Seattle Personal Injury & Accident Blog

Seattle Regulations for Rideshare Drivers

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on March 10, 2020

If you believe you can download an app, slap a sticker on your car, and start raking in some extra cash, think again. Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft can be a great source of income, but getting started is not as simple as it appears. The city of Seattle has stamped down hard on for-hire rideshare companies – referred to as “Transportation Network Companies” in government policies – in 2014, requiring strict regulations for how drivers are recruited and hired. These regulations are extensive and are designed to minimize the risks associated with rideshare accidents. Seattle requires rideshare drivers to complete the Transportation Network Company licensure before they can begin working.

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Improve Your Commute & Travel Plans with Washington Travel Alerts

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on March 1, 2020

Let’s be honest – commuting around Seattle can be a nightmare. If it isn’t rain, ice, or snow causing traffic delays, it is the other commuters clogging up the roads. Here are some useful tools from The Washington State Department of Transportation to help you navigate any road conditions that may arise. We want you to arrive at your destination safely.

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Risks of a Marijuana DUI

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on February 24, 2020

On December 6, 2012, Washington became one of the first states to make recreational marijuana legal. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Organization (SAMHSA), reports that about 20 percent of Washington residents use marijuana or have in the past – about one out of every five people. With such a high rate of consumption, it’s no wonder that driving while high has become one of the leading causes of fatal and near-fatal accidents in the state.

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Hardwick & Pendergast Announces 2020 Make Your Mark Scholarship

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on February 12, 2020

Ring Ring Ring. Hello, it’s the Future calling to tell you about a big opportunity: the Make Your Mark Scholarship is back! Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. is offering one Washington state student and one out-of-state student each a $500 award for the best essay about how they will impact the world.

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Driving Safety Tips for a Washington Winter

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on February 10, 2020

Seattle and the surrounding areas are some of the most beautiful parts of the Pacific Northwest, but winter weather can make driving dangerous, difficult, or deadly. Rain, snow and icy roads make getting to work, school, or other location far more dangerous. Not every driver in the Seattle area drives safely, no matter what the weather – and a driver who speeds in rain, snow, or on icy roads can be the cause of serious injuries or the needless loss of life.

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Study Finds Accident Rates Increase After Seahawks Lose

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on February 3, 2020

Seattle fans are known nationally to be some of the most passionate and devoted sports fans in the world. Let’s face it – our team is the best! When we have a home game, the amount of traffic naturally increases around the Seahawks Stadium (officially the CenturyLink Field). With increased traffic, you can naturally expect an increase in the risk of accidents. A recent study from Q13 Fox TV found that when the Seahawks lose a home game (which, of course, has never happened) there is a 9.4% increase in accidents!

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Bloodstream Infections

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on January 23, 2020

A bloodstream infection (BSI) is an infection where bacteria have entered your bloodstream and cause signs of infection throughout your body, including fevers, chills, and low blood pressure. Also called “blood poisoning,” BSIs can occur naturally, but most BSIs are secondary infections – meaning an infection in one part of your body spread into your bloodstream. Bloodstream infections can be very dangerous, and if not correctly treated, can lead to severe injury or death.

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Survey Finds Seattle Commute to Be One of the Worst in the USA

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on January 13, 2020

If you drive to and from work every day, then like us, you probably have first-hand experience with  mind-numbing Seattle traffic. In a recent survey done by MYNorthwest, Seattle was reported to have the fifth-worst traffic nationwide and is the only of the five worst cities to have less than 800,000 residents. Seattle topped the list of cities where workers say that their commute has gotten worse recently, and such terrible commutes are causing many people to change jobs to avoid commuting.

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Study Links Most Med Mal Deaths to Inaccurate Diagnosis

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on January 4, 2020

According to a recent study, slightly more than one out of three medical malpractices cases resulting in permanent disability or death are linked to inaccurate or delayed diagnosis, as reported by the American Academy of Family Physicians. Approximately 75% of these cases can be traced to diagnostic errors in only three medical conditions – cancer, vascular events, and infections.

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New Study Finds Pedestrian Safety Features in Cars Fail in Most Dangerous Circumstances

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on December 21, 2019

Research reveals that pedestrian safety features built into new cars fail in the deadliest situations. Researchers in a new AAA study found that automatic emergency braking systems with pedestrian detection perform inconsistently and are entirely ineffective at night. These findings are particularly alarming, as 75% of pedestrian fatalities occur in the dark.

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