Advanced Search

Date: 
Saturday, October 20, 2012

Two teenage boys were involved in a crash on Lakeway Drive in Bellingham. The two teens were fleeing a deputy's patrol car when they lost control of the vehicle and hit a tree. They were tranported to a local hospital with injuries. Identities not yet released.

Date: 
Monday, June 20, 2011
On June 20, 2011, at around 3:30 a.m. EDT, Ryan Dunn and Zachary Hartwell, a production assistant on Jackass Number Two, were killed when Dunn's Porsche 911 GT3 veered off the road and hit a tree in West Goshen Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Dunn was 34 years old. Hours before the accident, Dunn had posted a photo to his Twitter account of himself and Hartwell drinking at a West Chester bar.

Woman's lawyers win her case after being injured in an accident with two drunk drivers while riding on a motorcycle

Accident Type: 
Motorcycle Accident
Incident Date: 
Saturday, July 10, 1982
Result Date: 
Wednesday, June 1, 1983
Monetary Result: 
$558,352
On July 10, 1982, at 11: 20 p.m.Sharon Crigger, a 36-year-old federal crop insurance adjuster with the Department of Agriculture, was riding as a passenger on the back of Kermit Johansson's motorcycle at Fruit and Ashlan Avenue. Ms. Crigger and Mr. Johansson were driving west on Ashlan when Patrick McHatton was traveling in a southbound direction on Fruit Avenue. The two vehicles collided with each other at the intersection controlled by light signals. Both drivers argued that they had the green light. Ms. Crigger was severely injured. She sustained several pelvic fractures, requiring 50 units of blood. She also suffered nerve injuries to her right leg and right arm, including her right shoulder, leaving her with residual dysfunction of the deltoid and triceps muscles of the right arm, which restricts her from strenuous activity, and in her work. She was in intensive care for nine days, and in the hospital for two months. She subsequently sued both Mr. Johansson and Mr. McHatton for their individual roles in causing the accident. Crigger had been dating Johansson for about a year prior to the accident, and they had been on a river rafting outing early that day. All the people involved consumed alcoholic beverages that day, although no blood alcohol content was taken from Ms. Crigger, who could not remember the incident due to her injuries. Mr. McHatton was arrested for felony drunk driving. McHatton argued that he had consumed four or five beers during the hour prior to the accident, and that he was on his way home. He was intending to continue driving south on Fruit avenue at the intersection, and had the green light. Physical factors of the accident indicated that his account was inconsistent, however. It appeared that he was making a left hand turn, and, further, was traveling at 15 to 20 m.p.h. at the time of the accident. Mr. McHatton admitted he was partially at fault, but argued that Mr. Johansson was also negligent, and that Ms. Crigger was comparatively negligent for getting onto the motorcycle with an impaired driver. Defendant Johansson claimed that he was traveling at 35 m.p.h., and that he had the green light. He further argued that he had no notice of the other motor vehicle until he was some twenty feet from the intersection, which time he caught a glimpse of the other vehicle, and at that point he attempted to take evasive action and brake, but was unable to apply his brake prior to impacting the motor vehicle. Defendant Johannson denied any liability. Both the plaintiff and the defendant brought expert witnesses to the stand. An accident reconstructionist testified on behalf of Ms. Crigger, testifying that even if both of the vehicles had the green light, that Mr. Johannson could have taken evasive action, and should have been able to reduce the speed of his motorcycle from 35 m.p.h. to 22 m.p.h., based on normal reaction time, had he not been drunk. Mr. Blair stated that this reduction of speed would reduce the velocity of impact by 60%. Another expert witness testified that Mr. McHatton had a blood alcohol content of .015, and that level his perceptual abilities were impaired. The defendant's expert witness testified that in his opinion the accident was unavoidable, as there were obstructions at the intersection that kept both drivers from seeing each other. Ultimately, Ms. Crigger and her lawyers won the case for her, awarding her $558,352.32. It was found that Mr. McHatton was primarily at fault, although Mr. Johansson contributed to the accident.

A case that sounds too bad to be true: two crashes, one person, in one year

It may sound too bad to be true, but one woman was the victim of two separate crashes, just over a year apart, both of which caused her severe injuries. The second crash was because a drunk driver crossed the center line and hit her head-on. Click for this case study and how her personal injury lawyer in Bellingham, Washington helped her be compensated for her losses and pain.

One person is injured after a Tuesday crash in Canoga Park, California that began as a pursuit of a driver suspected of driving under the influence of narcotics. The accident occured on the 8700 block of Mason Avenue. Details concerning the victim's condition and identity were not immediately available. 

12 facts about drunk driving you should know

Everyone by now knows that drinking and driving is dangerous. Yet more and more facts come out based on current research that highlight this problem even more. From Bellingham car accident and personal injury law firm Bill Coats Law, learn more about the dangers of drinking and driving

Passengers injured in a car accident have unique concerns about recovery

Every time motorists accept a passenger into their vehicle, they form an upspoken agreement that they’ll both do what it takes to make the drive a safe one. Yet it is the driver’s ultimate responsibility to maintain the passenger’s well-being as long as that person is a passenger. Reckless, negligent driving – including drunk, drugged, or distracted driving – puts everyone in danger, especially those who are not in the driver’s seat. In case of an accident those behaviors cause or contribute to, the passenger retains the right to hold the driver liable for damages and losses that result. Injured in a car accident in which you were the passenger? Click for more information.

Tips on providing a safer experience for super bowl party guests

Statistics show that DUIs spike on Super Bowl days. This year is slated to be one of the biggest events in Super Bowl history, and this means lots of viewing parties. If you're  hosting, read this article from Bellingham personal injury lawyer Bill Coats on how to prevent drunk driving car accidents if you're hosting.

Tips on hosting a safe Super Bowl party

Imagine how bad you'd feel if you hosted a super bowl party, and a guest got into a terrible, preventable accident on the way home because he was drunk. Not only would you feel terrible, there may be criminal or civil penalties against you. For tips on providing a safer super bowl party from Bellingham WA drunk driving accident attorney Bill Coats, click here.

Want to avoid a DUI? Try these tips

There are the old-fashioned methods of crashing on a friend's couch, or designating a sober driver. Modern technology such as apps for our ubiquitous smart phones is another way to make sure no one gets behind the wheel while drunk. Bellingham lawyer Bill Coats of Bill Coats Law works for the victims of drunk drivers on Washington roads and has a few ways we can all drive safer. For tips on avoiding a DUI, click here.