Washington Injury Law Blog

Motorcycles and scooters are hitting Washington roads in record numbers.  A large number of these new riders are inexperienced, which is leading to crashes due to rider error.  As a Washington Motorcycle Accident Attorney I have seen first hand the devastating effects a motorcycle crash can have on the human body.

 

My law firm represented a couple that were rear-ended while riding a motorcycle. The woman suffered a fractured thigh bone and the man suffered several broken ribs and a knee injury that required surgery. More often than not motorcycle accidents result in serious injuries like broken bones or worse. 

 

The Washington State Patrol estimates that 80% of motorcycle accident fatalities are a result of rider error, most commonly excessive speed and lane errors – like failing to negotiate a curve safely. A good way to avoid becoming one of these statistics is to take a motorcycle safety course. I bought my first street motorcycle when I was 19 years old. I took a motorcycle rider safety course that really taught me the basics of stopping quickly under control, cornering and bike control that has kept me upright for the last 19 years.

 

Here’s some more scary stats. 93% of the fatal motorcycle crashes involved riders with no safety training.  The number of motorcycle deaths rose every year from 1997 -2006. This year so far there have been 48 motorcycle accident related fatalities. A 1/3 of riders involved in accidents do not have the required endorsement on their driver’s license.

 

Washington state law requires all motorcycle riders to have the proper motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license.  Scooters that are capable of going over 30 mph also require an endorsement. A new Washington state law allows police to impound your motorcycle if you don’t have the proper endorsement. There’s no reason not to have it, an endorsement requires a simple written and riding test. If take a motorcycle safety course these tests will be a breeze.

 

If you’re thinking about buying a motorcycle or scooter for the first time, do yourself a favor and take a rider safety course. The life you save may be your own!

 

Max Meyers, Esq.

 

 

I received my mail-in ballot for the August 19, 2008 primary the other day. There are many judge positions up for election. What you may not know is that each judge position can be decided in the primary vote if a candidate receives 60% of the vote in the primary. So voting for your local judges now is very important.

 

I usually send my friends and family my recommendations via private email, but last year I started my blog, www.WaInjuryLawBlog.com, and thought I should post my thoughts here as well.  First some disclosures: I am a Washington Personal Injury Attorney who fights against insurance companies and corporations on a daily basis. I’m consider myself a champion for the little guy and definitely lean towards being a democrat. If you mention “tort-reform” those are fighting words in my book.

 

On to my picks:

 

Note on Washington Supreme Court – this court is very important to you, but you may not know it. This is the court that can and does have a real effect on your daily life. The decisions of this court determine how the laws are applied and enforced in your daily life. If you vote for no other judges, please vote for the supreme court judges.

 

WASHINGTON STATE JUDGE ELECTIONS

 

Washington Supreme Court Pos. 3 – Mary Fairhurst

Justice Fairhurst has been on Supreme Court for one term (6 years) and has done an overall excellent job from my perspective. I may not like where she stands on all of her case decisions, but on most I do. 

The other guy sold his soul to the devil and worked for large corporations and insurance companies. He earned his living, at least partially, on the backs of the little guy like you. I cannot recommend someone who worked for the dark side. Okay I might be a little biased!

 

Washington Supreme Court Pos. 4 – Charles W. Johnson

Justice Johnson has been on the court for 18 years now. His experience is very valuable and needed. I highly recommend Justice Johnson as great legal mind and Justice that will do us more good than harm.  Point of disclosure – Justice Johnson did teach my Washington State Constitutional Law class I took back in 1997 while in law school and he sworn me into the bar in 1998. Although I don’t know him personally, he was a very good teacher and I enjoyed his class.

 

Washington Supreme Court Pos. 3 – Debra L. Stephens

Running without any opposition. Must be nice.

 

Court of Appeals, Division 1, District 1, Pos. 5 – Linda Lau

Running without any opposition.

 

Court of Appeals, Division 1, District 1, Pos. 6 – Ann Schindler

Running without any opposition.

 

KING COUNTY JUDGE ELECTIONS

 

These are the judges that handled nearly all of my day to day cases that are in litigation. For me and my clients these people can have great effect on my work and my client’s lives. If you hire me to handle your Washington car accident injury case, then these are the judges who will handle your case when litigation is needed because the insurance company is only offering two pennies to rub together to settle your case because they think you weren’t injured that bad despite your doctors opinions otherwise. Don’t get me started…

 

King County Superior Court, Pos. 1 -  Susan Amini

 

King County Superior Court, Pos. 10 – Regina Cahan

 

King County Superior Court, Pos. 22 – Rebeccah Graham

 

King County Superior Court, Pos. 26 – Laura Middaugh

 

King County Superior Court, Pos. 37 – Nic Corning

 

King County Superior Court, Pos. 53 – Mariane Spearman

 

OTHER ELECTIONS

 

Attorney General:   John Ladenburg

Mr. Ladenburg is more supportive of your personal rights including privacy, which is very important to me in the wake of Bush’s Patriot Act. Big brother is out there!

 

Insurance Commissioner:  Mike Kreidler

Mr. Kreidler has done great things to protect you as a consumer over the last 8 years from the greedy insurance companies that seem to do nothing but raise your rates and deny your claims should something bad happen and you need that insurance coverage you thought you had purchased. Insurance companies hate him, and I love him. Mike’s the man!

 

I hope this helps you make some decisions on the judicial elections. If you have any questions feel free to email me at max@scottmcdonaldlaw.com and I’ll be happy to explain in more detail why I like these candidates.

 

Happy voting!

 

Max Meyers, Esq.

 

 

More info can be found at: http://www.kcba.org/judicial/ratings/2008_ratings.aspx – this link has detailed questionnaires completed by all judicial candidates.