Automobile Accidents

• 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...

• Federal Judge Tosses Out Waiver

  Mark McLean | August 18, 2007 8:25 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  A Federal District Court Judge in Florida recently issued an opinion holding liability waivers invalid when they are applied to conduct which violates certain safety statutes. The Court held:"It would be against public policy to enforce contract clauses purporting to exempt liveries from liability for violating these [safety] statutes...the provisions are invalid as against public policy when...

• DUI Suspected in Mason County Crashing Injuring Five

  Mark McLean | August 17, 2007 2:28 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  A Sunday accident on Highway 3 in North Mason County injured five people, including two children. "As the Port Orchard driver began to pass the pickup, he hit the left rear corner of the truck, according to Washington State Patrol reports. The Port Orchard man's van then hit, head-on, a 2006 Toyota Scion traveling in the northbound lane, according to reports." Police suspect that the driver of...

• Hit-and-Run Driver Causes Car Accident and Personal Injuries

  Mark McLean | June 25, 2007 10:22 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  A hit-and-run driver caused a crash which closed Highway 2 in Snohomish last week. A victim of the crashed suffered serious personal injuries. Troopers are looking for a car whose driver they said caused a pickup truck to roll over, closing Highway 2 in both directions at about noon on Wednesday.The driver of a yellow car was tailgating other cars and weaving between lanes before the vehicle...

• Teen Suffers Personal Injuries in Car Accident

  Mark McLean | June 25, 2007 9:32 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  A Lake Stevens teenager suffered serious personal injuries when she was struck by a dump truck on Highway 92 in Lake Stevens last week.The woman apparently was making a left turn onto 127th Drive NE when her car was struck broadside by a dump truck and trailer rig about 7:15 a.m., Washington State Patrol Sgt. Harlan Jackson said.The woman, who reportedly was alert and conscious at the scene, was...

• Pedestrians Suffer Personal Injuries on Seattle Waterfront

  Mark McLean | June 25, 2007 9:07 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Two pedestrians suffered personal injuries when they were struck by a pickup truck in an accident along Alaskan Way on Seattle's Downtown Waterfront on Friday. A pickup truck struck two people walking across Alaskan Way on Seattle's waterfront Friday, police said. The two were taken to Harborview Medical Center.A witness told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News the two -- a man and a woman -- were crossing...

• Help Increase Insurance Executives' Bonuses--Don't Make Claims When Injured by a Family Member

  Michael Myers | April 03, 2007 7:45 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  An 82-year-old Ocean Shores man died following in car accident on Friday. The man was riding with his 79 year old wife. The wife struck a telephone pole. In caes like this the family can recover under both the liability and UIM policies purchased from the auto insurer. No doubt policy payments were made to the insurance comapny for years. Failing to make a claim only adds to the insurance...

• Talking to Juries

  Michael Myers | March 08, 2007 9:25 AM | 1 CommentSeattle, WA

  Jury service has been described as one of the most valuable civic functions. In fact, many people think it second only to serving one's country on the battlefield. These types of statements are made in almost every closing argument. However, they are often cloaked in archaic formality. It's not a great strategy to Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln or other historic figures who do not...

• Accident with Canadian Driver in Washington or BC--Enter ICBC

  Michael Myers | March 07, 2007 1:11 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  I like Canadians. My parents moved to Canada in 1985. I spend most weekends at Whistler. And, last but not least, I like Canadians because they all have insurance...good insurnace. The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) is a provincial Crown corporation established in 1973 to provide universal auto insurance to B.C. motorists. It covers drivers from BC when they get into...

• You Can Settle Your UIM Claim First

  Michael Myers | March 06, 2007 12:59 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  A lot of people think that their UIM (Under Insured Motorist) coverage comes into play only after they've settled with the at-fault driver. Not the case. You can and should open a UIM claim as soon as you find out that the at-fault driver may not have enough insurance to cover your injuries. And you can settle your UIM claim before you settle the underlying case. And you don't need to tell...