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Vancouver WA DUI Defense Law Blog

Think hands-free electronics are safe? Think again

As more and more states start to regulate talking on the cellphone while driving or texting while driving, technology companies and car manufacturers are starting to capitalize on hands-free devices. From hands-free cellphones to voice-activated text messaging, many people in La Center believe hands-free devices are safe to use behind the wheel, but that is not always the case.

A recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety indicates that hands-free technologies can be more distracting than talking on a cellphone while driving. This means that all of those drivers in Washington and Oregon who believe themselves to be safe while using these devices still pose a very real risk of causing car accident injuries.

Following Washington bridge collapse, motorcyclist hit by truck

Most people in Vancouver have heard about the bridge collapse that happened over the Skagit River late last month, but many may not have heard about the death of a Washington State Patrol motorcycle trooper who was directing traffic in the small town of Conway. He had been trying to prevent the bridge collapse from being an even bigger deal than it already was, but, unfortunately, he was killed by the driver of a box truck.

Although the Washington State Patrol chief has called this a "tragic accident," as more information emerges about this fatal accident, the motorcyclist's wife and two children may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver. Just because the 49-year-old driver did not appear to be impaired following the crash, it does not mean that he or she was paying sufficient attention when he or she smashed into the officer.

Washington woman receives $75,000 following dog bite case victory

When Vancouver residents are out and about, they should feel safe. While it is always prudent to watch where one is going and to avoid obvious dangers, such as holes or loose steps, it is also the responsibility of whomever's property you are on to protect you from unseen safety concerns. When a property owner fails to do so, he or she can be held responsible in a premises liability lawsuit. These lawsuits help those injured in an accident on someone else's property.

One of the most common types of premises liability lawsuits are dog bite cases. While most dogs are gentle, there are some who will attack people without provocation. It is the responsibility of all dog owners to protect against a dog attack, whether by keeping the dog indoors, leashed or fenced in. If a dog owner does not and his or her dog injures someone, that owner can be held liable.

Portland man tries to flee police, crashes car and injures 2

Nearly everyone in Portland knows that when the police turn on their sirens and their lights that you need to pull over. If police are after someone else, they will drive right on by, and if they wanted to speak with you, you can clear up whatever is wrong. Not only is it illegal to refuse to stop for police, but it can put others at risk of serious injury. Sadly, one man's decision to try to avoid police left his passenger and a driver injured.

The 32 year old was driving in northeast Portland when police tried to pull him over at the intersection of Northeast Ainsworth Street and Northeast 17th Avenue. Instead of stopping, however, he kept driving before smashing into another car and crashing into someone's yard. From there, he took off running.

Over 11,000 deaths from drowsy driving in a decade

Everyone in Vancouver is aware that drunk driving is dangerous. It is, after all, illegal for motorists to drive after several drinks. Unfortunately, drowsy driving can be just as dangerous and can easily result in fatal car accidents, yet it is not only not illegal, but it is difficult to prove.

With more than 11,000 people dying across the country because of drowsy driving from 2000 to 2010, it is extremely important that people in Washington recognize just how dangerous drowsy driving can be. To reduce the number of drowsy drivers, it will be up to individual drivers to make the decision to only drive when rested, as Washington can't really criminalize the behavior. It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible to prove that someone was tired while driving.

Vancouver man convicted in 2006 crash could face civil lawsuit

We can all hope that in the event of a serious car accident, the person who caused the accident will do the right thing by taking responsibility for his or her actions. This might mean admitting fault and possibly making amends. This might range anywhere from an apology to financial compensation, depending on the circumstances. If criminal charges are warranted, it may comfort injured parties to know that the at-fault driver is paying his or her debt to society.

Unfortunately, not everyone has the fortitude to face the negative consequences of their actions. A Vancouver man who caused a drunk-driving accident in 2006 made the choice to escape punishment by fleeing the state and under a false identity, just before his trial for the accident began. But he was recently found, tried and convicted, and must now serve five years in prison.

Car-bike accidents often caused by failure to yield

A recent look at just why bicycle accidents happen was part of a national summit on bicycle safety hosted by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. While looking at a specific city, an annual report found that one of the most common reasons why bike-car accidents happen is because the driver of a car has failed to yield to the bicyclist's right of way.The statistic shows that this is the cause of approximately 40 percent of all bicycle accidents.

Though this report was not prepared for Vancouver, there is nothing that would potentially set Vancouver apart. Many of the problems other cities have when it comes to respecting bicycle safety are the same types of problems that are experienced in Vancouver. If there is to be any change regarding bicycle safety, however, it must come from both the government and from individual drivers.

More than 2 seconds of distraction could be deadly

How long does it take to look at your GPS? How long does it take to select a contact and press send on your phone? How long does it take to turn around in the car and chastise your children? If any of these tasks took longer than two seconds, you are at an increased risk of an accident. For many people in Vancouver the risk comes not from doing these things, but from sharing the road with others that do. With all the different things that could distract someone, it is no wonder why there are so many dangerous car accidents in and around Vancouver.

The federal government has recognized this and the Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has asked that automakers restrict new devices to those that can operate with only a glance. If a driver needs to spend more than two seconds looking at the device, the Department of Transportation doesn't want it in new cars. The department also reminds people that any kind of text messaging or Internet browsing should be limited to when a car is stopped and in park.

Government proposes safety classification for older drivers

There are numerous stories published every day about elderly drivers involved in serious accidents. Although many of these stories involve older drivers from Vancouver causing the accidents, there are still some crashes in which the elderly driver is the innocent party. Sadly, for many elderly drivers and passengers, these kinds of accidents can be devastating, leaving an individual seriously injured. But if the seniors were in cars specifically designed for their safety, there may be a lessened risk of injury or death.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced that it is proposing a new safety rating specifically designed for elderly drivers. Vehicles with a silver rating would be better suited for older drivers. The vehicles would have a variety of safety features, including inflatable seat belts and other pieces of technology, that would reduce the risk of injury for older drivers.

Clark County collision causes serious injuries to 3

It is an accident that is currently being blamed on brake failure, but the Clark County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate. As more information emerges about the crash, including who was at fault and who can be held responsible, two women and a 5-year-old girl may choose to file personal injury lawsuits, asking for compensation for their injuries. When someone in Orchards is injured because of someone else's negligence, recklessness or carelessness, he or she should be able to hold that other driver responsible for any pain, suffering and injuries he or she sustained in an accident.

In this accident, a woman was seriously injured when a Dodge Durango blew through a stop sign at Northeast 132nd Avenue and 119th Street. The woman was in a BMW M3 heading east when the northbound Durango entered the intersection. The woman tried to avoid being hit by the SUV, but it still hit her car, pushing her vehicle into an Audi A6. The woman was trapped in her vehicle while rescuers from the Vancouver Fire Department and Fire District 3 struggled to extricate her. The emergency responders had to cut off the roof of her car, as well as the doors, in order to get her out.

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