2012 February Archive

A recent study by the Governors’ Highway Safety Association (GHSA) found that inexperience and distracted driving are behind an increase in fatal accidents involving teen drivers nationwide. Deaths of 16- and 17-year-old drivers increased 16 percent in 2011 over 2010. Although the increases in individual states were small and some states saw decreases or no change at all, the overall numbers added up to more teenagers losing their lives in accidents since 1995.

Prior to this increase in deaths and serious injuries, the GHSA credited graduated driver licensing laws with decreasing teen driver accidents. Graduated driver licensing, which requires young drivers to meet several requirements, including a minimum number of required behind-the-wheel hours, provides needed experience that helps young drivers develop the skills they need to avoid serious accidents. Recent laws that prohibit or curtail texting and other cell phone use have also cut down on driver distraction, another major factor in teen accidents.

The GHSA notes that a leveling off of reductions isn’t unusual, especially since most graduated-driver laws were passed in the mid-1990s. However, the GHSA notes that encouraging young drivers to get experience and avoid distraction is key in protecting them and the drivers who share the road with them.

Inexperience and distractions are a major source of car accidents for young drivers, but they can cause serious injury or death to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians of any age. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, the experienced Washington car accident attorneys at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. can help. For a free consultation, call us today at (888) 228-3860. Your call is completely confidential.

A 61-year-old woman from Ridgefield, Washington lost her life recently when she collided with an Oregon driver on Interstate 5 near Mount St. Helens, according to a recent article from Oregon Live.

The head-on crash occurred when the Portland, Oregon driver’s vehicle crossed the center line and hit the Ridgefield couple’s vehicle head-on. The 61-year-old woman was riding as a passenger in the vehicle when it was hit, along with her husband, who was driving. The woman was severely injured, and though rescue workers rushed her to a Vancouver hospital, she died shortly after arrival. Her husband’s status following this freeway accident is unknown.

The Portland driver and her ten-year-old daughter were both in the vehicle when the crash occurred. Neither one was severely injured, and both are expected to make a complete physical recovery, according to rescue workers. The cause of the accident has not been released, but investigators say that they have turned over the case to local prosecutors to consider whether or not criminal charges are appropriate.

At Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S., our experienced Seattle head-on collision accident lawyers are dedicated to helping you navigate the post-accident process. Filing claims and seeking the compensation you deserve after a crash can seem overwhelming, especially if you’re struggling to recover from a serious injury. We take the details off your hands, fighting for compensation so you can focus your energy on getting well. For a free, confidential consultation, call us today at (888) 228-3860.

The U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently rated several compact and sub-compact cars in its “top safety picks.” This rating, which is given to cars that get top marks in four different kinds of crashes, indicates vehicles that are prepared to protect your family if an accident occurs.

Top-ranked vehicles include compacts and subcompacts from major automakers like Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, and Honda. The list also includes vehicles from lesser-known automakers like Kia, Mitsubishi, and Subaru. Compact cars are now holding their own in the safety category, despite the disadvantage their smaller and lighter weights usually have against bigger, heavier vehicles or objects, according to the IIHS. They’re also popular for their improved gas mileage, and now many people do not have to trade safety for efficiency.

If you’re going to pick a compact, you’re better off in almost all cases by choosing a four-door sedan over a two-door or hatchback model, according to the IIHS. Although many compacts come in both models and are ranked “top safety picks” in both, sedans generally performed slightly better in crash testing than hatchbacks did.

Vehicle safety can play a huge role in the types and degrees of car crash injuries suffered in a car accident. While you can help protect yourself and your loved ones by using seat belts and appropriate child safety seats, you cannot always prevent defective vehicle parts, design, or maintenance from causing or contributing to a crash or the injuries it causes.

At Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S., our experienced auto accident lawyers in Seattle are dedicated to helping injured crash survivors and their families seek the compensation they need so that they can focus on getting well. For a free consultation, call our office at (888) 228-3860 today.

A car accident near Camas recently left two people injured and one in critical condition, according to an article in the Columbian. Police are still investigating the accident. So far, they have not said what they believe caused it.

The crash was a head-on collision on Highway 500 west of Camas. According to investigators, the crash occurred on Saturday afternoon when a car driven by a 45-year-old Camas resident crossed the center line on Highway 500 and traveled into the opposite lane, hitting another vehicle coming in the opposite direction. That vehicle was driven by a 17-year-old woman from Vancouver.

Both women involved in the crash suffered injuries, and both vehicles were totaled. The 45-year-old was rushed by rescue workers to a local hospital, where she remains in critical condition after the crash. She suffered injuries to her face and leg, but hospital workers have not yet said whether, or to what extent, they expect her to recover. The younger woman was taken to a local emergency department by her parents. She suffered bruises and other injuries, and there is no update as to her condition.

Car accidents can cause life-altering injuries or even the loss of a loved one. The experienced Washington car accident attorneys at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S., can help you unravel what happened and seek the compensation you need, so that you can focus on healing. For a free and confidential consultation, call our office today at (888) 228-3860.

Motorcycle enthusiasts enjoy motorcycle riding in every season. However, riding a motorcycle during the winter months may present more dangers than at other times of the year due to inclement weather and slippery roads. The following are a few tips for motorcyclists to help stay safe when riding this winter season:

For Your Motorcycle:

• Check to make sure your motorcycle’s battery can withstand winter weather, and be sure to keep it charged.



• If your bike doesn’t already have one, get a windshield to protect you from severe wind chill. Also, using the proper oil in your bike should be a top priority.
• If you are a rider with a liquid-cooled bike, make sure that the reading on the anti-freeze is sufficient for the temperatures you’ll likely be encountering.
• Make sure to have a qualified mechanic inspect your bike before winter riding.

For Riders:

• Cover up your body while out on a ride and eliminate any places where the cold air can enter. Riders should also consider electric vests and electric gloves that can keep you fleecy warm.
• Before you hit the open road, check the weather forecast and road condition reports so you can prepare accordingly.
• Be patient when using your protective gear that may restrict your overall movement while riding, such as heavy clothing.

Adhering to these simple safety tips can keep motorcycle riders safe during the winter season. Other motorists who share the road may not exercise the caution and due care necessary in cold weather conditions, however, which can endanger everyone on the road, including motorcyclists. If you have been injured in a Washington motorcycle accident, the Seattle motorcycle accident lawyers with Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. are able to help you seek compensation for your injuries. Please call (888) 228-3860 for a complimentary consultation.

Two manufacturers of auto-related products and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced recalls of products that can cause serious injury if they are not repaired or replaced. Both Toyo, a tire company, and Britax, a child seat manufacturer, are alerting users of their products to possible problems.

Toyo’s Extensa A/S series tires can deflate while in use due to a defect in the manufacturing that can lead to cracking. A sudden flat tire can make a vehicle veer out of control, resulting in a motor vehicle crash. The affected tires were made between September 2009 and November 2010. Owners of these tires can call Toyo at 1(800) 442-8696 or visit the NHTSA’s website, www.safercar.gov, to learn how to get these tires replaced.

Britax’s Chaperone infant car seats may break while in use, with the straps used to secure the child coming loose and offering no protection in a crash. Britax will send a free repair kit to any family who owns an affected car seat. These repair kits can be ordered via the Britax website, www.britaxusa.com, or by calling the company at 1(888) 427-4829.

When a car accident causes serious injuries, your world can be turned upside-down in an instant. The road to recovery can be long and difficult. At Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S., we understand the struggles injured people face. That’s why our experienced Washington personal injury attorneys are dedicated to fighting on behalf of those injured in auto and other defective product-related accidents, so that you and your family can focus on healing. For a free and confidential consultation, call us today at (888) 228-3860.

Life today can be incredibly fast-paced, with individuals rushing to and from jobs, appointments, meals, and meetings. As such, many choose to use cell phones to talk and text while driving in order to accomplish several tasks at once. In Washington, hand-held cell phone use and texting while driving are illegal. Unfortunately, many still choose to break these laws, often leading to serious and even fatal distracted driving accidents in Washington. In addition, even hands-free cell phone use creates plenty of distractions for drivers today.

There are three main types of distraction that a driver can fall victim to, all of which have their own dangers and can result from use of a cell phone while driving. These types of distractions are:

• Cognitive – This involves a driver taking his or her mind off the road and thinking about a different subject entirely. By talking to someone on the phone, dialing a number, texting, or focusing on an incoming call or text message, a driver stops paying attention to what he or she is doing and does not pay attention to possible hazards.
• Visual – When a driver looks at something else besides the road and their surroundings, either partially or completely. A driver will not be able to see hazards, changes in traffic, and changes in the road when he or she looks at a text message, views information on an incoming call, or views applications on a smart phone.
• Manual – The driver takes his or her hand or hands off the wheel and uses them to perform another task. When drivers use one or both hands to text, dial a number, use an application, or otherwise interact with their phone, they do not have full control of the car, leading to a possible loss of control or inability to avoid an accident.

Any of these behaviors are both irresponsible and reckless. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash caused by another driver performing such actions, a Seattle cell phone auto accident attorney at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. can help you win the compensation you deserve for your losses. Call our offices today at (888) 228-3860.

The Super Bowl offers the chance for one of the biggest parties of the year, even when both teams’ “home turf” is all the way across the country. If you plan to watch the game and celebrate with friends this Sunday, you can help protect yourself and others from car accidents caused by drunk driving by following a few simple steps.

First, decide on a sober way to get home before you leave for a party or sports bar. Choose a designated driver, arrange for a cab, or make sure you can get home on public transportation or by foot. Not only will you help protect yourself by staying off the road, but you’ll help protect others by keeping one more impaired driver off the streets if you end up having one drink too many.

If you’re drinking alcohol, pace yourself. Have non-alcoholic drinks, and snacks as well, to help your body absorb the alcohol. Take breaks between drinks. It’s no fun to watch the Super Bowl if you can’t remember what happened.

Finally, if you have a designated driver, show that person how much you appreciate his or her help by offering to pay for gas or pick up the tab. Buckle your seatbelt when you’re riding along as it’s your best protection in a crash.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, the experienced Washington drunk driving accident lawyers at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. can help. Call us today at (888) 228-3860 for a free and confidential consultation about your case and the ways we can help you protect your legal rights.