Automobile Accidents

• Car Drifting Across Four Lanes of Traffic Strikes and Kills Jogger

  Ryan Nute | December 17, 2007 12:03 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  A jogger was hit and killed by a motorist Saturday while jogging down Duvall Avenue Northeast in Renton, Washington. The 37-year old jogger was traveling along the northbound lanes when a southbound car drifted across four lanes of traffic and hit the jogger from behind. The car then went down an embankment. The 34-year old driver sustained injuries. I take some personal interest in these...

• Evidence of Failure to Wear Seatbelt Allowable in Media, Not in Washington Courts

  Michael Myers | November 30, 2007 8:00 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  When the media reports on motor-vehicle accidents they often mention whether the involved drivers or passengers were wearing a seatbelt (or if the injured bicyclist or motorcyclist was wearing a helmet). The fact that the media consistently brings this detail to our attention makes it seem significant. However, it is important to remember that, in accordance with the rules of evidence, an...

• Phantom Drivers and UIM Coverage

  Michael Myers | November 29, 2007 8:38 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Unfortunately, a significant number of accidents are caused by drivers that leave the scene of an accident prematurely.This was the case in an accident earlier this month on the Mount Baker Highway. A vehicle pulled out of the Nooksack Casino parking lot directly in front of an eastbound Geo Metro. The Metro crossed the center line to avoid a collision and collided with a westbound Mazda.The...

• Sean Heldt's Death Still Considered a "Wrongful Death" Claim

  Michael Myers | November 20, 2007 8:00 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Sean Heldt had been laying in a coma for almost six months at Harborview Medical Center when he passed away on November 7th, a few weeks shy of his 25th birthday. Heldt's died as a result of a May 25, 2007 accident on Interstate-90 when the car he was driving was hit head-on by a man with a blood alcohol content more than three times the legal limit. The intoxicated driver and his 2-year old...

• Elderly Seattle Pedestrian Fatally Injured

  Michael Myers | November 02, 2007 8:00 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  An 85-year old man that was hit by an SUV on Saturday has died from his injuries.Oswald Clement, a West Seattle man, was hit by the SUV at about 7:45 p.m. Saturday night near Fire Station 37. Clement passed away at Harborview Medical Center on Sunday. Both Mr. Clement's Estate and any beneficiaries he may have should consider promptly investigating claims against the driver of the SUV and...

• Multiple-Vehicle Collisions Can Make Claims More Complex

  Michael Myers | November 01, 2007 11:08 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  During rush hour last Friday a five vehicle accident caused a six mile traffic backup on I-5. The chain-reaction accident, involving four cars and one motorcycle, occurred just south of 196th Street SW. Rescue crews had to cut open the top of one of the cars which was on its side in a ditch. Three people were hurt in the accident; none had serious injuries.One of the drivers involved in the...

• Log Truck Driver May Still Have Claims Against At-Fault Driver Despite Injury Disparity

  Michael Myers | October 29, 2007 8:20 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  On Thursday morning a woman driving an Aerostar Van attempted to cross Highway 12 near Salkum, made an improper turn and was hit by a log truck.The driver of the Aerostar Van, Cristen L. Boling, 28, suffered head and internal injuries as a result of the collision. She remains in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center.The truck driver, Robert Kiser, 37, did not suffer serious injuries as...

• Student Hit at Crosswalk Entitled to UIM Coverage

  Michael Myers | October 26, 2007 12:52 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  A 15-year old girl was hit Friday morning by a pickup truck while crossing the street at a marked crosswalk. The driver who hit the student fled the scene of the accident; police continue to search for the driver. The Stadium High School student was transported to the hospital with a broken leg. The injured pedestrian should be entitled to UIM coverage under her parents' insurance policy. ...

• Riding with a Drunk Driver--Comparative Fault and the Passenger Seat

  Michael Myers | October 26, 2007 9:36 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Early Sunday morning a driver suspected to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol caused an accident on Interstate 5 in Seattle that injured three people.The driver, behind the wheel of a 1992 Honda Prelude, hit the guardrail, spun out and then returned to the northbound lanes where another car hit the Prelude at a right angle. The three injured persons were transported to Harboview Medical...

• Precious Cargo--Claims Against Friends and Family

  Michael Myers | October 23, 2007 8:00 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  On Friday a minivan carrying five children was sideswiped by an oncoming car, causing the van to run into a pole and resulting in serious injuries for one of the young passengers. According to police, a woman headed westbound on Highway 530 lost control of her vehicle and crossed into the oncoming lane. The swerving car narrowly missed hitting a truck and another car before hitting the van. As...