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Car Accidents
3 Reasons to Hire Phillips Webster

Our attorneys have decades of experience negotiating with insurance companies regarding all types of vehicle accidents. If you have been injured in a wreck, contact us today.

  1. We represent EVERYONE in need anywhere in Washington - Minor and Major Injuries
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Posts Tagged ‘DUI accident attorneys’

Pedestrian Accident in Everett Kills Woman; DUI Driver Charged with Vehicular Homicide

DUI, DUI accident attorneys, DUI victims lawyers, Washington wrongful death lawyer, Wrongful Death

August 30th, 2010: Law Blogger

O'finnigan's PubDriving under the influence (DUI) has seen a major crackdown by law enforcement agencies across the state with positive results. There have been news reports of kids dying, media campaigns, and the consequences get worse, but still, some people don’t feel as if it applies to them. A prime example was this weekend in Everett that left a trail of destruction and an innocent woman dead.

Anita Sharma, 31, of Mill Creek was waiting outside of O’Finnigan’s Pub in the 13600 block of Highway 99 in Everett around 9:30 pm on Friday night when suddenly a 2008 Toyota Tacoma pickup, that was heading northbound on Hwy 99, drifted onto the sidewalk.

The pickup ran over Sharma, side swiped a series of parked cars, and slammed into a light pole where it came to a stop. The crash from the cars sent debris flying in all directions including into the pub, hitting another pedestrian and a pub patron sitting near the door.

Police, fire, and medical units rushed to the scene, but they were not able to save Sharma who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The two people hit with debris suffered only minor personal injuries and were treated at the scene of the car accident.

The Washington State Patrol said that the 42-year-old Everett man driving the pickup was arrested on a charge of DUI and that the case is being investigated as vehicular homicide.

Our condolences go out to the friends and family of the deceased woman.

Vehicular homicide is charged if the driver has been found to have been driving recklessly or under the influence of a substance resulting in the death of another individual. Though drivers never intend to kill anyone when they drink and get behind the wheel, they are responsible for any injury or death that occurs as a result of that accident.

If convicted, the DUI suspect in this case will have a felony on his record for the rest of his life, thus giving another example that drinking and driving can and will ruin a person’s life.

If you or a loved one are injured or killed in a DUI wreck, it is important that you find legal council as soon as possible to help you through the legal components of the tragedy. Call the DUI victims lawyers at Phillips Webster for a consultation on your legal rights.

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Posted in Auto Accidents, DUI, Wrongful Death, car accident

Authorities Suspect DUI in Crash That Killed Spokane Woman; Injured 5 Including Infant

DUI, DUI accident, DUI accident attorneys, DUI victims lawyers, personal injury, Spokane, Wrongful Death

August 23rd, 2010: Law Blogger

Falls In Tavern on Hwy 57Having a few drinks with friends is always nice, but many times the gathering place is at an establishment that people can only drive to. This requires some choices on the driver’s part. Either limit their consumption and eat either before or during imbibing or not drinking at all. This is the responsibility that comes with driving, but the Idaho State Patrol (ISP) suspect that perhaps a Spokane woman shirked that responsibility with fatal results.

Patricia J. StPiere, 46, of Spokane, Nicole S. Mecklenburg, 20, of Spokane, Patricia R. Abbs, 37, of Priest River, were all hanging out at the Falls Inn Tavern on Highway 57 on Saturday afternoon around 5:30 pm. They left the tavern, piled into StPiere’s 1986 Pontiac Firebird, and pulled out of the parking lot onto Highway 57.

At that very moment 32-year-old Hrishikesh S. Joshi, his wife Rupali, and 10-month-old infant Arnav, all of Spokane, were driving southbound in their 2006 Nissan Xterra when StPiere pulled out in front of them. Joshi tried to swerve to avoid the Firebird, but collided with it sending both vehicles spinning into the northbound lanes.

Troopers said that StPiere was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mecklenburg was taken to Newport Community Hospital; Abbs was taken to Bonner General Hospital with serious personal injuries. All reportedly were wearing seat belts, the ISP said.

The whole Joshi family was taken to Newport Community Hospital with unspecified personal injuries, troopers reported.

The adults were wearing seat belts and the infant was securely restrained, the ISP said.

Our condolences go out to the friends and family of the deceased and it is our sincerely hopes that everyone involved in this unfortunate accident recovers swiftly with no permanent injuries.

Merging onto the highway can be a tricky thing. It usually requires a knowledge of how well the vehicle you’re driving can accelerate and the patience to wait for an adequate gap in traffic to pull out. At highway speeds it is very hard to gauge how quickly a car is approaching so please use caution and common sense. And never, ever, drive drunk.

If you or someone you know have sustained serious personal injuries in a dui accident then you need experienced counsel to protect your interests with the insurance companies and health care providers. Call the Seattle car accident attorneys at Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

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Posted in Auto Accidents, DUI, Wrongful Death, car accident, injury collision, personal injury

DUI Victims Lawyers: Suspected DUI Driver Smashes 10 to 12 Cars in West Seattle

DUI, DUI accident attorneys, DUI victims lawyers, property damage, Seattle DUI accident lawyers

August 17th, 2010: Law Blogger

west seattle accidentDriving under the influence (DUI) is a major violation that can cost thousands of dollars in fines, lost wages, and legal fees. Then there’s the astronomical insurance premiums after a DUI, but imagine what those premiums would look like if you took out a dozen cars like the man did last night in West Seattle.

A Ford pickup truck was driving down California when he got behind a car that apparently was driving just too slow for him. According to a witnesses, he tried to pass the car, but hit a median, bursting his tire. This caused the DUI suspect to swerve sharply and lose control of the truck. But rather than brake, the witness said the truck’s tires caught on the pavement and propelled the pickup down the street, sideswiping cars as he went.

The truck finally came to a stop when it smashed into the front end of the last car.

This left a tremendous amount of debris and various smashed vehicles, including a motorcycle, strewn down the street.

An ambulance took the suspect to Harborview Medical Center with minor personal injuries. Seattle Police have since booked the suspect under suspicion of driving under the influence.

Residents are still cleaning up and figuring out what to do with their vehicles, some of which are unknown as to whether they are totaled or not.

This accident was caused by a series of horrible decisions by one individual that just seemed to compound upon each other, beginning with getting behind the wheel after drinking. We are just thankful that no one was seriously injured during this car accident.

If you or someone you know have been victim of a speeding driver or a drunk driver causing property damage call the Seattle car accident attorneys at Phillips Webster. They will give you a free consultation on your legal options, represent your best interests with insurance companies, and assure that you get the compensation you deserve.

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Posted in Auto Accidents, DUI, car accident, property damage

Vehicular Assault Charges for Spokane DUI Driver That Caused an Injury Car Accident

DUI, DUI accident attorneys, DUI victims lawyers, head-on collision, personal injury

August 11th, 2010: Law Blogger

Spokane Valley DUI accidentWe do a lot of stories of people driving under the influence (DUI) and causing car accidents at night, particularly on the weekend, as you can imagine. But you would be surprised how many of these are in the morning or the early afternoon as if the people had been drinking all night and into breakfast or had simply woken up with a bottle. We don’t know the exact circumstances that lead up to today’s mid-afternoon injury accident, but we do know that there is a lot of pain and trouble where there wasn’t before.

According to Washington State Patrol, 52 year-old Sherroll G. Hooper was driving westbound on Trent Avenue and Pines Road in the Spokane Valley, when he crossed double yellow lines causing a head-on collision with a 1998 Infiniti driven by 54 year-old David P. Daul. One of the vehicles then spun off and smashed into a separate truck, driven by 71 year-old Harry Larrison.

Police, fire, and medical unit rushed to the scene. Medstar was launched to transport Daul to Sacred Heart hospital with serious personal injuries. This evening his condition was last listed as satisfactory.

Larrison refused medical attention, but was said to have only suffered minor injuries and was released at the scene.

The driver who allegedly caused a collision has been booked into the Spokane County Jail for Vehicular Assault.

Troopers say alcohol is believed to be a factor.

Many people use the excuse that they were drunk for many of their behaviors, but driving is one that police and the judicial system don’t let people get away with. If a person is drunk and they hurt someone with their car it is a felony and they are treated as such in both the eyes of the law and the eyes of employers after they are done paying their dues. The person’s rights are severely reduced and follow them for nearly a decade.

Please don’t drink and drive, if not for everyone else, then for yourself.

Phillips Webster represents victims rights in DUI accidents. If you or a loved one sustain serious personal injuries caused by a drunk driver then it is imperative that you find a good lawyer with a proven track record of success in personal injury litigation. Call Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

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Posted in Auto Accidents, DUI, car accident, head-on, injury collision, personal injury

DUI Accident Attorneys: Why Did Spokane Police Wait a Year for Arrest in Fatal Accident?

DUI, DUI accident attorneys, DUI victims lawyers, Seattle DUI accident lawyers

August 4th, 2010: Law Blogger

halo braceIf you have ever lost a loved one in a DUI accident then you know the feeling of wanting swift and decisive justice. The investigation concludes that the suspect that killed your loved one was definitely at fault, but they hesitate while the suspect seemingly roams free. It leaves the victim’s family frustrated and asking why. Well, for the friends and family of Janice Pulliam the explanation, it took a year, but they understood that the suspect was not enjoying what is perhaps his last year of freedom for a long time.

Pulliam was helping a friend move on August, 7th, 2009. She was driving down Magnesium Road in Spokane in her pickup truck when suddenly she was struck head-on by a speeding minivan that had crossed the center-line. That was the last moment Pulliam was conscious.

Both Pulliam and the driver of the minivan were rushed to the hospital. Pulliam died the next day. The driver of the minivan lived.

The investigation revealed that Lucian G. Brisan, 29, the driver of the minivan, was driving 70 to 75 mph. The speed limit on that stretch of road is 35 mph. He also was found to have a blood alcohol level of .23. That’s equal to 10 shots of liquor taken over an hour span of time. The legal limit for driving is .08. It’s a surprise that he was even able to walk to his car.

So why did Spokane police hesitate to arrest this guy?

Short answer: money.

Brisan was critically injured in the accident and spent months in the hospital getting over his injuries. He spent five months in a halo brace (a giant plastic contraption that keeps the head completely still) and just left the wheelchair. Needless to say, he was not a flight risk.

Authorities said that if they had arrested him, then the moment they did they would have to start paying his hospital bills, which mounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Instead they sat on the case. He has been charged with vehicular homicide, a felony. Washington tax payers are going to be paying for his incarceration if in fact he is convicted of the crime. The length of his sentence is also variable and depends on the judge.

The authorities are on the side of victims and generally know the limitations, nuances, and loopholes of the system in which they work. It is usually best to trust the judgment of law enforcement and legal authorities to try to do the best they can to help victims, but sometimes they are either hamstrung by the system or held back in some way. That is why it is important to find a legal professional that can seek justice in civil court to make the loved ones of the victim feel as if justice has been served.

If your loved one is killed in a DUI wreck, it is important that you find legal council as soon as possible to help you through the legal components of the tragedy. Call the DUI victims lawyers at Phillips Webster for a consultation on your legal rights. We protect the rights of victims.

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Posted in Auto Accidents, DUI, Wrongful Death, injury collision, personal injury

Breathalyzer Results Ban Challenged, May Be Reinstated as Admissible Evidence

DUI, DUI accident attorneys, DUI victims lawyers, Wrongful Death

August 3rd, 2010: Law Blogger

DUI Victims LawyersThe news of tragic loss of life due to Driving Under the Influence (DUI) has been almost a weekly occurrence in the Seattle area, almost daily on the state level, and seemingly hourly on the national level. This translates to tens of thousands of deaths per year, over 100 people are killed by DUI every day. So when drunk drivers get out of their infractions due to technicalities, it makes organizations such Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) even madder.

In 2008, a tragic legal precedent set back the actions of organizations in Washington State like MADD and other dedicated advocates for DUI victims rights like the law firm of Phillips Webster. The tragedy was that breathalyzer results were thrown out when it was discovered the state’s crime lab machines weren’t calibrated correctly and there was sloppy oversight.

Since then, thousands of cases every year have been affected. Currently, state troopers can give you a breath test if they suspect you are drunk, but the results can’t be used in Washington courts. Now, prosecutors say the lab has changed leadership and improved quality control.

Prosecutors argued before a three-judge panel yesterday that breath tests should be reinstated. They are using nine cases to challenge that ruling which, they say, handcuffs them.

“We don’t think the issues that caused suppression in 2008, two years ago, still exists at the toxicology lab,” said Maggie Nave, King County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.

The reason this s such an issue is not only to prosecute drunk drivers, but also punishing the worst offenders, those habitual offenders whose sentences are reduced to traffic infractions such as reckless endangerment or thrown out all together allowing them to offended over and over.

Those legal loopholes were particularly brought into focus upon the tragic news in June, when prosecutors say Alexander Peder rear-ended a car on Interstate 5 at Southcenter, killing 18-year-olds Derek King and Nick Hodgin only days before their high school graduation. Peder was a multiple offender who had two potential DUI convictions thrown out because of technicalities such as the breathalyzer results.

These results also hamper convictions on things such as vehicular assault and vehicular homicide, which require an infraction such as DUI or speeding to prosecute. The results also could have a serious effect on the outcomes and compensation sums of personal injury lawsuits and wrongful death lawsuits for victims of DUI.

Prosecutors say that the judges could issue a ruling as early as next week. The community will be watching closely with hopes that the victims will once again be able to get justice and perhaps end drunk driving in Washington once and for all.

If you or a loved one are injured or killed in a DUI wreck, it is important that you find legal council as soon as possible to help you through the legal components of the tragedy. Call Phillips Webster for a consultation on your legal rights.

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Posted in Auto Accidents, DUI, Seattle Lawsuits, Washington Lawsuits, Wrongful Death, car accident, injury collision

DUI Accident Attorneys: Two Men Die in High-Speed DUI Injury Accident

DUI, DUI accident, DUI accident attorneys, DUI victims lawyers, personal injury attorney

August 2nd, 2010: Law Blogger

I-5 DUI AccidentThe insurance companies surely know the statistics and reflect them into their premiums without hesitation. That statistic is: the number one cause of death amongst men ages 15 to 35 is speeding. Mix that with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and suddenly it becomes the killer that parents of sons need to worry about the most. Unfortunately for two young men on Saturday night, they didn’t take the lessons to heart.

Witnesses reported seeing a silver BMW travelling northbound on Interstate 5 near Mercer Street at a very high rate of speed around 2:45 am.

Reports say that the speeding car clipped another vehicle and spun out of control. The BMW then collided into the rear of a moving Seattle Fire Department medic unit.

The male driver, 24, of Tumwater and the male passenger, 23, of Lynnwood, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver and passenger of the medic unit, a man and a woman, were rushed to nearby Harborview Medical Center with serious personal injuries.

While the details are still under investigation, the Washington State Patrol reports that alcohol appears to be a factor in this in what they call a “tragic and preventable collision.”

Our condolences go out to the families and friends of the deceased.

This was indeed tragic and preventable. The numbers of deaths have been declining slightly, but since Christine Gregoire introduced the Washington State’s Dept. of Transportation “Target Zero” program there has been a noticeable drop in overall road deaths. In fact the 2009 statistics show the lowest number of vehicle related deaths since 1955. The aim of the program is to lower the number of deaths to zero in a year. We hope for the benefits of young people and their families in the future that lofty goal is achieved.

If your loved one is killed in a DUI wreck, it is important that you find legal council as soon as possible to help you through the legal components of the tragedy. Call the Washington DUI Accident Lawyers at Phillips Webster for a consultation on your legal rights. We protect the rights of victims.

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Posted in Auto Accidents, DUI, Wrongful Death, car accident, injury collision, personal injury

Washington DUI Accident Lawyers: DUI Suspected in High-Speed Rollover injury Crash

DUI, DUI accident attorneys, DUI victims lawyers, Seattle DUI accident lawyers

July 28th, 2010: Law Blogger

hwy 20 - 10 mile N of Usk, WASpeeding is a massive problem for men between the ages of 15-35 years of age. In fact it is the leading cause of death in the gender and age group, but think about the number of accidents that don’t result in death and it can be staggering. Add alcohol onto that and the results are similar to what happened Tuesday morning in Northeastern Washington.

Kenneth R. Engel, 22, of Cheney, is facing a charge of driving under the influence, the Washington State Patrol said, after the 2003 Subaru Forester he was driving went off the road at high speed, crashed into a pole and rolled once.

The accident happened on eastbound state Highway 20, 10 miles north of Usk, around 7 am.

He was airlifted to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center with serious personal injuries where he was listed in satisfactory condition last night.

We hope he recovers well and that he never drinks and drives again.

The insurance companies are already aware of the statistics and have been for years, thus the insurance premiums reflect the liability of young male drivers, but that is not enough to deter the behavior. Perhaps only a more aggressive education campaign can prompt a change in the disturbing speeding and DUI trends in young men.

Phillips Webster represents victims rights in DUI accidents. If you or a loved one sustain serious personal injuries caused by a drunk driver then it is imperative that you find a good lawyer with a proven track record of success in personal injury litigation. Call Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

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Posted in Auto Accidents, DUI, car accident, injury collision, personal injury, rollover

Washington DUI Accident Lawyers: Task Force Targeting Drunk Drivers Successful

DUI, DUI accident attorneys, DUI victims lawyers, Seattle DUI accident lawyers

July 22nd, 2010: Law Blogger

Officer doing a sobriety testWe represent victims of people who Drive Under the Influence (DUI), so when we hear that patrols have been stepped up to catch drunk drivers we stand up and applaud. Especially when we hear that they have been successful campaigns like the one this weekend in Peirce County.

The Tacoma Pierce County DUI and Traffic Safety Task Force pulled over 158 drivers in Fircrest and University Place on Saturday night and made 11 arrests.

Of those stopped, 5 were DUI arrests and 6 misdemeanor or felony arrests. Officers cited 46 drivers for speeding, negligent driving or having no insurance. Out of these stops and arrests were a some gross examples of the negligent behavior.

One of the big examples that police cited was a 20 year-old driver who had his 2 year-old son in the car. He was arrested for DUI and child endangerment. Two other passengers in the car were arrested for underage possession of alcohol. They told police they had just left from drinking at a party.

Officers from Fife, Puyallup, Tacoma, Gig Harbor and Pierce County law enforcement agencies participated in the patrols, which were hosted by University Place and Fircrest police.

These types of initiatives are becoming far more prevalent now that Governor Gregoire introduced the “Target Zero” program aimed at eliminating vehicular fatalities by 2030. One of the main focuses is getting drunk drivers off of the road and making sure that there is a zero tolerance policy regarding driving impaired.

We support that program whole-heartedly and congratulate all of the law enforcement officers involved in a job well done.

If you or a loved one are injured in a car accident involving a drunk driver then finding an experienced car accident attorney is important. Call the Seattle car accident lawyers at Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

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Posted in Auto Accidents, DUI

Washington DUI Accident Attorneys: 3 Police Officers Suffer Serious Personal injuries

DUI, DUI accident, DUI accident attorneys, DUI victims lawyers, Seattle DUI accident lawyers

July 16th, 2010: Law Blogger

Trooper after accidentDriving to work in the morning it seems like the safest time on the road. Everyone is fresh and driving to work, right? Unfortunately that is not always the case as three unsuspecting police officers found out early this morning.

Three Spokane Police Department detectives were in a patrol car traveling east on West Sharp Avenue approaching a green light at North Division Street around 7 am. Their car was almost through intersection, when it was t-boned by a red Isuzu Trooper that failed to stop for the southbound red light.

The impact on the driver’s side was such that it spun the car 180 degrees in the opposite direction, and on to shrubs in front of the National Furniture Store.

Medical crews responded immediately and all three detectives were rushed to a local hospital with serious personal injuries.

The driver of the Trooper, Tonia S. Vansant, 38, was not injured. She was the only occupant in her vehicle. Investigators say Vansant appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

She was arrested for 3 counts of Vehicular Assault and booked into the Spokane County Jail.

SPD Collision investigators are conducting the investigation and the names of the detectives and detailed descriptions of their injuries are being withheld, pending the investigation.

We wish the three police officers a swift and full recovery.

Unfortunately for Vansant it looks as if her life has been turned upside down because of her horrible decision to drive under the influence. The fact that the three people she almost killed were police officers just exacerbated an already terrible situation. We hope that after she is done paying off the massive fines and doing her time either in jail or under house arrest, she will never get behind the wheel while under the influence again.

If you or someone you know have sustained serious personal injuries in a dui accident then you need experienced counsel to protect your interests with the insurance companies and health care providers. Call the Seattle car accident attorneys at Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

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Posted in Auto Accidents, DUI, injury collision, personal injury

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