Posts

Pedestrian Hit and Killed by a Semi Truck in Woodland

Categories: , ,

In early March a pedestrian was killed on Interstate 5 north of Woodland when a tractor-trailer crashed into him. The fatal pedestrian accident occurred early on the morning of March 3rd. Phillip Reich of Covington was driving the tractor-trailer in the right lane on I-5 when he noticed a blue Toyota Prius on the right shoulder. As he approached the Prius, he moved into the center lane. When he did so, he struck Zeus Perez of Portland, killing him instantly.

Investigators do not know why Mr. Perez was in the center lane of the highway. Yet since there were no other passengers or witnesses present, police are investigating the accident more closely. The deadly trucking accident closed I-5 North for 5 hours that day.

Pedestrians face risk every time they share the road with drivers. Motor vehicle drivers—even in the middle of the day, do not always recognize joggers and other pedestrians in the road. In the night, however, the risks of being injured in a pedestrian accident increase significantly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrians were more likely to be killed in crashes during the hours of 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.

Tips for Avoiding a Pedestrian Accident

Before you head out on the road, consider using these tips to stay safe and avoid deadly pedestrian accidents:

  • Wear bright and reflective clothing
  • Do not listen to headphones
  • Do not talk or text on cellphone
  • Keep your eyes on the road and on your surroundings
  • Walk on sidewalks whenever possible
  • Look both ways when crossing streets and intersections
  • Never assume other drivers see you
  • Walk with a buddy
  • Walk facing traffic so you can react quickly to reckless drivers
  • Wait for walk signals and cross at crosswalks

If you or someone you love is injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, it is important to know that you have legal rights. An experienced attorney can help you recover the damages you need after an accident. Pedestrian injuries are often severe and life changing. They often result in permanent disability or chronic pain. As a result, you need a lawyer on your side that understands the long-term complications that can arise.

by

Avoid an Accident this Spring with These Safety Tips

Categories: ,

Spring should be a time to celebrate warmer temperatures and sunshine, so don’t let seasonal spring hazards such as flooding, storm-related weather, and dangerous driving conditions be a damper.

For most of the country, the snow and ice may be gone, but it’s no less important to stay street smart this spring. Melting snow, sudden downpours, and spring showers can present dangerous driving conditions, as well.

Wet roads can be just as tricky to navigate as icy ones. Additionally, rainy weather can adversely affect driver visibility. Before you hit the roads this spring, look at these tips to help you arrive safely:

  • Replace worn tires. Tires with worn out tread provide less traction on slick streets. Properly inflating your tires will help as well.
  • Clean windows and replace worn wiper blades. Salt and other road residue accumulate over the winter. Your visibility will be greatly improved just by cleaning the glass and removing this residue. Cleaning the inside of the glass also helps the defroster clear your windows faster by reducing moisture buildup. Replacing worn wiper blades with fresh ones will clear your windshield of rain more effectively and improve visibility.
  • Check all lighting. Rain can impact visibility so check headlights, taillights, backup lights, brake lights, parking lights, and turn signals. You will be able to see more clearly and other drivers will be better able to see you.
  • Do not use cruise control during heavy rains or hail. During low traction driving conditions, cruise control can lead to hydroplaning and loss of vehicle control. Also, use of cruise control allows you to move your feet away from the pedals, and disengaging the cruise control in an emergency situation may take too many crucial seconds.

Sometimes Accidents Happen

If, despite your best efforts, you find yourself in a pile up, take pictures of everything. Document the position of your vehicle, the other party’s vehicle and the surrounding areas, and don’t forget to exchange phone numbers. Call law enforcement and file the necessary police reports. Then contact your insurance agent right away to start the claims process, making sure to relay all pertinent information. If you need expert advice on who is responsible for the accident, contact a qualified personal injury attorney, like those at Phillips Law Firm.

by

Report Shows Seattle Drivers Some of the Worst in the Country

Categories: ,

Seattle TrafficAllstate released its 9th annual “Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report” and the results showed that Seattle drivers were some of the worst in the country. If you’ve ever driven through Seattle during rush hour traffic, you may agree with their results. Yet just how bad are Seattle drivers?

Allstate studied customers in 200 of the largest cities in the United States. According to their statistics, drivers in Seattle get into a crash once every 7.8 years. This is significantly higher than the national average of one crash every 10 years. In fact, it was so bad that Seattle ranked 160th out of 200 cities for safe drivers. And it seems that drivers in Seattle are getting worse. Last year, Seattle ranked 154th.

So what can be done about our bad driving? Drivers in Seattle can follow a few simple safety tips while driving.

  • Give Yourself Time: Allow yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. This prevents drivers from growing impatient and speeding, driving aggressively, or performing other dangerous driving maneuvers.
  • Listen to the Traffic Reports: Drivers who know what road situations are like can plan accordingly. This may mean leaving the house earlier than expected, taking an alternate route, or changing your plans all together.
  • Avoid Distracted Driving: Avoid using your cellphone while driving and try to keep your eyes and attention on the road in front of you. Stay focused and watch other cars to avoid collisions.
  • Keep Safe Distances Between Vehicles: Avoid tailgating and keep a safe distance behind other drivers. This will allow you time to react in emergency situations and apply the brake. Give even more distance when you are behind large vehicles, like semi-trucks, and never ever drive in a truck or car’s blind spot.
  • Watch for Pedestrians: At intersections and in neighborhoods, pay close attention to pedestrians in the road. Pedestrians are not always looking out for cars, so motor vehicle drivers should be even more vigilant, especially when there are young children playing nearby.

Contact Seattle Car Accident Lawsuit Attorneys

If a negligent driver injures you or someone you love, an experienced Seattle car accident attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle personal injury lawsuit attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington. 

by

High Injury Risk for Construction Zone Workers

Categories:

Most people look at road construction as an inconvenience, simply something that gets in their way of getting to work and school on time. As a consequence, they speed through construction zones completely disregarding warning signs, putting the safety of road construction workers in jeopardy.

According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation, road construction workers have a very dangerous job. Every year, more than 20,000 people are victims of work-related injuries in construction zones. Twelve percent of those injuries can be traced back to car accidents or other transportation-related incidents. Furthermore, traffic incidents were responsible for 76 percent of construction zone occupational fatalities in 2011 as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Transportation reports that, in the United States in 2010, car accidents were a factor in 576 construction zone deaths of both construction workers and motor vehicle occupants. Of these fatalities, 20 percent were attributed to intoxicated driving, and speeding was a factor in 31 percent of the deaths. The most common type of work-zone accidents was rear-end collisions.

Road construction workers put their lives at risk every time they go to work repairing our traffic and weatherworn streets and highways. These workers deserve to feel safe on the job as the rest of us. The following are some ways drivers can help make road workers’ jobs less dangerous:

  • Always obey the posted work zone speed limit. If conditions warrant it, consider going even slower
  • Never operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or mind-altering prescription medications
  • Stay aware of the other vehicles on the road, and leave enough room so that you can make quick stops if you need to
  • Avoid distractions when you enter a work zone. Turn down the radio, avoid distracting conversations, refrain from making phone calls, eating, changing a CD or any other activity that takes your eyes and mind off the road

Seattle Personal Injury Lawsuit Attorneys

If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident anywhere in Seattle or throughout the State of Washington, the personal injury lawsuit attorneys at Phillips Law Firm can help. We can fight aggressively to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation after a devastating accident. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our personal injury lawsuit attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

by