Speed limits are placed for the protection of everyone on the road. The Government Census reported that in Washington alone there were around 492 traffic fatalities. Of these fatalities, 208 were a direct result of a car crash caused by speeding. Adding speeding with the unpredictable driving habits of teenagers can be a very dangerous combination. According to RMIIA, in 2008 about 2,739 drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 died in vehicle accidents. Car accidents were the leading cause of death for this age group that year.

Working at a Bellevue personal injury law firm I know how imperative it is that we educate teenagers on the dangers of negligent driving. Speeding and distracted driving is potentially life threatening behaviors that can be taught correctly before obtaining a license. We should all take a lesson from this tragic story and follow safety traffic laws.

Car accidents are dangerous no matter how tricked out with safety gadgets. New innovations in car safety continue to improve in everyday consumer vehicles but as seen in this racing accident, even the safest of cars are subject to fatalities.  Being aware of your surroundings and a cautious driver may help keep you from having to rely on manufactured safety.

If you or a family member have been injured in a car accident, then you need the dedicated services of a Seattle car accident attorney. Call me at Premier Law Group and I can work with you and your case in order to ensure the medical care that you deserve. I can also work with your insurance company to get you everything you are entitled to. I believe that everyone has the right to their integrity no matter the circumstance. For more information and a FREE CONSULTATION, contact me at (206)285-1743.

Unfortunately, accidents like this one are not isolated incidents; over 4000 motorcyclists are killed annually across the country according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Without the metal body and safety features of a car, a motorcyclist’s primary protection is his or her awareness of the situation, and ability to react to the unexpected.  Each of these incidents leaves behind an entire family with grief over the unexpected loss of a loved one, but also with medical bills and the loss of income from the person they lost.  The devastation that the family may experience will require a great deal of time to cope with, and in many cases the income from the deceased may be irreplaceable, leaving the family in dire financial straits.

No one can replace the void that appears in the life of a family when someone is lost suddenly and unexpectedly.  If you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle wreck, you need someone to protect your financial health and legal interests while you focus on your family during this painful time.  Jason Epstein is a dynamic, compassionate Bellevue motorcycle accident attorney who can work to protect your rights while your family heals from its emotional wounds.  For more information, and a FREE CONSULTATION, contact Jason at Premier Law Group at (206)285-1743.

This collision did not result in fatal injury thanks in part to the work of these regular people who stopped to help, but every year, over four thousand motorcyclists are killed in collisions in the United States.    Accidents very much like this one, although it occurred in Utah, happen all the time in places closer to home, like Seattle.  Motorcycles are an inherently risky mode of transportation, but one way that Seattle motorcyclists can reduce the risks is to wear a helmet and riding leathers.  There are helmets out there that you can buy that will not give you the optimal protection you want if you are in a collision, so you need to be careful about what helmet you buy.  The Washington State Patrol has some great information on what you should look for in a safe helmet.

It can be difficult to know what your rights are when you have been injured in a motorcycle accident.  Contact a dedicated, aggressive Seattle motorcycle attorney who can evaluate your situation, explain your rights, and protect your legal interests.  There is a lot to think about when you have been injured, and Seattle motorcycle accident attorney Jason Epstein can help you decide whether your accident involved negligence and help you recover the compensation you deserve.  For more information, and a FREE CONSULTATION, contact Jason at Premier Law Group at (206)285-1743.

23-year-old Peter Sedrak of Port Orchard is in jail facing charges of Vehicular Homicide after he crashed head-on into 52-year-old Harold Keith, killing him instantly. Both Sedrak and Keith were driving down State Route 160 when Sedrak, who was intoxicated, rear ended Keith’s vehicle. The strength of the impact forced Keith’s vehicle off the road where it rolled before finally stopping at the bottom of a 20 foot embankment. Keith was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident, but it just wasn’t enough and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Sedrak has two passengers in his vehicle, his wife 27-year-old Rachel Sedrak and friend 24-year-old Jeremy Dilidy. Rachel suffered neck and back injuries and had to be transported to a local hospital and Jeremy ran from the scene but was later tracked down by police.

As a Seattle wrongful death lawyer my thoughts go out to the family of Harold Keith, and although I know that nothing can bring Keith back, hopefully some justice is dealt to Sedrak. Seattle drunk driving accidents are completely avoidable, there are so many other ways to get back home like calling a cab or a sober friend that there is absolutely no excuse for getting behind the wheel intoxicated.

For example, it is very important that you maintain good communication with your attorney throughout the legal process, including informing the attorney about any change to your contact information. An attorney may have questions for you regarding the case or may need to notify you about an upcoming court date. Therefore, it is essential that you promptly return all phone calls to your Seattle personal injury attorney as soon as possible. In addition, an attorney will need your signature on an attorney authorization form to obtain a copy of your medical records or any other documents that contain your personal information.

Following the accident, an attorney may ask you to take photographs of the scene of the accident or the injuries you sustained. Photographs are important pieces of evidence to support your serious injury claim, and it is imperative that you take all photographs when instructed to do so by an attorney. Also compile a file of all medical records, bills, and expenses related to the accident and prepare a list of possible witnesses who can testify regarding the injuries that you sustained following the accident. In addition, follow any other instructions that your attorney gives you promptly and do not hesitate to contact your Seattle personal injury attorney if any issues arise.

If you are not already represented by a Seattle serious injury attorney, please contact the Premier Law Group, PLLC at 206.285.1743 for a free evaluation of your case.

Last Friday, a pedestrian was hit by a pickup truck while running across the road. The Spencer Shipowick, the 15-year-old victim, followed his friend across the road and was hit by 60-year-old driver. The driver was travelling towards a green light when he saw the victim’s friend run across the road. He hit the brakes but could not stop in time to avoid hitting the second pedestrian.

The victim suffered severe internal injuries and is still in serious condition. However, in their investigation of the accident the Washington State Patrol found that a big part of why the victim survived was because the driver had slowed down significantly after seeing the victim’s friend cross. Had the driver not been paying attention and not slowed down, the victim almost certainly would have been killed.

Driving is an inherently risky activity and the care taken by the driver to avoid or mitigate accidents is paramount to avoiding pedestrian fatalities. This is why the law places such emphasis on drivers taking due care behind the wheel.  If you or a loved one was injured due to the negligence of a driver, call today for a free initial consultation with an experienced Seattle personal injury attorney.

Last week troopers in Marysville set up a sting operation at the railroad crossing on Highway 59 to catch drivers that were stopping on the tracks at a red light and failing to stop for crossing signals. This week troopers are getting a whole new perspective on just how dangerous the roads can be for some; in particular truck drivers. Sgt. Joe Bussman with the State Patrol rode along with truck driver Rick Ragsdale to catch drivers making dangerous maneuvers on the road. The plan was that Sgt. Bussman would spot the driver and then radio out the cars information to waiting troopers who would pull the driver over and not only ticket them but also remind them of the risks reckless driving poses to everyone on the road.

The sting operation lasted for four hours and in that short amount of time troopers made 112 traffic stops, 21 were for aggressive driving and 16 for following too close. The number of auto accidents between cars and semi trucks has been steadily increasing and troopers hope that their actions will lead to drivers being more respectful of semi trucks. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that if you are involved in an auto accident with a semi truck the truck is almost guaranteed to win.

Scott Franklin, the man hit by a suspected drunk driver while walking on the sidewalk, was taken off of life support on Sunday afternoon and died later that night. The prosecuting attorney said shortly after the accident that Gene Mensik, the alleged drunk driver, would be charged with vehicular homicide if Franklin were to die.

Mensik hit Franklin at 7 a.m. on Thursday morning and traveled 11 more blocks before police caught up to him in a parking lot. According to witnesses, Mensik was not driving recklessly before hitting Franklin. Suddenly, Mensik had swerved onto the sidewalk and traveled 30 to 50 feet, after which he struck Franklin, sending him to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. When approached, Mensik was visibly intoxicated and tried to walk away from police according to Sequim Detective Sergeant Sean Madison. A portable breath test was administered 30 minutes after the accident and Mensik’s blood alcohol content was at .147, almost double the legal limit. 

This accident led to the tragic death of a son, a brother, and a father. The accident is undoubtedly a tragedy, and my thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Scott Franklin.

It enrages me to think that Mensik is being charged with vehicular homicide. According to Washington laws, vehicular homicide is punishable by a maximum fine of 50,000 dollars or a life sentence in jail. However, in practice, vehicular homicide sentences range from three and a half years for those without a criminal record to considerably longer for those who have previous offenses. In this case, the sentence will most likely be in the lower end of that range, assuming Mensik does not have any previous convictions. It is incomprehensible to me that the life of an innocent pedestrian could be worth a mere three and a half years of jail time.

The battle against drunk driving has taken an upswing recently. 46 percent of all fatal auto accidents are the result of drunk driving. House Bill 1789, which makes DUI a felony, is on its way to becoming law. This new bill is coming on the heels of other bills that require the impounding of the vehicles of drunk drivers and the installation of more ignition interlock devices.  However, the penalties for driving drunk and killing someone need to be changed.

Getting behind the wheel while drunk should be second degree murder. Also, drunk drivers should have their licenses revoked for a longer period of time. After 3 DUI’s, their license should be revoked for life. Anyone who is convicted of killing someone while drunk driving should have their license revoked immediately for the rest of their life. 

As a Washington auto accident attorney, I see it as part of my job to stand up for victims of car accidents. The best way to solve a problem is to take away the root of the problem.  The victims of drunk driving accidents suffer more serious injuries than other car accidents, and it is time to start taking drunk drivers off the road for good.

This information is provided by Premier Law Group. Premier Law Group is a group of Seattle Personal Injury attorneys who work with Washington car accidents, Washington serious injuries, Washington employee rights. Contact our Seattle law office to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation. Or, visit Straight Talk Law where you can order free books on Washington auto accidents, buying Washington auto insurance and other valuable legal information.

Late Monday night, one man was killed and two people were injured when a pickup hit a vehicle stopped on I-5. A Toyota Corolla was stopped in the middle of a northbound lane near South Albro Place when the truck slammed into it at about 10:45 p.m. The man driving the Corolla died at the scene. Two people, including the driver of the pickup, were taken to Harborview Medical Center with serious injuries. It is believed that two additional passengers in the pickup wandered away from the scene after the crash. According to Julie Startup of the Washington State Patrol, authorities believe that the male passenger appeared to be injured and disoriented and may have walked off, and the female passenger went looking for him. The crash blocked all lanes of I-5 for about an hour, when the State Patrol cleared one lane so traffic could get by, but traffic was backed up for miles. The cause of this tragic accident is currently under investigation.

While the bulk of my work is on personal injury cases, I also represent families who lost a close relative in an accident caused by the negligence of someone else. These cases are particularly tragic because, while it is my job to get the family just compensation for their damages, every family says that there is no amount of money that can make losing a loved one easier. If a person’s negligence results in the death of another person, the victim’s family may have a wrongful death case.

 Many of these cases that come from a car, motorcycle, or pedestrian accident are preventable by following the rules of the road. Speeding, drunk driving, and distracted driving are some factors in many car accidents that result in serious injury. By following the rules of the road, you can significantly lower your risk of being in an accident that causes serious injury or death. However, in some cases there is very little you can do to avoid an accident. The most important thing you can do is be aware of your surroundings. For more tips on avoiding car accidents, check out this article.

It is always difficult to learn of lives lost in auto accidents. The last thing you want to worry about in these situations is legal issues. In an attempt to provide you with much deserved help and assistance, I have co-authored a book with attorney Patrick J. Kang which is a guide for families of Washington wrongful death victims.  The book is called, In Case of Death: Straight Talk on Washington Wrongful Death, and is available at no charge to Washington residents by clicking on the preceding link.

This information is provided by Premier Law Group. Premier Law Group is a group of Seattle Personal Injury attorneys who work with Washington car accidents, Washington serious injuries, Washington employee rights. Contact our Seattle law office to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation. Or, visit Straight Talk Law where you can order free books on Washington auto accidents, buying Washington auto insurance and other valuable legal information.