Seattle Personal Injury Blog

Know the rules for Seattle's bike lanes

On behalf of of Dean Standish Perkins & Associates on Wednesday, December 4, 2019.

Seattle is home to a very nice set of bike lanes. People who use these must ensue that they are following the proper protocol. This helps to keep everyone safe, regardless of how people are getting around. There are special guidelines for bicyclists, pedestrians, wheelchairs and vehicles.

Some of the Seattle bike lanes are part of Vision Zero, which is a plan the city has to eliminate serious injuries and fatalities due to traffic incidents. The goal date is 2030, so the goal is rather lofty. Many of the bike lanes in the city are protected lanes, which means that they have a barrier between the bike lane and the vehicles.

Winter motorcycle riding requires special considerations

On behalf of of Dean Standish Perkins & Associates posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Tuesday, November 26, 2019.

Even though the colder months of the year are here, some motorcycle enthusiasts are going to still head out on their bikes. They must take steps to remain as safe as they can while they ride. Unfortunately, some drivers might mistakenly think that no motorcyclists are going to be out on the roads when it is cold or when there is a wintry precipitation. That line of thought could be devastating for a biker who is trying to enjoy a ride regardless of the weather.

One of the most important things to remember is that you are probably going to feel a lot colder than the actual temperature. You have to think about how the speed of the ride will drop the temperature. With this in mind, it is always best to have on layers so that you can take one off if you realize you are too warm. This is a better alternative than not having enough to keep you protected.

Prepare for driving in Washington's wintry weather

On behalf of of Dean Standish Perkins & Associates on Friday, November 22, 2019.

Winter driving safety is something that everyone in Washington should be familiar with. There are several things that you should remember before you head out during wintry precipitation. Brushing up on them early in the season can be beneficial since it helps you to remain safe.

One of the first things that you should do if you are driving in the winter is check the road conditions before you leave home. This is especially important if you have to drive on one of the passes, such as the Snoqualmie Pass. Knowing the road conditions, and whether your route is open or not, gives you a chance to make adjustments as necessary.

Pay attention to railroad crossing warning devices

On behalf of of Dean Standish Perkins & Associates posted in Train Accidents on Thursday, November 14, 2019.

Trains provide a valuable service across this country. Whether they are transporting people or goods, these trains provide a quick way from one point to another. These are large, heavy vehicles that are often pulling very heavy loads. Because of this, they deserve respect when people are going to cross the tracks.

Railroad crossings sometimes have crossarms and lights to signal drivers that a train is coming. You shouldn't ever try to cross the tracks if these are warning you that it isn't safe. You can be struck by a train quickly because some of them travel fast. You might feel as though you do need to rush and cross the tracks quickly, but it is best to refrain from it if the lights are on and the arms are down so that you can remain safe.

Dean "Stan" Perkins named as one of Washington's "10 Best"

On behalf of of Dean Standish Perkins & Associates posted in blog on Thursday, November 14, 2019.

There are many excellent attorneys throughout the United States. In virtually every town, you can find legal counsel for drafting a will, defending your driving privileges or helping you recover damages after an accident.

Sometimes clients rate their lawyer based on which law school he or she attended, how much of a settlement they recovered or whether they offered a free initial consultation. However, organizations such as the American Institute Of Personal Injury Attorneys (AIOPIA) commend attorneys for excellence conveyed in their client interactions.

Prepare for winter bicycle riding in the Seattle area

On behalf of of Dean Standish Perkins & Associates posted in Bicycle Accidents on Thursday, November 7, 2019.

The cold winter months are here, but some Seattle residents are still going to brave the wintry precipitation and frigid temperatures to enjoy time on their bike. Before you head out on a ride, you have to ensure that you've taken proper steps to stay safe.

One of the most serious concerns during the winter months is frostbite. This can happen quickly when the temperatures dip. Remember that the temperatures you experience when you ride will be colder than when you stand still because of the windchill.

How walkers and joggers can increase nighttime visibility

On behalf of of Dean Standish Perkins & Associates on Sunday, November 3, 2019.

If, like many Seattle residents, you are an avid walker or jogger, your busy schedule may cause you to be out and about after dark.

Naturally, you are vulnerable to a vehicle-pedestrian collision. Wearing reflective gear and lights will make you more visible to cars, trucks, motorcycles and bicycles.

Teaching children to cross the road safely

On behalf of Katherine Hedland of Dean Standish Perkins & Associates posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Friday, October 25, 2019.

When you are with your young children, you simply have them hold your hand to cross the road. That's a great place to begin, but you also need to work with them on road safety so that they know what to do when you're not around. You won't always be there. Prepare them to stay safe when you're not.

To help, here are a few key tips:

Start with looking both ways and being aware of traffic. Remember that they should actually look three times, checking to one side, the other side and then back to the first side. It's the safest way to enter the street.
Discuss crosswalks, both those with signals and those without. Explain to children to always use crosswalks and never to cross unexpectedly or at random.
Model the behavior that you want them to follow. They will learn from what you do. If you give them one set of rules and then don't follow those rules yourself, neither will they.
Talk about the role that distractions play. Tell children never to cross the road while texting or listening to music.
To help young kids remember, consider putting your directions into a song. They remember songs far better than anything else.
After going over all of this, quiz your child from time to time. Make up scenarios and ask them what they would do, or have them explain the steps as you cross the road together.

Car accident lung injuries can have life-altering consequences

On behalf of Katherine Hedland of Dean Standish Perkins & Associates on Tuesday, October 22, 2019.

If you have ever lost your breath, you know how scary being unable to breathe can be. After all, it does not take long to lose consciousness without a steady supply of air. Even worse, breathing problems can be incredibly painful. Further, if a lung condition requires you to use medical oxygen, everyday tasks can become increasingly difficult.

During any car accident, you may sustain a variety of injuries, ranging from head trauma to broken bones. You may not realize, though, that your lungs are both sensitive and fragile. As such, whether you have difficulty breathing, you should always ask a doctor to examine your respiratory system following a collision. Here are three types of lung injuries that you may sustain in one:

How do you keep teen drivers safe during the holiday season?

On behalf of Katherine Hedland of Dean Standish Perkins & Associates posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on Friday, October 18, 2019.

As the festive season approaches, typical Washington teens hope to go to lots of holiday parties. Although they are all underage, many of them may still partake in the consumption of alcohol at these events. How can you teach your teen to be responsible during this season of merriment?

While you may think or assume that since your teen cannot legally consume alcohol he or she is not doing so, this might not necessarily be the case. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 10 high school students ages 16 and older drinks alcohol and then gets behind the wheel of a car. When their blood alcohol content reaches 0.08%, this makes drivers ages 16-20 much more likely to get into an accident - 17 times more likely, in fact. Therefore, it is imperative that you make sure your teen does not become part of that statistic.