In 2017, there was an estimate of nearly 91,000 accidents that involved drowsy drivers. Here’s why drowsy drivers pose a risk to other drivers on the road.
]]> Driving like you’re drunkWhen you’re tired, your body often reacts like it would under the influence of alcohol. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation found that driving after being awake for 18 hours straight has the same effect on your driving skills as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .05. Not sleeping for a full 24 hours can make your driving skills equivalent to that of someone with a BAC of .10.
Signs of a drowsy driver
There are many signs of a drowsy driver. Like drunk drivers, you might notice a drowsy driver drifting from their lane. But a sleep-deprived driver may also show additional signs, such as:
Preventing drowsy driving
You may not be able to control others’ decisions to drive sleep deprived, but there are preventative measures you can take to avoid drowsy driving.
If you find yourself experiencing any signs of a drowsy driver, simply pulling over and taking a nap can help refresh your mind so you can finish your drive. Avoid taking medication that will make you drowsy, or switch drivers if you have someone else in the car.
By being mindful and alert while driving, you can help keep roads safer and reduce the risk of a serious accident. However, accidents can happen unexpectedly. If you or a loved one suffered an injury caused by a drowsy driver, an attorney can provide you with the help you may need.
]]>The symptoms of whiplash can put a person out of work for days or weeks, and it is recommended that a person experiencing whiplash seek out medical care. Moreover, it is important to remember that, as the name implies, whiplash involves a sudden throttling of the neck, much like the sudden back and forth motion of a cracking whip.
]]> The neck and area around the head is obviously a very vulnerable part of the human body, so it is not surprising that, sometimes, whiplash injuries either last permanently or endure for several years. In some cases, the symptoms of whiplash can even resemble those of a significant brain injury.For instance, some people experience difficulties with vision, fatigue and dizzy spells and difficulty with concentrating or with remembering information. Emotional changes are also possible. After a car accident, a Washington resident who develops the symptoms of whiplash should seek out appropriate medical care.
]]>The goal of this extended rest period is to give a trucker the opportunity to sleep. The rest rules also require truck drivers to take a 34-hour break after driving a certain number of hours each week.
]]> The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA, has recently proposed to modify the rest rules somewhat. For instance, under the new rules, drivers would be allowed to use a break-time period of 30 minutes to pause their 14-hour driving window. Currently, after 14 hours on duty, a trucker must stop for 10 hours even if much of their time on duty did not involve driving.While some might hail the changes in the rest rules as a way of giving truckers some additional flexibility in scheduling, others could see these changes as a rollback that, ultimately, will increase the risk of truck driver fatigue. The questions of whether a trucker followed the rest rules is often critically important to the investigation of trucking accident. After all, if it turns out that a trucker did not follow these rules, and there is some reason to believe fatigued truck driving contributed to the accident, then the violation can be used to help a victim receive compensation.
]]>The incident occurred at about 9:20 p.m. on the west side of the north bound tunnel platform. According to witnesses, a man dressed in a dark hoodie began shouting at a group of three other men. Witnesses then say that the man in the hoodie pulled a gun and begin shooting at the three men. The three victims were each hit by one or more shots.
]]> The alleged shooter was seen in a surveillance video running up an escalator that provides an exit from the station. Another witness, who was standing at the opposite of the platform, said that he hear yelling followed by "three loud pops."When police arrived on the scene, they began administering emergency medical care to the three victims. Firefighters then arrived and took the three survivors to Harborview Medical Center. One of the men died from his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital, one man was treated and released, and the third man remained in the hospital in critical condition. The man who was released did not appear to have been involved in the original argument.
Police said that they did not believe that the shooting was random. According to information provided to the police by various witnesses, the three men may have begun their argument in a nearby fast food restaurant before moving to the light-rail station.
If the suspect is identified and arrested, he will be facing serious criminal charges. He will be entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence, but he may wish to consult an experienced criminal defense attorney for an evaluation of the evidence and an estimate of the likelihood of negotiating a favorable plea agreement.
]]>The incident occurred during the last set of the performance by electronic artist, Jai Wolf. As concertgoers pressed against the barrier, it collapsed and fell on the audience. Twenty-five people had their injuries evaluated at the scene. Ultimately, four persons who were injured in the collapse were taken to Harborview Medical Center, where they were reported to be in stable condition.
]]> The remaining victims were deemed not to require further medical treatment. The victims in this incident, even the four who were hospitalized, appear to have been very fortunate. The crowd did not panic and create a rush of trampling feet that could have increased both the number and seriousness of the injuries.The exact nature of the injuries that required hospitalization are not yet known, but the four people who suffered those injuries may wish to seek money damages for their injuries. The proprietors of the festival and perhaps the owner of the barrier may face liability for failure to properly install the barrier or provide adequate warning about the dangers of pressing against the barrier.
Anyone who has suffered an injury or lost a loved one in a similar incident may wish to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer for an analysis of the facts and estimate of the likelihood of recovering damages for medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering.
]]>While you’ve always known that this day would come, you may still feel uneasy. Inexperienced drivers are among the most disadvantaged on the road. Car crashes are the leading cause of teen deaths and because of their youth, injuries can become lifelong problems.
]]> Parents should know what to expects teen driving laws are there to prepare your child for life as an independent driver. It’s important that they use their probationary period to establish good driving habits. Your child may obtain their learner’s permit at age 15 and must carry their permit for six months. State law requires them to have 50 hours of supervised driving time with 10 hours of driving time.
At age 16, your child can then try for their driver’s license. In the first six months, the law restricts your child from driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. They must also not have any passengers under 20 years old for the first six months after obtaining their license and no more than three passengers under 20 years old until they obtain their full driving privileges.
Your role as a parent
Parents like you are often the best teachers for their child. Driver’s education is more than just showing someone where the wipers or gas pedal or brake pedals are. You can be a shining example of what it means to be a good driver. A couple ways you can set a good example includes:
By doing your part as a parent, you can help ensure that your child reaches their destination safely every time they get behind the wheel. Handing the keys to your family vehicle over to your child for the first time can be scary but knowing the law for teen drivers and how you can do your part may bring you peace of mind.
]]>Shortly after 9:30 a.m. on August 19, 2019, a dump truck was traveling west on James Street near Pioneer Square. According to police, the truck suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure that caused the driver to lose control. The truck rolled forward and struck a pedestrian at the corner of James Street and Second Avenue. The driver responded by attempting to weave through traffic. The truck struck three cars on James Street and then crashed through the front window of a Subway Sandwich Shop. A video recording of the incident shows the truck resting completely inside the sandwich shop with its windshield shattered.
]]> The pedestrian suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized at Harborview Medical Center. Three men were taken to the same hospital and treated in the emergency room. Two employees of the shop were on the premises when the truck crashed into the window. Neither was injured.Liability can be difficult to determine in an accident involving a commercial truck, such as the dump truck that apparently caused this accident. If first reports are accurate, the majority of fault may rest on whichever party was responsible for maintenance, especially if brake failure was the major cause. The party responsible for maintenance may not be the owner of the truck. If the truck was leased for a short term, neither the lessee nor the lessor may have been at fault.
Anyone who has lost a loved one or suffered an injury in an accident involving one or more commercial vehicles may wish to consult an experienced personal injury attorney for an evaluation of the evidence and an estimate of the likelihood of recovering damages.
]]>A shuttle van from the Seattle Airport Marriott was headed north on International Boulevard at about 1:00 p.m. on July 25. A car heading south in the opposite lane crossed the median and hit the shuttle bus. The force of the impact tipped the van on its side. The van was carrying nine persons, but police were unable to determine how many, if any, were using the available seat belts.
]]> One man was partially thrown from the van, and police found his body under the rear passenger side of the van. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The exact condition of the other passengers and the driver were not clear. The driver of the car and a van passenger were treated and released at a nearby hospital. Two others were hospitalized in a facility that did not provide an information on their conditions. Another passenger suffered injuries to her head and to her hand.The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Police are not certain about the cause of the automobile's sudden change of lanes or why the driver was unable to stop the car before the accident occurred.
As is almost always the case in an accident involving a commercial vehicle, the identities of the parties can be difficult to untangle. The bus is probably owned by a company other than Marriott, and the driver may be an employee of a third entity. Alcohol or drugs may have impaired the driver of the sedan, although police have given no information on this point. Anyone who has suffered an injury or lost a loved one in a similar accident may wish to contact an experienced personal injury attorney for an evaluation of the evidence and an estimate of the likelihood of recovering damages.
]]>A sedan was heading east on SR 202 when the driver veered to the left as he entered a severe curve. A semi-trailer truck heading in the opposite direction collided head-on with the sedan. The impact broke the steering mechanism on the semi, and the large truck careened toward the side of the road. The truck smashed through the guardrail and toward a 25-30 feet drop into a creek.
]]> The truck driver suffered only minor injuries. The driver of the sedan was not so lucky. His car was nearly destroyed by the semi, and the man died at the scene. A line of trees appears to have prevented a more calamitous outcome by halting the truck before it reached the drop-off.People who live near the scene of the accident said that they have been working for years in an effort to make this stretch of road safer. They have urged the state of Washington to lower the speed limit, straighten the road and add turn lanes. Perhaps two accidents in a month will get the state's attention.
In the meantime, the family of the man who died will be pondering whether they can recover damages for the loss of companionship caused by the accident. More information is necessary, including the respective speeds of the two vehicles, condition of the road way and visibility. In such cases, an experienced personal injury attorney can provide an evaluation of the evidence and an opinion on the likelihood of recovering damages.
]]>The accident occurred at about 4:30 a.m. on SR-202 near Ames Lake Road. A pickup truck being driven by a 24-year-old male collided with the driver's side door on a Mustang being driven by a 19-year-old woman. The Mustang rolled and left the roadway, coming to rest in a ditch. The truck also left the roadway and struck a tree.
]]> The woman died at the scene, and her two very young children passengers suffered serious injuries. Police said that they had suffered head injuries, and both of them were taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition. The driver of the pickup was not seriously injured.Police first attributed the accident to the woman attempting to make a dangerous left turn onto SR-202 as she left a private driveway. However, police gave no information about the speed of the truck or whether the driver was impaired by alcohol or drugs. Weather conditions in the area were described as "foggy," but police said that visibility was satisfactory at the time of the accident. The exact cause of the accident is being investigated by Washington State Police.
The driveway appears to intersect the highway on a curve, a situation that would require more caution by both drivers. If the truck driver were found to have exceeded the speed limit for the highway in general or for the curve where the accident happened, he may be deemed to have been primarily at fault for the accident. If investigators determine that the deceased driver had adequate visibility when she pulled out, she may be found to be primarily at fault. Anyone who has been injured or lost a loved one in a similar accident may wish to consult an experienced personal injury attorney for an analysis of the evidence and an estimate of the likelihood of recovering damages for wrongful death or for medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering.
]]>Unfortunately, this scene was not the only problem occurring at the nursing home. Due to lack of staffing and lack of care, there were multiple incidents where residents suffered devastating injuries. One resident had suffered an opioid overdose, another resident had flipped over his wheelchair, resulting in a brain hemorrhage, and an employee helping a paraplegic woman without the assistance of a helper resulted in a fractured hip.
]]> Who was responsible for the subpar living conditions of these vulnerable residents?One of the richest private-equity firms in the world, the Carlyle Group, was the owner of this chain of nursing homes until they filed for bankruptcy. During the five years leading up to the bankruptcy, residents were subjected to an increase in health risks and poor care, an inspection report showed. Healthcode violations rose 26 percent during this time with some of the top reported problems being:
The rise in these violations occurred after the Carlyle completed a new financial deal that removed $1.3 billion from the company, making it virtually impossible for the chain to meet its financial burdens. The result was hundreds of layoffs in just over a year. As the home tried to make rent payments, they also embarked on serious cost-cutting measures. In response to the investigation the company stated that they did not make cuts to nursing staff, but only administrative needs. The spokesperson also went onto state that they felt the homes were not suffering from poor conditions, and they were well-rated by many companies. When asked by a reporter if he would treat his mother in the same way, he gave pause but did not answer.
Unfortunately what this type of situations tell us is that perhaps these facilities and the care of the patients should be left in the hands of those who know the ins and outs of the business and can provide the quality care that the aging population needs, instead of firms looking for a return on investment. Many of these investment firms are looking to generate investor returns quickly, often leading to the plundering of company assets to meet these needs.
Signs of nursing home neglect
Nursing care neglect is a growing problem, and as the population continues to age, it is likely to only get worse. To make sure your loved is not falling victim to neglect, be mindful of the signs of neglect listed below.
While these are not the only signs that neglect of your loved one is occurring, they can be key indicators. If you suspect that your loved one is suffering from neglect or abuse at their care facility, don't wait for the conditions to get worse. Contact legal counsel to help you determine the best course of action to ensure that your loved one is protected and treated as they deserve.
]]>The woman was sitting on a bench waiting for a Rapid Ride B Line bus near a filling station in Bellevue. At the same time, a pickup truck towing a boat attempted to turn into the filling station adjacent to the bus stop. The truck driver elected to attempt the turn without waiting for traffic in the oncoming lane to clear. As the truck turned into the oncoming traffic, it was struck by a vehicle that caused the truck and trailer to jackknife. The truck struck the woman waiting for the bus and pinned her between its bumper and the bench. The driver of the truck was arrested on suspicion of vehicular assault, but police do not believe that he was impaired by alcohol or drugs.
]]> The woman suffered broken facial bones and serious abrasions on her legs. She was experiencing severe leg pain that caused her to believe that her legs were broken. Fortunately, that turned out not to be the case. Her prognosis appears to be optimistic, especially compared to other possible outcomes.The driver of the pickup truck appears to bear the greater portion of fault for the accident, but the car that struck the truck may have been speeding or simply failed to respond to the turning truck. Anyone who has been injured or lost a loved one in an accident involving more than one vehicle may wish to consult an experienced personal injury attorney for an evaluation of the evidence, a determination of fault and the likelihood of recovering damages.
]]>Snoqualmie police officers received a call about 6:15 p.m describing an attempted kidnapping in progress in the parking lot at the North Bend malls. One witness described a woman who was standing near a white van and shouting that she did not "want to get into this vehicle." As officers were racing to the scene, a wildlife officer spotted a white van being driven erratically. The officer said that the van was repeatedly changing lanes and occasionally using the wrong lane.
]]> Another officer heard the call and joined the wildlife officer in pursuing the van. The van eventually entered I-90 heading west in the east bound lanes. The van struck an east-bound sedan in a head-on collision. A woman riding in the van was critically injured, and one of the passengers in the sedan suffered a head injury. No other injury details were available. Police revealed that the driver of the van had outstanding warrants for his arrest, but no details were released.The driver of the van appears to be the most likely candidate for assessing liability, but a definitive determination of liability will need to await the completion of the police investigation. Anyone who has been injured or lost a loved one in a multi-vehicle accident may wish to consult an experienced personal injury attorney for an evaluation of the evidence and an estimate of the likelihood of recovering damages for medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering.
]]>A 2015 study showed that roughly 1-in-8 Washington drivers were uninsured. That figure ranked 10th worst among the 50 states. Drivers know the risk of driving without insurance and this still happens too often. Why do people drive without insurance despite knowing the consequences? A couple reasons include:
]]>Additionally, many auto insurance providers will raise the rates of your premiums if you go too long without insurance. Avoiding gaps in your insurance coverage is a great way to prevent paying more for insurance than necessary.
Liability coverage satisfies the law’s requirements
Washington law requires that every driver carries a minimum of liability coverage on their vehicle. Liability coverage entails at least:
Any additional coverage beyond this is up to you. However, a good insurance agent will ensure that your coverage protects you to the legal minimum while also making sure that you don’t have unnecessary coverage on your insurance policy that raises the costs of your premiums.
Some insurance is better than no insurance
Paying your auto insurance premiums is never fun but is less expensive than sustaining a car accident without any insurance. Even if you don’t have a car accident, your premium costs will likely rise for having a gap in your insurance coverage. If you’re concerned with the costs of insuring your vehicle, ask your insurance agent about any discounts that you may not be taking advantage of. After all, having some insurance is better than having no insurance.
]]>The two women, both in their 40's, were walking through the parking lot of a McDonald's restaurant in Auburn shortly before 7:00 p.m. A slow-moving car struck both women. One suffered only minor injuries and was treated at Auburn Hospital. The other woman fell to the pavement and struck her head. When police arrived at the scene, they ordered her to be airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The hospital said that the woman was in serious condition.
]]> The driver told police that he did not see the two women. He opined that he may have been blinded by the setting sun. Police have said the man cooperated with their investigation and did not appear to be impaired.The driver appears to be clearly at fault for the injuries suffered by both women, but there are still questions to answer. What was the driver's exact speed just before the collision? Did the driver have special vision problems that limited his ability to drive? This case shows how even a relatively simple pedestrian-vehicle collision can raise a number of important questions that will bear upon the final assessment of liability.
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