Posts Tagged ‘hit-and-run’

Will Lower Speed Limits in Seattle Lower The Chances For Bicycle Accidents?

bicycle accident, bicycle bad habits, bicycle helmet, hit-and-run, personal injury, Seattle bicycle accident lawyers, washington bicycle accident attorneys, Wrongful Death

October 17th, 2011: Law Blogger

Seattle is largely considered one of the biggest communities in the United States for bicycle riders and commuters. This is readily apparent when you drive the streets as most of the main thoroughfares feature white bicycles with riders and arrows showing there direction painted on the pavement. Some places have the symbol painted right in the middle of each lane of a two lane road giving the impression that the whole road is merely one big bike lane and that cars are tentatively given permission to drive on them.

This is all thanks to Mayor Mike McGinn, aka the “Bicycling Mayor” who rides to work on a regular basis. He has introduced more bicycle lanes, green safety riding zones in intersections, and an emphasis on education. Now he is taking his policies one step further and pushing a road safety initiative aimed at making Seattle streets safer for everyone by lowering speed limits in some neighborhoods.

Changing Seattle’s Speedlimit

The Mayor in conjunction with Cascade Bicycle Club, is appealing to state lawmakers, asking them to make it easier for cities to drop their speed limits through House Bill 1217. The measure has been floating around Olympia for most of 2011 and now interested parties are pushing harder on the heals of 10 cycling-related deaths already this year statewide.

HB 1217 specifically states, “Local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may establish a maximum speed limit of twenty miles per hour on a nonarterial highway, or part of a nonarterial highway, that is within a residence district or business district. A speed limit established under this subsection does not need to be determined on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation. This subsection does not affect the requirement that local authorities conduct an engineering and traffic investigation to determine whether to increase speed limits.”

“We need to start think about each other’s frustrations, each other’s concerns, and how we can help make it easier to get home safely,” McGinn told KOMO News.

The mayor cites that this is not just for bicyclists, but also for pedestrian safety following Vancouver, British Columbia’s research showing the impact of speed on pedestrian safety in high pedestrian traffic areas. In 2012 Vancouver will be lowering their speed limit in certain areas.

However this is not a new concept. To deal with the problem of speeding in city limits, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is also working on reducing the speed limit on a few major streets from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour. Their internal Engineering and Traffic Survey results indicate that lowering the speed limit to 25 MPH is appropriate.

“These reviews and changes allow us to ensure that the speed limits are where they need to be to ensure the highest level of safety for automobile drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and Muni,” a SFMTA official said.

Bike advocates say speed reduction is just one option. They also want more speed bumps, signage and education. What they fail to mention is the potential in the number of car accidents.

Are Lower Speed Limits Safe for Drivers?

However, opponents suggest that it’s a cumbersome and expensive process from signage to informing the public as well as enforcement. Yet, municipalities who currently want to reduce speed limits have to fund costly engineering studies first. The proposed measure would eliminate this step and put lowering speed limits in cities statewide, including Seattle.

Data shows that the chances of death in a collision between a car and individual:

40 mph = 80%
30 mph = 50%
20 mph = 5%

Opponents may cite evidence that in some areas around the country, higher speed limits have lowered the number of car accidents, suggesting that perhaps lower speed limits are to blame for some injuries and deaths due to car accidents. This is supported by the fact that the areas that have benefited from higher speed limits are relatively remote, or free of pedestrians.

In 2008, for example, Purdue University reported that higher speed limits in Indiana had no impact on the number of car accidents. But anecdotal evidence shows that highways and city streets react differently to higher speed limits, due partially to the existence of pedestrians and cyclists within city limits. So this evidence may apply to some places in Washington State, but not in more densely populated parts of the Puget Sound area.

Seattle Bicycle Accident Lawyers

This can definitely be a polarizing issue for many in the Seattle area, particularly amongst those who feel that the city has directed enough time and resources toward bicycle and pedestrian safety already. However, with all of the news of serious personal injuries and wrongful deaths to both pedestrians and bicyclists due to speeding, municipalities around the state may not have a choice but try something outside of the status quo.

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a bicycle accident anywhere in Washington State then it is important that they find an experienced personal injury lawyer. Call the Bicycle Accident Attorneys at Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

Learn More About:

Tags: bicycle accident, bicycle bad habits, bicycle helmet, hit-and-run, personal injury, Seattle bicycle accident lawyers, washington bicycle accident attorneys, Wrongful Death
Posted in Auto Accidents, bicycle accident, personal injury, Wrongful Death

What Are Some Bicycle Bad Habits That Can Lead to Personal Injuries?

bicycle accident, bicycle bad habits, bicycle helmet, hit-and-run, personal injury, Seattle bicycle accident lawyers, washington bicycle accident attorneys, Wrongful Death

August 25th, 2011: Law Blogger

Whether you ride a bicycle for pleasure on the weekends or as a commuter in the Puget Sound area, you know that Seattle is one of the most prevalent bicycling areas on the continent. Not only that, it is also one of the most progressive when it comes to implementing policies that attempt to keep cyclists safe. As expected, they can only go so far, the rest is up to drivers and bicyclists.

Up until this year, bicyclists have enjoyed a personal injury and death rate due to bicycle accidents that is surprisingly low to the national average compared to accident-per-rider ratio. This year there is speculation that this trend could change as a series of very tragic hit-and-run accidents have happened in succession this spring and summer.

Bicycle Bad Habits

We would be remiss to suggest that any of these instances are the fault of the victim in any way. Generally bicycle accidents are caused by drivers that are distracted, speeding, or otherwise not paying attention. This is not to say that some accidents aren’t partially caused by the actions of some bicyclist with very bad habits.

These bad habits can seem pretty harmless and in some cases even mirror the bad habits that drivers engage in that cause bicycle accidents. This is demonstrated by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) 2009 traffic report, which cites some of the potential factors that contributed to bicycle accidents that year. As you’ll see, the report suggests that some of the factor could be prevented by some changes in bad behavior.

Weaving Through Traffic – Some bicyclists consider this one of the benefits of a bicycle believe it or not. As cars park on the street in a row waiting for the traffic ahead of them to do something…anything, bicyclists speed on by unobstructed by their bulk. This is the time when bicyclists should be most cautious as drivers can get frustrated and make sudden moves such as taking a right without regard to bike lanes.

Riding Against Traffic – This is actually illegal and can be extremely dangerous. It comes down to mathematics. When a car or truck is driving at one speed and a bicycle is traveling toward them at another speed, they encounter each other at a much higher speed that may not allow for proper reaction time in the event of a problem. This also increases the force in which they encounter each other, increasing the chance and severity of injuries or death.

Stop Lights – Part of the SDOT was observation. Researchers watching habits and counting bicyclists in a given intersection at a given time. You can do this yourself and if you do you will notice that there are some bicyclists that observe stop lights, some only use them as a signal to slow down then peddle as fast as they can through the intersection against the light. This is against the law. Almost all rules of the road need to be observed by both vehicles and bicyclists alike. The reason for this is that traffic requires a measure of disciplined predictability no matter who is on the road.

Look, No Hands – We’re not quite sure who is impressed with people who ride down the street without their hands on the handlebars, but we can tell you who’s not impressed; the EMTs who need to scrape the bicyclist off of the pavement and put them into the ambulance. This type of behavior only has one outcome, not being able to compensate in time to avoid sudden rocks, potholes, or drivers who aren’t paying attention. Please don’t do it.

Talking on the Phone – Is this a no-brainer? Apparently not, because bicyclists talk on the phone while riding more often than you think. Some don’t use headsets, others even text while riding! As crazy as this act seems it happens and no matter how tempting it is to answer the phone or talk wile riding, just like in a car, it lowers reaction time regardless of riding with one hand or using a headset. Please avoid doing this.

Fashion Sense – Okay, some bicycle gear can be a little bright and not flattering, but it is there to aid in cars seeing you. Wearing bright patterned clothing helps drivers see bicyclists against various backgrounds and in various conditions. Sure riding at night with dark clothing is a terrible idea, but bright glare is just as much of a detriment to bicyclists. That’s why bicycle clothing needs to have a dark and light ratio, unnatural color such as neon so that the rider contrasts against natural foliage, and some kind of reflective material. It may not look great, but it looks better than a body cast. And always wear a helmet, it’s the law.

Music – It is so important that bicyclists pay attention and hear the vehicles around them that we advise bicyclists NEVER listen to music when they ride no matter what. This is one of the largest complaint against the Toyota Prius, that it was too quiet for bicycles and pedestrians to hear it coming.

Riding on Sidewalk – Bicycle accidents happen all of the time on sidewalks as they can be far less level than roads and can have a series of hazards such as:

Low branches

Playing kids

Debris

Pedestrians

Animals on long leashes

Sprinkler spray

If you hit any of these things it is the bicyclist’s fault. Why? Because they aren’t supposed to be riding on sidewalks, that’s why. But perhaps the most hazardous part about riding on sidewalks is entering intersections. Bicyclists enter intersections much faster than pedestrians thus giving cars that roll into crosswalks or turning into the cross street far less time to react.

Puget Sound Bicycle Accident Attorney

Forming bad habits when riding a bicycle is so easy as people start following the same routes and letting their guard down. Though the streets may be the same, the drivers are not, and neither is the weather. Please, when you ride, follow the rules of the road and always be on alert. It only takes a split second to get injured or killed in a bicycle accident.

Learn More About:

What is Seattle Doing to Keep Bicyclists Safer?

bicycle accident, bicycle helmet, hit-and-run, personal injury, Seattle bicycle accident lawyers, washington bicycle accident attorneys, Wrongful Death

August 4th, 2011: Law Blogger

The Mayor of Seattle, Mike McGinn, is known as the “bicycle mayor” for many reasons. One is that he started out being a community advocate for safe communities and cycling was one art of that. Another reason is that he often commutes on his bicycle to work. If you were worried about that fact, it’s for good reason, because so was Mike. Perhaps that’s why there have been some major improvements to bicycle safety in the last few years since his election.

Now we will be able to gauge the effectiveness of his improvements since the Washington State Department of Transportation (WADOT) released it’s 2009 report on Seattle traffic regarding bicycle and pedestrian accidents and the stats are promising. It shows a significant rise in the number of bicycle commuters as high as 15% from the count in 2007. But with more bikes on the road are the improvements going to keep them safe?

Old and New Ideas in Urban Bicycle Safety

What WSDOT does is send people out to significant areas where bicyclists enter the city and have them count the number of bicyclists entering and leaving. The traffic data is collected in 15 minute intervals over a random number of survey days in varying weather conditions. They then take the tally and average over twelve months the estimated number of bicyclists commuting.

This program is called the “Cordon Count” program which does a good job of tallying general trends, but does not take into account those bicyclists who use bicycle racks on the front of transit buses. The reason that many bicyclists choose to commute that way is that entering the city can be more dangerous than riding within it because of some of the major safety improvements made in Seattle over the last few years.

Seattle Bicycle Safety Improvements

Bike Lanes – These can be found all over the country and they’re great if people are aware of how they work. You see, as they keep bicyclists safe there are also dangers that bike lanes create once they are installed.

Turn Lanes – Drivers need to be aware when they approach intersections. Bike lanes keep on going forward at intersections, which forces vehicles to cross them to make a right hand turn. This can be a hazard to bicyclists.
Vehicle Speed - Just because a bicyclist is in a bike lane doesn’t mean that cars can speed past them. They are still effected by wind off of vehicles, especially large vehicles. Please slow down regardless of the fact that there’s a bicycle lane.
Exiting – Some people like bike lanes because they get a little more room to exit their vehicle when they parallel park on the street. Unfortunately, this gap causes some drivers to be less aware when they open their door. Please always check when exiting the car.

Green Zones – This method is fairly unique to Seattle and is being closely watched by other municipalities. It is an area at the head of traffic in an intersection where bicyclists can gather. Since bicyclists need to heed the rules of the road much like any other vehicle, this allows them to wait for the light and also make other drivers waiting aware of their presence. This keeps bicyclists honest and is intended to increase safety. These green zones also cover some bike lanes in suspected problem areas where motorist might be less aware of the bike lane. The Green Zone concept is still in testing phase and it’s value hasn’t been fully assessed as of yet.

Road Diet – The road diet concept is being implemented and closely monitored around the country. It also has many vocal opponents, generally by people who drive oversized vehicles. A road diet reduces two-lane roads to a one-lane road with:

Parking – to promote commerce
Bicycle lane – to reduce congestion
Left hand turn lane – to reduce traffic back ups

This has been implemented in a few roads around the city with what advocates say is great success. Opponents say that it creates congestion by lowering the average speed of the road. This makes advocates of bicycle and pedestrian safety (such as the staff at Phillips Webster) smile, since slower speeds means fewer injuries.

Do More Bikes Mean More Injuries?

Seattle bicycle accidents are largely higher for the population as compared to the rest of the country. This has been generally blamed on the fact that Seattle has more bicycle riders and commuters. As you can see (below), that number is steadily rising. If we keep the same line of thinking, will this translate to more bicycle injuries and deaths?

Law enforcement, city officials, and bicycle safety advocates are hoping that the safety policies that they have put in place are going to curb the number of bicycle injuries and death, but this year isn’t looking good. The number of bicycle deaths in Seattle match that of the last two years (eight as of this article) and we’re only half way through. Another disturbing trend is that there have been a couple hit-and-run accidents meaning that these are felony crimes. A much more foreboding trend.

Seattle Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Learn More About:

Tags: bicycle accident, bicycle helmet, hit-and-run, personal injury, Seattle bicycle accident lawyers, washington bicycle accident attorneys, Wrongful Death
Posted in Auto Accidents, bicycle accident, car accident, personal injury, Wrongful Death

3-Year Sentence for Fatal Hit and Run Accident Will Most Likely Be Appealed

hit-and-run, pedestrian accident, seattle pedestrian accident attorney, seattle pedestrian accident lawyer, washington pedestrian accident attorney, washington pedestrian accident lawyer

January 13th, 2011: Law Blogger

There are some in America who set the merit of someone’s life in their monetary value. That is why many times crimes in bad areas of cities seem to to be lost in the ever growing case load. But if you look around you’ll find that there are seriously poor and homeless people everywhere, even in small towns. In those areas, crimes cannot be avoided because sometimes, homeless or not, the people become part of the community.

This was the case of the 2009 hit and run accident victim, Paula Stierns, a 47 year-old woman from Monroe. Family and friends describe her has a generous and caring person who viewed personal possessions as only something with which to help others. This attitude perhaps stemmed from her chosen lifestyle, homelessness.

Hit-and-Run Accident

She lived with her husband and dog in a trailer off of the Skokomish River in the low lands of the Western Cascade Mountains. They had moved there after the open air shed they had occupied had burned down.

She and her husband had been fishing in the river and drinking on the October evening of the accident in 2009 after the sun had dropped behind the mountains. She crossed busy Highway 2, going back to their trailer, when she was struck by Teresa Ort. Ort did not stop after the accident.

Stierns suffered serious head injuries and neck injuries in the accident and died as a result.

Evidence left at the scene and an intensive campaign of the local community led the investigators to Ort. Upon searching they found that her car fit the evidence and began legal procedures against her. Those all led to last month’s trial and yesterday’s sentencing.

Sentencing and Appeal

Ort testified that she thought she had hit some garbage that fell from the truck in front of her. However, jurors were unconvinced. They felt that Ort knew that she had hit a person and broke the law when she failed to stop on the evening of Oct. 9, 2009.

Since the accident was a pedestrian hit and run, it makes Ort more culpable than if she’d ran from a crash involving vehicles, Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Anita Farris said on Wednesday.

The circumstances surrounding the crime caused Judge Farris to decline Ort a first-time offender waiver that likely would have sent her to jail for only about three months.

Ort, prior to sentencing showed deep remorse for what she had done saying, “I feel horrible for her family and the loss of Paula.”

With that, Judge Farris sentenced her to 3 years in prison, a low amount of time for the crime. Farris, however, said there were reasons to give Ort a low-end sentence, including a lack of felony history and the letters indicating that Ort, 47, had been a contributing member of society prior to the accident.

The prosecutor asked that Ort be held on $250,000 bail if she wasn’t taken into custody on Wednesday.

Ort’s attorney argued against a high bail, saying his client hadn’t missed a single court appearance and did not pose a flight risk. He pointed out that there were also grounds for an appeal. He contended that the search conducted by police was illegal. The appeal could take more than a year.

Judge Farris agreed to lower bail to $5,000 and gave Ort until Monday to post bond to avoid going to jail. She also ordered that Ort not dawdle in pursuing her appeal. The judge also required that she not commit any new crimes or drive without a valid driver’s license.

Seattle Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Represents Victims

Hit-and-run accidents are some of the worst accidents because there is a chance that the victim may not be dead. In that case the moments right after the accident are crucial. If the driver calls 911 and gets help then the victim may survive. If the driver selfishly thinks of his or her own well being and leaves the scene, it is tantamount to homicide, which, in the eyes of the law, it is.

If you or someone you know has been personally injured or has died in a fatal pedestrian accident then you need an experienced lawyer on your side to assure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Call the Seattle pedestrian accident lawyer at Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

Learn More About:

Tags: hit-and-run, pedestrian accident, seattle pedestrian accident attorney, seattle pedestrian accident lawyer, washington pedestrian accident attorney, washington pedestrian accident lawyer
Posted in Auto Accidents, car accident, Head Injury, hit-and-run, Neck Injury, pedestrian accident, personal injury, Wrongful Death

Police Ask for Your Help Finding Vehicle Involved in Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident

hit-and-run, pedestrian accident attorneys, pedestrian accident lawyers, pedestrian accidents, pedestrian injury, personal injury, seattle pedestrian accident attorney, seattle pedestrian accident lawyer

January 6th, 2011: Law Blogger

New Years Eve is over, the hangover is but a mere memory, and everyone is going robustly into 2011…well…not everyone. Though this New Year celebration was relatively tame compared to others in the past and there were still DUIs and accidents, one pedestrian accident is yet unresolved and authorities are asking for your help in finding the suspect.

The unnamed victims pictured on the Flier being distributed around town brings a human face to a tragic accident. The victim and two friends were walking in the Seattle SODO district around 1:40 am amongst the warehouses and industrial parks. They crossed the street at Airport Way South and South Holgate Street when the car, traveling south on Airport Way South, hit the victim in the crosswalk.

According to police, after plowing her down, the driver then sped away, leaving the young woman lying in the road with multiple fractures and other serious personal injuries. The two friends quickly called 911 for help. Police and medical units arrived and rushed her to nearby Harborview Medical Center.

The only description of the vehicle that police have been able to obtain is that the car was a light-colored, two-door coupe, possibly a Toyota or Honda. From evidence left at the scene, investigators believe the vehicle has front-end or hood damage and may also have mechanical damage.

The car was last seen at Airport Way South and South Charles Street in the international district giving the impression that it was traveling into the city.

A $1000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest. People with information, even people who want to remain anonymous, are asked to call CrimeStoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-222-TIPS.

It is our sincere hope that the victim recovers swiftly and fully.

From our experience in reporting these kinds of horrible accidents, they are usually perpetrated by drivers driving under the influence (DUI). On New Years, that’s not a far fetched assumption. As much as commercials on radio and television, and anti-DUI organizations try to educate and discourage drinking and driving, particularly on holidays when there are lots of people on the street, there are still people who insist on doing it. As the consequences for the suspect’s actions are severe on the victim, the consequences for the suspect should be equivalent.

If you or a loved one have been in a pedestrian injury accident it is important that you find legal representation right away to help you with insurance companies, health care providers, and especially legal issues. Call the Seattle Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Phillips Webster for a consultation.

Learn More About:

Tags: hit-and-run, pedestrian accident attorneys, pedestrian accident lawyers, pedestrian accidents, pedestrian injury, personal injury, seattle pedestrian accident attorney, seattle pedestrian accident lawyer
Posted in Auto Accidents, car accident, DUI, hit-and-run, pedestrian accident, personal injury

Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident Leaves Teen With Serious Personal Injuries in Spokane

hit-and-run, pedestrian accident, seattle pedestrian accident attorney, seattle pedestrian accident lawyer, washington pedestrian accident attorney, washington pedestrian accident lawyer

January 3rd, 2011: Law Blogger

Hit-and-run accidents make us mad for many reasons. Not only does the driver hit someone, but they take off without any concern for the pedestrian’s wellbeing. In a pedestrian accident, there is no such thing as “being alright.” It is guaranteed that the pedestrian will suffer an injury of some kind. The pedestrian accident in the Spokane Valley was no different this weekend.

Spokane Valley Police say 18-year-old Cody Washburn was walking on 4^th Ave between Adams Rd and Progress Rd in Spokane Valley at around 3:15 am Saturday, when he was suddenly struck by a hit and run driver. The impact sent Washburn flying and was so forceful that it ripped the license plate right off of the truck. He was left in the frigid snow to die only to be luckily found by a passing car.

Upon arriving at the scene medics immediately began stabilizing Washburn since he had serious personal injuries including a spine injury and internal bleeding. He was rushed to the hospital where he remains. Medics say that if it weren’t for the laptop in his backpack he would be dead.

Authorities ran the license plate that was left at the scene and found that the young man had been struck by a 1996 1-ton Dodge pickup truck owned by 42-year-old Steven A. Black of Spokane Valley. Black fled the scene after the collision and returned home in the east 10800 block of Trent Ave.

Only 25 minutes after the crash, police were at his house questioning him. Police said that at the time Black exhibited signs of being under the influence. They arrested Black on the spot for vehicular assault and obtained a blood draw. The blood sample will be sent to and analyzed by the WA State Toxicology Laboratory. They say that will take about a month to receive the results back.

Black was booked into the Spokane County Jail on one count of felony hit and run. During the process, investigators also learned that Black’s 10-year-old son was with him in his truck at the time of the accident. Upon this revelation, it could lead to further charges such as child endangerment.

It is our sincere hope that Washburn make a swift and full recovery.

So let’s take an inventory of Black’s horrible decisions, he allegedly drove drunk with his young son in the car resulting in hitting a pedestrian and running from the scene turning what may have been a misdemeanor into a felony with jail time. He may have also lost the respect of his family and his rights to drive, vote, and leave the country for a very long time.

Please think of this story if you are tempted to drink and get behind the wheel.

If you or someone you know has been personally injured or wrongfully killed in a pedestrian accident then you need an experienced lawyer on your side to assure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Call the Seattle pedestrian accident lawyer at Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

Learn More About:

Tags: hit-and-run, pedestrian accident, seattle pedestrian accident attorney, seattle pedestrian accident lawyer, washington pedestrian accident attorney, washington pedestrian accident lawyer
Posted in Auto Accidents, Back Injury, car accident, DUI, hit-and-run, Medical Injury, pedestrian accident, personal injury

Police Asking Public For Leads on Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident in Auburn

Car Accident, hit-and-run, Washington Wrongful Death Attorney, Washington wrongful death lawyer

December 27th, 2010: Law Blogger

We are both saddened and infuriated every time we hear about an innocent victim of a pedestrian accident left helpless on the side of the road due to a cowardly hit-and-run. The crucial moments after a pedestrian accident could be the difference between life and death as the victim could be suffering from both internal and external bleeding. To leave them there to bleed out is inhuman, but it is unfortunately what a woman had to endure this weekend on Christmas evening.

Auburn police, fire crews and Medic One units were called to the Auburn Motel on the 1200 block of Auburn Way South around 9:25 pm. They had received reports of a person being hit by a car.

When they arrived they found the body of a woman in the right northbound lane of the street. The immediately attempted to revive the woman who had suffered multiple personal injuries, but they were too late and she died at the scene.

The woman is believed to be approximately 28 years of age. She has yet to be positively identified by authorities. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office is in the process of identifying the woman and contacting her relatives.

Police have very little to go on at this time. There is no description of a suspect vehicle or a driver.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Auburn Police Department at 253-931-3080.

These types of holiday tragedies can effect families and communities for years to come as a permanent stain is put upon what is supposed to be a joyous time of year. Our condolences go out to the friends and family of the victim. It is our sincere hope that the perpetrator is brought to justice.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a hit and run accident then it is important that you find an attorney experienced in wrongful death lawsuits to protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. Call Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

Learn More About:

Tags: Car Accident, hit-and-run, Washington Wrongful Death Attorney, Washington wrongful death lawyer
Posted in Auto Accidents, car accident, hit-and-run, pedestrian accident, Wrongful Death

Tacoma Wrongful Death Lawyer: DUI Suspect Kills Passenger In Side-Swiping Accident

Car Accident, hit-and-run, Washington Wrongful Death Attorney, Washington wrongful death lawyer

November 18th, 2010: Law Blogger

Getting into a car with a person who is about to be driving under the influence (DUI) is a horrible decision, but it is an even worse decision for the driver who, once they start driving, is responsible for the well-being of that passenger. Those bad decisions has ended up ruining the life of one man and ending the life of his passenger in Tacoma last night.

The accident happened just after midnight last night on Sixth Avenue and North Cheyenne Street in Tacoma. Tacoma Police said that a pickup truck being driven by an unidentified suspect hit three parked cars, completely smashing the side of the truck.

When the vehicle came to a stop, the driver jumped out and ran for it, leaving his passenger with serious personal injuries. Police said there were no witnesses to the crash and it was not revealed who called 911 or how long the truck was sitting there before medical crews arrived, but they attempted CPR on the victim and were not able to save them. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

Now, Tacoma police are looking for at least one person giving the impression that perhaps there may have been another in the cab of that pickup.

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

The moments after an accident are crucial. The reason why hit-and-run accidents are so heinous is because the victim is usually left alone to bleed to death unless they are found very quickly by a passer-by. When the suspect is caught, prosecutors may want to consider a charge that reflects the fact that perhaps the passenger could have been saved if authorities had been alerted right away.

Learn More About:

Tags: Car Accident, hit-and-run, Washington Wrongful Death Attorney, Washington wrongful death lawyer
Posted in Auto Accidents, car accident, DUI, hit-and-run, Wrongful Death

Wrongful Death: Pedestrian Accident Killing Man Raises Questions of Road Safety in Stanwood

hit-and-run, pedestrian accident, pedestrian accident attorneys, pedestrian accident lawyers, road safety, Wrongful Death

October 25th, 2010: Law Blogger

Rural streets and roads have houses with a few more acres, a lot more trees, and usually no place to walk except on the side of the road. This makes mundane everyday tasks like walking the dog, bike riding kids, and popping over to the neighbor’s suddenly become an extreme sport ripe for pedestrian accidents.

People have complained about the short shoulders in Stanwood for a long time because many of the shoulders only have a foot between the roadway and a grassy drainage ditch not suitable for walking. This makes walking during the day a hazard in itself, but as a young woman and grieving family found out on Saturday morning, at night walking in Stanwood becomes deadly.

Around 3 am Saturday morning a 20-year-old woman was driving her Pontiac Sunfire along 156th Street SW, she saw a figure, heard a thump, and thought she hit an animal, but kept on driving. When she got home, concerned about the incident, she gathered her parents and returned to the scene to realize that it was not an animal that she’d hit, but a young man, also in his early 20’s.

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Department aren’t certain where he was coming from or where he was going.

Police say this appears to be an unfortunate accident and confirm that drugs or alcohol were not a factor for the driver.

They have not yet released the identity of the deceased and no citations have been issued.

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

This is certainly a tragic story for both the man who died and the young woman who hit him. Unfortunately, if you have hit something, unless you feel as if your life is somehow in danger if you stop the car, the best thing to do is stay at the scene and call 911 immediately.

Though it was nice of the woman to returned to the scene, there is a possibility that the man could have been alive and may have been saved in the crucial moments after the accident if an ambulance had been called right away. Regardless of her perception of the situation as to whether she hit and animal or not, she still hit the man and left the scene, which is a hit-and-run pedestrian accident.

If you or someone you know is run over by a car you may be entitled to compensation to cover hospital costs and other costs such as pain and suffering. Call the Seattle pedestrian accident attorneys at Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

Learn More About:

Tags: hit-and-run, pedestrian accident, pedestrian accident attorneys, pedestrian accident lawyers, road safety, Wrongful Death
Posted in Auto Accidents, car accident, hit-and-run, pedestrian accident, Wrongful Death

Washington Pedestrian Accident Lawyer: Victim of Hit-and-Run Accident Hit By Two Cars

hit-and-run, pedestrian accident, seattle pedestrian accident attorney, seattle pedestrian accident lawyer, washington pedestrian accident attorney, washington pedestrian accident lawyer

October 20th, 2010: Law Blogger

Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents on Washington highways seem to be a problem with no long term solution. If a driver hits a pedestrian and then leaves them to die on the side of the road they will most likely be shown little to no mercy by police, judges, or juries. More often than not prosecutors seek the longest sentence they can. These consequences haven’t deterred people for not only committing a heinous act by hitting them, but condemning the victim to death for the driver’s mistake.

Any solution to this problem is slow to come and even slower to implement. In the interim the number of innocent victims will mount such as the woman in Quincy who’s body was discovered last night in the most tragic of circumstances.

Early this morning 911 dispatchers got a call that a driver had hit something on the 1300 block of Highway 28, about 2 miles outside of the small town of Quincy, and was waiting at the scene. Upon arrival, authorities found a deceased, adult female and closed off the highway to investigate.

Deputies with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and Washington State Patrol troopers determined that the victim was the victim of a hit and run accident and say there are other suspicious circumstances surrounding the case.

An autopsy was performed on the victim at a location in Moses Lake and authorities are still gathering evidence. The identity of the victim is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Highway 28 was closed for most of the day today due to the investigation.

Straight rural highways are a hazard to pedestrians during the day, but at night when some drivers may have been drinking, their chances of becoming a victim of a pedestrian accident rises greatly. In the event of an accident, each moment that passes could mean death for the victim, but they could linger on the road for hours unable to move or call for help. That’s why hitting and running is such a horrid crime.

Learn More About:

Tags: hit-and-run, pedestrian accident, seattle pedestrian accident attorney, seattle pedestrian accident lawyer, washington pedestrian accident attorney, washington pedestrian accident lawyer
Posted in Auto Accidents, car accident, hit-and-run, injury collision, pedestrian accident, Wrongful Death

Free Case Review

News Updates via Email

Dangerous Drug Information

Drug Side Effects and Injuries

Law Blog Categories

Car Accidents
3 Reasons to Hire Phillips Webster

Verdicts & Settlements

Archives

Posts Tagged ‘hit-and-run’

Will Lower Speed Limits in Seattle Lower The Chances For Bicycle Accidents?

bicycle accident, bicycle bad habits, bicycle helmet, hit-and-run, personal injury, Seattle bicycle accident lawyers, washington bicycle accident attorneys, Wrongful Death

Changing Seattle’s Speedlimit

Are Lower Speed Limits Safe for Drivers?

What Are Some Bicycle Bad Habits That Can Lead to Personal Injuries?

bicycle accident, bicycle bad habits, bicycle helmet, hit-and-run, personal injury, Seattle bicycle accident lawyers, washington bicycle accident attorneys, Wrongful Death

Bicycle Bad Habits

Puget Sound Bicycle Accident Attorney

What is Seattle Doing to Keep Bicyclists Safer?

bicycle accident, bicycle helmet, hit-and-run, personal injury, Seattle bicycle accident lawyers, washington bicycle accident attorneys, Wrongful Death

Old and New Ideas in Urban Bicycle Safety

Seattle Bicycle Safety Improvements

Do More Bikes Mean More Injuries?

Seattle Bicycle Accident Lawyer

3-Year Sentence for Fatal Hit and Run Accident Will Most Likely Be Appealed

hit-and-run, pedestrian accident, seattle pedestrian accident attorney, seattle pedestrian accident lawyer, washington pedestrian accident attorney, washington pedestrian accident lawyer

Hit-and-Run Accident

Sentencing and Appeal

Seattle Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Represents Victims

Police Ask for Your Help Finding Vehicle Involved in Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident

hit-and-run, pedestrian accident attorneys, pedestrian accident lawyers, pedestrian accidents, pedestrian injury, personal injury, seattle pedestrian accident attorney, seattle pedestrian accident lawyer

Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident Leaves Teen With Serious Personal Injuries in Spokane

hit-and-run, pedestrian accident, seattle pedestrian accident attorney, seattle pedestrian accident lawyer, washington pedestrian accident attorney, washington pedestrian accident lawyer

Police Asking Public For Leads on Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident in Auburn

Car Accident, hit-and-run, Washington Wrongful Death Attorney, Washington wrongful death lawyer

Tacoma Wrongful Death Lawyer: DUI Suspect Kills Passenger In Side-Swiping Accident

Car Accident, hit-and-run, Washington Wrongful Death Attorney, Washington wrongful death lawyer

Wrongful Death: Pedestrian Accident Killing Man Raises Questions of Road Safety in Stanwood

hit-and-run, pedestrian accident, pedestrian accident attorneys, pedestrian accident lawyers, road safety, Wrongful Death

Washington Pedestrian Accident Lawyer: Victim of Hit-and-Run Accident Hit By Two Cars

hit-and-run, pedestrian accident, seattle pedestrian accident attorney, seattle pedestrian accident lawyer, washington pedestrian accident attorney, washington pedestrian accident lawyer

Free Case Review

News Updates via Email

Dangerous Drug Information

Drug Side Effects and Injuries

Law Blog Categories

Car Accidents 3 Reasons to Hire Phillips Webster

Verdicts & Settlements

Law Blog Tag Cloud

Archives

Posts Tagged ‘hit-and-run’

bicycle accident, bicycle bad habits, bicycle helmet, hit-and-run, personal injury, Seattle bicycle accident lawyers, washington bicycle accident attorneys, Wrongful Death

Changing Seattle’s Speedlimit

Are Lower Speed Limits Safe for Drivers?

bicycle accident, bicycle bad habits, bicycle helmet, hit-and-run, personal injury, Seattle bicycle accident lawyers, washington bicycle accident attorneys, Wrongful Death

bicycle accident, bicycle helmet, hit-and-run, personal injury, Seattle bicycle accident lawyers, washington bicycle accident attorneys, Wrongful Death

Old and New Ideas in Urban Bicycle Safety

Seattle Bicycle Safety Improvements

Do More Bikes Mean More Injuries?

hit-and-run, pedestrian accident, seattle pedestrian accident attorney, seattle pedestrian accident lawyer, washington pedestrian accident attorney, washington pedestrian accident lawyer

Sentencing and Appeal

Seattle Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Represents Victims

hit-and-run, pedestrian accident attorneys, pedestrian accident lawyers, pedestrian accidents, pedestrian injury, personal injury, seattle pedestrian accident attorney, seattle pedestrian accident lawyer

hit-and-run, pedestrian accident, seattle pedestrian accident attorney, seattle pedestrian accident lawyer, washington pedestrian accident attorney, washington pedestrian accident lawyer

Car Accident, hit-and-run, Washington Wrongful Death Attorney, Washington wrongful death lawyer

Car Accident, hit-and-run, Washington Wrongful Death Attorney, Washington wrongful death lawyer

hit-and-run, pedestrian accident, pedestrian accident attorneys, pedestrian accident lawyers, road safety, Wrongful Death

hit-and-run, pedestrian accident, seattle pedestrian accident attorney, seattle pedestrian accident lawyer, washington pedestrian accident attorney, washington pedestrian accident lawyer

Car Accidents
3 Reasons to Hire Phillips Webster