Nov. 1-8 is Driving Drowsy Prevention Week
Thanks to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), Nov. 1-8, 2020 is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. It makes sense when you consider that we “fall back” to Standard time this week, which affects our sleep pattern. The goal of their annual campaign is to reduce the number of drivers who drive while sleep-deprived by raising awareness and education about the dangers of drowsy driving and how to prevent it. There are many dangers associated with driving drowsy and the alarming statistics presented in this article show why we need to raise awareness.
Read MoreState Patrol Vehicle Hit While Responding to Deer Car Accident on I-5 South of Bellingham
According to a report by the Bellingham Herald, a deer car accident occured just after 6 a.m. this morning near the North Lake Samish exit of southbound I-5. The accident blocked the left lane of southbound traffic and caused a backup for more than two and a half hours when a Washington State Patrol vehicle who responded to the scene was hit by a passing driver. The patrol vehicle was empty when it was struck and nobody was injured in the crash. The backup was cleared by 9 a.m.
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Read MorePrevent Whatcom County Child Pedestrian Accidents as We Return to School
There is no doubt that 2020 has been a weird and difficult year. All public schools in Whatcom County chose to begin their school year with distance only learning for all grades due to the risk of spread of COVID-19. Since that decision was made in late-July, Whatcom County’s infection rate has dropped enough that school districts are beginning to bring students back in hybrid models – either half the class two days a week or every other week. This means that school zones will be back in effect along with the need to protect our children from pedestrian accidents.
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Read MoreTeen Driving Safety: National Teen Driver Safety Week
It’s National Teen Driver Safety Week, October 18-24, 2020. Sadly, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens (15-18 years old) in the United States. Teenage brains are still developing in teen driving safety and as a result, teens tend to be impulsive and use poor judgment. Poor decisions often include drinking and driving or texting and driving; two of the riskiest behaviors when getting behind the wheel.
In 2017, 2,247 people were killed in car crashes involving a teen driver; 755 deaths were the teen driver. While young people aged 15-19 represented 6.5 percent of the U.S. population in 2017, injuries and fatalities from motor vehicle accidents involving teenage drivers represented about $13.1 billion – or almost eight percent – of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries.
Read MoreMulti Car Accident: Claim Challenges
Anyone who has been injured in a multi car accident and attempted to get compensation for their medical bills and pain and suffering can tell you that it can be a long and difficult process. This is true for fairly clear-cut accidents involving two vehicles but it’s even more true in multi-car accidents.
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Read MoreTeens Killed in Car Crash: DL Systems Reduce Fatal Crashes?
According to the CDC.gov, 2,364 were teens killed in car crash throughout 2017, aged 16-19. In addition to this, about 300,000 teens were treated in emergency departments for injuries they sustained in motor vehicle crashes. In order to reduce teen fatality and injury rates, states have licensing laws in place.
According to transportation.gov, graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs are in place in some form in all 50 states. GDL systems restrict certain driving privileges of new drivers. Over time the restrictions are lifted as the driver gains experience or takes tests to prove competency. Most states follow a three-step process that starts with passing a written test to obtain a learner’s permit. The next step is passing a driving test to get a provisional license and the final step is obtaining a full license. Washington uses a graduated driver’s licensing system (GDLS) that moves unlicensed drivers from an instruction permit to an intermediate license and then finally to a valid driver’s license.
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Read MoreWhat Damages Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Case?
When a loved one dies due to someone else’s negligence, the family often experiences profound grief. As the shock fades, families may worry about affording medical expenses or covering bills if the victim was a provider or caregiver. Wrongful death claims seek compensation for current and future family losses. Another way of saying compensation is “recovering damages.”
Read MoreWhat Duty of Care do Business Owners Owe Their Customers During a Pandemic?
Under premises liability law, businesses owe their customers a duty of care. This was always true, but there are added duties during COVID-19. On a practical level, a business owes their customers a duty to keep them safe on the business premises. If a customer is injured or becomes seriously ill because the business owner failed to meet their duty of care by acting negligently, the injured party may be able to sue to recover damages. For example, if a customer contracts Coronavirus after visiting a business that was not following safety guidelines, they may be able to file a personal injury claim.
Read MoreWhat are Independent Medical Examination Personal Injury Cases?
The Importance of Witnesses in Personal Injury Cases
If you were injured in a car accident or other personal injury scenario like slip and fall because of the negligence of another, you may be wondering how you are going to pay for your medical bills and make up lost wages while you recover. You may even be facing permanent disability and the prospect that you may never be able to work again. The best thing to do is speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can explain your legal rights: you may be able to recover damages through a personal injury settlement or jury award.