-old woman named Marguerite M. Carruthers from Renton, Washington suffered life ending personal injuries in a two car accident on the Benson Highway, in Renton, Washington.

At around 11 a.m., Carruthers was the passenger in a 1985 Toyota Camry that was traveling southbound on the Benson Highway. The Camry collided with a Kia Sedona …

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STRAIGHT TALK LAW BLOG: THE RIGHT WAY TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR BY SEATTLE PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER JASON EPSTEIN

Monday, January 11th, 2010

There was some great news recently about the past New Year’s Eve weekend here in the state of Washington. Incredible news really, for all of us interested in preventing alcohol-related auto accidents and wrongful deaths.

There was not one DUI-related fatality over the entire holiday weekend. Not one, according to “The Seattle Times.” The Washington State Patrol reported 5 DUI fatalities in …

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Mukilteo Boy is Critically Injured While Walking to School | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

Thursday morning at around 7 a.m a 14 year-old Harbour Pointe Middle School boy was struck by a car near a very busy intersection while on his way to school and suffered serious personal injuries in the car versus pedestrian auto accident. The boy was unresponsive when the paramedics arrived and he was then rushed to Harborview Medical Center. The boy was listed …

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Red Light Cameras Fail to Decrease Spokane Auto Accidents | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Have you been noticing more and more of those bright flashes that go off as you are sitting at an intersection? Well as you most likely know, that flash was taking a picture of the car and license plate of the individual who just ran a red light. While a lot of people think this is just another way for us the government …

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WSP Reports Zero Alcohol Related Fatalities During New Year’s Weekend | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

We would all like the total number of drunk drivers on our roads to be zero. This would make things safer for everyone and dramatically cut down on personal injury and wrongful death causing auto accidents. So as a community we must fight to stop, or put an end to, drinking and driving all together.

Earlier on this blog Straight Talk Law …

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Two Children, One Adult Suffer Life-Threatening Personal Injuries | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

Monday morning, January 4th, four individuals were sent to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after a serious car accident. A small sedan was driving northbound through an ‘uncontrolled intersection’ when it was hit by a van. The sedan was hit so hard it spun around into another lane leading it to be hit again by a second van. Inside of the sedan were two adults …

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Grant County Sheriff’s Deputy Dies in Car Accident | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

At around 7:20 Sunday night the state of Washington lost yet another deputy. On a road nine miles south of Ephrata, WA, Deputy John Bernard died at the scene of the single-car accident roll-over accident.

“Deputy Bernard was a tireless public servant whose commitment to law enforcement and serving the citizens helped make Grant County a safer place,” said Sheriff Frank T. DeTrolio.

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Washington State Senator Tracey Eide Proposes Bill to End Cell-Phone Use in Cars | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

At Straight Talk Law we have been warning about the use of cell-phones in your car for some time now and have also provided reasons, information, and statistics to support our warnings. Now it looks like our state government is considering taking action. Washington State senator Tracey Eide has proposed a bill that will make the use of cell-phones in a car a primary offense. …

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Serious Auto Accident and Injuries Caused by Unsecure Load | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Monday, January 4th, 2010

At around 5:50 PM on New Year’s Eve in the westbound lanes of I-90 in Preston, Washington, a serious car accident was caused by an unsecure load that fell out of a truck. The injured individual, who was driving a 2007 Ford Focus, swerved out of the way to avoid the tarp that was in the middle of road. The attempted emergency manuever caused the …

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West Seattle Motorcyclist Injured in Hit and Run Accident | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

On Wednesday afternoon at around 1:45 p.m., a West Seattle motorcyclist was injured in an auto accident with a van. The motorcyclist suffered personal injuries that were not considered life threatening and was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

After the van hit the motorcycle, it fled from the scene and headed eastbound from Southwest Jacobsen Road and Beach Drive Southwest. The driver, a man …

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Yakima, Washington Three Car Accident Results in Serious Personal Injuries | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

A three car collision in Yakima, Washington resulted in two individuals being sent to the hospital with serious personal injuries. The man who is suspected of causing the car accident, Jose Jara-Avalos, a 44-year-old Yakima resident, was immediately taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment of facial injuries. Police suspect that Jara-Avalos was speeding and he is also being investigated for the possibility …

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Buckle Up Because Seat Belts Save Lives | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

With so many automobile accidents taking place in our state during this time of year, it is important to be prepared in every way possible. Emergency preparadness begins with wearing your seat belts. Wearing a seat belt is common sense to some, but a chore or annoyance to others and they ignore the fact that a seat belt could one day save their life. …

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Pedestrians Injured By Stolen Car in Hit and Run Auto Accident | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

On Sunday morning, a small car ran a red light and collided with an SUV on Fremont Ave in Seattle. After the small red Chevy Nova crashed into the SUV, the driver, who was covered in blood, got out and ran away on foot from the scene. One innocent bystander suffered serious injuries from flying debris that resulted from the accident. The two individuals in …

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New Orleans Saints’ McCray Arrested for DUI | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

Any time you drive drunk you risk potentially being involved in a serious car accident that could lead to a large range of personal injuries. With his team in the crucial final stretch of the NFL season, you would think that Bobby McCray of the New Orleans Saints would be smart enough to drive responsibly. This wasn’t the case as he was arrested at around …

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Straight Talk Reminder: Designate a Driver on New Year’s Eve | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), on December 16th, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, kicked off the “Over the Limit. Under Arrest” national drunk and impaired driving crackdown involving thousands of law enforcement agencies during the holiday season.

This crackdown on holiday drunk driving enforcement is being supported …

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Teen Driver Killed in Arlington, WA Car Accident | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

On Sunday afternoon, a rollover car accident in Arlington, Washington killed one teenager and left two others in critical condition. Paramedics and Snohomish County deputies arrived at the crash and found the teen’s small four dour vehicle off the road and rolled over. The driver, a 19-year-old man, died at the scene.

There were four passengers in the vehicle. Two other males, age 17 and …

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STRAIGHT TALK LAW BLOG: TECHNOLOGY AND AUTO ACCIDENTS BY SEATTLE PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER JASON EPSTEIN

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

In my recent article on “Distracted Driving,” I wrote about the alarming rise of auto and motorcycle accidents caused by today’s technology – most importantly, using cell phones for conversations and texting while driving.

As a personal injury and wrongful death attorney in the state of Washington, I’ve seen a marked increase in the rise in these kinds of auto accidents. Although statistics …

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Alcohol was Involved in U.S. Soccer Player Charlie Davies’ Car Accident | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Monday, December 21st, 2009

On October 13th, United States Men’s Soccer Team player Charlie Davies was seriously injured in a car accident in Washington D.C. Davies was in poor condition following the auto accident with several broken bones and an injured bladder. One of the passengers in the car was killed. After a number of operations, Davies is now doing much better and has recently begun rehabilitation.

It was just …

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Seattle Pedestrian Wrongful Death After Being Struck on Highway | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Friday, December 18th, 2009

On Wednesday, December 16th, 58-year-old Maximiliano Diaz-Salazar was attempting to cross the Benson Highway in Kent. Diaz-Salazar was not in a marked crosswalk, attempted to cross the road, and was hit and killed by a small pickup truck at about 5:45 PM. When asked what the cause of the car accident was, Dan McDonald, a spokesman for the Washington State Patrol said it was “a …

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Bellingham Man Dies in Car Accident | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Friday, December 18th, 2009

On Saturday December 12, a man was killed in a car accident near the town of Concrete, Washington. The man, a 25 year-old from Bellingham, drove his PT Cruiser across the centerline of the North Cascades highway and crashed into a power pole at around 4:30 in the morning. Unfortunately, the man was not wearing his seatbelt. Upon collision, the man was ejected from his …

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Another Drunk Driving Accident Causes Life Threatening Personal Injuries | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Yesterday, another terrible drunk driving accident took place in King County. At 12:37 p.m., a driver crossed the median on I-90 and collided head-on with on another vehicle heading westbound near Preston, Washington. Preston lies to the east of Issaquah, Washington. The drivers of the two automobiles were immediately rushed to the hospital with life-threatening personal injuries.

The intoxicated driver, a 53-year-old woman from Newcastle, …

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Seattle Police Officer Injured in Auto Accident with Drunk Driver | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Police officers in Washington state have gone through a very difficult time over the last two months as they have lost several loved and respected members of their professional community. Saturday night, December 12th, a SeaTac Trooper was lucky to survive an accident involving a drunk driver with only minor personal injuries. As you can see from the picture of the damage to the …

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Falling Asleep at the Wheel Causes Washington Man Personal Injuries | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Recently, my blog has contained many tips for driving safely, as well as things to avoid distractions. This man’s Seattle auto accident reminds me to not overlook mentioning the obvious. Please make sure that you are awake and alert enough behind the wheel. Thomas Moore, a 53 year-old Grapeview man, fell asleep driving his Chevrolet Colorado and crashed into a tree stump. Moore was …

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Save Lives with These Must Read Tips for Winter Driving | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

With the weather in the greater Seattle area continuing to remain around the freezing levels, driving conditions will continue to get worse. With families coming together for the holidays, students returning home from college, and rise in road trips across the Pacific Northwest, it is important to make sure that your vehicle is equipped and prepared in case you are involved in an auto accident. …

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Snohomish Girl Dies in Tragic Car Accident | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Friday, December 11th, 2009

Three teenagers were involved in a tragic car accident Tuesday morning that resulted in injuries and one very sad, wrongful death. Shaylynn Wietersen, 16, and her brother Brian, 17, were driving to school in their Jeep Cherokee. At about 7 AM, another 17 year old, whom was driving a Toyota 4Runner, attempted to pass Shaylynn and Brian. As the second car attempted to pass, the …

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Man in Serious Condition After Causing Auto Accident | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Friday, December 11th, 2009

According to a police report, 28-year-old Mario Zarinana caused a three way car accident in Yakima on Sunday, December 6th which resulted in several personal injuries. The man who caused the accident was taken to Harboview Medical Center in Seattle and remains there in serious condition. The details of the accident describe Mr. Zarinana’s car crossing the centerline, sideswiping another car, and colliding head on …

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Frivolous Malpractice Lawsuit: Wrong-Sided Surgery Case | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

In recent news involving an orthopedic surgeon from Fredericksburg, Virginia , the doctor admitted that he had operated on the wrong side of a patient’s shoulder. All the patient needed was a simple procedure to remove a small lipoma from the back of her shoulder. Instead, she got an unnecessary surgery where the doctor was in likelihood responsible for the mistake.

You can check the …

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NFL Superstar Adrian Peterson Pulled Over for Driving 109 MPH | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

One of the best ways to prevent car accidents, personal injuries, or wrongful deaths is to drive the speed limit, or at least a reasonably safe speed. When learning to drive,we are all taught to drive the speed limit and to avoid reckless or negligent behavior. One person that should not be used as an example for how to drive safely is Minnesota Viking’s star …

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SOME STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

By Jason Epstein

I hope you have had a chance to read my recent article, “Working with a Personal Injury Lawyer.” As a Seattle, Washington personal injury lawyer, I encounter a lot of misconceptions about what I do and about what being a personal injury lawyer is all about, and I felt it was important to detail a few facts about my profession. …

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Four Marysville Residents Killed in Tragic Drunk Driving Accident | Seattle Wrongful Death Lawyer

Monday, December 7th, 2009

On Sunday, November 29th, a community was changed forever as four lives were wrongfully taken. The four victims were driving a Hyundai near the intersection of 108th Street Northeast and Highway 9 in Marysville, Washington. A drunk driver in a Ford Explorer ran a stop sign, police suspect he also may have been speeding, and crashed into the four victims’ car. After the crash, …

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Seattle Pedestrian in Hit and Run Auto Accident Faces Life-Threatening Injuries | Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Friday, December 4th, 2009

On Wednesday, December 2nd, a woman was hit by a car and suffered severe, life-threatening injuries. The driver left the scene which was at South Andover Street and Rainier Avenue South. Police later identified, found, and apprehended the driver. Police say that the man may have been drunk as his car drove up onto the sidewalk around 7 PM and struck the woman.

The woman …

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Othello Car Accident Reminds Us to Use Caution on Icy Winter Roads | Seattle based Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Lawyer

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

On the morning of Sunday, November 29th, an individual from Othello, Washington was involved in a rollover car accident and suffered a personal injury. The police report indicates that the vehicle involved in the car accident slid on ice and also was likely driving too fast for road conditions.

With winter approaching, some Washington roads will be icy. Because of this, it is important …

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11 Year Old Student Hit By Truck In Crosswalk in Oak Harbor, Washington | Seattle based Serious Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

It is always a little surprising when a car or truck hits a pedestrian crossing the street in a crosswalk and causes injury, but it is an all to common event in the Seattle area. At about 7:30 a.m. Monday morning, 11-year-old Alex Snellman was walking to North Whidbey Middle School in Oak Harbor. As he was crossing the street at a crosswalk, a …

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Seattle Bicyclist Charged in Hit and Run Personal Injury Accident | Seattle Serious Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

Last week, a 32-year-old bicyclist named Rafael Araneta was charged with vehicular assault and hit and run in Seattle, Washington for his role in a serious personal injury accident. On Wednesday, November 18th, Araneta passed by several cars, rode through a red light and collided with a 6-year-old boy who was crossing the street with his father at a crosswalk.

After colliding with the young boy, …

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MY HOLIDAY WISH: LESS ALCOHOL, LESS AUTO ACCIDENTS

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

By Jason Epstein

My recent article, “Straight Talk Law: The Holidays and Auto Accidents,” noted the dramatic increase in rise in alcohol-related wrongful death and personal injury cases resulting from drunk driving auto accidents at this time of year. Since I am a personal injury lawyer in Seattle, Washington, every year I see the same pattern that begins on Thanksgiving and continues into …

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Separate Auto Accidents Result in Two Hospitalized Yakima Pedestrians | Washington Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Last Thursday in separate auto incidents, an 18 year-old Union Gap man and a 69 year-old Yakima woman were both hospitalized after being struck by moving vehicles while trying to cross the road. Neither pedestrian suffered serious personal injuries.

The first pedestrian auto accident occurred around 4:15 PM when the Yakima pedestrian was struck by a Hyundai Elantra after stepping into it’s path. She was taken …

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Bizarre Auto Accident Sends Renton Pedestrian to Harborview | Washington Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Friday, November 20th, 2009

A tow rope and negligence were the causes of a strange auto accident involving a pedestrian that caused a 44 year old Renton man to be sent to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle Thursday morning. The Renton pedestrian suffered severe life-threatening personal injuries.

At about 10:41 on Renton Avenue South and 62nd Avenue South, a pickup truck was towing another car, with a driver inside, using …

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Edmonds Man Dies in Wrongful Death Auto Accident | Washington Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

The family of a 63 year old Edmonds man is mourning his wrongful death after he was involved in a fatal auto accident on Tuesday. The man was stopped at a red light on Eastbound 220th Street SW at 76th Avenue W. early Tuesday morning when a pickup truck crashed into the back of the man’s van. After being rear-ended, the man’s van proceeded to …

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Two Young Men Killed in Lynnwood, Washington Auto Accident | Washington Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Monday, November 16th, 2009

Brandon Norton made the responsible choice. He chose to be the designated driver for his friends in Lynnwood on Friday November 16th. After already taking one car full of friends home from a party, Ehlo Blacknall, 20, Tyler Gilbert, 20, and Trevor Moore, 21, got in Brandon’s car for the second trip. Brandon’s car was going northbound on North Road in unincorporated Snohomish County …

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Eaton, Washington Passenger of Negligently Driven Vehicle Suffers Personal Injury | Washington Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

29 year-old Leonel Nava and 39 year-old Jose Vargas Moreno are recovering from personal injuries today after being involved in a one car accident on Interstate 90 about 17 miles west of Eaton, WA. Nava was driving the pick-up truck eastbound on the highway when she negligently lost control of the vehicle. The pick-up crossed three lanes of traffic, rolled and struck a tree ultimately …

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Seattle Cyclist collides with Pedestrian Causing Severe Personal Injury | Seattle Personal Injury Attorney

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Tuesday afternoon, a cyclist struck a pedestrian on Beacon Avenue South near College Street in South Seattle causing serious personal injury. The pedestrian, a Seattle man, suffered serious injury to his head and was taken to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition.

The pedestrian was reportedly crossing Beacon Avenue around 4:45 p.m. when the cyclist, who was traveling north, crashed into him knocking him unconscious. …

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AUTO ACCIDENTS: WHEN THE CLOCKS FALL BACK

Monday, November 9th, 2009

By Jason Epstein

If you haven’t already, I suggest you take a look at my recent article, “Straight Talk Law: Less Daylight, More Auto Accidents.”

While it’s great to get that extra hour of sleep when Daylight Savings Time ends, as it recently did, few people think about the danger on the roads when, at commuting time, it’s suddenly dark instead of light. As …

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Pedestrian Struck Crossing Crosswalk in Burien | Burien Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Tuesday morning, a 72-year-old Sea-Tac resident was struck by a car as he walked across the street in a crosswalk. The elderly man suffered serious personal injuries in the collision. The car, a 1996 Ford Windstar, driven by a young teenager from Seattle, caused serious and life threatening injuries to the victim when it collided with him at S. 136th Street and 8th …

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Kent Washington Woman Struck, Left To Die | Kent Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

A 22-year-old woman suffered severe personal injury from multiple drivers when she was repeatedly struck while crossing Highway 515 in Kent. Kent is a city southeast of Seattle and is home to the King County Regional Justice Center. The victim who suffered the serious injuries is Narmada Timsina. She is a refugee. Ms. Timsina and her family arrived just a year …

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Two Teen Girls in Serious Condition after Crash | Seattle Auto Accident Attorney

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

As a Seattle personal injury attorney one of my main focuses is on auto accident injury cases. Unfortunately, all too often our youngest drivers are involved in serious accidents.

Two sixteen-year-old girls never made it to school on a Tuesday morning last week. Luckily, they’ll be able to go back sometime soon. The girls were involved in a head-on …

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Tragedy at the Wrecking Yard | Washington Wrongful Death Lawyer

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

An accidental workplace injury last week proved to be deadly. The wrongful death occurred outside of Seattle, in Monroe. A man working at a local wrecking yard was seriously injured Thursday when the SUV he had been working on fell upon him, trapping him underneath. Employees working at the wrecking yard, Best Auto Parts, Inc in Lynnwood, called for help immediately, …

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Motorcycle Accident Closes Newly Opened Tunnel | Seattle Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Monday, October 26th, 2009

One of Seattle’s suburbs may be a new hot spot for personal injury auto accidents. A two motorcycle accident seriously injured both riders in the Bremerton Ferry Tunnel on Saturday, October 10. Police reports indicate that one of the 26 year-olds was driving at an excessive speed when he lost control of his bike. He crashed to the pavement, lost his helmet …

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Tragic Auto Accident in Clallam County Claims Lives of Grandmother and Grandson | Seattle Auto Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

On October 18 in Clallam County an auto accident near Port Angeles claimed the life of a grandmother and her 6 year-old grandson, while seriously injuring two others.

The two car injury collision occurred at 1:15 pm on State Route 112 near Power Plant Road (milepost 60), 5 miles west of Port Angeles.

The death causing auto accident involved a green 1997 Subaru Legacy was …

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Serious Injury Car Accident On SR 512 In Pierce County | Seattle Tacoma Serious Injury Attorney

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

On October 17th a serious personal injury causing four car auto accident occurred on westbound SR 512 just west of the Puyallup fairgrounds.

According to witnesses, 46 year-old Cynthia S. Rice of Enumclaw was driving a red 2004 Mini Cooper . It was raining and witnesses advised that Rice was driving too fast. Traffic had slowed in front of her and she was unable …

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STRAIGHT TALK LAW BLOG: SEDONA WRONGFUL DEATH ISSUES | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

As I’m a personal injury lawyer based in Seattle, Washington, I usually blog about cases I find to be of interest that happen in our local area. But a recent tragedy that happened in Sedona, Arizona raises a number of issues in terms of both wrongful death and personal injury (for more details about the incident, you can refer to my …

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MIXED MESSAGES CREATE MORE AUTO ACCIDENTS | Seattle Personal Injury Attorney

Monday, October 12th, 2009

By Jason Epstein

I’ve written a lot about the dangers of texting while driving. As a Seattle-based personal injury lawyer, every day I see firsthand the injury and damage caused by unnecessary auto and motorcycle accidents.

That’s why it was a bit strange to see CNN’s “American Morning” anchor Kiran Chetry do a report about how texting and driving raises the chance of …

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“STRAIGHT TALK LAW” BLOG: UNEXPECTED PERSONAL INJURY | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

By Jason Epstein

Imagine tagging along on a doctor’s visit with your grandparents – and suddenly the floor you’re standing on gives way, causing you to fall 22 feet down to the next level.

That’s just what happened to a lucky little four year-old girl in Kennewick, southeast of Seattle, Washington. Why do I say “lucky?” Read on.

Four year-old Kara Freeman went along with her …

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Good Samaritan Killed While Making Roadside Repairs | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

A wrongful death occurred Sunday at 2:30 a.m., when a drunk driver killed a young man. Scott A. Glover, a 26-year-old Federal Way Man, was attempting to fix a bus that he was a passenger on when a pickup truck operated by a 39-year-old California man crashed into him killing him instantly.

The accident occurred on southbound I-5 in South Seattle.

After …

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AUTO ACCIDENTS: SCARED TEXTLESS? | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

By Jason Epstein

I hope some of you have had a chance to read my article, “Texting While Driving.” If you have, you know that the statistics on drivers who text on their cell phones are fairly frightening, with one recent study concluding that drivers who text are 23 times more likely to have an auto accident.

Despite all the concern originally to …

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Tragic Wenatchee Wrongful Death Bicycle Accident | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

A possible wrongful death and serious personal injury occurred when cyclist Gary Rounds collided with a teenage girl on his bicycle September 1st. The accident occurred while Rounds was riding on the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail in Wenatchee.

The crash severed the top of his spine. The amazing trauma team at Harborview Medical Center was able to save his life through extreme …

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Cyclist Seriously Injured in Hit and Run in Yakima, Wa | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Friday, September 4th, 2009

A 72-year-old bicycle rider suffered serious personal injury caused by a hit-and-run driver on Wide Hollow Road in Yakima. The cyclist has been identified as Leslie R. Bornfleth, a retired neurosurgeon. Bornfleth was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and listed in satisfactory condition late Wednesday evening after suffering the serious personal injuries from the incident.

Bornfleth retired from practice a …

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Head-On Collision in Oso, Wa Results in Wrongful Death of Passenger | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

Initial reports indicate that a man driving a Buick crossed the double yellow center dividing line around 5:30 Monday and collided with an oncoming dump truck resulting in the wrongful death and serious injury of his passenger.

The driver of the Buick a 49 year-old Arlington man, died at the scene. A 27-year-old male passenger in the Buick was removed from the wreckage and …

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Spanaway, Wa Man Suffers Serious Personal Injury From Hit And Run | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

A 23-year-old Spanaway man, was rushed to St. Josephs Hospital with serious personal injuries after being struck while in a crosswalk by a hit-and-run driver.

Washington State Patrol responded to the incident at the intersection of Highway 7 and 152nd Street, at approximately 3 a.m. The pedestrian was crossing 152nd street when a car slammed into him, throwing him into the air …

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Who Was Driving in Everett, WA Serious Injury Car Crash? | Seattle Personal Injury Attorney

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

July 23, 2009, a mother and daughter suffer serious injuries from an auto accident and subsequent car fire. Police believe that a Pontiac GTO broadsided a Ford Taurus on Everett’s Evergreen Way splitting the Taurus in two. Imagine the force required to split a car in two! The Taurus burst into flame partially burning the 52-year-old mother and her …

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Pedestrian Suffers Serious Injury In Gold Bar, WA | Seattle Personal Injury Attorney

Monday, August 31st, 2009

Theresa J. Jefferson, 49, a resident of Ferndale, Washington was listed in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center after being struck by a pickup on Highway 2 outside of Gold Bar Thursday morning.

“Jefferson suffered leg and chest injuries in the accident and was taken to Harborview in an ambulance,” said Trooper Keith Leary of the Washington State Patrol.

Jefferson was struck crossing the eastbound lane of …

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Fatal Auto Accident On West Seattle Bridge | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Monday, August 31st, 2009

A fatal rollover accident occurred early Friday morning causing closure of three lanes of the West Seattle Bridge.

According to the Seattle Police, witnesses observed a speeding vehicle heading travelling west on the bridge. Witnesses saw the car suddenly swerve striking the north side jersey barrier with such force that after the initial collision the car crossed all four lanes of traffic and struck the south …

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New Government Survey Reveals Over 200,000 Unsafe Semi-Trucks on America’s Highways | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Friday, August 28th, 2009

Newly released information from the American Association for Justice (AAJ) found commuters are sharing roads with trucks that have incurred thousands of safety violations – including defective brakes, bald tires, loads that dangerously exceed weight limits, and drivers with little or no training or drug and alcohol dependencies.

AAJ obtained data on the safety performance of U.S. trucking companies through the Motor Carrier Management Information System …

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Serious Personal Injuries and Wrongful Death in Yakima | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Monday, August 24th, 2009

Yakima, Washington – Wapato, resident, Leeda Yallup, could be charged with vehicular homicide and vehicular assault for causing a two-car accident on Lateral A near West Wapato Road just before 9 a.m. Thursday morning. Yallup’s actions caused a wrongful death and two serious personal injuries.

Yallup, 49, who had been drinking prior to the accident, was driving a …

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Gussner Pleads Guilty In Drunk Driving Wrongful Death Of Four Year Old | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

In his first court appearance related to the tragic wrongful death of a 4 year-old boy, and the serious injury of the boy’s mother, Dion Gussner took responsibility for his actions. He admitted that he was drunk and texting when he caused the fatal accident. Gussner’s sentence is mandated by the California Courts. He will serve 16 years in prison.

Gussner …

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Port Orchard Woman in Motorcycle Accident Suffers Serious Injuries | Seattle Personal Injury Attorney

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

A 59 year-old Port Orchard woman suffered serious injuries in a motorcycle accident on Tuesday. The motorcycle was stopped for traffic in front of her making a left turn (into the Kitsap Marina) from Highway 166 when she was rear-ended by a Saturn. The motorcycle rider suffered serious injuries and was transported to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition.

At this point, police …

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Sheriff’s Deputy Dies After Serious Injury

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

Police are looking for public help. A cyclist suffered critical injuries early Tuesday morning at the 7700 block of Delridge Way Southwest in West Seattle. Police began receiving calls shortly after 6 am. The paramedics were called to the scene, and the female cyclist was transported to Harborview Medical Center with life threatening injuries.

At this point, information is sparse. Nobody …

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West Seattle Cyclist Critically Injured | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

Police are looking for public help. A cyclist suffered critical injuries early Tuesday morning at the 7700 block of Delridge Way Southwest in West Seattle. Police began receiving calls shortly after 6 am. The paramedics were called to the scene, and the female cyclist was transported to Harborview Medical Center with life threatening injuries.

At this point, information is sparse. Nobody …

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Serious Injury Sends Selah Boy to Harborview | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Saturday, August 15th, 2009

On Friday, in Selah, Washington, a pickup truck hit an 8 year-old boy causing serious injuries. Initially, the boy was transported to Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital where he was in listed in critical condition. Today, the boy was transported to Harborview because his injuries were even more serious than originally thought.

Reports indicate that the boy ran out into the path of …

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Didlake Inc. Hiding Behind Out Of Date Law in Virginia | Seattle Personal Injury Attorney

Friday, August 14th, 2009

Virginia is one of the last remaining states to still have the Charitable Immunity Doctrine. This doctrine means provides that a charity can not be sued by a beneficiary who is injured while in its care. In modern times, as charities have evolved into multi-billion dollar businesses, the Charitable Immunity Doctrine has been abolished in most states.

Virginia attorney, Ben Glass, is challenging …

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Teen Girl Dies in Wrongful Death Auto Accident | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

A 15 year-old girl suffered fatal injuries in a wrongful death auto accident in Burlington, Skagit County. The girl died at the scene of the intersection accident. The wrongful death victim and another teenager were passengers in a vehicle driven by Donovan M. Brogan, 18, of Bellingham.

Brogan was driving a Volvo which reportedly ran a stop sign at an intersection colliding with …

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More Details In Wrongful Death of 4 year-old | Seattle Personal Injury Attorney

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

Additional details have been reported in the auto accident wrongful death of a 4 year-old. See here for the most current details.

This tragedy saddens my heart. My thoughts are with the family.

My last post about this accident drew criticism because of my belief that the driver of the other vehicle should be prosecuted. I get it. I know that people make …

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Tragic Wrongful Death in California | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Monday, August 10th, 2009

Salinas, California – A four year-old boy was killed in a collision last night. The wrongful death occurred when a drunk driver rear-ended the car that the boy was in. The wrongful death victim was riding with his mother and younger two year-old sibling when the Honda they were in was struck from behind.

The boy was pronounced dead at the scene and his …

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SeaTac Man Dies in Rollover Accident in Naches | Seattle Personal Injury Attorney

Saturday, August 8th, 2009

In another fatal auto accident this weekend, the death toll continues to rise on Washington roads. A SeaTac man, identified as Timothy Landry, 20, was fatally injured in a rollover accident near Naches, Washington. The Washington State Patrol reports that Landry was the driver of an F150 carrying four passengers. The WSP says that Landry was driving too fast for conditions on a gravel …

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Motorcycle Rider Killed in Edmonds | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Saturday, August 8th, 2009

A motorcycle rider was fatally injured when his motorcycle collided with a minivan in Edmonds on Thursday. The fatal accident occurred on SR-104 and Dayton Street. Police report that the motorcycle rider was a 53 year-old Port Orchard man.

Although details are still a bit sketchy, what we do know is that this accident occurred at an intersection. Motorcycle riders are particularly vulnerable at intersections because …

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Motorcycle Death Shuts Down Sound Transit | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Friday, August 7th, 2009

Two motorcycle riders were racing early Wednesday morning when a crash occurred causing the death of one of the bikers. Police report that the motorcycles hit something causing the accident. One of the riders was thrown from his bike and landed on the Sound Transit Light Rail tracks where he died. The other rider was taken by ambulance to Harborview Medical Center where he remains …

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SR 522 Crash Claims Third Victim | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

Sadly another wrongful death has resulted from the drunk driving auto accident that occurred on Saturday morning at 2 am in Monroe. The driver of the truck that collided with the Hyundai Tiburon carrying three young men was arrested for investigation of DUI. He was treated at Valley General Hospital in Monroe for minor injuries.

The driver and one of the passengers of the …

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Lawyer Introduces Controversial New Plan to Make Roads Safer; Make 18 the New Driving Age | Seattle Personal Injury Attorney

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

Want to reduce wrongful death, serious injury, auto accident, and motorcycle accident cases in Washington? I’ve got a plan, and I’m sure it won’t be popular with some, including my own children!

Washington should raise the minimum driving age from 16 to 18. Those of you who know 16 year-olds will probably agree that 16 is too young to grasp …

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Motorcycle Accident Leaves Two Injured | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

Yet another motorcycle accident caused serious injuries in Okanogan, Washington. Sandra A. Mena Tyree of Olympia, Washington suffered serious injuries to her face and eye and was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle to treat her injuries.

Ms. Mena Tyree was a passenger on a motorcycle driven by Joe W. Tyree. Mr. Tyree was transported to Mid-Valley Hospital in …

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Three Yakima Brothers Fatally Injured in Auto Accident

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

Three brothers were killed in an automobile accident on US 12 west of Naches on Sunday. The brothers were in a Jeep Wrangler. The driver crossed the centerline in an attempt to pass traffic traveling the same direction. Unfortunately, there was not enough room and the Jeep Wrangler struck a Ford Expedition head on.

Roman Abundiz , 24, Raul Abundiz, …

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Three Fatalities on Washington Roads On Saturday | Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

Sunday, August 2nd, 2009

A motorcyclist died Saturday off U.S. Highway 12. The Vancouver man, identified as 64-year-old Gene J. Maulsby, veered off the road for unknown reasons, and hit an embankment, and sustained fatal injuries west of Naches, Washington.

Sadly that was not the only bad news on Saturday. In what the Washington State Patrol believe was an alcohol or drug related auto accident, two people died …

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Stop Means Stop | Seattle Personal Injury Attorney

Friday, July 31st, 2009

The purposeful or inadvertent running of red lights is a major cause of serious injuries and wrongful deaths in Washington. In fact, a recent nationwide study showed that in 2007 almost 900 people were killed and roughly153,000 were injured in crashes that involved red light running. As you can see, if we could solve this problem we could prevent 900 wrongful deaths and …

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Preventing Wrongful Death and Serious Injuries

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

Since 2002 Washington State has had a primary seat belt law. That means that if a law enforcement officer sees someone driving without their seat belt on, they can pull the driver over for that reason and give them a ticket. As we all know, wearing a seat belt greatly reduces the likelihood of death or serious injury in an auto accident. States …

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Feds Seek to Ban Texting While Driving

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

Let me begin this post by saying that I just finished meeting with a new client who was violently rear-ended when the teenage driver behind her was texting while driving. Texting while driving greatly increases the risk of wrongful death and serious injury from auto accidents and motorcycle accidents.

A bill has been proposed in the US Senate which, if passed, would …

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Don’t Walk in New Jersey

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

Most of us have heard that a former American Idol contestant was struck and killed on a New Jersey street by a hit and run motorist. Police have now arrested that motorist for the wrongful death.

What most of us don’t know is that the state where this tragic pedestrian fatality occurred, New Jersey, is leading the United States in pedestrian fatalities. In fact, so …

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Virginia is Doing Something Right, Traffic Fatalaties Down | Seattle, Washington Personal Injury Lawyer

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

Between 2007 and 2008 traffic fatalities have decreased by 19.98%. That is a huge drop in auto accident deaths!

The study also revealed some other interesting facts about fatal auto accidents for that state:

 

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“About a year after I was involved in an auto accident, I contacted Jason Epstein unsure of how I should be going about continuing treatment and pursuing a claim. Up until that point my treatment had been covered by my PIP, but I had exhausted my PIP limit. From the first moment I contacted Jason, he took a genuine interest in my well being…” ~ Kathryn W., Bellevue, Washington

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