Medical records are a way for doctors and medical assistants to communicate a patient's history including any allergies, symptoms and medications they might be taking; but they are also key evidence in your personal injury case. These medical records document how you are feeling on a day-to-day basis and may become quite extensive including multiple doctors, physical therapists and assistants. These documents will include MRI reports, various diagnostic results and laboratory findings. Look through your medical records from time to time to ensure that the doctors who are treating you have taken accurate notes. This helps to ensure that your...[ Read More ]

Driving on prescription drugs can be as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. With certain medications you may never realize that your reaction times or motor skills are compromised because you still feel okay. When taking prescription medication, be aware of the phrase "may cause drowsiness" on the label. Pertinent information is usually located right before dosage and directions. Watch for these active ingredients in allergy medications: diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, brompheniramine, clemastine and doxylamine. Additionally, you will find these antihistamines in cough medicine, cold tablets, flue therapies, or just about any drug that helps you rest. We all force ourselves to work...[ Read More ]

We all know that person in our families that refuses to seek medical attention no matter how much pain they are in. After an auto accident it is important to receive timely medical attention for injuries because a person might have adrenalin pumping through their body and simply not realize they have sustained an injury. This type of injury does not present itself right away and that is why you should never decline being taken to the hospital for an evaluation. Some symptoms do not display immediately. A concussion or internal bleeding might not show up until hours or even...[ Read More ]

Organization is your best defense for your personal injury case. Hold on to all paperwork that will be presented to the insurance company including all communications and evidence from the accident. I recommend keeping a binder to store all important documents in one place. The following are important items for you to hold on to: All prescriptions given to you by the emergency room doctor and your treating physician. Letters from your doctor that state you are unable to work. Collect all receipts for out of pocket expenses including a rental car, prescriptions, co-pays, funeral expenses, etc. Keep the names,...[ Read More ]

All of us have depended on our GPS Systems one time or another to get us somewhere when we are driving in an unfamiliar area. You may have experienced technical difficulties with your GPS such as the screen changing over to a battery recharge screen while mid path or maybe it thinks you are on a road that is actually an overpass. I have even had my GPS tell me to turn onto a one-way road going the wrong way. All of this brings me to one question, do GPS Systems cause distracted driving accidents? The answer is yes. The...[ Read More ]

You just returned home after being in a car collision and your mind is racing. Though it is difficult, before too much time passes you want to document all of your recollections about the incident. The sooner you start, the better because as time passes you may forget the details. I recommend that you keep a spiral notebook as your "accident journal"  Inside, write down everything you recall from beginning to end: Did the other car have the right of way? Did the other driver cut you off? Did the other driver admit being at fault? What were the weather...[ Read More ]

Every year the Washington Traffic Safety Commission releases statistics for Washington Car Collisions. A 2004 - 2008 report on Fatal Crashes Involving Distracted Driving showed an average of 152 deaths per year as a result of distracted driving. Since collision data is collected by investigators, these numbers may actually be higher because often times there is no evidence of distraction at the crash site and drivers may be reluctant to admit a distraction. In crashes involving death, statistics show the following mortality rates: driver - 65%, passenger - 23.7% and pedestrian 9.8%. Nearly a quarter of the deaths were between...[ Read More ]

Cases are not won based on "facts". They are won based on the evidence presented both in and out of court. When an injured victim fails to provide evidence or supporting documents as proof to the insurance carrier, they are giving them the perfect opportunity to reject a claim. No person knows when an accident is going to happen. It can happen at any time to anyone, yet from a legal standpoint the biggest mistake an injured person can make is failing to document everything that just took place at the scene of the incident. A lack of proof can...[ Read More ]

As the days get sunnier you might find yourself staring out the office window daydreaming about your next road trip.  Here are some tips for staying safe for the next big trip cross country or just crossing the Cascades. On long drives your attention may begin to wonder or the wrong song might begin to rock you to sleep. Before beginning a long drive, always get enough sleep and eat a healthy meal. Here in Western Washington caffeine is always the answer, but it isn't necessarily the best way to stay alert while driving. Stimulants may have a downside when...[ Read More ]

Insurance adjusters try to confuse, frustrate, and even pressure you into saying something that could potentially damage your claim. The following are tactics used by insurance adjusters to accomplish just that. Tactic #1 - First Call:  Insurance adjusters will contact a victim to settle a claim immediately for a very small amount of money. They want to meet with you right away because an injured person may not be aware of all their damages until several months down the road so this is the prime time for an insurance adjuster to settle claims. Tactic #2 - Failing to Reveal the...[ Read More ]