Western Washington Personal Injury Law Blog

Dangers of Drowsy Driving

On behalf of Law Office of James A. Conley on Wednesday, November 14, 2018.

We frequently hear about the dangers of distracted driving or driving while under the influence, but there’s another form of dangerous driving that’s just as scary. It’s not as widely talked about but driving while you’re tired can have some serious consequences.

Drowsy driving is a form of impaired driving, just like driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol that can hinder your judgment and reaction time. Each year, drowsy drivers cause 100,000 motor vehicle accidents, 40,000 injuries and 1,550 fatalities in the United States. In Washington state, there were 64 fatal crashes and 308 serious injury accidents from 2011 to 2015 as a result of drowsy driving.

When can a person plead self-defense?

On behalf of Law Office of James A. Conley posted in criminal defense on Friday, November 2, 2018.

When faced with a threat and with no option to retreat, even the most mild-mannered person may find themselves in an altercation that they would have otherwise wanted to avoid. Washington residents who are involved in alleged assaults and batteries can sometimes find themselves facing serious criminal charges if the other parties claim that the accused individuals were the aggressors in their attacks. It is therefore possible for crime victims to be charged with criminal accusations for their involvement in protecting themselves and others when assaults and batteries occur.

In such cases it may be possible for individuals to use self-defense as a means of overcoming their legal challenges. In order to plead self-defense, certain elements must be proven and as with all posts included on this blog, readers are advised not to read the information contained herein as legal advice.

Paralysis can be a costly long-term condition

On behalf of Law Office of James A. Conley posted in catastrophic injuries on Thursday, October 18, 2018.

A Washington resident who has the full use of their body may rarely consider the costs and struggles that someone with paralysis may face as they fight to get through each day. Depending upon the type and severity of their paralysis, an individual may need to rely on the help and support of others for practically everything they do.

Paralysis is a condition that causes the victim to lose sensation in parts of their body because of an injury to their spinal cord. Depending upon where the victim's injury occurs, different sections of their body may be affected by paralysis. Generally, the higher on the spinal cord that an injury occurs, the more of the body that may be affected by paralysis.

What are my options after suffering a dog bite?

On behalf of Law Office of James A. Conley posted in premises liability on Thursday, October 4, 2018.

A dog bite or attack can inflict serious physical injuries on a Washington victim. Immediately after the attack, a victim should seek medical attention to make sure their health is not threatened and they are not at risk of contracting a serious illness. Once a victim has taken the appropriate precautions regarding their health and welfare, they may start the process of understanding their options for seeking justice.

A dog bite could fall under premises liability law, which would impose liability on the party that allowed the dog to have the opportunity to attack the victim. In many cases, dog bites are caused by the negligence of dog owners who fail to restrain their pets or who do not have adequate control over them to prevent them from causing injuries to innocent parties.

Driver distractions come in many different forms

On behalf of Law Office of James A. Conley posted in car accidents on Friday, September 21, 2018.

Cellphones are an incredible invention and have sped up the rate at which people can communicate and do their work; unfortunately, they have also given individuals handheld distractions that can cause them to lose focus while they are driving.

Driving distractions are not, however, limited to cellphones. Although texting and driving gets a lot of attention as a dangerous driving practice these days, other less technologically-focused distractions also create perils for Washington residents. This post will discuss some of those and what can be done to protect people from car accidents.

Maximizing your compensation after a serious injury

On behalf of Law Office of James A. Conley on Friday, September 14, 2018.

Suffering an injury after a serious accident proves both emotionally and physically exhausting. Due to the negligence of another individual, you face traumatic pain and suffering. As your medical costs increase, and you cannot work due to your temporary or long-term physical impairments, you worry as to how you will continue to provide for your family.

Under Washington law, you have the ability to file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent party if another individual’s action or inaction caused your injury. Not only can you obtain compensation for actual expenses, you obtain money for unquantifiable damages such as emotional suffering.

What harm can result from a spinal cord injury?

On behalf of Law Office of James A. Conley posted in catastrophic injuries on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

The various injuries that a person can suffer can be incredibly serious and complex. This is particularly true when systems that control functions like movement and sensory perception are involved. When a Washington resident suffers an injury to their spinal cord, their entire life can be severely affected by the limitations that it may impose.

The spinal cord is a group of nerves that is contained and protected in the spinal column. It transmits signals and carries messages from the brain throughout a person's body. When the spinal cord is damaged, body parts that did not directly sustain any trauma can be impacted and may no longer function.

Understanding liability when children are victims

On behalf of Law Office of James A. Conley posted in pedestrian and bicycle accidents on Thursday, August 23, 2018.

When a person is hurt in an accident, they may suffer serious injuries. Those injuries can prevent them from living their lives to the fullest and even getting back to their normal schedules and commitments. Washington residents who suffer harm in accidents caused by the negligence of others can often sue for their losses and seek to recover damages.

However, when a person contributes to the harm they suffer or is the actual cause of their own injuries, they may be barred from seeking a complete recovery of their losses. For example, if a pedestrian walks out in front of a vehicle because they are distracted by their smartphone, they may be partially to blame for the injuries they incur.

Brain injuries common after falls and accidents

On behalf of Law Office of James A. Conley posted in catastrophic injuries on Thursday, August 9, 2018.

Traumatic brain injuries contribute to around 30 percent of all deaths across the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 2.5 million people sustained a TBI in 2010 alone. A severe TBI can cause the victim to lose consciousness for an extended period of time after the injury or to suffer from amnesia. It also contributes to a number of long-term and short-term medical issues, which is why it is one of the most catastrophic injuries one can suffer.

A brain injury can affect cognitive facility, such as one's attention span and memory. It can change someone's balance and impair their coordination when it affects the victim's motor functions. Sensations can be lost or altered-hearing, vision and touch can all become impaired if there is a brain injury. And, Washington residents may be surprised to hear that emotions can also change-someone suffering from a brain injury could suddenly struggle with impulse control, aggression or undergo other personality changes.

Semi rear-ends sedan, killing one and injuring three

On behalf of Law Office of James A. Conley posted in car accidents on Thursday, July 26, 2018.

Semi-trucks sometimes appear to be the monsters of the Interstate Highway System. They are far larger than the passenger vehicles that use the interstate, and they often cause serious accidents if their drivers are not in complete control. A recent car accident on I-5 near Conway, was apparently caused by the driver of a semi who failed to slow in time.

According to police who investigated the incident, an SUV and a car were heading north on I-5. The drivers slowed at the Conway exit, but the driver of a semi-truck traveling behind the two vehicles did not. The semi slammed into the SUV and pushed it into the car. The woman driving the SUV suffered fatal injuries, and the passenger in the vehicle was taken to Harborview Medical Center. The two people in the car were taken to a local hospital. Police did not state whether the driver of the semi suffered any injuries.

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