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11
Jan

Dangerous Conditions And Speed The Cause Of Single-Vehicle Crash

January 11, 2012

About ten accident calls within 45 minutes Tuesday morning kept Washington state patrol and the Pasco Police Department busy for a good portion of the day. According to reports from the Tri-City Herald, the worst of those crashes occurred on Taylor Flats Road in Franklin County, six-miles north of Pasco, Washington.

Authorities say that a 16-year-old driver of a white 1992 Ford Bronco was driving too fast for the weather conditions, hit an icy patch and lost control of the truck. The vehicle spun out of control before flipping several times and coming to rest in a field. Luckily, the teen was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and escaped with only minor injuries.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, accounting for one in three deaths within the age group. In 2009, 3,000 teens between the ages of 15 and 19 were killed in the United States as a result of car crashes. An estimated 350,000 were treated in emergency rooms for injuries related to car crashes.

This is why the Washington auto accident attorneys with the Defoe Pickett Law Firm would like to encourage teens to be mindful of speed limits, put on your seat belts, and eliminate distractions. Following these three simple tips will help keep you and others around you safe on the highway.

Popularity: 1% [?]

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4
Jan

DUI Arrests Down This Holiday Season In The State Of Washington

January 4, 2012

Drunk driving related offenses seem to be on the decline across the state of Washington with police reporting fewer DUI arrests this year than in years past. KNDU 25 News reported earlier this week that Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Tony Haworth attributes the decline to DUI-emphasis patrols taking place statewide over holidays.

A Washington state police news release stated that 253 people were arrested over the New Year’s holiday weekend on suspicion of being impaired by drugs or alcohol while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle; a decline from the 286 individuals who were arrested last year.

Only one fatal accident was reported over the holiday when three people were killed in a collision New Year’s Day along Highway 2 in Lincoln county.

Similar DUI numbers were reported in the month of December as well. Franklin county sheriff deputies reported record low numbers for DUI arrests in the month of December with only nine individuals charged.

The Washington auto accident attorneys with the Defoe Pickett Law Firm are glad to see many motorists chose safer alternative ways home this holiday season instead of getting behind the wheel after having too much to drink. The firm would like to encourage citizens to keep up the safe practices throughout the rest of the year.

Popularity: 2% [?]

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28
Dec

Washington Hospitals Report A Rise In ER Visits Over The Holidays

December 28, 2011

Hospitals across the state of Washington reported a spike in the number of emergency room visitors over the holiday weekend. According to KNDU 25 News, some hospitals, like Kadlec Regional Medical Center, reported patient increases as high as 50 percent.

Hospital staff claims that while many of the visitors are there because of alcohol-fueled shenanigans, many others are there for treatment of chronic disorders, like diabetes, heart, and kidney problems. They say that these patients often have nowhere else to go as their primary physicians are often out of town over the holidays.

Emergency Room Physician Benjamin Gold says that visits are often the result of people on strict diets eating foods they shouldn’t. He added that if you are on a strict diet for health reasons, sticking to it through the holidays is vital. One day of improper eating could cost several days in the hospital.

Another common reason staffers say visitors are in the emergency room is because of high stress and depression the time of year can bring on for some people.

The Washington Personal Injury Lawyers with the Defoe Pickett Law Firm urge you to watch your health through the holidays. Whether that means watching what you eat–or how much you drink–the decision to stick with your plan is vital.

Popularity: 1% [?]

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21
Dec

Driver Arrested In Washington Car Crash That Killed One And Injured Four

December 21, 2011

A 20-year-old Sunnyside, Washington, man was killed after he was ejected from a vehicle he was riding in. According to the Tri-City Herald, the accident occurred at 3:30 AM this past Sunday morning on the 3600 block of East Factory Road.

Troopers with the Washington State Patrol say that a 21-year-old man from Toppenish, Washington, was behind the wheel of the 2005 Chevy Malibu involved in the crash. They added that speeding and alcohol may have been a factor in what caused the man to lose control of the vehicle, overcorrect it, and send the car rolling.

Two passengers were ejected from the vehicle, one of which was declared dead at the scene of the crash. Four others, ranging in age from 14 to 18, survived with moderate injuries. The surviving victims were treated at Sunnyside Community Hospital.

The driver of the vehicle fled the scene before Troopers could arrive, but was picked up at his home on Tuesday and charged with one count of felony hit-and-run involving a death, one count of vehicular homicide, and one count of vehicular assault. If convicted, the man could face a harsh prison sentence and thousands of dollars in fines.

The Washington Auto Accident Attorneys with the Defoe Pickett Law Firm would like to remind motorists that fatal accidents on US roadways spike during the holiday season because of the increased amount of alcohol consumed by Americans this time of year. Help break this cycle by refraining from drinking if you are going to get behind the wheel of a vehicle.

Popularity: 1% [?]

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14
Dec

One Dead And Two Injured In Washington Auto Accident

December 14, 2011

One person is dead and two others were injured following a car crash last Friday night. According to KOMO News, the head-on crash happened around 6:00 PM on SR 305 at George Lane between Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island.

Spokeswoman for the Washington state patrol, Krista Hedstrom, stated investigators received a call from another motorist reporting a woman driving erratically and with a flat tire along the northbound lanes of the highway. Moments later, Troopers received calls reporting the vehicle had crossed the center line and collided with another vehicle head-on. The two occupants of the at-fault vehicle were airlifted to Harborview Medical Center to receive treatment for critical injuries, where one of them later died.

Troopers believe that alcohol played a part in the fatal crash and say that the female driver of the car might now face vehicular homicide charges. If convicted, state law says the woman could face up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has long stated that drinking and driving is one of the top three factors in fatal car crashes in the United States.

The Washington auto accident attorneys with The Defoe Pickett Law Firm urge citizens to not get behind the wheel if you have been drinking. The decision not to drink and drive will keep driving on the highways safe for all this holiday season.

Popularity: 2% [?]