Researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine have found that more than 70% of car accident victims still continue to have consistent musculoskeletal pain even six weeks after their accident. Sadly, the majority of these victims will not even seek treatment for their injuries—much less compensation. Why? It seems that car accident victims are afraid others will not take their claims seriously—especially if their injury involves neck pain.

According to researchers, nearly 4 million Americans go to the emergency department for evaluation after a car crash—and more than 90% are discharged promptly. Yet this is not the end of their story. Results showed that people who have been involved in a car crash experience persistent pain—despite being discharged from the E.R., and this pain could persist even six weeks following their accident. Even worse, more than 30% of study participants experienced pain in four or more body regions.

When the injury involves the neck, many car crash victims believe that their injury will be met with skepticism and doubt, and that they will be seen as someone who is just trying to sue. The study showed that a mere 17% of accident victims had contacted a lawyer six weeks following an accident—with the vast majority suffering in silence.

Of the accident victims who were injured, 28% had moderate to severe neck pain, 13% had widespread musculoskeletal pain in 7 or more body regions, and 4% had fibromyalgia symptoms six weeks after their crash. Yet despite the pain, many of these victims were not seeking treatment or compensation.

If you are suffering from neck pain after a car accident, it is important to know that you do not have to suffer alone. Neck pain is very real and very debilitating. When chronic neck pain goes untreated, it can lead to complications. Inflammation can cause nerve damage and result in limited mobility. At the very least, you need to be sure that insurance companies are taking your injuries seriously, so you have the money you need to pay for medical expenses, therapies, and lost wages.

Contact Seattle Car Accident Attorneys

If a negligent driver injures you or someone you love, an experienced Seattle car accident attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle personal injury attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington.

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When a negligent driver injures you or someone you love in a car accident, you will need money to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. But what happens when the at-fault driver who causes the accident does not have insurance? If you are involved in a car accident in Washington State, that scenario could very likely happen, because it is estimated that nearly 20% of all drivers in Washington are uninsured.

The steps you take immediately following an accident with an uninsured driver could make a significant impact in your ability to obtain the compensation you need to recover.

Contact the Police: Even in low-impact accidents, the police should be called and an accident report filed. An accident report will help your attorney establish liability and will assist in negotiations with insurance companies. Do not move any of the vehicles until the police arrive, so they can clearly assess the scene of the accident and fill out the report.

Obtain Uninsured Driver’s Contact Info: Even if someone is uninsured, it is important to obtain the driver’s contact information and license information. They may have some insurance but not enough to pay all of your damages. Your insurance company may need this information as well to prove that the “at fault” driver does indeed not have insurance. They may not release Uninsured Motorist compensation to you without this information.

Contact Your Insurance Company: You will need to contact your insurance company to begin the compensation process. It is important to know that your insurance company will not raise your rates if the other driver is at fault. Your insurance company will be able to review your policy with you to see what coverage you have that will compensate you after an accident with an uninsured motorist.

Contact a Lawyer: Sadly, even when policyholders have uninsured motorist coverage, claims can still be denied. Insurance companies may also offer you only a fraction of what you need to recover. As such, it is important to discuss your case with an experienced Seattle car accident lawyer immediately to ensure that the insurance companies do not take advantage of you.

UIM/UM claims are not easy—even when an accident seems cut and dry. Even though you may be only dealing with your own insurance company, the claims process can be wrought with complications and pitfalls. Insurance companies are in business to reduce their liabilities and protect their shareholder’s interests. As such, your accident—and your injuries are not their primary concern. That’s why you need a lawyer on your side from the very beginning.

Contact Seattle Car Accident Attorneys

If you are interested in learning more about your legal options after an accident with an uninsured driver call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle personal injury attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington.

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Sometimes when people are injured in car accidents where their vehicle sustains little or no damage, they are not sure what to do for fear that their insurance company will deny their injury claim. Yet, the amount of damage sustained by the vehicle is not necessarily indicative of the severity of injuries sustained by the driver or occupants of the vehicle.

After Your Low Impact Accident

  1. Remove yourself from immediate danger and call 911.
  1. Identify the other drivers involved in the collision, and be certain to get their name, address, home and work phone numbers, make and model of vehicles, and the name of the registered owner of the vehicle. Identify any witnesses and get their names and phone numbers as well.
  1. Regardless of whatever emotions are flaring, keep quiet. Don’t say anything at the scene of the accident that could be misconstrued as an admission of guilt and later used against you. Instead, write down all the details about weather and road conditions, vehicle positions, and take pictures if you can.
  1. Seek medical attention from your personal or primary physician or urgent care clinic (not emergency room) as soon as you feel any symptoms of injury. This is of particular importance to your case because one of the hardest aspects of proving injury in a low impact collision is showing that the accident caused the injury. Make sure you visit your doctor in a timely manner, and that he or she documents that your injuries arose from the accident.

When you become injured in a low impact accident, the insurance adjuster will scrutinize every detail in an effort to show you are faking your injuries. Avoid treating with a chiropractor, physical therapist, acupuncturist, or other alternative course of action until you have received a referral from your physician.

  1. Call and report the accident to your insurance company even if you believe the other driver is at fault. Your insurance company is entitled to be notified in order to preserve your rights to insurance coverage.

Contacting a Seattle Personal Injury Attorney

The laws regarding accident injuries are complex, and while insurance companies are well aware of them, most car accident victims are not. A Seattle car crash attorney at Phillips Law Firm can represent your interests and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your injury.

If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle personal injury lawsuit attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington.

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Even when liability is clearly established after an accident, a victim’s recovery from injuries sustained in an auto accident is often limited by the ability of the at-fault party, or parties, to pay compensation for the victim’s damages. Most commonly, the majority of an auto accident recovery comes from one or more insurance companies. Unfortunately, if a driver without insurance injures you, or your injuries exceed the scope of the at-fault driver’s coverage, the situation could become more complicated.

Washington State’s Mandatory Auto Insurance Law

Washington state law requires all drivers to carry auto liability insurance and proof that they have insurance. The law requires anyone who drives a motor vehicle in the state to do one of the following:

  • Carry liability insurance- you must have liability limits of at least $25,000 for injuries or death to another person, $50,000 for injuries or death to all other people, and $10,000 for damage to another person’s property
  • Pay a deposit to the Washington State Treasurer, or
  • Have a liability bond of at least $60,000

This law does not apply to motorcycles, motor scooters, police or government-owned vehicles, or any specially licensed “horseless carriage vehicles” more commonly referred to as antique or collector vehicles. However, a driver is still responsible for any damages or injuries that result from the use of any of these exempt vehicles.

Most drivers choose to maintain coverage in excess of these minimum statutory requirements in order to protect their personal assets. For drivers who own homes, their homeowners insurance may provide some additional protection in the event their personal liability exceeds their auto insurance coverage.

How a Washington State Auto Accident Attorney Can Help

Insurance plays a key role in protecting parties from uninsured and underinsured drivers, who seem to be multiplying in today’s down-turned economy with increasing insurance, fuel and cost of living expenses. In situations where the insurance coverage is simply not there, injured drivers may be able to recover from their own insurance companies if they purchased additional protection against uninsured and underinsured drivers. As a last resort, a Washington State auto accident attorney may still hold the at-fault driver personally liable, attaching the person’s assets or even garnishing wages if necessary.

Obtaining the best recovery for clients means knowing how all these types of insurance work together and being creative in identifying other parties who may have contributed to the accident and may be partially liable.

Contact Seattle Car Accident Attorneys

If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, an experienced Seattle car accident attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help you obtain the compensation you need to recover. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle personal injury lawyers are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington.

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Seattle TrafficAllstate released its 9th annual “Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report” and the results showed that Seattle drivers were some of the worst in the country. If you’ve ever driven through Seattle during rush hour traffic, you may agree with their results. Yet just how bad are Seattle drivers?

Allstate studied customers in 200 of the largest cities in the United States. According to their statistics, drivers in Seattle get into a crash once every 7.8 years. This is significantly higher than the national average of one crash every 10 years. In fact, it was so bad that Seattle ranked 160th out of 200 cities for safe drivers. And it seems that drivers in Seattle are getting worse. Last year, Seattle ranked 154th.

So what can be done about our bad driving? Drivers in Seattle can follow a few simple safety tips while driving.

  • Give Yourself Time: Allow yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. This prevents drivers from growing impatient and speeding, driving aggressively, or performing other dangerous driving maneuvers.
  • Listen to the Traffic Reports: Drivers who know what road situations are like can plan accordingly. This may mean leaving the house earlier than expected, taking an alternate route, or changing your plans all together.
  • Avoid Distracted Driving: Avoid using your cellphone while driving and try to keep your eyes and attention on the road in front of you. Stay focused and watch other cars to avoid collisions.
  • Keep Safe Distances Between Vehicles: Avoid tailgating and keep a safe distance behind other drivers. This will allow you time to react in emergency situations and apply the brake. Give even more distance when you are behind large vehicles, like semi-trucks, and never ever drive in a truck or car’s blind spot.
  • Watch for Pedestrians: At intersections and in neighborhoods, pay close attention to pedestrians in the road. Pedestrians are not always looking out for cars, so motor vehicle drivers should be even more vigilant, especially when there are young children playing nearby.

Contact Seattle Car Accident Lawsuit Attorneys

If a negligent driver injures you or someone you love, an experienced Seattle car accident attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle personal injury lawsuit attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington. 

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Crash Image From IIHS TestingIf you are considering a minicar as your next automobile purchase, you may want to think again. While smaller cars are becoming popular, they do not stand up to overall crash testing nearly as well as larger vehicles. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s small overlap front crash test found that only 1 minicar out of 11 that were tested achieved an acceptable rating. The rest—FAILED.

Among those tested, only the Chevrolet Spark received an acceptable rating and good ratings in the Institute’s four other crashworthiness evaluations. This was enough to earn the Spark the 2014 Top Safety Pick award. No other minicar passed the test.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, “The small overlap front crash test replicates that happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or object, such as a tree or utility pole”. When they perform the test, 25% of the minicar’s front end on the driver’s side must strike a rigid barrier—at 40 mph. This effectively bypasses the front-end crush zone and makes this test more difficult than other head-on crash tests.

While car manufacturers have found a way to improve vehicle structures on larger automobiles to achieve safety in these tests, minicars are at a disadvantage. Small cars are also at a disadvantage, but as a group, they performed better than minicars. 10 out of 17 small cars tested were able to achieve at least acceptable ratings.

When an automobile doesn’t perform well on the overlap front crash test, it means that vehicle structure is compromised. This can knock airbags out of place and collapse the driver compartment drastically causing serious and fatal injuries.

Of all the minicars evaluated, the Honda Fit and the Fiat 500 fared the worst with serious issues. The Fiat 500 even had its driver door torn off at the hinges. The crash test dummy also hit his head on the instrument panel because the airbag was compromised. He also sustained serious leg injuries as the steering components were pushed back into the dummy model.

Contact Seattle Car Accident Lawsuit Attorneys

If a negligent driver injures you or someone you love, an experienced Seattle car crash attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle personal injury lawsuit attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington.

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In 2012, car accident fatalities increased for the first time in 6 years. This disturbing statistic occurred even though vehicle manufacturers have installed numerous safety features on cars in the last decade. Overall, 33,561 people died in motor vehicle accidents in the United States, with the majority of those increases coming from alcohol-related driving crashes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently released data from the 2012 year and some of the statistics may surprise you.

  1. Over 5.6 million car accidents occurred in 2012, 1.6 million were injury crashes alone.
  2. More than half of all fatally injured passenger vehicle occupants were NOT wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.
  3. The majority of fatal crashes occurred in rural areas and increased by 2.3%.
  4. There were 10 times as many un-helmeted motorcyclist fatalities in states without universal helmet laws.
  5. Males comprise 70% of all motor vehicle fatalities and have for decades.
  6. 61% of large truck occupants killed in 2012 died in single-vehicle crashes.
  7. The increase in fatalities in 2012 largely occurred in the winter months.
  8. Children aged 10-15 saw fewer fatalities in 2012—a decrease by 3.9%, while teenagers aged 16-20 saw a decrease in fatalities by 5.7%.
  9. Washington car accident fatalities actually decreased by 2.2% in 2012.
  10. 10.  The most dangerous times to drive are at rush hour (3-6pm) and late at night (9pm-12am midnight).

Car accidents are often catastrophic, leading to permanent injuries and disabilities. Yet even accidents that occur at low-speeds can cause significant injuries to vehicle occupants. Sadly, negligent drivers who are not paying attention to the road or who are driving impaired cause many of these accidents. When this occurs, you have a right to seek compensation for your injuries and for any damages to your property.

Contact Seattle Car Accident Attorneys

If you or someone you love is injured in a car accident, an experienced Seattle car accident attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle personal injury lawsuit attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington. 

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When you are injured in a car accident, whom you choose to hire, as your car accident lawyer, is a decision that should not be made lightly. Yet with so many law firms in Seattle alone, how do you know who you can trust to handle your case and obtain the maximum compensation for your injuries?

Before you settle on an attorney and a law firm, there are several factors you should consider.

Reputation is Key—it is best to choose a car accident lawyer who has built a solid reputation in his chosen field of law. Ask friends and family members whom they recommend and begin compiling a list of possible attorneys. Check on their trial experience and look to see how successful they have been in the past. How many cases have they won? Did they obtain large settlements for their clients? What do past clients have to say about them? All of these questions can help you choose an attorney with a proven track record.

Specific Experience—even if an attorney has a great reputation, if he is not experienced in handling your type of case, then keep looking. It is important to choose an attorney who has had success handling cases just like yours. If you have been involved in a car accident, be sure your attorney practices car accident law first and foremost.

Fees are a Priority—filing a lawsuit can take time and be expensive for many injured clients. That’s why many attorneys offer their services on a contingency basis. This means that you do not pay unless your attorney recovers money for you. Be sure you understand exactly what percentage you will owe and how your attorney’s fees are calculated. This will prevent unnecessary surprises when your case is settled.

Personalities—it is also important to consider the personality of your attorney and how easily you can discuss your case with him or her. If your attorney doesn’t return phone calls promptly or seems too busy to meet with you, then he may not have time to devote to your case. The right attorney will be able to give you the personalized 1:1 attention you need.

You might also be interested in: Why Do I Need A Personal Injury Attorney?

Contact Seattle Car Accident Attorneys 

If a negligent driver injures you or someone you love, an experienced car accident attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our personal injury lawsuit attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington. 

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Imagine if your car could detect an accident before it occurred and help you avoid devastating and horrific injuries by communicating with other cars. While that may sound like the plot of Hollywood’s latest sci-fi blockbuster, it is actually a reality now. A new technology has been introduced that will cut collisions, deaths, and vehicle injuries for years to come.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been working with automakers to develop such a technology and it has taken the better part of a decade to come to realization. This new technology would allow your car to transmit a radio signal that would give your vehicle’s position, heading, speed, and other vital information to other cars around you. It would then alert you to an impending collision or even apply the brakes itself to avoid the collision.

How would this work? Imagine a car is about to run a red light. Your vehicle would receive the information that this car was coming too fast and would alert you so you could avoid the intersection. Or let’s say a car several vehicles ahead of you suddenly stops. Your car would realize the stop before you even saw taillights.

In the not to far off future, roadways and traffic lights could also talk to your car and warn you of traffic congestion or road hazards. This would theoretically give drivers more control over driving by letting them choose an alternate route before it was too late.

Safety and Transportation officials want this technology to be mandatory in all vehicles in the future, but realize that this may be years away from actually happening. Automakers are enthusiastic about this new technology, but still need to address privacy and security questions first.

While safety benefits of such a technology are evident, the privacy concerns are something entirely different. As such, privacy issues must be addressed before this technology can be advanced.

Contact Seattle Car Accident Lawsuit Attorneys

If a negligent driver injures you or someone you love, an experienced car accident attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our personal injury lawsuit attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington.

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When you are involved in a car accident, there may be many questions running through your mind. Who will pay for my injuries? How quickly can I get my car repaired? What if I can’t return to work? Who will support my family? When the “at-fault” driver leaves the scene of the accident, you may suddenly find that you have more questions than answers.

Sadly, hit and run crashes are on the rise across the United States and fatalities due to hit and run accidents are up 13.7%. Knowing what to do if you are involved in a hit and run accident could save your life.

The First Priority is Yourself: Immediately following a hit and run accident, it is important to seek medical attention quickly. Prompt medical attention could make a real difference in your recovery and any delay in medical care could lead to life-threatening complications and even death.

Contact the Police: When a hit and run accident occurs, the Seattle police department should be notified. They will need to fill out an accident report, interview all eyewitnesses, and begin searching for the “at-fault” driver. If you are able, give the police any information you have regarding the make, model, color, and year of the vehicle that hit you.

Contact a Seattle Attorney: Once you are able, it is important to retain the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer. Your attorney will need to work diligently to see that your insurance company covers your medical expenses if the hit and run driver is not found. If the hit and run suspect is apprehended, your lawyer will be able to help you file a claim with his or her insurance company for damages. If necessary, a personal injury lawsuit may need to be filed. This is often a lengthy and complicated process, but an aggressive attorney will ensure that your rights are protected throughout the entire legal process.

Contact Seattle Car Accident Lawsuit Attorneys

If a hit and run driver injures you or someone you love, an experienced Seattle car accident attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle personal injury lawsuit attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington. 

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