Whiplash Injuries in Low Speed Impact Crashes
Low speed impact crashes are defined as motor vehicle accidents where the striking vehicle was traveling at speeds under 10 MPH. At-fault insurance companies would like the driver who was hit to believe that low speed impact crashes do not cause any more injuries then might occur in the normal course of one’s day. THIS IS FALSE! While there is usually little to no visible property damage to the vehicles in this type of accident, people who are struck (especially in a rear-end car accident) often have injuries. The reason for this is that car bumpers are designed to withstand some impact without damage but vehicle occupants who are not anticipating being struck cannot force their back and neck against the seat or headrest to avoid being jerked backward. Note that older vehicles often show less property damage but do not do a good job of protecting occupants from injury.
Read MoreWhat you Need to Know About Subrogation
The term “subrogation” is not well known among the general population until you are in a car accident. If you have filed a car accident claim with your insurance company it is useful to know what subrogation is and how insurance companies use it to recover some of their costs.
Read MoreWashington State Ranked Second-Worst State to Drive in Nation
According to a list published by financial website WalletHub.com on Wednesday, January 24, 2018; Washington ranked second-worst state to drive in the nation. Hawaii came is as the worst and Texas the best. Now, before we start blaming Canadians or people who don’t know how to use roundabouts or who camp in the left lane, this ranking is about a “positive commute.”
Read MoreNational Academies of Science Panel Recommends Lower Drunken Driving Threshold
Each year 10,000 preventable deaths occur as a result of drunken driving accidents. In an effort to reduce this unnecessary carnage, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) commissioned a study from the National Academies of Sciences to identify the most effective proven strategies for reducing drunken driving. The report, which was released January, 2018, concluded that the majority of alcohol-related traffic deaths could be eliminated if states reduced their blood-alcohol concentration threshold from 0.08 to 0.05. All states currently have 0.08 thresholds although Utah passed a law last year that will lower the state’s threshold to 0.05 beginning Dec. 30, 2018.
Read MoreCould Defensive Driving have Prevented Bellingham Multi-Car Pileup?
I-5 Northbound traffic was blocked for almost three hours Monday morning as emergency crews and tow trucks handled the aftermath of a multi-car pileup near the Lakeway Exit. Cars were stopped all the way back to Old Fairhaven Parkway while officials completed the cleanup and investigation. Side-streets were inundated with traffic diverted from the interstate. In total 11 vehicles were involved in the crash and two people were hurt and taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Hospital. Thankfully there were no life-threatening injuries.
Read MoreNew Year’s Traffic Accident Statistics
Road traffic increases on most major holidays as people travel to visit family and friends; New Year’s is no exception. According to the National Safety Council’s (NSC) traffic study of six major holidays, New Year’s Eve came in at the fifth deadliest. New Year’s Eve traffic accident statistics also reveal what is probably obvious; drinking and driving play a major role in the traffic accidents that do occur and that more accidents happen in years where New Year’s Eve falls on a weekend.
Read MoreBraking and Stopping Safely Reduces Rear-End Car Accidents
When a car is unable to accomplish braking and stopping safely, there is a high risk of single or multi-car rear-end car accidents. In order to prevent a rear-end accident, drivers must be aware of the environmental, vehicle and driver factors that play into the ability to stop safely.
If you were seriously injured in a rear-end car accident through no fault of your own, contact an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Read MoreWhy do Law Enforcement Officers Write Traffic Tickets at the Scene of a Car Accident?
Being involved in a car accident can be traumatizing enough and some are shocked to receive a traffic ticket by a responding police officer. Gaining an understanding of the reasons that tickets are sometimes issued can bring peace of mind when making the decision to call law enforcement to the scene of an accident.
Read MoreWhatcom County May Hit Record Number of Car Accident Deaths in 2017
Our June blog post about a sharp rise in Whatcom County car accident deaths marked 10 deaths between January and mid-June, 2017. As of November 14, 2017 Whatcom County has experienced a tragic 20 crash deaths, which means a shocking additional 10 lives lost. The county has averaged 15 deaths from traffic accidents each year over the last decade but had seen improvement in 2015 and 2016 with 11 and 12 deaths, respectively. The highest number of car accident related deaths over the last decade was endured in 2008 with 21 deaths but 2017 isn’t over.
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Read MoreWhat You Need to Know Before Suing After a Car Accident
After most car accidents one or both parties involved make insurance claims to cover expenses such as property damage and medical expenses/therapy. The insurance agencies make a settlement offer which must be accepted by the individuals involved. When the settlement on the table is not acceptable because it does not cover ongoing medical care or adequately compensate for pain and suffering and lost wages, for example, it may be time to consider suing after a car accident.
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