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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.
Tips on how to be a safer boater
It's up to boaters to prepare themselves for worst-case scenarios, and that begins with property boating safety. If you've never taken a boating safety course, every state and national boating agency will encourage you to do so - even if your state doesn't require it. If you're just taking a course to get your license, you're taking it for the wrong reason. Safety is much more important than a card in your wallet. Click here for classes and resources on how to avoid boating accidents.
The #1 tip for proving wage loss in accident claims
In wrongful death claims, it may be critical to the deceased's family that lost wages be proven. This is not always a straightforward process, and insurance companies have strict requirements on how lost wages are accounted. Click to read this article from Bill Coats Law in Bellingham WA about how you can make your case for wage loss.
DATA: Kentucky boating deaths on pace for five-year high
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.
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.
Classes and Resources for Learning How To Be a Safer Boater
Boaters can't control a lot of things - the weather and other boaters being two of the more potentially unpredictable factors. But there is one thing boaters should try to perfect - safety. Click here for a valuable list of resources and tips on how to be a safer boater.
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.
Tips for motorists on sharing the road with bicyclists
As bicycling gains in popularity, also on the rise is the likelihood of a crash with a car, truck, or other vehicle – and, so often, these crashes result in serious injury or death to the cyclist involved. According to the NHTSA, while overall passenger vehicle deaths decreased in 2012, bicyclist fatalities increased. Bicyclists injured in accidents with a vehicle also rose during this time. In sharing the road with bicyclists, motorists can do a few simple things to make everyone's journey safer.
Tips for motorists on sharing the road with bicyclists
As the weather warms, more people take their bicycles on the road, for commuting to work, helping the environment, exercise, recreation, and to save on automobile expenses. As bicycling gains in popularity, also on the rise is the likelihood of a crash with a car, truck, or other vehicle – and, so often, these crashes result in serious injury or death to the cyclist involved. In sharing the road with bicyclists, motorists can do a few simple things to make everyone's journey safer. Click here for tips on how to avoid common errors that drivers sometimes make that can result in serious injury or death.