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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.
Neck surgeries needed after a bike accident can mean expensive medical bills
Attorney Bill Coats’ took on a personal injury case in Bellingham, Washington, that involved multiple defendants. He obtained a settlement of over $1M for his client who experienced spinal injuries after a bike crash because of some high school kids' prank that went horribly wrong. So often, an injury to the neck or spine can mean complicated surgeries as well as a high incidence of chronic pain. While this particular case's story is unique and doesn't guarantee the same results for your case, it can help to get a glimpse of how the legal process works in personal injury claims with spinal and neck damage.
Tips on collecting physical evidence at the scene of an auto accident
Auto accidents - no matter how minor - are shocking, scary events to all involved. First and foremost, the top priority is to get the injured medical care ASAP, as those first few moments are critical to recovery, and sometimes, survival. However, accident victims have other things to consider too. This article is intended to be shared with friends and loved ones before an accident happens, to keep in mind some things to do in the event of an accident that can help in going through the insurance claims process or even building a tort case. Click for information on the importance of collecting physical evidence after a car crash and other tips.
Motorcycling – Fun and freedom tempered by increased risk of collision
For enthusiasts, motorcycling is the preferred mode of travel. A sense of freedom, a close connection to the road and nature, and the speed and maneuverability of a motorcycle are all reasons why there has been an increase in motorcycling's popularity. However, given the vulnerability of a motorcyclist to the larger, heavier vehicles sharing the road, the danger in injury or death from a motorcycle accident is significantly greater. Click here for more information on what to do next if you were in a motorcycle crash.
Tips on safe motorcycling
There's an allure to motorcycle riding, as all those who love it will tell you. However, it's also one of the more dangerous kinds of vehicles when a collision does occur. Riders lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle and weigh so much less than a car... or semi-tractor trailer. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety(link is external), "the federal government estimates that per mile traveled in 2013, the number of deaths on motorcycles was over 26 times the number in cars." For yours and other motorists' safety, learn how to ride your motorcycle safely.
Certain vehicles have a higher likelihood of rollover
The higher the center of gravity, the higher the likelihood that a vehicle will rollover. Accidents and sudden turns can sometimes prove to be too much for trucks and SUVs to handle, which can result in one of the scarier – and deadlier – kinds of crashes. If a vehicle rolls, common results are that occupants are ejected and/or the roof is crushed. Catastrophic injuries may occur such as multiple fractures, back or spinal cord injuries, or traumatic brain injuries. And in the worst case scenarios, fatalities may result. For more info on rollover crashes, factors that contribute to rollovers, and what to do, click here.
Common factors that make a rollover accident more likely
Certain vehicles have a higher likelihood of rollover. Trucks and SUVs, with their higher center of gravity, are especially prone. Rollover accidents are some of the more dangerous types of accidents, and can involve deadly events such as ejecting passengers from the vehicle, or crushing the roof. If you have been involved in a rollover crash, it's highly likely you're facing a great deal of medical bills and expensive damages. Click to learn more about what to do next if you were the victim of a rollover car crash.
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.
Got a new or leased vehicle? You might have to pay out big if it's wrecked
Car insurance policies are complicated, and all the more so when covering financed and leased vehicles. Here is what you need to do to protect your financial assets if you drive one.
statistics on distracted driving
It should not be a surprise to anyone anymore - distracted driving is a factor in one out of four car accidents. Whether its from texting, talking on the phone, using GPS, eating, or parenting, distractions while driving are deadly behaviors. Here are latest statistics on this epidemic problem from Bellingham, WA lawyer Bill Coats.