seattle auto accident injury lawyer

CDC Calls Motor Vehicle Accident Decreases a “Significant Public Health Achievement”

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on December 12, 2012

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced their top 10 significant public health achievements for the past decade, 2001 to 2010. Included on the list was the significant decrease in deaths and serious injuries caused by U.S. motor vehicle accidents during that period.

According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are the number-one cause of death for young Americans, ages five to 34 years, and they are one of the top 10 causes of death for Americans in every age group. Motor vehicle accidents cause approximately $99 billion in financial losses due to medical bills and lost wages every year, and they rank behind only cancer and heart disease in the number of years of life lost to those who suffer in them. Read the rest »

Keeping Thanksgiving Travel Safe in Washington

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on November 20, 2012

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days of the year on Washington roads, which means it’s also one of the most common times for car accidents. If your holiday plans include driving to Thanksgiving or other events over the long weekend, here are a few tips to help you travel safely.

• Prepare for winter weather. Not every Washington Thanksgiving is a snowy or rainy one, but bad weather conditions can easily cause a crash. Stock your car with a winter weather safety kit and check the weather reports before you hit the road.
• Plan your trip ahead of time. Study the map or directions if you’re heading someplace unfamiliar. Another person in the car may be able to help you navigate, so you can focus on the road. Read the rest »

Car Accident Spinal Cord Injuries May Cause Permanent Paralysis

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on October 2, 2012

Car accidents can cause permanent disabilities, especially when a catastrophic injury is involved. When a car crash victim suffers a spinal cord injury, he or she may have to live with the permanent aftereffects, including paralysis.

The word “paralysis” simply describes the loss of muscle function in some part of the body. Paralysis may affect any part of the body and may be caused by a wide range of injuries or illnesses, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), stroke, or disease.

When paralysis occurs after an injury, it is usually because the brain, spinal cord, or both have been damaged in a way that prevents the brain from communicating with a body part. Post-accident paralysis may be temporary or permanent. It may affect the entire body, just the lower half or one side of the body, or any other body part. Read the rest »

After a Car Accident, Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on August 20, 2012

In the first moments after a Washington car accident, you’re probably thinking about making sure everyone is safe and trading contact information with others involved in the accident – not about protecting yourself from identity theft. However, being wise about the information you trade with other drivers can protect you in more ways than one.

After a car accident, it’s important to trade your name and the name and phone number of your insurance company with the other driver. The state of Washington requires every driver to carry a proof of insurance card, and so, the only information you need to give are your full name and your insurance company’s contact information. Giving additional information, such as your address, phone number, driver’s license number, or Social Security number, is not only unnecessary but may also leave you open to identity theft. After a traffic accident, it is also advisable to write down the license plate number of the vehicle involved in your collision. Read the rest »

Driver Saves Passenger from Burning Car in Washington I-5 Accident

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on August 7, 2012

A driver pulled his passenger from his burning car after a recent crash on Interstate 5 in Washington near Federal Way, according to The Sacramento Bee. Rescue workers present at the scene say that the driver’s actions likely saved the life of the passenger.

The crash occurred just before 4 a.m., when passersby called in an accident and a burning vehicle near the concrete barrier on Interstate 5. Rescue workers rushed to the scene of the Washington freeway crash, where they discovered two seriously injured people and a vehicle engulfed in flames. According to eyewitnesses, the vehicle had struck a concrete junction box and subsequently caught fire. Read the rest »