2009 December Archive

An 11-year-old boy was seriously injured in a Seattle pedestrian accident after he was struck by a pickup truck, while walking in a crosswalk. According to a news report in Whidbey News Times, the sixth grader was walking to school in a marked crosswalk when he was hit by a 1985 GMC truck. The driver apparently told police that he was unable to stop in time to avoid the collision. The boy sustained serious, but non-life threatening injuries, including a broken femur and a fractured clavicle. Police say the driver of the truck could face a charge of failing to yield to a pedestrian.

Washington State Law requires motorists to yield right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks. According to the Revised Code of Washington Section 46.61.235: “The operator of an approaching vehicle shall stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian or bicycle to cross the roadway within an unmarked or marked crosswalk when the pedestrian or bicycle is upon or within one lane of the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or onto which it is turning.”

In cases where negligent driving is involved, victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, cost of hospitalization, physical therapy and other related damages. The at-fault party in a car accident could be held liable for the victim’s injuries, damages and loss. An experienced Seattle personal injury lawyer will be able to advise injured pedestrian accident victims about their legal rights and options.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Washington car accident or a pedestrian accident, please contact the skilled and tenacious personal injury lawyers with The Bernard Law Group. Kirk Bernard and his dedicated legal team will make sure that your rights are protected and that you receive fair compensation to cover all your accident-related expenses.

Source:http://www.seattlepi.com/sound/412598_sound71879197.html?source=rss

A 47-year-old maintenance worker sustained serious injuries in a Bellevue car accident after a car struck him. According to a news report in the Bellevue Reporter, the man was blowing leaves in the 1700 block of 112th Avenue when a car struck him and sped away from the scene. The victim was thrown about 25 feet from the point of impact. The man had apparently parked a maintenance truck partially in the roadway as he worked.

Police are looking for witnesses who may have seen this crash or auto body shops that might come across a vehicle matching the description of the suspect car. Officials say there should be damage to the passenger side front quarter panel and the passenger side windshield. The man was rushed to a Seattle hospital with life-threatening injuries. He is listed in serious condition.

In Washington State, it is a serious crime to leave the scene of an accident. A motorist is required under the law to remain at the scene of an accident, exchange information relating to insurance and identification. In the case of an injury accident, a motorist must also do what he or she can to get immediate help for the injured person.

According to the Revised Code of Washington Section 46.52.020: “A driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in the injury to or death of any person or involving striking the body of a deceased person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident or as close thereto as possible but shall then forthwith return to, and in every event remain at, the scene of such accident.”

Victims of car accidents involving negligent drivers would be well-advised to seek counsel from one of the experienced Seattle personal injury attorneys with The Bernard Law Group, who will explore all avenues to get compensation for the injured victims. Car accident victims and their families undergo tremendous stress financially because of the medical expenses and loss of wages typically associated with an injury car accident. Call Kirk Bernard and his legal team today for a free comprehensive consultation and evaluation of your Bellevue car accident claim.

Source:http://www.seattlepi.com/sound/412181_sound69874332.html?source=rss

As Seattle car accident lawyers who have represented injured victims for more than 20 years, we know that a number of Washington car accidents occur because of driver negligence. Many times, this negligence amounts to not following traffic laws such as stopping at a red light or a stop sign. Such violations caused by driver inattention or recklessness can cause catastrophic injuries or death.

A recent news report in the Yakima Herald Republic has details about a collision caused by a driver running a stop sign, which killed a 75-year-old man. The report stated that a 35-year-old woman failed to stop at a stop sign, came through the intersection and struck the elderly man, who was driving a 2003 Mercury Marquis. The man was pronounced dead at the scene while the woman and her two passengers were taken to an area hospital with injuries. The accident is still under investigation. However, Washington State Patrol troopers believe that drugs or alcohol may have played a part in this fatal car accident. Everyone involved in this collision was buckled up.

Washington law requires all drivers to obey traffic signals, stop signs and other traffic control devices. According to the Revised Code of Washington Section 46.61.050: “The driver of any vehicle, every bicyclist, and every pedestrian shall obey the instructions of any official traffic control device applicable thereto placed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, unless otherwise directed by a traffic or police officer, subject to the exception granted the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle in this chapter.”

The woman in this case was in violation of this law. If she is found to have been under the influence, that would be an even more serious violation of the law and she could face criminal charges such as vehicular homicide or manslaughter. Where negligence or wrongdoing is concerned, families of deceased car accident victims can file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party seeking compensation for funeral expenses, loss of earnings and other related damages.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Washington car accident, please contact the experienced Seattle personal injury attorneys with The Bernard Law Group, who will fight for your rights and make sure you are fairly compensated for your terrible loss. Call Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today for a free and comprehensive consultation.

Source:http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/11/14/web-fatalcrash

One person was killed and two others were injured in a Washington car accident that involved several vehicles, after one of the drivers speeded and ran a red light, according to a KOMO news report. A sport utility vehicle ran through a stop light and crashed into another car, the report said. The impact of the accident caused the SUV to become airborne and slam down on an Audi. One of the SUV’s occupants died at the scene. Two others – one person in the SUV and another in the Audi were also injured. The others in the SUV tried to run away from the scene. Police caught up with one, but are looking for several others including the driver of the SUV, who apparently caused this fatal car accident.

The driver of the SUV, in this case, seems to have violated several traffic laws. This individual, according to officials, was speeding, ran through a red light and after the accident, fled from the scene. This individual no doubt will face criminal charges, but it is important that such negligent drivers in these types of cases be held civilly liable for the injuries and damages that result.

The skilled Seattle personal injury attorneys at The Bernard Law Group have represented numerous victims who have been seriously hurt as a result of negligent drivers. For more than two decades, we have aggressively fought for the rights of injured victims in order to secure the justice and compensation they rightfully deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a negligent driver, please call Kirk Bernard and his legal team at The Bernard Law Group to find out how we can help.

Source:http://www.komonews.com/news/74432222.html