Dangers of Motorcycle Lane Splitting
Motorcyclists have to adhere to the same traffic laws as regular cars, with only a few exceptions. Motorcyclists may be tempted to get ahead of traffic by motorcycle lane splitting but the practice is currently illegal in Washington State. While there are efforts to change the law and allow lane splitting throughout the state, there are concerns about its safety.
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Street Racing Accidents Have Deadly Consequences
If you or a loved one was injured in a street racing accident, contact an experienced car accident lawyer for help. You may need help determining who is liable for the accident and the potential value of your injury claim; an injury lawyer will be able to help.
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NSC Estimates 2023 Thanksgiving Holiday Traffic Fatalities
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What is Maximum Medical Improvement? How Does it Affect Personal Injury Cases?
Over the course of your treatment, your doctors will use what’s called maximum medical improvement (MMI) to let you know what your recovery will look like in the long-term. This information can then be used by your personal injury lawyer to help calculate damages in your personal injury claim. Put another way, without knowing your MMI, it can be difficult to calculate a fair settlement amount in your accident case.
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How Long Does It Take to Settle a Personal Injury Claim?
The time it takes to settle a personal injury claim can vary widely and depends on several factors. These factors include the complexity of the case, the extent of the injuries, the willingness of the parties to negotiate, and the legal processes in the jurisdiction where the claim is filed.
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What is a Personal Injury Lawyer?
A personal injury lawyer is a lawyer who provides legal services to a person who claims that they were injured – either physically, psychologically, or financially – because of the negligence of another person, company, government agency, or other organization. Personal injury lawyers primarily practice in the area of law known as tort law. A local personal injury lawyer is best equipped to handle cases because they are familiar with the local laws, court system, expert witnesses, and judges. If your accident occurred in Bellingham, you will want a Bellingham personal injury lawyer on your side!
If you or a loved one is suffering from a personal injury caused by the carelessness or intentional act of another, our personal injury law firm is here to help. We walk our injury clients through each step of the claim process, keeping them in the loop with any progress or updates to their case. We start with a FREE consultation where we talk about your accident, injuries, medical bills and other damages. From there we discuss your legal rights and the value of your potential claim.
A good personal injury lawyer, handles all aspects of your personal injury claim to ensure you get the settlement (or jury award) that you deserve. Our lawyers:
- Ensure you receive the medical care you need by deferring medical bills, as needed.
- Interview and retain witnesses, investigate and research issues and gather supporting documents.
- Serve a “complaint” on the defendant.
- Handle the pretrial litigation phase.
- Negotiate a settlement or take the case to trial.
Look for a dedicated personal injury lawyer
Our primary practice area is personal injury law with a focus on car accidents, pedestrian injuries, medical malpractice and wrongful death. If you are looking for a dedicated personal injury lawyer with the experience to fight for you, you have come to the right place. Since 1979, we have helped thousands of injured people in and around Bellingham and Whatcom County fight for justice and recover losses for their car crashes and other personal injury accidents. We provide FREE case evaluations, home and hospital visits and no attorney fees unless you recover damages. Contact us now to schedule your free consultation.
What does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?
There are no upfront costs or fees paid by our clients to pursue any personal injury claims, including claims for motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death or medical malpractice. We provide representation on a contingency fee basis for all personal injury cases. This means that while you will not incur any attorney fees if you do not win your case, Washington State law requires clients to reimburse the law firm for out-of-pocket expenses, typically as a percentage of the settlement.
What is a typical personal injury settlement?
There is a huge range when it comes to personal injury settlements, depending on the severity of the injuries and other damages inflicted on the injured party. Injury settlements can range between $15,000 for a small case to over 1M for very serious cases. An injury lawyer with personal injury law experience in your state will be able to tell you what the value of your claim is and the amount that you might be able to reasonably expect to get out of a settlement or jury verdict.
Seek the help of a personal injury lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
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Teen Rollover Crash Leads to 5 Hospitalizations
As the parent of teenage children, you may be stressed about your kids driving or being involved in a car accident in another teen’s car. Recently, Whatcom County experienced a teen rollover crash that sent five teens to the hospital.
What is a rollover crash?
A rollover crash is a deadly type of motor vehicle accident that occurs when a vehicle crashes into something and then rolls over at least once before coming to a stop. Rollover crashes have a very high fatality rate compared to other types of crashes. Supported by data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are six main factors that contribute to the risk of vehicle rollover accidents. These are:
- The type of vehicle (SUVs and vans are more susceptible)
- Driving on rural roads (because they lack clear divisions and barriers that reduce the risk)
- Driving while intoxicated
- Driving at high speeds
- Routine driving
- Single-vehicle crashes
I-5 Rollover Crash Sends 5 to the Hospital
As reported by whatcomnews.com, at approximately 12:50 am on Sunday, October 29, emergency responders were dispatched to the northbound lanes of I-5, just north of the Northwest Avenue interchange, following reports of a severe rollover crash resulting in significant injuries.
According to initial radioed reports from the scene, there were two patients on the ground. Washington State Patrol (WSP) released a press memo detailing their preliminary findings: a red 2005 Ford F150 pickup truck, driven by an 18-year-old Bellingham woman and carrying five other occupants aged 15 to 18, was traveling northbound on I-5. The vehicle drifted left, striking the median’s cable barrier. The impact caused the Ford to roll over, ultimately blocking the northbound lanes.
Emergency crews transported four of the six occupants to PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s Medical Center, while a 15-year-old was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. One individual was reported as uninjured. Five out of the six occupants were confirmed to have been wearing seatbelts during the crash, with the status of the sixth occupant’s seatbelt usage remaining unknown.
The investigation revealed that drugs and/or alcohol played a role in causing the crash, though the investigation remains ongoing.
Teen Accident Statistics
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States. The vulnerability of young drivers is compounded by the fact that teenage brains are still in the process of development, making teens more prone to impulsive behavior and poor judgment. Unfortunately, these poor decisions often involve dangerous activities such as drinking and driving or texting while driving, both of which significantly increase the risks associated with operating a vehicle.
In the year 2020 alone, a devastating 2,738 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19 lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes. Despite representing only 6.5 percent of the U.S. population in 2017, young people aged 15 to 19 contributed to approximately $13.1 billion, nearly eight percent, of the total costs related to motor vehicle injuries due to accidents involving teenage drivers.
Several key risk factors contribute to teen driving accidents, including:
- Drinking and driving
- Texting and driving
- Other forms of distracted driving
- Teen passengers
- Excessive number of passengers
- Speeding
- Failure to wear seat belts
- Drowsy driving
Parents of teen drivers should do everything they can to talk to their teens about the importance of safe driving. If your teen is injured in a wreck due to the negligence of another teen driver, contact a car accident lawyer for help.
Seek the help of a car accident lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
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Do Personal Injury Cases Settle After Deposition?
A personal injury claim has several steps, starting with a consultation and investigation. The personal injury attorney investigates the case, gathers evidence, talks to witnesses, and assesses the extent of damages. The next step is “filing the complaint” against the responsible party. Once a response is received, the discovery phase begins. During this phase, both parties exchange information and evidence relevant to the case. This can involve interrogatories, document requests, and depositions.
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How to Know if You Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident
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How to Handle a Personal Injury Case from Start to Finish
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