Automobile Accidents

• Snowy Roads--Major Accidents

  Michael Myers | March 04, 2007 7:51 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Snow coated Western Washington roads on Wednesday. The most affected area was Snoqualmie Pass. At least 60 vehicles were involved in an accident near the Pass on I-90. The Interstate was shut down for six hours. The State Patrol reports at least four serious injuries. Even though snow dramatically changes the way a car handles, the same rules of the road applicable to dry pavement and...

• More than Half of Adults Could Not Pay Living Expenses if they Became Disabled--Time to Check UIM Coverage

  Michael Myers | March 03, 2007 7:28 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  I read a recent headline which read: "More Than Half of Adults Could Not Meet Expenses If They Became Disabled". It was based on research by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The Survey made me think of UIM insurance. That's really the only kind of insurance you can readily buy to help insurance against the risks of disability (since the 1980s the coverage offered by...

• Special and General Damages and Multipliers--The Quick and Dirty on Case Valuation

  Michael Myers | March 03, 2007 4:54 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  There are two basic kinds of damages in any personal case. Special damages and general damages. Special damages describe out of pocket costs such as medical expenses and lost wages. General damages refer to less quantitative and more qualitative damages such as loss of enjoyment of life and pain and suffering. Whether fair or not, both plaintiff's attorneys and insurance adjusters tend to...

• Deciding Whether to Call a Witness--Tricky Business

  Michael Myers | March 03, 2007 4:49 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Sometimes the decision whether to call a particular witness is difficult. Clients may feel that the witness in question adds a great deal to their story. For instance, they believe that calling a relative to confirm that they are a good person and credible will increase their chances of success. That may well be the case if the relative had an opportunity to interact with them immediately...

• Much Needed Insurance Reform

  Michael Myers | March 03, 2007 11:07 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  There are several interesting bills before the legislature. Though dealing with different issues, they are seek to bring about long-awaited and much needed insurance reform. A summary of the various bills appears below:SHB 1491 & SSB 5726 - Insurance Fair Conduct ActThese bills are intended to heighten and clarify an insurer's duty to act in good faith when handling first-party...

• Clearning an Artificial Hurdle

  Michael Myers | March 03, 2007 10:52 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  There is more legislation pending that would help injured persons. SB 5725 is designed to clear an artificial hurdle created by the Courts that--probably unintentionally shifts a lot of expense on plaintiffs and helps defendants avoid paying valid claims. If SB 5725 is passed into law it would create a presumption that medical and billing records submitted in arbitration and at trial reflect...

• Wrongful Death of an Adult Child

  Michael Myers | March 03, 2007 10:45 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  There is a major flaw in Washington's wrongful death statute. Parents of an adult child who is killed cannot recover for their loss unless they are dependent on the child for support. Legislation has been introduced to try to change this gaping hole in the law. It is refered to as SHB 1873 - Wrongful Death of an Adult Child.The House Judiciary passed SBH 1873. It awaits passage from House...

• Municipal Liability for Unsanded Roads

  Michael Myers | January 14, 2007 8:03 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  As I wrote in a prior entry, a young woman was seriously hurt when an SUV lost control on an icy road. Sixteen-year-old Victoria Zimmerman lost her lower left leg in the accident. Now, Ms. Zimmerman's mother quesitons why the road on which the accident ahppened wasn't sanded. Municipalities can be held liable for not only the negligent things they do (e.g., a city vehicle strikes a...

• Recorded Statements--Only One Hard and Fast Rule

  Michael Myers | January 13, 2007 7:31 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  After a motor vehicle accident you'll probably be asked to give a recorded statement. A recorded statement is basically a tape recorded interview by an insurance adjuster. The adjuster may be from your insurance company. Or the adjuster might be from the at-fault driver's company. Some attorneys recommend their clients never give recorded statements. This is not the best advice. Recorded...

• Traffic Cameras in Everett

  Michael Myers | January 13, 2007 6:30 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Traffic cameras are coming to Everett. They are already used in some other major Washington cities. They are going to play a bigger and bigger role in auto accident litigation and personal injury claims. The cameras will cut out a lot of the "he said--she said" that remains a big part of contested liability motor vehicle accident cases. There are already cameras on many parts of I-5 but a...