Top Tips to Avoid a Summer Bicycle Accident
The warm weather has arrived in many parts of the country and that means more bicyclists out on the road. In general, bicycle riding is up- According to the U.S. Census Bureau, from 2000 to 2012, the number of Americans traveling to work by bicycle increased from 488,000 to about 786,000. With more bicyclists out on the road, comes the risk of more accidents; while passenger vehicle deaths decreased in 2012 from 2011, bicyclist fatalities increased from 682 to 726 and injuries increased from 48,000 to 49,000. More bicyclist fatalities occur during the summer months of July through September since the warmer weather brings out more riders.
Read MoreBBQ Accident Statistics
Most people own a cooking grill of some kind; it is a great way to make delicious meal but also means that many households have a great risk for a BBQ accident. Home fires and thermal burns are two common risks associated with barbecues. On average, 8,800 home fires occur in the United States each year as a result of grilling; almost half of all grilling injuries are caused by thermal burns. Half of all people grill year round but the month of July is the peak for grill fires, followed by May, June, and August.
Read MoreLake Swimming Safety Tips!
It’s almost swimming season in the Pacific Northwest but you should know that lake swimming is different than swimming in a swimming pool. The unknown factors of swimming in a lake can get people into trouble. These factors include water depth which can change from area to area; water temperature which can vary depending on the amount of glacier runoff that year; the type of lake bottom such as sandy or full of reeds; and who you are sharing the lake with that day such as boaters and water skiers. Watch for safety signs or instructions and use these lake swimming safety tips to help keep you safe!
Lake Swimming Safety Tips
Read MoreFishing Boat Accidents
Fishing boat accidents account for many of the serious and fatal water injuries endured each year. In fact, per the U.S. Coast Guard there were nearly 5,000 recreational fishing boat accidents in the United States in 2008. These accidents caused more than 700 deaths, 3,000 injuries and $54 million in property damage. Boats loaded incorrectly are a common cause of fishing boat accidents; it can lead to capsizing and people falling in the water. Fishermen should heed the posted recommendation for weight of cargo and passengers that is posted on their boat; many fishing boat accidents are caused by overloading. Compounding the problem is that so few fishermen wear lifejackets; these safety devices can reduce some of the risk of falling overboard.
Fishing Boat Accident Risk Factors
Read MoreCommon Household Accidents
Household accidents cause thousands of deaths in the United States every year. There are some common risk factors to look out for in keeping yourself and your family safe in your home. It is always smart to do regular safety equipment checks such as replacing batteries on smoke detectors and maintaining appliances and household structures in good working order.
Common Household Accidents
Read MoreHydroplaning Accidents
Hydroplaning Accidents, sometimes called aquaplaning or planing are caused when a driver loses control of the steering wheel because a layer of water on the roadway prevents direct contact between the tires and the road surface. This loss of friction is caused because the tire cannot move the water out of the way fast enough. The driver becomes unable to brake or steer, which means the driver is out of control of the vehicle. The vehicle either skids until it crashes into something or until the tires regain traction with the road. Hydroplaning accidents can happen to anyone but occur most commonly in flooded roadways, heavy rain conditions, or when a vehicle is speeding and tires are in poor repair. Hydroplaning becomes a risk when the water depth on the road is over a tenth of an inch and the vehicle is moving at 50 miles per hour or more. The best safety measure is to slow down in wet conditions.
Read MoreTop 10 Slip and Fall Accident Risk Factors
A slip and fall accident is a very common type of accident that is sometimes caused by unsafe conditions on someone else’s property. Property owners have a duty to use reasonable care on their property. This means being aware of dangerous conditions on their property and fixing those problems in a timely manner in order to make the property safe for visitors. Until issues are fixed, the area should be well marked to warn about the hazard. Property owners who fail to fulfill this obligation may be held liable for damages in a slip and fall accident through a premise liability claim. A personal injury attorney can help you through your slip and fall case.
Top 10 Slip and Fall Accident Risk Factors
Read MoreTop 8 House Fire Hazards
In 2011 residential house fires claimed the lives of 3,005 Americans and cost 11.7 Billion dollars in damages. Fires are partially dangerous because they can start small and rage out of control in minutes; burning your house to the ground in a short period of time. Learning common fire hazards can help to prevent residential house fires.
Top 8 House Fire Hazards
Read MoreDo I Really Need Car Insurance?
Car insurance is an expense so there is a temptation to skip it or to ask: do I really need car insurance? Truthfully, most people with a driver’s license should carry car insurance, even if you don’t own a vehicle. Carrying car insurance is the law in Washington State if you drive a vehicle.
But I Don’t Own a Car…Do I really Need Car Insurance?
If you are a licensed driver without a vehicle you should still strongly consider carrying car insurance for the following reasons:
Read MoreWhat is Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage?
What happens if I am in an accident with an uninsured motorist?
Across the country, 14 percent of drivers are uninsured. In Washington State 18 percent of motorists are uninsured! If you are hit by a driver without car insurance and you don’t have uninsured motorist property damage coverage, then you will need to sue them for damages (and hope they have something to give) or pay for the expenses yourself. If you are injured by an uninsured driver and don’t have medical insurance, medical payments coverage or personal injury protection, you could end up paying for your own hospital bills. If you’re hit by an uninsured driver and don’t have collision coverage, you could end up paying your own car repair bills.
Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage is designed to provide compensation when your insured vehicle is damaged by an accident with an uninsured vehicle. Each state sets a limit on the coverage; some are as high as the cash value of the car and some are as low as $3,500 or less. Some states have deductibles ranging from $200-$500 but many have no deductible.
Read More