Automobile Accidents

• Skateboarder a Hit and Run Victim

  Ryan Nute | December 19, 2006 11:55 AM | 0 CommentsTacoma, WA

  A skateboarder is at the Madigan Army Medical Center in critical condition after being struck by a car in Puyallup, Washington.Investigators are not sure whether the driver of the car knew he struck the skateboarder. The accident reportedly occurred when the skateboarder ran a stop sign and hit a car before he was struck by the second vehicle. RCW 46.52.020 (1) provides as follows: "A driver...

• Logging Truck Driver on Meth: Twice

  Ryan Nute | December 18, 2006 10:41 AM | 0 CommentsTacoma, WA

  Scientists Tony Gamar and Daniel Johnson were killed in an accident involving trucker Garland Massingham. His employer, J.B. Leonard Trucking, hired him in 2004 despite a prior conviction for methamphetamine and allowed him to continue driving after the fatal crash. Last month, the State Patrol reported that Massingham had again tested positive for methamphetamine after an incident where he...

• Benefit Event for Jalisa Mustin in Tacoma

  Ryan Nute | December 15, 2006 12:08 PM | 0 CommentsTacoma, WA

  Jalisa Mustin, a 15-year old Lincoln High School student, was severely injured in a crash on I-5 in September 2006.Jalisa sustained head injuries. The benefit is being held to pay for his medical expenses.This unfortunate situation illustrates how quickly medical bills can mount in a serious injury accident and the importance of ensuring that you and your loved ones have appropriate insurance...

• Auburn Man Killed When Car Struck by Train

  Ryan Nute | December 14, 2006 4:50 PM | 0 CommentsTacoma, WA

  Randy Sidlowski, a resident of Auburn, Washington, was killed Wednesday after his vehicle was stuck on train tracks.The accident occurred in North Dakota near the Williston depot. The reasons for the crash are being investigated. Accidents involving trains are more frequent than you might think. In some cases these accidents could have been prevented. Sometimes collisions result from product...

• Pedestrians Demonstrate for Safety

  Ryan Nute | December 14, 2006 4:09 PM | 0 CommentsTacoma, WA

  Residents of the Lake City area of Seattle staged a protest last Tuesday by carrying signs and parading across crosswalks to bring attention to pedestrian safety.The group (named "Feet First") conducted the demonstration in an area they believe is dangerous for pedestrians. (Some drivers weren't too happy.) More cars and more development (including residential) has contributed to the...

• Pedestrian Critically Injured in Crosswalk

  Ryan Nute | December 14, 2006 3:37 PM | 0 CommentsTacoma, WA

  A 76-year old man walking in a crosswalk was struck by a car Tuesday afternoon. He was critically injured and transported to Harborview Medical Center.Reportedly the driver and her passenger misinformed the investigating authorities. The driver was arrested.Pedestrian safety is a significant issue in major metropolitan areas. Preventing such accidents is a joint effort between drivers,...

• Woman Critically Injured in 520 Crash

  Ryan Nute | December 14, 2006 3:11 PM | 0 CommentsTacoma, WA

  A Bellevue woman was seriously injured and transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle following a "horrific" motor vehicle collision early Thursday on the Evergreen Point Bridge.Authorities suspect the five-car pileup was caused by a drunk driver who collided with a parked car. About six people were injured in the ensuing series of collisions.The victims of this accident likely have...

• Settlement Reached in Negligent Highway Design Case

  Ryan Nute | December 13, 2006 12:09 PM | 0 CommentsTacoma, WA

  Eighteen-year old Megan Holschen died in a horrific crossover crash that occurred on I-5 on December 15, 2004. Her family members were also seriously injured. The accident occurred when a large SUV crashed through a cable barrier.The Holschens contended that the State negligently placed cable barriers in the freeway median. The State is also defending against other pending claims relating to...

• Passenger Claims and Comparative Fault

  Michael Myers | July 24, 2006 4:01 PM | 0 CommentsTacoma, WA

  Even if you are in the same car with someone, you can sue them for driving negligently. The Tacoma News Tribune recently reported an accident where the driver lived but two passengers were killed. These passengers now have claims against the driver. However, if you get into the car with an intoxicated driver, you may lose some of your rights.According to the Tacoma News Tribune,At the time,...

• Crashes Caused by Manufacturer

  Michael Myers | July 18, 2006 3:57 PM | 0 CommentsTacoma, WA

  Some accidents are not caused by negligent driving. Once in a while, an accident is caused by a manufacturer defect. This means that something went wrong with the vehicle that was beyond the driver's control. Recently, the International Herald Tribune reported that Japanese police were looking into Toyota's failure to recall the Toyota 4- Runner after a serious accident. According to the...