If you lose a loved one in a preventable accident in Washington state, you may suffer with the burden of expensive bills, such as funeral costs and lost income, while also dealing with immense grief. With help from an experienced Vancouver wrongful death attorney, a wrongful death claim could result in payment for certain losses. While no amount of money can make up for the death of a family member, fair compensation from the responsible party could make it easier for your family to move forward. Economic vs. Noneconomic Damages Two main categories of damages are available in a wrongful death ..read more

As a motorcyclist in Washington, it is critical to understand how different weather conditions can impact your ride. Checking the weather and knowing what to expect from different conditions can help you stay safe and potentially avoid a motorcycle accident in Washington state. Rain and Thunderstorms Precipitation from rain or a storm can lead to wet and slippery roads that result in a loss of traction on your motorcycle. A motorcycle’s tires do not perform on a wet road as they normally do on a dry surface. Wet roads will require you to adjust your speed and stopping distances as a motorcycle ..read more

Pedestrians are Washington’s most vulnerable users, meaning they are most at risk of suffering serious and fatal injuries in accidents. According to statistics from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, 131 pedestrians died in traffic accidents in 2022. Most deadly pedestrian collisions are preventable, with causes that are often traced back to driver errors. Distracted Driving Distracted driving took 3,522 lives in the United States in 2021, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Statewide statistics estimated that 11 percent of fatal pedestrian accidents ..read more

In the State of Washington, wrongful death is defined as the death of a person when it is caused by someone else’s wrongful act, neglect, or default. Under state law, surviving family members can hold the at-fault party accountable and recover financial compensation for a wrongful death by filing a civil lawsuit. Many different types of wrongful death cases can be filed in Vancouver. Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident Cases “Unintentional injuries” are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One of the leading causes of uni ..read more

If you ride a motorcycle in Washington, it is in your best interest to wear a helmet to protect your head, skull, and brain from injury. Traumatic brain injuries are a common cause of motorcyclist death in motorcycle accidents. Wearing protective headgear may save you from life-changing or fatal brain trauma. What Is the Importance of Wearing a Motorcycle Helmet? Motorcycle riders are at a higher risk of suffering serious injuries and dying in accidents than passenger vehicle occupants. Motorcyclists do not have the protection that motor vehicle drivers and passengers do, such as the metal she ..read more

Vehicle-pedestrian collisions always result in more severe injuries for the pedestrian than the motor vehicle driver. Pedestrians are Washington State’s most vulnerable road users, meaning they are at the highest risk of suffering serious and fatal injuries in traffic accidents. Knowing when pedestrians have the right-of-way in Washington can help keep you safe as a pedestrian or prevent a tragic accident as a driver. Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws in Washington State The right-of-way refers to the legal right to proceed or go first on the road. Washington’s traffic laws give a certain person, v ..read more

Washington’s definition of wrongful death is a loss of life caused by a wrongful act, neglect or default of another person. When someone suffers the loss of a family member due to wrongful death, the surviving loved one has the right to seek financial compensation with a wrongful death claim in Washington. Winning this type of case generally requires the filing party to prove negligence. What Are the Elements of Negligence? Negligence is a fundamental legal principle of personal injury law. The definition of negligence is the failure to act with a proper, appropriate, or reasonable level of ca ..read more

A wrongful death claim is a type of civil lawsuit that may be available to surviving loved ones after the unexpected loss of a family member in a preventable accident. Specific laws and statutes apply to wrongful death cases in Washington State. One of the most important is the statute of limitations, which gives most claimants a maximum of three years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. What Is a Statute of Limitations? A statute of limitations is a legal deadline that applies to an individual’s ability to file a civil case. With only limited exceptions, if an individual waits too long and miss ..read more

If you get into a car accident in Vancouver that totals your vehicle – meaning the cost of repairs exceeds the total value of the car – the claims process will be different depending on whether you own or lease the vehicle. If you total a leased car, you will need to work with the leasing company for guidance on what steps to take to file a claim. Different types of insurance may be available to cover your costs. Minimum Insurance Requirements for a Leased Vehicle Every state has unique automobile insurance laws. In Washington, the required minimum amounts of insurance for the typical motor ve ..read more

Motorcycling in the Pacific Northwest should not end in disaster. Unfortunately, motor vehicle drivers do not always fulfill their duty to drive safely. Careless and reckless drivers can cause deadly motorcycle collisions, as can motorcycle defects and dangerous road conditions. If you were in a motorcycle accident, reach out to a Vancouver motorcycle accident attorney for legal guidance on the next steps. Whether you are a motorcyclist or motorist, you can reduce your risk of getting involved in an accident by following a few safety tips. Inspect Your Motorcycle Inspect your motorcycle regula ..read more