Car Accidents

Changing teen driving habits in Washington

March 25, 2015 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

One of the leading causes of car accidents is distracted driving. While many drivers engage in activities that take their eyes off of the road, teenagers tend to be among the worst offenders. In a recent survey, 40 percent of teenagers admitted to texting while driving. Although that percentage is high, it is actually lower than earlier studies have found, according to the Oregon State University professor who led the most recent research.

In addition to texting behind the wheel, 27 percent of teenagers who participated in the survey said that they changed their clothes while driving, which came as a surprise to researchers. Other common activities that the respondents admitted to engaging in while behind the wheel included changing contact lenses, putting on makeup and doing homework. As time goes on, those who study the issue of distracted driving want to change the mindset of younger drivers behind the wheel. Through increased education, it may be possible to convince teens that it is never a good idea to multitask while driving.

Parents may be able to act as an influence on their children when it comes to proper behavior while in a car. Researchers also say that almost anything that takes a driver’s eyes off of the road can be distracting. Therefore, it may be important to keep drivers from changing radio stations or using a GPS device while a car is moving as it could lead to reduced accident rates.

3 hospitalized following wrong-way collision

March 10, 2015 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

Three people were injured in a multi-vehicle collision on a Washington highway on the night of March 1. According to the Washington State Patrol, early investigation indicated that the crash occurred because a suspected drunk driver was traveling in the wrong direction on Highway 18 and sideswiped one vehicle before colliding head-on with another.

The wrong-way driver, a 37-year-old Puyallup woman, was the only occupant of a 2012 Honda Civic. According to authorities, the Civic was westbound on the eastbound side of Highway 18 approximately one mile west of Kent just prior to 9:30 p.m. A 52-year-old Tacoma woman was eastbound on the highway in a 2002 Dodge Stratus; she swerved but was sideswiped by the Civic, which then continued on and crashed head on with a 1997 Mercedes driven by a 48-year-old Carnation woman.

Police and rescue workers arrived on scene after receiving reports of the crash. The driver of the Civic was transported to Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center. Authorities have indicated that she may face criminal charges, including vehicular assault and driving under the influence, once she is released. The other two drivers were transported to Valley Medical Center. None of the vehicles were carrying any passengers.

Damage caused by spinal cord injuries

March 6, 2015 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

There are many different types of injuries a Washington driver may suffer should he or she become involved in a car wreck. One of the most serious injuries that could be suffered includes damage to the spinal cord, which could result in an injured person losing physical function below the point of injury.

The spinal cord is responsible for transporting messages from the brain to the rest of the body. Should that pathway become injured or damaged, the messages cannot reach their intended destination. The spinal cord does not necessarily need to be completely severed in order for the injured person to lose function. When this does occur, however, this is known as a complete injury. In general, the level of a spinal cord injury can determine what abilities are lost.

There are two stages of a spinal cord injury. The first is the initial injury that is caused by the accident. Following the injury, the spinal cord will swell, which could cause further damage. However, some people may regain certain functions as the swelling goes down. Very rarely, others may regain function years after they suffered the injury.

Seeking compensation after a motorcycle accident

February 25, 2015 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

Most Washington motorcyclists know that there are certain dangers unique to motorcyclists when they travel the state’s highways and roadways. This is because motorcyclists face certain problems that motorists do not, including road hazards such as potholes, puddles and railroad tracks and instability at higher speeds. No matter who causes an accident, the fact remains that motorcyclists are 26 times more likely to die in an incident than other motorists.

In 2013, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that more than 4,500 people died and approximately 88,000 were injured in motorcycle accidents. In total, motorcycle deaths accounted for 14 percent of all crash fatalities for that year. More than half of those killed were over the age of 40. Approximately 37 percent of motorcycle fatalities were attributed to alcohol use, with 29 percent of deceased motorcyclists having a BAC of .08 percent or higher when they died and another 8 percent having a BAC between .01 and .07 percent at the time of their deaths.

If a motorcycle accident does occur, there is a chance that the injured cyclist may recover damages. However, in order to be eligible to seek compensation, there must be evidence that the other driver was responsible for causing the crash and that the accident occurred as a result of negligence or recklessness.

The dangers of distracted driving

February 18, 2015 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

Washington residents likely know that the use of mobile electronic devices while behind the wheel can be dangerous, but they may not be aware of how serious the problem is. Accidents involving a distracted driver claimed the lives of over 3,000 people around the country in both 2011 and 2012,, and more than 400,000 people were injured in these collisions in 2012. While the increasing popularity of smartphones is a global phenomenon, a 2011 study found that drivers in the United States were far more likely to use these devices while driving than their European counterparts.

Young drivers are involved in distracted driving auto injury accidents at a higher rate than more experienced motorists, and they are more likely to send or receive a text message while behind the wheel. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that almost half of American high school students of driving age admit to texting while driving, and these students are also more likely to drink and drive.

While laws are being passed to curb the use of mobile electronic devices by drivers, it is not yet known how effective these measures will be. Other efforts to tackle the problem involve public awareness campaigns designed to drive home how dangerous distracted driving can be. The 171 billion text messages received or sent in the United States during December 2012 is an indication of how necessary these steps are.

Car accidents and shoulder fractures

February 12, 2015 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

When a person in Washington is involved in a motor vehicle collision, he or she may suffer a shoulder fracture in addition to other possible injuries. Common shoulder fractures resulting from car crashes include fractures of the collarbone, or clavicle, and fractures of the proximal humerus, or the top of the arm bone. Less commonly, a person may also suffer from a fractured scapula, which is the bone at the back of the shoulder.

The three bones of the shoulder all work together, connected by muscles and tendons, to provide the range of motion necessary for the arm via a ball-and-socket connection. In a high-speed collision, trauma to the chest can break the clavicle and sometimes the top of the arm bone. Such fractures normally will require immobilization, using things such as a sling along with physical therapy. If the fractures are compound ones, such as a clavicle which is broken and then extends through the skin, surgery may also be required. Similarly, if the proximal humerus is broken to such an extent that the two pieces are not lined up, surgery may be necessary.

Fractures to the scapula are less common, as the scapula is well protected by the chest wall and the muscles of the back. Normally, it takes significant force to fracture the scapula, such as the force that occurs in a high-speed, violent collisions. If the fracture is severe, plates and screws may be necessary, along with ongoing physical therapy.

Sobering statistics about impaired driving

February 6, 2015 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

Impaired driving is a serious problem in Washington and throughout the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection, nearly 30 Americans die each day in motor vehicle accidents involving a driver who is impaired by alcohol, which averages to one life lost every 51 minutes. Annually, impaired driving accidents cost more than $59 billion.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 10,322 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in 2012 across the U.S., with 444 of those deaths occurring in Washington. That means that 31 percent of all traffic deaths were linked to alcohol. Other drugs, such as cocaine and marijuana, were involved in 18 percent of motor vehicle deaths. These substances were often used in addition to alcohol.

Those most at risk for involvement in these accidents include young people, motorcyclists and drivers with prior DWI convictions. In 2012, people between the ages of 21 and 24 accounted for 32 percent of all drivers with blood alcohol content levels above .08 who were involved in fatal accidents, making them the largest offending group. In contrast, nearly half of all motorcyclists killed in alcohol-related crashes in 2012 were over the age of 40. Additionally, drivers with a BAC of .08 percent or above who were in fatal accidents were seven times more likely to have had a prior DWI conviction than sober drivers.

Passenger vehicle deaths due to large truck accidents

January 20, 2015 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

As Washington residents may know, the number of accidents involving large trucks increased in the United States in 2012, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Such accidents may involve fatigued truck drivers who might be pushed to work harder by their employers.

The overall number of truck driver fatalities in multiple vehicle crashes increased in 2012 from the previous year, according to NHTSA. While the number of injuries to truckers in multiple-vehicle crashes decreased, the number in single-vehicle truck crashes increased.

Occupants of cars and other light vehicles died more frequently in truck-related accidents, NHTSA revealed. Concurrently, more non-truckers were injured in accidents involving trucks in 2012 as compared to 2011. In Washington, 602 vehicles were involved in fatal accidents. Of this number, 44 vehicles were large trucks, NHTSA said.

Whiplash after low- and high-speed auto accidents

January 15, 2015 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

Residents of Washington may not be completely familiar with what actually causes whiplash and what the side effects may be. An individual typically suffers whiplash whenever trauma to the neck is sustained. This most often occurs in vehicle accidents, especially in rear-end collisions. If the neck suddenly jolts back and forth, it is probable that the individual has whiplash and may experience dizziness, headaches, dull and aching pain in the neck, back pain or a number of other symptoms.

Whiplash may also include cervical sprains or strains and hyper-extension injuries. It does not necessarily occur in just high-speed traffic accidents; whiplash can happen in low-speed accidents as well because it is still possible for the neck to be jolted back and forth. An individual who has the condition may not recognize symptoms until two or three days afterward.

If a person has whiplash after being injured in a collision and has hired a personal injury attorney to assist in settling a claim, one of the first suggestions the attorney might make is to refer them to a medical specialist. This can include a chiropractor or neurologist who may execute a specific treatment plan in order to prevent further damage to the neck and correct the existing injury. The recovery time and treatment plans may vary because the extent of whiplash differs among individuals.

Washington drivers get the facts about drugged driving

January 2, 2015 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health declares nearly 10 million drivers in 2013 aged 12 and older admitted to driving while impaired by illegal drugs. This figure translates to about 3.8 percent of the population, and in the same year, about 11 percent, or 28.7 million drivers, confessed to driving under the influence of alcohol. While the numbers have dropped over recent years, many drivers test positive for both drugs and alcohol after causing motor vehicle accidents.

The NSDUH survey also showed that the highest risk group for impaired driving is those aged 18 to 25. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2009 showed that 18 percent of the drivers across all age groups who died in motor vehicle accidents that year tested positive for at least one type of drug.

Drugged driving, whether the drugs are prescription medications or illegal substances like marijuana or cocaine, can impair a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle because reaction times and motor skills are easily affected by these substances. Many prescription drugs, including those used for pain relief and anxiety, come with specific warnings against operating machinery or motor vehicles. Other studies have determined that 4 to 14 percent of drivers who suffered injuries or death in auto accidents tested positive for marijuana use.