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16
May

Washington State Patrol to Teens: No More Texting While Driving

May 16, 2012

The policemen and women of Washington State want their message to be heard loud and clear by teenagers statewide: No texting while driving.

“When you’re on the road, things can go from good to horrible in the blink of an eye,” Sgt. Kirk Rudeen told the The Daily Herald recently.

Washington banned drivers from using cell phones nearly two years ago. Officers say they’ve tried to use the time as an educational period, but in 2012 they plan to cite offending drivers in earnest.

According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, two new studies show that texting while driving or even thinking about texting while driving might distract teenage drivers enough to cause them to wreck a vehicle.

One study looked at the position of the cell phone to determine if it affected drivers’ performance, but found that there is no safe “position” for texting while driving and that drivers who engaged in texting were eight times more likely to swerve between lanes.

The other study by the University of Washington, investigated if thinking about a phone made an impact in driving safety. The results: Each driver who displayed either an emotional attachment to his cell phone or felt frequent anticipation of calls or messages was more likely to be engaged in a car crash.

The Washington Auto Accident Lawyers with the Defoe Pickett Law Office want to remind teenagers—and adults—that texting while driving is never worth the risk.

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9
May

Washington Motorcyclist Killed In Head-On Collision

May 9, 2012

Each year, approximately 104,000 motorcycle crashes occur resulting in approximately 4,700 lives being lost. According to the Hurt Report, an independent study that culminated years of data gathered on motorcycle accidents, two-thirds of those collisions involve other vehicles.

One such accident claimed the life of a 53-year-old Yakima, Washington, man late last week. KNDU 25 News reported that the accident occurred at around 11:00 a.m. on Summitview Road, about eight miles outside of Yakima. Reports from troopers with the Washington State Patrol who were called to the scene stated that the motorcyclist was riding his bike into town when he crossed over the centerline of the highway and collided head-on with a tractor-trailer. The truck, in an effort to avoid the collision, swerved and overturned.

Medical examiners pronounced the motorcyclist dead at the scene of the crash; however, the truck driver survived, but was injured. He was taken to a local hospital where he received treatment for his injuries.

State troopers say that they will continue to investigate which factors, including alcohol, distractions, or speed, may have led up to the crash.

Washington Auto Accidents leave thousands of individuals, especially motorcyclists, injured each year. That’s why the Washington Personal Injury Lawyers with the Defoe Pickett Law Offices suggest always wearing a helmet to protect yourself when riding a motorcycle. Also, always obey posted speed limits of the roads you are on and drive defensively at all times.

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2
May

Two Vehicle Collision On Astoria Bridge Leaves One Dead

May 2, 2012

A two-vehicle collision on a bridge spanning the Washington and Oregon border earlier today has left one motorist dead. According to The Daily Astorian, the accident happened around 5:30 a.m. on the 4.1-mile Astoria Bridge.

Reports from Oregon State Police troopers who responded to the crash stated that it appeared as if the driver of a small sedan was heading north across the bridge, when for unknown reasons, the vehicle veered into the oncoming southbound lanes of traffic. The vehicle then collided head-on with a southbound pickup truck, pushing the truck through the guardrail until it was dangling over the edge of the bridge.

Rescue crews worked for nearly an hour to free the trapped driver of the pickup truck as Coast Guard crews patrolled below. The truck driver was eventually pulled to safety and escaped uninjured. Unfortunately, the driver of the car died in the crash.

The bridge was closed for nearly four hours as troopers and detectives gathered evidence for what is now an ongoing investigation into the accident.

Washington State Auto Accidents are said to be responsible for approximately 500 fatalities each year. That’s why the Washington Personal Injury Lawyers with the Defoe Pickett Law Firm ask that all Washington residents work to keep our highways safe by always eliminating anything that may distract you before driving anywhere. It is also important to remember to always buckle up and drive the speed limit.

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25
Apr

DOC Reaches Settlement Of $350,000 With Injured Workers

April 25, 2012

All employers in the United States have a responsibility to provide employees with a healthy and safe work environment. Failure to do so is sometimes considered negligence, and a company can be held responsible for paying damages to those who were injured.

This was the case earlier this week when it was reported by KNDU News that the Washington Department of Corrections announced that it had reached a settlement of $350,000 with four employees who became ill after exposure to construction dust and debris during a bathroom remodeling project in their office building at the Coyote Ridge Correctional Facility.

The employees at the facility, who were contracted drug and alcohol abuse counselors, had to breath in dust from an ongoing remodeling project for more than three months with no protection.

“It was an egregious situation from the standpoint that several notices were given to DOC and they could care less about the problems,” said Blaine Tamaki, an attorney for the workers.

The lawsuit alleged that the workers suffered serious respiratory and lung problems. Several inmates who were also exposed to the dust and suffered health issues filed claims as well, but were denied and unable to continue proceedings due to lack of counsel.

The Washington Personal Injury Lawyers with the Defoe Pickett Law Office say that it’s vital to make employers aware if you notice something unsafe at the workplace. Documenting your report is also very important.

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18
Apr

Holidays Increase The Number Of Serious Motor Vehicle Accidents

April 18, 2012

A recent study revealed that the number of traffic accidents resulting in injuries and deaths increases around certain holidays each year. According to the Seattle Post Intelligencer, the spike is associated with the celebrations and related drinking that occur on these specific days.

The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Toronto and examined thousands of crash reports from the past 30 years. What they found was that a surprisingly high number of accidents occur on Tax Day. Estimates show that 6,783 have occurred on this day since 1982, and 226 people have been killed.

Other days with a high number of accidents included New Year’s Eve and Super Bowl Sunday. According to estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 50 percent of all motor vehicle accidents that occur on this day are alcohol-related.

Another dangerous time of year to be on the road is during the”100 Deadly Days of Summer.”  NHTSA statistics show that from 2005 to 2009, more than 7,300 teens have been killed in accidents during this time period lasting from May until September. Experts say that the increase is caused by the large volume of teens traveling for summer vacations and an increase in alcohol consumption.

The Washington Auto Accident Lawyers with the Defoe Pickett Law Office would like to remind motorists to stay safe on Washington’s Highways by buckling up, slowing down, and driving defensively.

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