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If a loved one died in an accident, this could be considered a wrongful death

A wrongful death can happen in a variety of ways, from a car or truck accident to a medical procedure that goes tragically wrong. Regardless of the cause, a wrongful death is always heartbreaking, and the resulting claim takes a special kind of experience to handle effectively. When a loved one dies as the result of negligence or recklessness, family members are overwhelmed with grief, anger, and confusion as to what to do next. Often the at-fault party will deny liability and will seek to place blame elsewhere, even on the victim. The legal process can be overwhelming for family members who are mourning and trying to come to terms with what has happened. When a wrongful death happens, the legal stakes are higher and more challenging, the at-fault parties fight harder, and the process can be stressful for surviving family members. If a loved one died during an accident it is quite possible you could file a wrongful death claim. Click to learn more.

Rollover Accidents Are Especially Dangerous on Whatcom and Skagit County Roads

While it’s hard to imagine a vehicle accident that isn’t scary, rollovers have particularly dangerous aspects. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) they tend to happen on rural roads that lack barriers like guard rails, roads which are common in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. This means that the vehicle can end up in a ditch or down an embankment. Also, the faster the vehicle is going, the higher the chance it will roll. Faster speeds result in harder impacts. Drunk or distracted driving also tend to factor into rollover crashes. As these are typically single-vehicle accidents, a driver who is drunk or distracted is inattentive and careless to the conditions on the road. Even a simple curve in the road can start the chain reaction of circumstances that result in a rollover. Swerving to avoid a pothole, or a tire blow out can result in flipping your vehicle over. If you have been in a rollover accident, some of these factors might have been involved in your crash. Click here for more information on what to do after a rollover accident.

If you've been rear-ended in Bellingham, you're not alone

Rear end collisions. They're one of the most common kinds of crashes, and they almost always happens when it’s least expected. Often these types of accidents leave victims with devastating pain, including but not limited to whiplash. Obviously physical pain can result, as well as emotional trauma. Last but not least, another long term impact is the financial strain of medical bills, loss of transportation, and even loss of wages. After an accident involving a real-end collision, it’s important to know the facts. You have options and don’t have to soldier through it without help. You can make an informed decision about what to do after being rear-ended.

One of the best videos on distracted driving dangers

From a study of 1,600 managers and professionals, Leslie Perlow, PhD, the Konosuke Matsushita professor of leadership at the Harvard Business School, found that:

70% said they check their smartphone within an hour of getting up. 56% check their phone within an hour of going to sleep. 48% check over the weekend, including on Friday and Saturday nights. 51% check continuously during vacation. 44% said they would experience "a great deal of anxiety" if they lost their phone and couldn't replace it for a week.

Now, click to follow a link to watch the video and read more statistics and studies about distracted driving and how far-ranging a problem it has become.

Commonly held beliefs about multi-tasking contribute to distracted driving

Driving and talking on the phone simultaneously is not like walking and chewing gum. Walking and chewing gum don't involve much concentration. Driving and holding a conversation, however, do involve those areas of the brain that require a lot of thought. Research shows that the mind can't do two distinct thinking tasks at the same time; instead, it switches back and forth very quickly between the two activities. It may look like someone is doing both at the same time, but the brain doesn't work that way. Those brief interruptions in focus can mean that the driver is on autopilot. And autopilot can't react when something unexpected occurs. Click to learn more about how multi-tasking is a myth, and why driving while distracted is so dangerous.

Alaska State Bar Association

The Alaska Bar Association has over 4,000 members. The Bar is governed by a Board of Governors, with nine attorneys elected by the membership and three public members appointed by the governor.  The Bar is responsible to the Alaska Supreme Court for the admission and discipline process.  The Bar also provides continuing legal education and other member services.

Law school wins ABA approval for Anchorage satellite

December 10, 2014-Third-year law students will study and work in Anchorage in fall 2015, now that the American Bar Association has approved Seattle University School of Law's satellite campus there.  The approval paves the way for the law school to begin accepting applications from students at Seattle University and other accredited law schools who want to spend their third year in Alaska, the only state without its own law school. Applications will be available in early January (2015).

Alaska State Association for Justice (fka Trial Lawyers)

In the early 1970's, a small group of trial lawyers began meeting several times a year over dinner to discuss their cases and the practice of civil law in Alaska. This initial networking evolved into the formation of a chapter of the national trial lawyer group, the American Association for Justice formerly known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA). The Alaska chapter is named The Alaska Association for Justice and has been in existence since the mid 1970's.

Alaska Bar Association Pro Bono Resources

State of Alaska Pro Bono Service Providers listed with description and contact information.

Alaska Legal Services Corporation

ALSC was established in 1967 as a private, nonprofit law firm.  Our mission is to provide high quality civil legal services to low income and disadvantaged people and communities to protect their safety, their health and promote family stability.  We are dedicated to bridging the statewide gap between those who need civil legal help and those who are able to get it.  We have an unwavering and longstanding commitment to assuring that Alaska’s rural communities have access to the justice system. Through advocacy, education, collaboration and litigation we empower individuals, protect fundamental rights, strengthen communities, create opportunities and achieve justice.