serious injury

Washington woman injured when car crashes Lake City bar

September 9, 2014 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

The Back Door Pub in the 12300 block of Lake City Way NE, Washington became the scene of an accident that injured one woman when a man in his 30s allegedly crashed his car into the bar. The woman was pinned between the building and the man’s vehicle. According to the owner of the bar, the man sped his SUV toward a power pole but instead veered toward a group of people and crashed into the building, damaging a wall.

The 31-year-old woman pinned against the building had to be extricated. She was taken to Harborview Medical Center where she was treated for a fractured leg.

The bar owner alleged the man purposely caused the accident because he had been refused a drink at the bar. Police are investigating the accident but have not yet confirmed if the driver was arrested or is facing a DUI charge.

General Motors seeks to put recall scandal in the past

July 5, 2014 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

Not long ago, General Motors announced its plan to award monetary payments to individuals who were injured or who lost loved ones in crashes caused by defective ignition switches installed into various vehicle models by the auto giant. Some of the affected victims may welcome these payments, especially if they are struggling with significant medical debt tied to their injuries. However, relatively modest payments cannot erase the fact that all of the car accidents caused by the defect could have been prevented if GM had acted on its knowledge concerning the problem.

General Motors almost unquestionably hopes that once it pays victims for the harm it caused them that the recent defect scandal will fade into the past. However, the public generally has a longer memory than GM would prefer. In addition, those who have been affected by GM’s staggering negligence and possible fraud will never forget how the auto manufacturer treated consumers who voluntarily chose to purchase its products.

The recent GM payouts highlight an important issue which affects any number of plaintiffs involved in personal injury lawsuits. On the one hand, it is completely justified and appropriate to seek monetary damages against negligent entities which have harmed you or your loved ones. These damages not only represent a physical manifestation of an entity’s liability and provide a deterrent against others who would behave in the same way, they also help to ease the financial burdens caused by harm done.

Study indicates that elderly drivers are becoming safer

March 16, 2014 | Kraft Davies Olsson PLLC

Approximately 10 years ago, safety experts voiced alarm in regards to the increasing rate of elderly drivers on the road. Because elderly drivers have traditionally been associated with heightened rates of preventable car accidents, these experts were deeply concerned that as the number of elderly motorists on American roads increased, so would the rate of accidents generally.

Thankfully, a recent study indicates that these experts needn’t have worried so fitfully. According to analysis recently released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), elderly motorists aged 70 and older are safer than previous generations of similarly aged motorists. Specifically, this current generation of elderly drivers is not only less likely to be involved in collisions, they are less likely to suffer serious injury or death in the event that they are involved in accidents.

According to the IIHS, two primary factors account for this positive trend. First, elderly Americans are healthier than previous generations of elderly Americans. Second, advancements in technology and safety regulations have helped to ensure that motor vehicles are safer now than they have ever been before.