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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 ‘fatal accidents’

Roll-Over Fatality Accident Claims Lives of 3 Yakima Residents

Car accidents, fatal accidents

April 19th, 2010: Law Blogger

Roll-Over AccidentThree Yakima residents died in a rollover accident on U.S. Highway 97 about a mile south of Wapato on Friday. The crash occurred around noon. The vehicle suddenly veered off of the road. The driver, identified as James Chapman Pratt, 38, overcorrected by turning the wheel sharply, the vehicle hit the gravel and rough debris on the shoulder, and rolled over several times, according to Washington State Patrol Lt. Jim Keightley.

Pratt and two other passengers died in the car crash. The Washington State Patrol identified the two passengers as 56-year-old Anna M. Chapman and 61-year-old Marlin D. Armstrong. Pratt was Chapman’s son.

Keightley said troopers are investigating the possibility that alcohol contributed to the crash.

This tragedy was the second triple-fatality accident in the area in eight months. In August, three brothers died in a two-car accident on U.S. Highway 12 that left a whole family grieving.

Highway 97 - 1 mile south of WapatoOur condolences go out to the family members.

Drifting at a high speed can cause someone to make drastic readjustments that can cause serious car accidents. The shoulder of the road is rough terrain that the average car is not designed to perform on. Along with that the debris can abruptly obstruct the car, puncture the tires, or cause it to flip.

If you have drifted onto the shoulder, stay calm, keep firm control of the steering wheel, and allow the car to come to a full stop. Take a moment to assess the situation and the causes. Do not leave the car. Then calmly merge back into traffic. By allowing the car to come to a full stop you do not become a visual distraction nor do you force other drivers to adjust to your abrupt actions.

If one of your loved ones wrongfully dies in an accident it is important that you hire an experienced legal firm in wrongful death litigation. Call Phillips Webster for a consultation on your legal options.

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Posted in Auto Accidents, Wrongful Death

2 Year-old in Serious Condition After Fatality Roll Over Accident

Car Accident Lawyer, fatal accidents

March 16th, 2010: Law Blogger

Fatality AccidentsDianna Tahkeal, 46, of Wapato, was driving a 1996 Plymouth Voyager van south on Highway 97 at McDonald Road around 11 pm Sunday night when she fell asleep at the wheel. The vehicle drifted onto the shoulder. She suddenly awoke and overcorrected causing the van to roll once and come to rest on its top, according to a patrol news release.

In the car with her were 2-year-old, Michael Whitford, Mattea Tahkeal Whitford, 8, M’Kayla Tahkeal Whitford, 11, and Russell Tahkeal, 50, also of Wapato, was riding in the passenger seat. He was treated at the scene and released.

The two older children were taken to Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital but were expected to be released Sunday night after treatment for minor injuries, according to troopers.

The 2 year old boy was rushed to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle in critical condition. He remains there, but his condition has been raised to serious according to hospital officials.

Unfortunately, Dianna Tahkeal was pronounced dead at the scene. Our condolences go out to the family.

It is not know where the family was wearing their seatbelts, troopers said.

Fatigued driving is such a hard impairment to gauge. Sleep comes upon a person sometimes without warning. If you feel the nodding sensation it is best that you turn on music and have others speak to you. It is for everyone’s benefit.

After a car accident you and your loved ones don’t have to suffer through the complicated medical and insurance process alone. Call Phillips Webster for a consultation.

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Posted in Auto Accidents

Fatality Roll Over Accident in South Seattle Leaves Questions

fatal accidents, wrongful death lawyer

March 10th, 2010: Law Blogger

fatality accidentAround 9:30 last night witnesses told the Seattle Police Department watched a Satrun SL2 traveling northbound approaching the 7200 block of 16th Avenue SW. The car was going down the short hill when it suddenly veered into the planting strip, slammed into a metal light pole, flipped on its side, and wrapped itself around a tree.

When the Police and Fire crews arrived they pried a single male out of the car. Medics arrived quickly after and attempted to save the man, but unfortunately he was declared dead on the scene. His body was transported to Harborview Medical Center for further examination.

As is common with every fatality accident, the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad (TCIS) responded to the scene to begin their investigation and collect evidence. They were there for several hours last night and continue to investigate what led up to the car crash.

The identity of the man has been held pending notification of the family.

There was no report as to the cause of the fatal auto accident or whether drugs or alcohol were involved.

Our condolences go out to the family.

These sudden car wrecks can be caused by many factors. One of the main causes is the onset of a sudden medical emergency such as a heart attack. In these cases the medical condition coupled with the accident proves to be fatal to the individual.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a car accident it is important that you protect yourself. Call Phillips Webster for a review of your legal options.

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Posted in Uncategorized

Accident Fatalities: Lowest in Washington Since 1955

fatal accidents, Wrongful Death

March 3rd, 2010: Law Blogger

fatality accidentsOlympia – On the heals of Governor Chris Gregoir’s “Target Zero” plan that was announced Feb. 28th, 2010, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) has announced fantastic news.

The WTSC says there were 490 highway fatalities in 2009 in Washington. That’s 31 fewer than the year before and the fewest in 54 years.

In a report Wednesday the commission notes deaths dropped even as road travel increased five-fold since 1955 when 461 people lost their lives.

Commission Director Lowell Porter says the decline is the result of a combination of public safety education, improved roadway engineering, emergency medical services and strong enforcement of traffic laws.

The Target Zero program will definitely get a boost from this. It is a lofty plan that will eliminate fatality accidents and serious personal injury accidents by the year 2030. Many were skeptical of the plan, but with this new announcement and further safety measures taken by the auto industry, it may just be possible.

This of course depends on people stopping drinking and driving, driving offensively, and practicing distracted driving. If you or a loved one are affected by these types of driving, either by injury or wrongful death, call Phillips Webster to find out your legal options.

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Posted in Auto Accidents, Wrongful Death

Fatality in Thurston County Roll Over Accident

fatal accidents, fatal auto accidents

February 26th, 2010: Law Blogger

SIte of the accident on Vale Road.Thurston County- Richard H. Flory, 79, was driving his 2004 Toyota Camry northbound on Vail Rd. yesterday when he left the roadway. Flory struck several mailboxes and a utility pole. His vehicle then rolled and came to rest on its top on the 12900 block of Vail Rd Se., said Trooper Guy Gill.

Flory was pronounced deceased at the collision scene by medical personnel.

State Troopers arrived at the collision scene just after 9:00 AM and conducted a collision investigation. Witnesses who were driving behind Flory stated there was no erratic driving before the collision occurred and he was not speeding.

Flory’s Toyota Camry was checked though Toyota’s website recall list and no recalls were located.

The cause of this collision is still under investigation and it is not believed that alcohol and/or drugs are factors.

Our condolences go out to the family.

One could speculate that this tragedy may have been caused by a medical emergency. These are fairly common occurrences that come on suddenly and without warning. It is recommended that people at risk of a heart attack or stroke find alternative modes of transport.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident or killed in a car accident you should find out your legal options. Call Phillips Webster for a consultation.

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Posted in Auto Accidents

Car Launches 70 feet into Water in Fatality Wreck

fatal accidents, fatal auto accidents, Seattle auto accident attorneys

February 26th, 2010: Law Blogger

I-5 and the 38th street on ramp, TacomaTacoma – Speed appeared to be a factor in the crash that occurred Wednesday night on the curved off-ramp from northbound Interstate 5 to westbound 38th Street.

Trooper Brandy Kessler said that it appeared the driver missed the curve and vaulted over the embankment. The car was moving so fast that it stayed airborne for 70 feet and cleared a five-foot chain link fence beside the pond before splashing down into the water where it then flipped over on its top.

Kessler, the first trooper on the scene at 7am Thursday, said the part of the car that was out of the water was dry indicating the accident had happened sometime overnight.

The retention pond that the car flipped into was three to four feet deep, according to a Tacoma Fire Department spokesman.

A tow truck pulled the overturned-car from the pond, Tacoma Fire spokesman Joe Meinecke said.

Investigators confirmed that one person was dead inside.

The body of what appeared to be that of a 24 to 25 year old male was removed from the car, confirmed the Pierce County Medical Examiner.

“They suspect he was not wearing his seatbelt,” Kessler said. “It appears he might have hit the windshield.” The exact cause of death – drowning or trauma – will come from an autopsy, she added.

The body, which was found submerged in water in the car. A spokeswoman at the Medical Examiner’s office there said that they are holding the man’s identity until they locate the man’s family.

This is a traumatic fatal collision scene with lot of unknown variables. Was there another car involved? Was it a mechanical error in the car itself? Alcohol? Medical emergency? That is the job of the experienced accident investigators to piece together what happened.

If you or a loved one is involved in a devastating car accident it is important that you review your legal rights and options. Call Phillips Webster for a consultation.

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Posted in Auto Accidents, Wrongful Death

DUI Driver Sentenced to 4 Years in Fatality Accident

DUI accident, DUI accident attorneys, fatal accidents

February 18th, 2010: Law Blogger

I - 82 in Grandview Kennewick – Edward Castilleja, 49, a father of five from Prosser, was drunk when he got behind the wheel of his truck on Nov. 7th, 2009 and drove east in the westbound lanes of Interstate 82. He slammed head-on into Angleica Barajas’ car. The wreck killed Angelica Barajas, 20, of Grandview and seriously injured her 11-year-old cousin, Stephanie Vega.

Castilleja had a previous DUI from 10 years ago.

After a long investigation, two weeks ago Castilleja finally pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and vehicular assault charges for the fatal crash. He was sentenced to almost 4 years in prison.

“I’ll tell you, these crimes were avoidable,” said Judge Bruce Spanner before giving Castilleja a mid-range sentence of three years and 11 months in prison. “You need to make the decision in advance before you drink.”

Castilleja was taken into custody immediately after the emotional sentencing hearing in Benton County Superior Court.

There were reports of a lot of tear shed throughout the hearing as the victims’ families filled two rows of seats in court Wednesday. Stephanie, who fractured her leg, sat in a wheelchair in the aisle of the court room.

Family members and supporters were there for the sentencing but were too upset to address the court, said Prosecutor Andy Miller.

The family supported the plea deal because they didn’t want to go through a trial, but felt Castilleja deserved more time behind bars, Miller said.

Defense attorney Scott Johnson asked for a bottom-range sentence of three years and five months, pointing out that his client has been a productive member of society who worked hard to support his wife and five children.

Castilleja took full responsibility for what he did and “clearly, if he could have changed the sequence of events (that night), he would have done that.” Johnson said.

Castilleja told Spanner he works hard to provide for his family and tries to be there to help people.

“I’m not used to taking from people,” he said. “The only hope I have is that maybe some day they’ll find some forgiveness.”

As the judge Spanner stated, this tragedy was completely avoidable. Decisions don’t start after the car has started moving, decisions begin before a someone gets behind the wheel of a vehicle.

If you or a loved one are injured in a DUI accident it is important that you are properly represented. Call Phillips Webster for a consultation on your legal options.

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Posted in Auto Accidents

Why You Need to be Prepared

auto accident attorneys, Auto Accidents, fatal accidents, injury accidents, insurance, property damage collisions, seattle, Washington

June 5th, 2009: Washington Law Blogger

We’ve been covering in some detail what you need to remember and what you need to do in the aftermath of a car accident in Washington, and there are many reasons why this is important. One of them is because of a basic statistical analysis, it’s quite possible that you or someone you love will be involved in some sort of traffic collision during your lifetime, particularly if you drive often as part of your routine.

Below are some of those statistics that are published by the Washington State Department of Transportation for the year of 2005:

1. Total reported collisions – 51,901

2. Fatal collisions – 274

3. Disabling injury collisions – 890

4. Evident injury collisions – 5,010

5. Total injury collisions – 19,541

6. Property damage collisions – 32,086

As you see, if you add this up over a period of years, you are taking a risk every time you hit the road. It should be restated that the statistics above only represent collisions that are reported, and not those that are simply handled without insurance companies or the police getting involved.

Clearly, everyone who uses the roads in Washington needs to drive with the ultimate defensive style, but even then there could come a time when an accident occurs that is simply not your fault and could not have been avoided. That’s why it’s important to remember how to proceed in such a way that you maximize your safety, minimize the risk of additional injuries occurring and such that your rights are protected.

Therefore, if you’ve been injured in an auto accident in Seattle, you need to contact the attorneys at Phillips & Webster today to schedule a free initial consultation.

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Posted in Auto Accidents