Seattle Personal Injury & Accident Blog

Just Because the Rainy Season Is Over Doesn’t Mean Wet Roads Aren’t a Safety Risk

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on July 1, 2019

Though the wettest part of the year has come and gone, we in the Seattle area still get rain. Drivers in the Pacific Northwest know that traveling on wet roads and surfaces is part of life. Though we are used to it, a new study has found that driving on even a mildly wet surface greatly increases your chances of being in a car accident. Read the rest »

The Anatomy of a Medical Malpractice Case

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on June 28, 2019

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional or medical facility injures a patient through negligence—outside of the “accepted” standard of care. When you’re a patient, checked into a hospital, every person working at or for the hospital owes you a professional duty. Medical malpractice does not have to be the result of a harmful act, such as operating on the wrong body part; it can also be the result of failure to diagnose or treat a condition, or a failure to do so in a timely manner. Read the rest »

Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. Celebrate 2019 Scholarship Finalists!

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on June 27, 2019

Over 1,000 students  from across the United States turned in applications for our Make Your Mark Scholarship 2019. Why “make your mark?” Because when we interact with other people throughout our lives, we can’t help but leave an impression on them. Here’s to leaving a good one. Read the rest »

Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. Accepted as a 2019 AIOPIA 10 Best Law Firm in Washington

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on April 30, 2019

The American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys has recognized the exceptional performance of Washington’s Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S., as a 2019 10 Best Personal Injury Law Firm for Client Satisfaction. Read the rest »

When An App Isn’t Enough After an Injury Crash

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on March 26, 2019

If you’ve ever been in a car accident, you know how traumatic it can be. Even if you aren’t injured, it can be a shock. And if you do sustain mild injuries, combined with the emotional stress of the situation, at the very least you’ll probably be feeling a bit shaken. Now imagine having your car totaled, with you in it, somehow managing to get yourself out of the vehicle, and then having to open an app on your phone to report the accident. Read the rest »

Getting Into an Accident in Canada

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on March 18, 2019

With Canada so close by, living in the State of Washington means that you can travel internationally just by going on a road trip. Our northern neighbor offers a lot of great destinations for people looking to spend a day or two sightseeing or exploring nature, and it’s just a short drive away. Many Washington residents keep their passport as handy as their driver’s license so they can venture across the border whenever the mood strikes them. But, before you decide to spend a day abroad, take a minute to make sure you are armed with adequate insurance and are aware of the differences between our laws and Canada’s. Read the rest »

Submission Process Now Open for the 2019 Make Your Mark Scholarship!

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on March 11, 2019

Attention, graduating seniors and college students across the United States – your dreams for the future could earn you a scholarship from Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S.! If you have big plans for making a difference in the world, you could be selected to receive the 2019 Make Your Mark Scholarship. Read the rest »

RV Crashes in Washington – Where Does Liability Lie?

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on February 26, 2019

Hitting the open road in a recreational vehicle is a popular way to vacation in the Seattle area. The natural beauty and numerous campgrounds just a few hours from Seattle make it a great way for families to get away from the city and enjoy some quality time together.

But how safe are these big family camper units? And worse, what happens when you get into a collision with one? Read the rest »

Why You Never Want to See a “Never Event” at Your Hospital

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on February 18, 2019

If you’ve ever gone to a hospital, you’ve had faith in those medical professionals’ skill and commitment to “do no harm.” But there are occasions when doctors, nurses, and healthcare facilities fall short of what is expected of them. Some mistakes are understandable, but others aren’t, and the worst of these are never events. Read the rest »

Is the Alaskan Way Viaduct Creating More Problems?

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on February 12, 2019

The Alaskan Way Viaduct was an elevated freeway system in Seattle that carried drivers on a 2.2-mile section of State Route 99. This double-decked freeway ran north and south along the waterfront from its opening on April 4, 1953, until it was closed permanently on January 11, 2019. This section of roadway saw an estimated 91,000 vehicles per day in 2016, and will be replaced in February of 2019 when the replacement tunnel project is completed. Read the rest »