KomoNews.com reported that in Lewis County yesterday, a father and son were killed when the pickup they were driving collided with a semi truck that was stopped at the end of line of cars stopped in traffic.  They were traveling north on I-5, and traffic was backed up nearly four miles ahead of the semi. The pickup did not stop and crashed into the back of the semi’s trailer. The investigation into the crash is ongoing.

While the cause of this tragic accident is unknown, it is also a reminder to all of us the importance of driving safely. With shifts in traffic patterns happening all the time it is up to drivers to be cautious on the road and do everything they can to protect themselves and others.  Check out some tips on accident prevention, and drive safely!

One of the vehicles was driving west, and crossed into eastbound traffic and collided with another vehicle. This collision caused a third vehicle to crash into them. All three drivers were injured, and one died hours later at Harborview Medical Center. Another of the drivers had severe leg trauma, and the third is being held for observation.

The Renton Police Traffic Unit is launching an investigation into the crash. So far it looks like no drugs or alcohol were involved in the accident, which occurred at 4:40 in the afternoon. As an auto accident attorney, I know that sometimes accidents happen no matter how hard you work to prevent them. Not all accidents are due to gross negligence, but that doesn’t make them any less tragic when they occur. An accident like this can change the life of a family forever, so it’s important to do everything you can to avoid a tragedy like this one.

The driver, from Everett, was taken to Providence Colby Hospital with severe leg injuries. Troopers suspected drunk driving because of the smell of alcohol on the driver and in the vehicle. They also found marijuana in the car. State Troopers expressed surprise that car was even able to get onto the walkway; it was so clearly marked and protected by the median and pylons.

No matter how many precautions you take or how closely you follow traffic laws, it can sometimes be impossible to predict what a reckless or inebriated driver will do. Too often it is those individuals who are following the law that end up paying the price for these kinds of accidents. As a Seattle auto accident attorney, I see these kinds of accidents all too often. That’s why it is so important to stay alert while on the road, and to make sure that you and no one you know ever gets behind the wheel after drinking.

The organization understands the challenges that are presented by this proposal. First of all, the system must be extremely quick and simple to use. Ideally, the driver would not even know it was working (unless they had been drinking.) If it causes a large inconvenience to sober drivers, consumers will not be willing to purchase cars outfitted with the technology. This means that the traditional ignition interlock system is out, not only because of the time that it takes to use but also because of the expense of production and maintenance for the item.

With all this in mind, in 2008 DADSS struck forth to find a research and development firm who would be able to develop the technology to make this possible. Three firms were chosen to get an initial grant for phase one, and the technology itself came down to two options: sensors that would detect the amount of ethanol on your breath in the car, and near infrared lights that would detect tissue alcohol concentration (this technology could also double to detect the identity of the user—how cool is that?)

Two of the companies, each utilizing a different technology path, have been awarded 2.5 million dollars to move on to the second phase of the program. As of November 2011, DADSS predicts that there will be a drivable test vehicle available in two years. If the technology succeeds, and drunk drivers are eliminated from the road, that could reduce the overall traffic fatality rate by 30%. It seems worthwhile to pursue something that is so simple and easy and yet could save so many lives.

On Monday December 26th, Amy Renee Mason led Washington State Troopers in her RV for forty miles down I-5. Her speed ran as high as 86 MPH and as low as 44. She did not turn on her lights throughout the chase, and at one point struck another vehicle but did not slow. She continued until police and state troopers finally stopped her by placing spike strips on the road. Mason attempted to flee once the RV had been stopped but was eventually caught by the state troopers on foot.

Once she was caught, Mason claimed that someone had been chasing her and that she had been trying to get away. She was unable to say who was chasing her and did not know that she had hit another vehicle during the chase. She has been charged with reckless driving, hit-and-run, driving without a valid license and felony eluding.

This is just further proof that you never know who is out there with you on the road. It could be a drunk driver, a teen texting or just someone whose reckless driving and bad decisions could cost you money or worse, your life. It is obvious that Mason had no idea what was going on, and that kind of recklessness is a recipe for a bad accident. It is important to stay alert and attentive while on the road, and to keep out of the way of unpredictable drivers who might cause you harm.

Late Monday afternoon, a 29 year old woman pursued a man that police believe was her boyfriend out of the bar they had been drinking together in. She thought that he was too drunk to drive, and followed him to a grocery store. It was then that he drove off and she drove after him, at speeds that would have been high for an unimpaired driver. She had her 15 year old daughter in the passenger seat.

The Ford Taurus that they were driving rolled three times after striking the back of a pickup truck. This caused a domino effect for the other cars on the road, and six cars in all were involved. The woman and her daughter both suffered serious injuries and were transported by ambulance to local hospitals. The man who she had been pursuing fled the scene, but police eventually tracked him down. He is being investigated for drunk driving, reckless endangerment, vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of a crime.

Drunk driving accidents are tragic, but also completely avoidable. By simply refusing to drive once you have been drinking, you could be saving not only your life but the lives of innocent unsuspecting drivers on the road. As a lawyer who has seen too many drunk drivers recklessly play with the lives of others, I hope that next time they will think twice before getting behind the wheel.

Between 10 PM and 6 AM, certain curb space in the downton, Fremont and Capitol Hill neighborhoods will be restricted to cabs-only. Seattle Mayor McGinn said that they worked hard to keep these stands away from residential areas and in places that worked to benefit the local businesses. Local business owners are also happy that the couple thousand partiers who flood the city on the weekends will have a new way to get out of town.

Being a Seattle Area Personal Injury Lawyer, I know that it isn’t always easy to find a cab in Seattle late at night. That’s why I’m glad that the city is creating this new option for people to get home safely. Hopefully this will encourage people to leave their cars at home when they go out on the weekends, and grab a cab instead!

If you or a loved one have been in a distracted driving accident, please take care of the physical and emotional health of your family.  However, the financial health of your family should not be ruined by an accident that was not your fault.  Contact an Enumclaw distracted driving accident attorney to protect your legal rights and your family’s financial health.  For more information and a free consultation, contact me today at Premier Law Group at (206)285-1743.

If you or a member of your family have been injured in a car wreck in or around Bellevue, contact a Bellevue car crash lawyer to discuss your options.  The health and safety of your family is the most important consideration at this time, but the insurance companies and the other parties involved do not have your best interests at heart, and you may need representation to ensure that a car accident that was someone else’s fault does not become a financial burden to your family.  For more information and a free consultation, call me at Premier Law Group at (206)285-1743.

Maintaining safe roads during the holiday season is an important mission that the Washington State Department of Transportation is encouraging. Avoiding busy interstates such as I-90, I-5, and Highway 2 if at all possible would help in limiting traffic congestion. Remember to drive with cation in the difficult weather and high traffic areas.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an auto accident due to high traffic or inclement weather and have questions concerning compensation, you need to contact a professional Seattle auto accident lawyer. Car crashes can be extremely traumatic and stressful for you as well as family members especially during the holidays. Call me at Premier Law Group and I will dedicate my time to your case in order to ensure you the medical care that you deserve. I can also work with your insurance company to make sure you receive the full compensation that you are entitled to. For more information and a FREE CONSULTATION, contact me at (206)285-1743.