Top 5 Questions to Ask a Car Accident Witness
When it comes to determining fault in a car accident, witnesses often play an important role in confirming the claimant’s account of the collision. But a witness account is only possible if their contact information is gathered at the scene and if the right questions are asked – often after the injured party has received appropriate medical care and had a chance to calm their nerves. Every accident is different, and in many cases, an accident victim is too injured to interview witnesses at the scene. This is why it is so important to work with a personal injury attorney. An experienced car accident lawyer knows how to question witnesses to get a clear picture of the events that led to the accident from their perspective.
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Read MoreYour Bicycle Accident Questions Answered
Cities such as Bellingham, Washington have a fairly high number of cyclists co-existing with motor vehicles on its roads. Sadly, every year, hundreds of bicyclists are struck by drivers and often end up badly injured. According to iihs.org, 843 bicyclists were killed in bicycle accidents with motor vehicles in 2019. The good news is that this was a three percent decrease from the 868 bicyclist deaths that occurred in 2018, but overall cyclist deaths have increased 36 percent since reaching their lowest point in 2010.
When you factor in the size difference alone, it’s easy to see why cyclists are at a much higher risk for injury and death when they are involved in a crash with a car or truck. Injured cyclists deserve justice and maximum compensation for their injuries. In this article we will answer some of the most common questions about bike accidents involving motor vehicles.
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Read MoreBellingham Man killed in Island County Dirt Bike Wreck
As reported by KGMI, a Bellingham man died in a dirt bike accident that happened in Island County this past Friday. According to Washington State Patrol, 29-year-old Joshua H. Heneger was riding on a dirt road near Clinton at about 7:30 p.m. when he lost control of the bike and crashed into a hard object. The rider was not wearing a helmet and the cause of the accident is still being investigated.
Dirt bike riding is a huge draw for many – especially young men. It’s full of adrenaline pumping and dare devil opportunities. Unfortunately, each year hundreds of children and adults are killed or injured in accidents involving a dirt bike. Dirt bike safety must be taken very seriously.
Read MoreDriver Transported to Bellingham Hospital After Rollover Crash on Birch Bay-Lynden Road
As reported by Whatcom News, Birch Bay-Lynden Road was temporarily closed in both directions at Woodland Road on April 13, 2021, because of a rollover crash with injuries. First responders were called to the scene of the injury crash at 10:25 a.m. and the road was reopened to traffic in both directions about 11:30 a.m. The single-vehicle rollover crash occurred when a Dodge Durango left the road and crashed into a pole on the north side of the road as it was traveling westbound on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. The vehicle landed on its side in a grassy area next to the road. According to Washington State Patrol Trooper Rocky Oliphant, the driver was transported by aid to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. He also noted that the driver would be arrested for driving under the influence upon release from the hospital.
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Read MoreUW Band Members Awarded $1.4 million in Common Carrier Accident Claim after 2018 Charter Bus Crash
The bus, which was on its way to the Apple Cup at the time, crashed near George, Washington. After the driver lost control in icy conditions and crashed into a ditch. The driver was later cited for driving too fast for the conditions. A traffic citation is often used by the prosecution to show negligence on the part of the defendant. This may have played a part in the jury’s decision to award a settlement.
According to the personal injury firm representing the victims, forty-five people were injured in the crash and many should continue to pursue justice. The four students who were awarded the settlement in varying amounts have post-traumatic stress disorder. Moreover, they suffered a range of serious injuries including a fractured spine, broken bones, an AC joint separation to the shoulder, lacerations, and bruises. At least one of the four students required surgery.
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Car Accident Protection from a Potential Car Accident
Car Accident Protection: How to protect yourself from a potential car accident
Safest States to Drive: Washington State Ranked 8th Safest State to Drive in 2021
Each state has its own driving and insurance laws as well as weather, road conditions and rural versus urban makeup that contribute to road safety and traffic accident rates. What’s the safest states to drive in each year, and why. Naturally, we are interested in where our own state ranks. Using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the analysis by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, reviews.com ranked all 50 states from safest to the most dangerous to drive in for 2021. Find the complete list here: https://www.reviews.com/insurance/car/most-dangerous-states-for-driving/
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Read MoreWhat You Need to Know about Car Accident Compensation in Washington State
Washington State uses “comparative negligence” rules
Car Accident Eye Injury: Common Injuries in Car Accidents
Good vision is something that most people take for granted. We need our sight for quality of life and for most jobs. If your eyes are damaged and you are no longer able to work and provide for yourself or your family that is a devastating injury. It’s important to know that your eyes can be injured in a car crash and that motor vehicle accidents are actually a major cause of eye injuries. Many people don’t realize that their eyes are injured after a collision; as a result, researchers have been calling for more studies to be done on motor vehicle-related eye injuries to help doctors diagnose, manage, and treat people who suffer eye injuries from an accident.
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Read More2020 Study: Driving Was Down While Traffic Fatality Rates Surged
We drove less in 2020 because of Covid-19 restrictions. The good news is that fewer miles traveled did translate into few car crashes. The bad news? The traffic fatality rate surged. A report by the National Safety Council (NSC) shows that deaths from motor vehicle accidents increased by eight percent last year, with as many as 42,060 people dying in motor vehicle crashes. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), hasn’t released its analysis of traffic accident deaths for 2020 yet, their preliminary results for the first nine months of the year support the trend in the NSC report.
When we compare the traffic deaths to the number of miles driven, the fatality rate rose by 24 percent in 2020; the biggest jump in almost a hundred years!