The Seattle Personal Injury Blog
Posted Friday, December 28, 2018 by
Chris Thayer
We have all seen the medical drama unfold on TV: A patient is rushed into the emergency room with a head injury and every doctor and nurse suddenly begins to work to save his life. While these scenes are dramatic, they are not completely exaggerated. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a silent epidemic in Washington and across the United States. TBIs can go unnoticed or undetected until they cause problems that can not be fixed. As such, it is important to be aware of these injuries and know the signs so that you can protect yourself and your loved ones from an injury.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), TBIs make up about 30% of all injury related deaths. Across the United States, 153 people per day died from injuries including TBIs. Those who do not die from their injuries are often left with significant effects that can last a day, week, month, year, or even a lifetime. People often misinterpret the signs of a TBI and refrain from seeking medical attention because they think they just have a headache.
*Causes of TBI*There is not one instance that can be blamed for a traumatic brain injury. Generally, though, a TBI is the result of a hit, bump, jolt, or blow that disrupts the normal functions of the brain. The damage can be anywhere from mild to severe. Regardless of the level of severity, it is important to be checked out be a medical professional to determine any effects of the injury.
Not every bump to the head is going to result in a TBI. There are signs that you can look out for that might indicate more than just a bump to the head. There are four categories of signs that can be attributed to a TBI - physical, thinking or remembering, emotional/mood changes, and sleep. Specifically, symptoms can include:
- Difficulty in thinking clearly
- Trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Decreased energy
- Changes to emotions, including increased anxiety, nervousness, irritability, or sadness
The above does not include every symptom that could indicate a TBI, but some of the more common symptoms.
*Dealing with a TBI*If you have a head injury, or suspect a potential head injury, it is important to get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible. Failure to treat a TBI in a timely fashion could result in permanent changes to your memory and reasoning skills, sight, ability to speak in a clear and communicative fashion, mood changes, or even death. The medical bills that can result from a TBI can be astronomical. If your injury was caused by the actions or negligence of another, you may be entitled to compensation for your injury. The personal injury attorneys at Pivotal Law Group are here to help you recover from your injuries. We know that traumatic brain injuries can be life changing events that come with a substantial financial burden. Our attorneys are dedicated to advocating on your behalf and getting you the compensation appropriate given the circumstances. Do not hesitate to contact us as soon as possible.
(image courtesy of Ken Treloar)
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Posted Wednesday, December 19, 2018 by
Chris Thayer
Recovering from a car accident can be difficult. Not only are you trying to recover physically, but there are often unexpected financial obstacles that arise. In Washington, a car accident attorney can help you assess your damages and determine the legal avenues you might have, including a personal injury suit. Even with this option available, a lot of individuals can be intimidated or have ideas surrounding a car accident case that delay or all together prevent them from seeking the assistance of an attorney. The following are some of the common misconceptions surrounding a car accident case.
*“Bringing a lawsuit will be too complicated.”* One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding a car accident case is that it is too complicated to bring a lawsuit. However, this is inherently untrue. Yes, court cases can be complicated, but this is management with a skilled attorney on your side. Every case follows the same path and procedure: Investigating the instances, filing a claim, discovery for both sides, negotiation, possible settlement, and a possible trial. Each case has different facts and issues, but an experienced attorney can navigate this process.
*“The insurance company will not cooperate.”* After being involved in a car accident, one of the first things you do is call your insurance company to let them know you were involved in an accident. Insurance companies do not always have the best reputation, but that should not keep you from pursuing legal help. The insurance agent will likely be friendly to you on the phone, but it is important to remember that the insurance company wants to save their company money. Your attorney can help you with future calls to the insurance company.
*“I can not afford a lawsuit.”* Another misconception surrounding car accident cases is that they will be too expensive and you will not be able to afford an attorney. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingent fee basis. To work on a contingent fee basis means that the attorney does not collect money at the outset of the lawsuit or send the client bills throughout the process. Instead, the attorney and client come to an agreement at the beginning that the attorney will take a certain percentage of the damage amount awarded. Additionally, on the off chance that the case is not successful and an award is not given, it is likely that the client will not owe any money to the attorney. Further, most law firms offer a free initial consultation. As such, you can meet with an attorney, find out the cost, and then decide what action you want to take.
If you have been involved in a car accident, the experienced and dedicated personal injury attorneys at the Pivotal Law Group are here to help you. We know that there is a lot of misinformation out there and a lot of misconceptions. Meet with one of our attorneys to find out the legal options available to you and get your misconceptions debunked. Contact us today for a consultation.
(image courtesy of Jannes Glas)
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Posted Friday, December 14, 2018 by
Chris Thayer
Link Text
In addition to injuries to riders and pedestrians, cities which have allowed electric scooters on their streets, such as Bird and Lime scooters, are having a problem: people are throwing the scooters into the rivers and lakes.
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Posted Thursday, December 13, 2018 by
Chris Thayer
Picture this. It is a beautiful day in Seattle. You are out enjoying the weather on your motorcycle when suddenly, another drive crashes into you, injuring you. What should have been a peaceful and enjoyable day suddenly turns into an expensive endeavor when you factor in the costs associated with your injuries. Costs after an accident can pile up: Insurance, healthcare, and property damage are just a few of the expenses you might encounter. Expenses piling up can lead to you feeling helpless and unsure of where to turn. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you following a motorcycle accident. Depending on the situation, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages from the party responsible.
Categories of Damages
Not every expense is compensable following an accident. The court will consider all of the evidence from both sides in determining what, if any, damage amount is appropriate. Generally, there are three major types of damages that the courts will consider.
Medical Expenses
One of the first types of expenses you might think about are medical bills. No one wants to be injured and not everyone can afford to pay for these added expenses. Following a motorcycle accident, both the medical expenses incurred immediately following the accident and future costs of long term rehabilitative therapy and ongoing treatment can be included compensation. Immediate expenses refers to the costs associated with seeking medical attention and treatment following the accident. Future expenses can be treatments that a doctor determines will be necessary into the future because of the injury caused by the accident.
Property Damage
The second type of expense you might face after a motorcycle accident is repairs to your motorcycle and any other physical property. Depending on the severity of the damages, you may be compensated for the cost to repair the motorcycle or the motorcycle could be deemed a total loss. If the motorcycle is deemed a total loss, you may be compensated for the total value of the motorcycle so it can be replaced.
Lost Wages
Another common expense in personal injury cases is lost wages. Depending on the severity of an injury, the injured party may be unable to return to work for wuite some time, thus losing a significant amount of wages. Additionally, if the accident causes the injured party permanent disability, and results in him or her having to take on a lower-earning position at work, the difference in salary may be awarded in a personal injury suit. Missing work for doctors appointments, therapy treatments, or anything else related to the accident can be reflected in damages awarded.
An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney can help
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, the personal injury attorneys at Pivotal Law Group are here to help you. We know that recovering from an injury can be extremely difficult and place an unexpected financial burden on you and your family. Let us review your case and get you the best compensation award possible. Contact us today for a consultation.
(image courtesy of
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Posted Friday, December 7, 2018 by
Chris Thayer
Riding a bike is a popular way to get around because it is environmentally friendly, healthy, and enjoyable. There are many benefits to riding a bike, but in order to enjoy these benefits you need to ride safely. Bike riders are subject to laws and regulations just like automobile drivers on the road. However, bicycles are subject to some different laws, and it is essential to know these before hitting the road. Bike laws can be broken down into different categories, mainly, operational and safety.
*Operational Laws*Operating laws refer to the laws surrounding the operation of bikes in public. The following are the main laws that riders must follow:
- Riding a bicycle on the road: When riding in the road, bicyclists are treated as if they were operating a vehicle. This means that a bike rider “has all the responsibilities of a vehicle driver.” Additionally, a bike rider can be ticketed for violating traffic laws.
- Riding next to other bikes: The law states that bike riders are permitted to ride next to each other inthe same lane, but only if they are no more than two across. More than two riders must ride in front or behind of each other.
- Road Closures: While bikes are permitted on roadways, they are not permitted on every road. There are some sections of the highway system that are off limit to bikes. There also may be other limitations on bike riding, as outlined by local governments and ordinances.
- Location on the road: Bikes on the road must choose between riding on a bike path (if present), the shoulder of the road, or a travel lane (if present). Bikes do not have free reign of an entire lane of traffic.
Safety Laws
Operational laws are also meant to keep riders safe, but there are some laws in place specifically targeting the rider’s safety:
- Helmets: There is no state law that mandates the use of a helmet. However cities and counties do have helmet laws applicable in their area. Bellevue, Kent, and Renton all have laws in place that require riders to wear a helmet, regardless of their age.
- Night Riding: When a bike rider is out at night, they must have a white front light that is visible for at least 500 feet. This light is not a reflector; a red rear reflector is also required separately. If a rider does not have a red rear reflector, they are permitted to use a red rear light instead.
- Children: Parents of children on bikes must be conscious of their children’s actions and not knowingly permit their children to commit traffic violations.
If you enjoy riding bikes, for whatever reason, it is important to know the laws to which you are subject. Even when following all pertinent laws, accidents and injuries still happen. If you have been injured in a bike accident, the personal injury attorneys at Pivotal Law Group are here to help you. Contact us today for a consultation and find out how you might be able to receive compensation for your injury.
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