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How to Choose a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Posted on: April 25th, 2022 by Timothy Hendershot
Motorcycle accidents can be especially traumatic. You need a motorcycle accident attorney on your side.

Motorcycle accidents can be especially traumatic. You need a motorcycle accident attorney on your side.

Despite accounting for a modest fraction of overall vehicle sales, motorcycle accidents account for a significant portion of total traffic crash deaths in the United States. Even if a motorcycle accident does not result in death, it can have serious effects for a person’s health and well-being.

After a motorcycle accident, recovering reimbursement for losses may be a difficult process, since insurance companies may try to circumvent coverage laws and refuse personal injury payments on the at-fault party’s behalf.

One of the first things you should do if you or a loved one has been in a motorcycle accident is to call a motorcycle accident attorney. Our team of attorneys at Cunnane Law in Edmonds has specialized knowledge in assisting motorcyclists in obtaining compensation through a rigorous investigation and negotiating process.

Our attorneys at Cunnane Law can assist you in filing a claim with the appropriate insurance provider, to recover motorcycle injury and accident-related damages, after first collecting information about your case.

When Should You File a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

Motorcycle accidents can have a variety of outcomes, including property damage, emotional distress, serious or permanent injury, and death.

Many people in the United States live pay check to pay check or otherwise struggle to handle the astronomical out-of-pocket expenditures that might arise from a motorbike accident injury.

While the costs of a motorbike accident might vary, they may include the following:

  • Monetary: transportation costs, hospitalization/other medical expenditures, bike repair/replacement costs, and lost earnings
  • Physical: significant damage that needs long-term rehabilitation and care, including limb loss, deformity, paralysis, and severe brain trauma.
  • Psychological: the cost of pain and suffering, which leads to mental misery

For injured motorcyclists who want to recover compensation for their losses, filing a motorcycle accident claim might be a feasible option.

The injured rider or a loved one can submit a motorcycle accident claim. In the latter instance, a claim might be made to recover damages for a loved one who was seriously injured or died as a consequence of the accident.

Losing a loved one in a motorbike accident can be very traumatic, and you may be entitled to wrongful death compensation. To get compensation, you will need the expertise of an attorney to prove that another party’s carelessness caused your loved one’s death.

We are Expert Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Cunnane Law in Edmonds has the knowledge, experience, expertise, and resources to assist you in filing a compelling claim for motorcycle accident-related losses and obtaining a fair compensation.

Start the process of filing your claim as soon as possible. To obtain a free consultation and find a skilled, knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney near you, contact the offices of Cunnane Law in Edmonds, WA today.

Note: This information was provided not for any specific claim and is written in broad and general terms and may not be the right path to follow for a particular claim or case. This information is not intended to create an attorney client relationship. It is always best to receive direct legal counsel for your legal issues. It is never too early to call the attorney, but it can be too late.

Have You Been Involved in a Pedestrian Accident?

Posted on: March 28th, 2022 by Timothy Hendershot
Pedestrian accidents are shockingly common in Washington. Contact a personal injury lawyer immediately.

Pedestrian accidents are shockingly common in Washington. Contact a personal injury lawyer immediately.

Thousands of pedestrians are critically injured or killed every year when they are struck by a vehicle. Pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to be killed in an automobile accident. If you or a loved one is hurt in a pedestrian accident in Washington, it can affect almost every part of your life – and the lives of your loved ones.

That is why you should speak with a competent and experienced pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible. To get started on your claim, call the offices of Cunnane Law now.

After a Pedestrian Accident, What Should You Do?

It’s critical to remember three things once you or a loved one has been hit by a car. It’s critical to avoid moving the pedestrian if at all feasible and instead dial 9-1-1. Obtain the contact information of any witnesses to the collision, as well as the make, model, and license plate number of the vehicle(s) involved, if possible.

When the police arrive at the scene of the collision, give them a statement of what happened, but don’t mention anything that could be construed as an admission of guilt. Finally, even if you don’t think you’ve been hurt, it’s still in your best interest to get medical help right away. Many of the injuries sustained in these types of incidents are internal and life-threatening. As a result, performing a thorough examination could aid in the stabilization of a life-threatening injury. Furthermore, consulting a doctor provides written proof that you sought medical help.

Involved Factors in a Pedestrian Accident

So, who is to blame for these terrible mishaps? There are numerous contributing elements, ranging from the lighting and location of the accident to the age of the pedestrian and the driver.

Time and Location

The accident’s location can have a significant impact. The majority of pedestrian fatalities (26 percent) occur in low-light circumstances, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., according to the NHTSA.

Drug and Alcohol Use

Another unfortunate reality is that drugs and alcohol are frequently involved in pedestrian accidents. Almost half of all pedestrian fatalities (47%) involved a driver and/or pedestrian who were under the influence of alcohol.

Driver inattention is another factor that might contribute to pedestrian accidents. This is frequently due to motorists being distracted by their cell phones or other electronic gadgets, causing them to not notice the pedestrian.

Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney

An experienced personal injury lawyer can give you an unbiased assessment of your case and guide you through each step of the legal procedure.

Our experienced WA personal injury lawyers at the Cunnane Law PLLC work strategically to help our clients receive proper compensation. Joe Cunnane, the firm’s founding attorney, has earned a reputation among insurance companies and opposing counsel as a formidable opponent, having successfully negotiated and contested innumerable personal injury claims and recovered millions of dollars in damages for his clients. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Note: This information was provided not for any specific claim and is written in broad and general terms and may not be the right path to follow for a particular claim or case. This information is not intended to create an attorney client relationship. It is always best to receive direct legal counsel for your legal issues. It is never too early to call the attorney, but it can be too late.

We Are Your Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys in the Seattle Area

Posted on: February 28th, 2022 by Timothy Hendershot
Look out! Distracted driving accidents are common and dangerous.

Look out! Distracted driving accidents are common and dangerous.

It’s unsurprising that in an age where we have apps, email, the Internet, and Smartphones at our fingertips, we’ve become accustomed to multitasking and staying connected at all hours of the day. Even with this access, though, there is one area where we must disconnect and that’s behind the wheel.

Distracted driving, which includes mobile phone use, is exceedingly dangerous, frequently resulting in serious injury or death not only to the distracted drivers, but also those around them.

If you’re in the Seattle area and you’ve been harmed in a distracted driving accident, it’s imperative that you take the necessary steps to get the compensation you deserve. Don’t put off filing your claim; contact the Cunnane Law Offices today!

Distraction Types

Any distraction that takes your attention away from the road, even if it’s only for a second, increases your chances of crashing.

There are three Distracted driving categories:

  • Visual – shifting your focus from the road
  • Manual – removing your hands from the steering
  • Cognitive – distracting your mind away from the road

If you do any of these things, you could find yourself in serious trouble. It is critical that you remain alert not only for your own safety but also for the safety of others around you.

Using Your Cell Phone

Because of the dangers of using a cell phone while driving, Washington has made it illegal.  However, if you are at least 18 years old, you may use your cell phone as long as you use it hands-free. Minors are not permitted to use a cell phone in any way for any reason, as this age group is more likely to use their phones while driving. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 39 percent of high school students who drove over a period of 30 days texted or emailed on at least one of those days.

Texting, calling a number, and chatting on a cell phone can increase the chance of crashing by three times. While this may appear to be a dramatic statement, consider this: If your eyes are taken off the road for 5 seconds to send or read a text, this would be the equivalent of driving the length of a football field while blindfolded at 55 mph.

So, How to Avoid a Distracted Driving Accident?

While we cannot prevent all distracted driving accidents, we can reduce the likelihood of accidents caused by distracted driving by remembering the following.

  • Do not attempt to multitask.
  • Use an app that alerts those attempting to contact you that you are driving.
  • If a driver appears to be distracted, ask them to focus on the road.
  • Assist a driver with navigation so they don’t need to consult a map
  • Set a good example for your children by refraining from distracted driving.

We Advocate for Those Injured by Distracted Drivers.

While we understand that no amount of money can make up for the fact that you were injured in an accident, it is critical that you receive the compensation to which you are entitled in order to move forward with your life.

Distracted driving accidents require expertise in personal injury law and insurance law, both of which we specialize in. These cases frequently necessitate tense and potentially hostile confrontations with your own insurance. We can assist you in navigating this delicate situation.

When involved in a distracted driving accident, the most important thing to remember is to act quickly. Contact the Cunnane Law Office right away to set up a free consultation to discuss your options. We will work to ensure that you or a loved one receives the maximum amount of compensation possible.

Note: This information was provided not for any specific claim and is written in broad and general terms and may not be the right path to follow for a particular claim or case. This information is not intended to create an attorney client relationship. It is always best to receive direct legal counsel for your legal issues. It is never too early to call the attorney, but it can be too late.

Failure to Wear a Seat Belt May Affect Your Car Accident Claim

Posted on: February 22nd, 2022 by Timothy Hendershot
Buckle up! Not wearing a seat belt is dangerous, and can also affect your car accident claim.

Buckle up! Not wearing a seat belt is dangerous, and can also affect your car accident claim.

Seat belts are well known for saving lives. Many people are unaware that whether or not a driver or passenger was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident can have an impact on the outcome of an accident claim.

Even if the accident was not your fault, if you were not wearing your seatbelt at the time of the crash, you may have difficulty getting compensation.

Cunnane Law, a personal injury law firm in Washington, wants to help you understand how not wearing a seatbelt can affect your accident claim. You can also contact us for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your claim.

Ramifications of Not Wearing Your Seatbelt in a Car Accident

The severity of a victim’s injuries is one of the most serious consequences of not wearing a seatbelt at the time of an accident. Those who survive a serious accident while not wearing a seatbelt are more likely to sustain severe injuries, which may include:

  • Paralysis
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Facial injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Amputations
  • Road rash

Due to contributory negligence and comparative fault rules, not wearing a seatbelt may influence your ability to seek compensation from the at-fault motorist, as well as the amount of compensation you may be able to recover.

Contributory Negligence and Comparative Fault in Washington

“Contributory negligence” and “comparative fault” are terms that dictate how a personal injury claim will be affected if an accident victim acted in a negligent way that contributed to the accident.

Washington is one of only a few states that still allows contributory negligence. A victim is barred from receiving compensation under a contributory negligence system if they are found to be even slightly to blame for the circumstances of a car accident. If a victim was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident, the contributory negligence rule in Washington can make recovering compensation extremely difficult. Insurers or defendants can argue that the victim’s injuries were exacerbated by their failure to wear a seatbelt and that they should have mitigated the risk by wearing a seatbelt. This may be enough to prevent a person from receiving compensation for their injuries.

Because these are complicated legal issues, you should consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer to learn how these rules may affect your case.

Contact Cunnane Law Offices Today to Learn More

In most cases, not wearing a seatbelt at the time of an accident does not exclude you from receiving compensation. However, it can make your claim much more difficult to prove.

If you were not wearing a seatbelt when you were in an accident, contact the legal team at Cunnane Law right away. We can review your case and assist you in determining your legal options. Don’t give up on getting the compensation you deserve. Make an appointment for a free consultation right away.

Note: This information was provided not for any specific claim and is written in broad and general terms and may not be the right path to follow for a particular claim or case. This information is not intended to create an attorney client relationship. It is always best to receive direct legal counsel for your legal issues. It is never too early to call the attorney, but it can be too late.

Mistakes Many Plaintiffs Make in Personal Injury Cases

Posted on: January 28th, 2022 by Timothy Hendershot
Don’t make a painful situation worse. Avoid these mistakes in your personal injury case.

Don’t make a painful situation worse. Avoid these mistakes in your personal injury case.

A fact of the law is that every case is unique. Each personal injury case has its advantages and disadvantages. However, some of the shortcomings can be avoided.

At Cunnane Law in Edmonds, WA, we see clients make mistakes all the time and that’s perfectly fine. Nobody can claim to be faultless. However, many blunders may be avoided if people just understand how the law works and the ramifications of their own actions (or lack of action).

We believe that by knowing some of these pitfalls, personal injury claimants will be able to avoid them and strengthen their claims, allowing them to receive the compensation they deserve.

1st Mistake: Making Things Up, Guessing and Lying

Lying, speculating, and making things up (particularly under oath during a discovery investigation on the stand during a trial) are all cardinal sins! A Plaintiff’s credibility and likeability will be entirely ruined as a result of this. Nobody believes a liar or someone who fabricates evidence. If a Plaintiff does not know or cannot recall the answer to a question, all they have to do is declare “I don’t know” or “I don’t remember.” That is all there is to it. It’s fine to say you don’t remember something.

2nd Mistake: Delay in Reporting by a Plaintiff and Inaction are Case Killers

Benefits from the insurance company don’t just fall from the sky. In order for a Plaintiff or Long-Term Disability Benefit to get the compensation which they deserve, they need to take action! The Plaintiff must report the accident to the police, and to their insurance company. See a doctor to record their injuries and follow the treatment plan. Also fill out benefit forms, and contact a personal injury lawyer. If a Plaintiff simply sits in bed or stays at home all day and does not reach out for help; then they will get nothing.

3rd Mistake: Failing to Seek Regular Medical Attention

The Plaintiff has the responsibility of proving his or her claims in a personal injury case. That means the Plaintiff must show that he or she is disabled or injured to the Judge and Jury. It is not enough for a Plaintiff to testify that they have been injured or incapacitated. This is self-serving, uncorroborated evidence that will be dismissed in trial.

A Plaintiff will need specialists, therapists, and treating doctors to state that the Plaintiff is injured in order to have a successful personal injury or long-term disability case. It is extremely beneficial to have a doctor/therapist with no stake in the outcome corroborate a Plaintiff’s pain and suffering. In a personal injury case, demonstrating that a plaintiff is receiving regular medical attention/treatment is also very useful. It helps debunk the insurer’s standard argument that a Plaintiff has failed to reduce his or her damages. It also shows a pattern in which, despite receiving regular treatment, the Plaintiff is still injured and that those injuries/disabilities are affecting his or her life.

4th Mistake:  Assuming that the Insurance Company Has Your Best Interests at Heart.

Do not for one moment believe that the insurance company will send a Plaintiff to doctors or service providers who are looking out for his or her best interests. They don’t work that way.

Insurance Medical Examinations are intended to create a paper trail to justify an insurance company’s claim that the Plaintiff/Disability Claimant is not as disabled or as injured as they make themselves out to be.

We Can Help with Your Personal Injury Case

Cunnane Law has extensive experience in personal injury cases for people all over the Puget Sound and Seattle area. To get the help you need, contact us today.

Note: This information was provided not for any specific claim and is written in broad and general terms and may not be the right path to follow for a particular claim or case. This information is not intended to create an attorney client relationship. It is always best to receive direct legal counsel for your legal issues. It is never too early to call the attorney, but it can be too late.

(425) 672-7100