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Things not to say if you're pulled over for distracted driving
In the State of Washington, you can be pulled over if an officer thinks you're driving while distracted - even if you are doing everything else right. This is because this behavior is so incredibly dangerous - as much if not more so as driving drunk. For recent research on how risky distracted driving is and what not to say if you're busted for it, click here.
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.
I was the passenger in a car accident, what do I do?
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.Click to learn more about car accidents in which the passenger was hurt.
12 reasons to find a personal injury attorney
Without an attorney on your side, it can be like playing football without a helmet or much knowledge of the rules and plays versus an NFL team. When it's yours and your family's financial future on the line, this is not the kind of strategy you want to use. A personal injury attorney is a game changer.
Wrong Way Driving Causes Devastating Car Crashes in Bellingham
Like many cities, Bellingham has its share of one-way roads. It's not uncommon to see drivers who travel against the direction they're supposed to. Especially when this happens at highway speeds, such as along I-5 or Whatcom County roads,being hit by a wrong-way driver is one of the most devastating kinds of collisions possible. These crashes can happen very fast, without the victims’ seeing them coming. Often the injuries sustained in these kinds of accidents are major and possibly fatal. Click here if you've been involved in a wreck where the driver was going the wrong way.
One clients story of how this Bellingham, WA lawyer helped him recover after a car accident
If you have been injured in a car accident that wasn't your fault, it can help to hear that you're not alone. That you do have options, and there are ways to recover some of what you lost financially. It takes money to be able to recover from serious injuries including bone fractures, like this car accident victim hit by a distracted driver. Sometimes your best option is to seek legal expertise to make sure you receive a fair settlement for your damages and losses. Here is one client's story.
New statistics on distracted driving provide sobering picture
It's no news that distracted driving is a problem, but recent reports show how pervasive it is. Personal injury law firm Bill Coats Law in Bellingham, WA compiles this comparison of common driving distractions and how dangerous is one is.
Do you protect this most precious asset while on the water? Probably not
Life jackets on a boat are a must for safety, but unlike riding a bike, no boater would think to don a helmet on the water. So often all that separates our brains from serious injury with a hard object is our skull. If you've been hit in the head and are experiencing symptoms of TBI, seek a doctor's help immediately. To recognize the symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury, click here.
What's in your pocket could hurt you - why the FDA hasn't declared e-cigarettes safe
Though e-cigarettes don't need to be lit with a lighter like smoking tobacco, they can still burn you. Although you mostly see car accident stories on this site, there's an increasing number of claims made against electronic cigarette manufacturers for selling products that might not be safe. Curious how this can happen under the FDA's nose? Read this article on why the FDA hasn't issued regulations on e-cigarettes yet.
When a train is involved, Bellingham wrecks usually have catastrophic results
Here in Bellingham and all through Whatcom and Skagit Counties, we share space with trains. Unfortunately, accidents happen. Sometimes it’s a defect in the track. Other times, equipment failure. Sometimes a crash is due to a driver’s error. Railroad companies will hire a team of private investigators to assess train crossing accidents, and are ready to employ them at the scene of any accident. Because of the nature of these collisions, the unfortunate fact is that most train accidents have tragic results. It may be that you must file a wrongful death lawsuit in order to receive money the train company does not want to pay. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be eligible to receive a significant settlement for the both economic and non-economic damages. It’s an enormous challenge to have to advocate for yourself or your loved ones after such a crisis, and the last things you need after this kind of accident are long negotiations and battles with the railroad company. If you are involved in an accident between a car and a train, you may want to discuss your legal options with a lawyer before trying to fight the railroad companies alone.