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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.
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.
11 Georgia Laws Drivers Don’t Know Exist
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.
A broadside collision is especially dangerous for a motorcycle
Motorcycles do not have the same protection all around them that other vehicles do. Even a tap from a car or truck can result in the motorcycle driver losing control, hitting another object such as a car or guardrail, and getting into a bad wreck that leaves the other driver unscathed. Typically it is the other driver who is at fault in these kinds of broadside collisions, which makes recouping losses more straightforward. However, before you attempt to recover your losses yourself through the maze of insurance policies and protocols, consult with a skilled lawyer. For more information on what to do if you've been broadsided while driving a motorcycle, click here.
One of the most dangerous places of all for a motorcyclist is also impossible to avoid while riding
Intersections. How many of them do you go through on the average trip through town or beyond? The vast majority of motorcycle collisions happen at intersections. Imagine that you’re on a motorcycle, turning left when a much bigger, heavier vehicle such as a car or truck comes barreling through and hits you. These kinds of accidents are hard on someone in a fully enclosed vehicle, but can be absolutely devastating to someone on a bike. If the person who hit you did so out of negligence or recklessness, you may be due a substantial payout for your injuries and losses from the at-fault party. How will you find out? Reading the article is a great place to start.
Twelve tips to improve your personal injury claim
If you've been injured and it was not your fault, you most likely have a personal injury case. What do you do this situation? Here are twelve tips and considerations in beginning a personal injury claim.
Here's one rule you need to be aware of before you settle your claim
There are lots of elements of a car accident claim that come into play when you try to file one. Some of them are obvious, and others are just big surprises. Attorney Bill Coats in Bellingham, Washington created this video to talk about one rule that could completely negate your claim if you exercise your right to file an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim. Be clear on your rights and responsibilities before you sign anything, and watch this video to learn more.