Kent Washington Personal Injury Law Blog

Is there technology that can help with drowsy driving?

On behalf of Greaney Scudder Law Firm posted in truck accidents on Monday, February 10, 2020.

Trucks are dangerous to the drivers who are in much smaller passenger vehicles or riding on motorcycles. No matter who it is that a truck driver hits, the chances are that they'll be in a vehicle that is much smaller and less able to cope with the thousands of pounds of weight that impacts it.

The sad reality is that many of the truck accidents seen today are caused by drowsy drivers. That's why it is so exciting when technology makes it easier to support those drivers and tell them when it's time for them to stop and take a break.

1 killed, 2 injured in serious car crash in Washington

On behalf of Greaney Scudder Law Firm posted in car accidents on Wednesday, January 29, 2020.

A car crash comes unexpectedly. One minute, you may be thinking about what you want to eat for lunch or where you'd like to go for dinner, and the next you find yourself calling 911 for help. It's a shocking situation to deal with, and it can take all of your energy just to get through it.

It's important that drivers who cause crashes can be held responsible for their actions. Take, for example, this case involving a 48-year-old man who was traveling quickly on eastbound I-90. The driver lost control of his vehicle, which then resulted in him leaving the roadway.

Here's what you should know about distracted driving in America

On behalf of Greaney Scudder Law Firm posted in car accidents on Thursday, January 16, 2020.

Car crashes happen every day in the United States. There's a good chance that you may have seen one while driving to or from work, for example. Or course, the truth is that many of the crashes that happen could be avoided. People simply get distracted and don't pay attention to what they should be doing, which is focusing on the road ahead of them.

With technology and the high-paced society that America has become, it's no wonder that people are distracted. Still, people are told about the dangers of driving while texting or using a phone, but they just don't stop. It's actually believed that the number of distracted-driving crashes are underreported, even though they're already linked to 10% of fatal crashes and 15% of injury crashes, as of 2015 data.

Get help if you've lost a loved one in an accident

On behalf of Greaney Scudder Law Firm posted in wrongful death on Thursday, January 2, 2020.

A wrongful death is devastating to a family. It could be a child who loses their life in a car crash or a loving parent who dies on the way to an event. Whoever it is, the loss is sudden, unexpected and tragic.

When you're dealing with a wrongful death, the last thing you'll want to do is to deal with the legal aspects surrounding the case. You'll be focused on caring for your loved ones and helping those around you. You might be reeling from losing someone close to you and need time to grieve. That's why it's important to reach out to your attorney right away, so they can begin taking steps to get you the compensation your family needs.

How can you prevent a car-truck accident?

On behalf of Greaney Scudder Law Firm posted in truck accidents on Thursday, December 19, 2019.

Driving a passenger vehicle in close proximity to a commercial truck is easier said than done, as one false move from either of you could cause a serious accident.

You can only control so much as a driver, but there are steps you can take to prevent a car-truck accident. Here's what you should do:

Avoid blind spots: Truckers have large blind spots, especially the area directly behind and next to their vehicle. Don't drive in these spots for an extended period of time.
Pass with care: Yes, there are times when commercial trucks struggle to maintain their speed. As frustrating as it may be, you should still pass with care. This means using your turn signals and the left lane.
Take caution when merging: Merging onto the highway in close proximity to a commercial truck is tricky, as they often find it difficult to quickly change speeds and move to another lane. Make sure you have enough space to comfortably and safely merge.
Leave space when changing lanes: Without enough space, you increase the risk of the truck striking you from behind at a high rate of speed.

Don’t make a car insurance claim mistake

On behalf of Greaney Scudder Law Firm posted in car accidents on Wednesday, December 4, 2019.

Even though you pay for car insurance every month, it's your hope that you never have to use it. If you do, it means that something has gone wrong, such as an accident with another vehicle.

When making a car insurance claim, it's critical that you don't fall prey to any mistakes that could cost you time or money. These include but are not limited to:

Giving a written or recorded statement: It's okay to speak with your car insurance company, but providing a written or recorded statement before you're ready to do so can result in saying something that hinders your ability to obtain all the compensation you deserve.
Accepting the first offer: Your insurance company would love for you to accept their first offer, as it's typically for less than what you're owed. Don't be surprised if you receive a check marked as "final payment." You don't want to cash this until you're sure that you want to bring an end to your claim.
Ignoring your policy: Don't take guidance from your agent after an accident. Review your policy, understand your coverage and do your part in receiving compensation based on what you've been paying for. An insurance policy is a contract, so your insurer is obligated to abide by the terms and conditions.

These car accident injuries are common

On behalf of Greaney Scudder Law Firm posted in car accidents on Thursday, November 21, 2019.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding a car accident, the chance of serious injury or death is very real.

Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself, such as by following the rules of the road and wearing your seat belt.

Drowsy driving is common among commercial truckers

On behalf of Greaney Scudder Law Firm posted in truck accidents on Friday, November 8, 2019.

Commercial truckers have a difficult job. Not only are they staffed with safely navigating a large vehicle on cramped roadways, but there are also times when they have to do so when they're not feeling their best.

The more time a trucker spends behind the wheel, the more likely it is that they'll become drowsy. If this happens, they put themselves and everyone else on the road at risk of an accident.

Damages you may be able to claim for car accident injuries

On behalf of Greaney Scudder Law Firm posted in car accidents on Friday, October 25, 2019.

In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, there's nothing more important than receiving medical treatment and working with your doctor to make a full recovery.

As time allows, you should also learn more about the cause of the accident, which includes who was at fault. This will put you in a position to seek compensation from the negligent party.

Washington State drunk driving deaths exceed U.S. average

On behalf of Greaney Scudder Law Firm posted in car accidents on Thursday, October 10, 2019.

If you are like a lot of people in Washington State, you might assume that all of the awareness campaigns and strong laws concerning drunk driving have made significant and positive impacts in the community. That may be true, but the fact of the matter is that drunk drivers continue to plague the region and cause ongoing and unnecessary tragedies for innocent people and families.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington State's rate of drunk driving deaths in 2017 exceeded that of the national average. That year, the country saw 29% of all traffic fatalities attributed to alcohol. In Washington, 32% of all accident fatalities were due to drunk drivers. That was a higher percentage than the state saw in the previous three years.