Practice Areas
Blog 
Car and Truck Accidents
- Washington Car v. Horse Accident Results in $2.7 Million Verdict
- Tickets Flying - New Washington Cell Phone Law
- Hit & Run Car Accident in Bellevue Shows Why UM Insurance Needed
- New Tough Cellphone Law Begins June 10th
- Old Tires Sold As New Highly Dangerous l Kirkland WA Car Accident Lawyer
Motorcycle Accidents
- Iowa Football Player Hit Head-On by Truck Turning Left - Walks Away Without Serious Injury
- Kirkland, WA Motorcycle Rider Ejected in Rear-End Accident on 405 Freeway
- WADOT To Pay 2 Million To Olympia Motorcyclist Serious Hurt Due To Bad Road Design
- Marysville Motorcyclist Hit Following Tire Blow Out l Kirkland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
- Aging Bikers Hopping on Trikes
Wrongful Death & Fatal Accidents
- Toddler Killed by Truck Backing Out of Driveway near Ferndale, WA
- "Melrose Place" Beauty Charged in Fatal DWI Car Accident
- Renton, WA Bicycle v. Pedestrian Accident Resulting in Death of Pedestrian l Kirkland WA Wrongful Death Attorney
- Fatal Issaquah Motorcycle Accident Caused by Being Cut-Off l Kirkland Fatal Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
- Wrongful Death Damages Enhanced for Dependant Parents l Seattle Wrongful Death Attorney
Pedestrian & Crosswalk Accidents
- When Walking the Dog turns into a Nightmare! Issaquah Pedestrian Hit in Crosswalk
- Bellevue Man Seriously Injured Filling Gas Tank on I-5
- Walking and texting dangerous? l Kirkland WA Pedestrian Injury Attorney
- Can a City Be Sued when a Car Kills a Pedestrian in a Crosswalk?
- Is Seattle One of The Most Dangerous Cities for Pedestrians?
Bicycle Accidents
- CNN article discusses Clash between Bicycles and Cars
- How Many Years In Jail Can You Get For Road Rage Driving?
- LA Road Rage Driver Convicted of 6 Felonies l Seattle Bike Lawyer
- What would you do if you were paralyzed in a hit & run bike accident? l Washington Spine Injury Attorney
- Bicycling Made Easier by Pavement Markings in Redmond and Kirkland l Kirkland Bike Attorney
Patient Safety
- New Online Website Rates Washington Health Care Providers
- 12 Tips for Parents who need a Hospital for their Children
General
- Confessions of a Washington Trial Attorney l Kirkland Injury Attorney Max Meyers
- Sotomayor Confirmed as New U.S. Supreme Court Justice l What Can We Expect?
- Seattle Federal Court Jury Swayed By Wife of Cop Juror in Shooting Case
Washington Injury Law Blog 
News
- Patriots QB Tom Brady Injured in Car Accident, Van Runs Red Light...
Posted on 9/9/2010 - Speeders Beware! Kirkland and Redmond Police Ramping Up 7/16 - 8/1...
Posted on 7/15/2010 - Redmond Man Dies in Washington Motorcycle Accident...
Posted on 7/8/2010 - Seattle Hit-and-Run Driver Caught by Police - 4 Cars Hit...
Posted on 7/2/2010 - Seattle Cop Punches Woman in Face...
Posted on 6/15/2010
Library
Car and Truck Accidents
- What Do You Do When A Car Accident Is Caused by Criminal?
- How Can Two Juries on Same Washington Case Come to Opposite Conclusions?
- Distracted Driving and Your Washington Accident Case
- Tips to Avoid the "Silent Killer" Preventing You from Sleeping at the Wheel and Causing a Washington Car Accident
- Gaps in Your Medical Treatment Can Kill Your WA Accident Case
Motorcycle Accidents
- Top 7 Things NOT to do After a Washington Motorcycle Accident
- 10 Things TO DO After a Washington Motorcycle Accident
- Spinal Cord Injury from Washington Motorycle Accident
- Five Motorcycle Safety Myths That Can Be Deadly
- 5 Tips for Safe Motorcycle Riding in Washington
Pedestrian & Crosswalk Accidents
- How much jail time do you get for a fatal Washington hit-and-run of a pedestrian?
- 12 Tips for Finding a Hospital for Your Child
Bicycle Accidents
- Seattle Bicycle Danger Zones Mapped By Seattle Times
- New mapping tool for bicycle riders in Seattle and other select cities.
General
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle Riding in Wet Weather
Found an interesting article at SoundRider.com about riding motorcycles in wet and cold conditions. Great observation made by Dave Preston, 85% of the problems with riding in the wet melt away once you have the right clothes and are dry and warm. Amen to that!Check out the article for more good advice on riding in the rain. The advice in the article can also help you avoid being involved in a Washington motorcycle accident during the wet weather months here in the Pacific Northwest.
5 Tips for Safe Motorcycle Riding in Washington Winter
Normally by the time you flip the calendar to October the foul weather has arrived in Washington state. However, does that mean you have to put the bike in the garage until spring, of course not. Some hardy souls say "There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear." It's that kind of attitude that allows you to keep riding even when the conditions are not ideal.However, riding a motorcycle in bad weather requires the right equipment, good judgment, and safe riding skills. Without these three things you could find yourself in a Washington motorcycle accident with serious injuries.
Here are a few tips for riding your motorcycle in Washington this Fall and Winter.
Never ride on snow or ice. Snow and ice are especially dangerous for two wheeled motorcycles and should be avoid at all costs. If the weather forecast calls for freezing temperatures or snow, take the car.
Sit out the first 30 minutes of a rain shower. Excess dirt and debris can be on the road if it hasn't rained in a few days. This can make the road extra slippery in the first 30 minutes of a rain shower. If you're riding and it starts to rain, find a safe place to pull over and wait 30 minutes. Give the dirt, oil and other debris a chance to wash away.
Avoid wet leaves on the road. When the trees lose their leaves they can quickly become smashed flat on the road. Add a little water and those leaves become very slippery. Pay attention to changes in color of the pavement ahead. This can be an indication of leaves on the roadway. Wet leaves on a road are very dangerous and should be avoid if at all possible.
Get some heated riding gear. Cold is dangerous for riders not properly geared up. Windchill can be freezing in the Fall/Winter and if you're not careful you could be flirting with hypothermia before you know it. Heated riding gear is a must for cold weather riding. Heated hand grips and seats are also available on many motorcycles. If you're thinking about how cold you are, it can be difficult to focus on riding safely.
Dress to be seen. Visibility is key. Cars have a hard time seeing you on a clear day, imagine if it's cloudy, grey and raining. Recipe for invisibility is not wearing bright colors. Reflective materials on jackets or vests is even better. The more visible you are to other vehicles the better your chance of not being hit.
Kirkland WA Motorcycle Accident Results to Fatality
A tragic Kirkland WA motorcycle accident happened last Thursday. An accident between a car and two motorcycles in the Juanita neighborhood of Kirkland resulted in the death of one motorcycle rider and injuries to the other biker. According to Kirkland Police the motorcycle collision happened at 6:35 p.m. at the intersection of 100th Avenue NE and 117th Court. The car driver apparently attempted to make a left turn in front of the motorcycles and hit the on-coming motorcyclists. There were witnesses, and an investigation is on going.Our condolences go out to the motorcyclist's family. This motorcycle accident strikes close to home as it occurred in our neighborhood, just a couple miles down the street from our office.
The left turn cut-off is one of the most dangerous and unfortunately common causes of motorcycle accidents. Cars think they can beat the on-coming traffic, or worse the traffic will slow for them.
However, when you have two motorcycles coming down the road there will need to be two escape routes for them to take if there is not enough time to stop. It's not uncommon for one motorcycle to be able to avoid a collision, that another bike cannot because of this reason. The second bike ends up in the worst scenario with no escape route and takes the full brunt of the collision with a much larger vehicle. The injuries are often very serious and can be fatal.
With the hot and sunny days of July and August we can expect many motorcycle and bicycles on the roads. Please exercise extra caution around all bikers.
Wrongful Death & Fatal Accidents
Toddler Killed by Truck Backing Out of Driveway near Ferndale, WA
If a loved one has been taken from you as a result of another person’s negligence you may have a Washington wrongful death claim. When you have worked through he shock and need answers the experienced Seattle and Kirkland wrongful death attorneys at Scott McDonald and Associates, 425-822-5700, can answer your question about how to handle an unexpected fatality and death of a family member. Call now for a free consultation."Melrose Place" Beauty Charged in Fatal DWI Car Accident
Fatal car accidents are serious life altering events. If a loved one has been killed in a Seattle or Kirkland Washington car accident order your FREE book “The Guide to Washington Injury Cases” by calling 425-822-5700 before signing any forms or talking to any insurance adjusters. The experienced Washington car accident attorneys at Scott McDonald And Associates can help if you navigate through the wrongful death claim process.Renton, WA Bicycle v. Pedestrian Accident Resulting in Death of Pedestrian l Kirkland WA Wrongful Death Attorney
Call 425-822-5700 for Wrongful Death lawyers in Kirkland, Washington. Leading Bellevue, Seattle and Renton wrongful death claim attorneys. When you've worked through the shock and need answers the experienced WA wrongful death attorneys at Scott McDonald and Associates can answer your question about how to handle an unexpected fatality and death of a family member. Call now for a free consultation.Fatal Issaquah Motorcycle Accident Caused by Being Cut-Off l Kirkland Fatal Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
If a loved one has been taken from you as a result of another person’s negligence in A Washington motorcycle accident you may have a Washington wrongful death claim. When you have worked through he shock and need answers the experienced Seattle and Kirkland motorcycle accident and wrongful death attorneys at Scott McDonald and Associates, 425-822-5700, can answer your question about how to handle an unexpected fatality and death of a family member. Call now for a free consultation.Wrongful Death Damages Enhanced for Dependant Parents l Seattle Wrongful Death Attorney
If a loved one has been taken from you as a result of another person’s negligence you may have a Washington wrongful death claim. When you have worked through the shock and need answers, the experienced Seattle and Kirkland wrongful death attorneys at Scott McDonald and Associates, 425-822-5700, can answer your question about how to handle an unexpected fatality and death of a family member. Call now for a free consultation.Pedestrian & Crosswalk Accidents
When Walking the Dog turns into a Nightmare! Issaquah Pedestrian Hit in Crosswalk
If you have been injured in a Issaquah, Seattle or Kirkland Washington pedestrian v. car accident don’t sign any forms or speak to any insurance adjusters before ordering your FREE book “The Guide to Washington Injury Cases” by calling 425-822-5700. The experienced Washington pedestrian accident attorneys at Scott McDonald and Associates can help if you have been injured in a Washington crosswalk or hit by a car on a sidewalk.Bellevue Man Seriously Injured Filling Gas Tank on I-5
If you have been injured in a Seattle or Kirkland Washington pedestrian v. car accident don’t sign any forms or speak to any insurance adjusters before ordering your FREE book “The Guide to Washington Injury Cases” by calling 425-822-5700. The experienced Washington pedestrian accident attorneys at Scott McDonald and Associates can help if you have been injured in a Washington crosswalk or hit by a car on a sidewalk.Walking and texting dangerous? l Kirkland WA Pedestrian Injury Attorney
Walking and texting on your cell can be dangerous. Reports show increase in pedestrian injuries in recent years from texting while walking. Kirkland Washington attorneys Max Meyers and Scott McDonald have experience handling Washington pederstrian accidents cases involving crosswalks and sidewalks. Call 425-822-5700 for a free consultation with an experienced Washington pedestrian car accident attorney.Can a City Be Sued when a Car Kills a Pedestrian in a Crosswalk?
Seattle crosswalk accident fatality involving a car and dangerous crosswalk may give rise to City of Seattle liability. Prior crosswalk accidents can make city liable to pedestrian hit by cars in dangerosu crosswalks. The attorneys at Scott McDonald and Associates are experienced in handling Washington crosswalk injuries and fatalities from car v. pedestrian accidents. Call 425-822-5700 for a free consultation.Is Seattle One of The Most Dangerous Cities for Pedestrians?
Seattle is actually one of the safest metropolitan areas for pedestrians to be walking around. The chance of a Seattle Washington pedestrian accident is lower than most states. Be careful when walking around Florida! Four Florida cities are in the top 5 worst.Comatose Victim Chris Harris' Family Files $25 Million Claim Against Seattle
Chris Harris was severely injured in a Seattle Police arrest back on May 10, 2009. Harris has been in a coma since and doctor's say there is little hope he will come out of it. His wife, Sarah Jorgenson, took the first steps this week to begin a civil case against the Seattle Police Department.The brutal injury has left Harris with permanent brain damage and he will require life long care. His medical bills are already approaching $1 million.
Although prosecutor's elected to not file any criminal charges against Seattle Police Officer Matthew Paul, that does not mean that he was not negligent. Harris was injured due to a mistaken identification from a fight earlier that evening. Paul's conduct might not have risen to the level of a crime, but it may meet the legal elements of negligence, excessive use of force, or another civil cause of action.
Questions surround whether or when Seattle Police identified themselves to Harris. It's also worthy of note, that the two police officers who chased Harris were not dressed in typical uniforms. Officer Paul and his partner wear wearing all black commando or swat team type gear. Harris may not have perceived them as police at all but rather threats to his safety. These issues will likely be front and center in the coming civil lawsuit.
The City of Seattle has 60 days to respond to the claim filed by Harris' family. If the City of Seattle fails to respond then the Harris family may file a lawsuit seeking damages for the incident that led to Harris' catastrophin injuries.
Bicycle Accidents
CNN article discusses Clash between Bicycles and Cars
Bicycles and cars often don't see eye to eye. When bicycles are hit by cars often there is a bias against the bike rider. It's important to find an experienced Washington Bicycle Accident Attorney is these situations. Call 425-822-5700 and speak to one of our experienced WA bicycle Accident Lawyers.How Many Years In Jail Can You Get For Road Rage Driving?
Bicycle v. car accident in Los Angeles, CA results in 5 year sentence for driver found guilty of 6 felonies following road rage incident that seriously injured to bicyclists. As Washington bike accident lawyers we see this kind of dangerous accident all too often. Been in a bicycle accident, call Bike accident attorneys of Scott McDonald And Associates at 425-822-5700.LA Road Rage Driver Convicted of 6 Felonies l Seattle Bike Lawyer
A Los Angeles County jury found a car driver guilty of six felonies following a July 2008 incident where the driver had a violent altercation with two bicyclists. The driver slammed on his brakes in front of the bicycle riders causing serious injuries to both bicyclists. The driver became angry at the bicycle riders as he drove down a windy canyon road in the Los Angeles area. He was having difficulty passing the bikes.The car driver Christopher Thomas was an emergency room doctor in Los Angeles. He had a prior history of conflicts with bicycle riders. It was clear from his reported statements that he believed bicycles should not be on the road and needed to get the hell out of his way. He made it a point to teach these bike riders a lesson. Well, who was taught the lesson here?
Thomas had been out on bail, but the judge revoked bail and Thomas was place in jail immediately following the guilty jury verdict. Thomas is no longer an ER doctor and does not live in the LA area. He is likely to lose his medical license as a result of the felony convictions. Thank God! Any doctor that is okay with trying to seriously hurt a bicycle rider with his car should not be permitted to practice medicine.
Thomas faces a maximum of 10 years in prison at his sentencing in a few weeks. But as a first time offender he likely will not receive the maximum.
It is not okay to use your car as a weapon no matter how frustrated you get with a bicycle rider, motorcycle, or other vehicle driver. Follow the Golden rule...Treat others how you would want to be treated!
What would you do if you were paralyzed in a hit & run bike accident? l Washington Spine Injury Attorney
A retired neurosurgeon and 72 year old bicycle rider, Ross Bornfleth of Yakima, Washington, came very close to having to answer that horrifying question. In early September Ross was riding his Trek road bike in the West Valley on Wide Hollow Road when a car tried to pass him and hit him from behind. Ross was sent flying by the impact and landed in the road badly injured. As Ross laid in the middle of the road he watch as the vehicle's brake lights came on for a few seconds as if the vehicle was stopping, and then it sped off leaving him lying in the road with broken bones and in pain.
Ross' injuries were severe. He suffered fractures to his pelvis, scapula, and clavicle and is confined to a wheelchair for six weeks. Luckily, Ross will be able to get up out of that wheelchair and walk again. But what if he was not so lucky? What if the wheelchair was permanent?
The hit & run driver fled his responsibility taking any insurance coverage with him. Ross has been left to pay all of his own medical bills and expenses for his severe bicycle accident related injuries. What are his options? If Ross had downloaded our report "The Guide To Buying Car Insurance In Washington" then perhaps he had maximized his Uninsured Motorist (UIM) coverage and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage on his own car insurance.
PIP insurance would pay for Ross' medical bills up to the policy limit, which is usually $10,000 but sometimes can be as high as $35,000. If that is not enough then Ross will have to look to his health insurance to pay the remaining bills. If he has no health insurance then he will have to pay the bills out of his own pocket until he has completed his injury treatments. Ross' last option will be to seek compensation through his UIM insurance.
We almost always recommend that you wait until you have finished injury treatments and healed from your injuries, either totally or as much as possible, before making a Uninsured Motorist (UIM) coverage claim. Why? Because UIM coverage by design takes the place of the at fault driver which is an adverse relationship. UIM generally will not pay medical bills as you treat and the bills are incurred. UIM will only pay one lump sum to settle the whole claim at once and pay all bills and expenses. Because of this you want to wait until you're healed and know exactly how much treatment your injuries require before closing your UIM claim.
UIM insurance pays for more than just medical bills. It pays for any future care that may be needed. If you were left paralyzed you may need daily care from a nurse or other medical care person. You may not be able to work at your job any longer, losing all your future income from your chosen career. You may have been left with a certain amount of daily pain that will not be going away and you will live with for the rest of your life. UIM insurance is designed to pay for all of these things and others.
The short answer to our initial question hopefully for you is "I will make a UIM claim to pay for all the damages that I suffered and the care I will need in the future." Hopefully, you purchased as much UIM coverage as possible to deal with this worst case scenario.
For more information and recommendations on what insurance coverages to buy to best protect your family please download our report The Guide To Buying Car Insurance In Washington.
Carbon Bike Fork Failure Can Cause Serious Injury
An attorney friend, Mike Schafer, has an interesting blog post at his The Kentucky Accident Attorney blog about carbon bicycle fork failure.Apparently, carbon forks can become stressed by hitting potholes, running into a curb or normal wear and tear, which can lead to fork failure where the fork can unexpectedly break during a ride. Given the state of many of the roads around Washington especially here in King County, that's scary. You can imagine the type of crash which would result from a broken fork.
Check out Mike's article. You may also want to check or have a professional check your carbon bicycle fork for signs of stress from time to time.
Bicycling Made Easier by Pavement Markings in Redmond and Kirkland l Kirkland Bike Attorney
As a bicyclist in Redmond and Kirkland, Washington have you ever had problems triggering traffic lights to change? Well the cities of Redmond and Kirkland have started a new pavement marking program to make your life easier.The new pavement markings are designed to help Washington bicyclists know where to stop so that the traffic light will "see" or sense you. A bicycle symbol is paint on the road, and when you stop on it the traffic light is activated. So you should not have to sit through endless light cycles hoping a car comes up behind you to trip the light.
Kirkland is painting the markings at seven locations between Carillon Point and Juanita. They will also be located on portions of 150th Avenue NE in Redmond.
Both cities are piloting this project and would like feedback. To report signals in Kirkland that don't detect bicycles, email at publicworks@ci.kirkland.wa.us or call (425) 587-3800.
Seattle Bicyclist hit by Drunk and Killed on Dexter in Seattle
At 10:20 p.m. last night a Seattle man was involved in a fatal bicycle accident on Dexter Way in Seattle, Washington. My sincere condolences go out to this bicyclist's family. The Seattle bicycle rider was crossing Dexter Way when a car exit Aurora Avenue N. and attempted to enter or cross Dexter hitting the bike. The exact details of the bicycle accident are not yet known. The Seattle bike rider's injuries were severe and he died at the scene.Police at the scene arrested the yet to be identified driver of the car because they observed signs of intoxication. This appears to be another tragic drunk driving related fatality.
Here are 10 Tips for safe bike riding in Washington state.
Bellevue Bicycle Safety Fair | Bellevue Bicycle Accident Lawyer
The 4th Annual Bike Safety Fair takes place in Issaquah on June 13th and Bellevue on June 14th for Elementary school children. Students in kindergarten through 5th grade in Issaquah, Bellevue and Lake Washington School Districts are invited to bring their bikes for some fun and safety training.
The goal is to prevent bicycle accidents. Issaquah and Bellevue police officers will fit kids with helmets and teach the rules of the road. The event teaches the importance of bike safety and always wearing a helmet. Kids will also get to ride through a fun bicycle obstacle course.
Locations:
Saturday - June 13, 2009 - 10am - 2pm
Issaquah Valley Elementary School
555 N.W. Holly St., Issaquah, WA
Sunday - June 14, 2009 - 2-6pm
Lake Hills Elementary School
14310 S.E. 12th St., Bellevue, WA
Patient Safety
New Online Website Rates Washington Health Care Providers
A new web based tool has been launched for consumers to compare and checkup on Western Washington hospitals and medical clinics. The new web tool is called Puget Sound Health Alliance's Community Checkup, www.wacommunitycheckup.org. It is a report card on 240 medical clinics and two dozen hospitals in Western Washington.Want to know which local hospital has the best survival rates for heart attack patients? Or which medical clinic has the best track record for treating patients with chronic depression?
Hospitals are ranked on 11 main measures, each with multiple subcategories. Providers are graded on a curve against their regional or national peers or against best-standard bench marks. The checkup report is targeted at providing consumers a broad gauge of quality, not a judgment about which provider is good or bad, according to Health Alliance. That's a politically correct way of saying the data speaks for itself and you be the judge of whether a certain hospital or clinic is good or bad.
I think this is a great service being provided to King, Snohomish, Pierce, Thurston and Kitsap county residents. Patients now have a quick and simple way to check out a hospital or clinic before they make an appointment for medical treatment of any kind. Kudos to Puget Sound Health Alliance.
Attorneys are subject to reviews by consumers on sites like Avvo, why shouldn't medical facilities and even doctors be subject to the same type of public consumer reviews.
12 Tips for Parents who need a Hospital for their Children
We have written an article for all you parenting in search of a hospital for your children. No parent ever wants to think about a child falling prey to a illness or serious injury from a car accident or other wise. Unfortunately, more than 5 million children have a chronic condition, which requires regular medical treatment. There are also nearly 22 million visits to ER by families with injuries to a child. So parents have a good chance a child will need a hospital's care sometime during their life.Choosing the right doctor and hospital requires some care research and asking some tough questions. no matter how good a doctor or hospital is, no one will look out for your child like you. Click here to find the 12 Tips for Finding a Hospital for your Child.
General
Confessions of a Washington Trial Attorney l Kirkland Injury Attorney Max Meyers
As a Kirkland Personal Injury Trial Attorney I most often represent people making claims against another driver. A typical personal injury case has three phases: 1) client treating injuries, 2) pre-litigation negotiations, and 3) litigation. My job as a plaintiff's trial attorney centers on my litigation skills and experience. However, there is another factor that I see coming into play more and more, my gut. In a recent case my gut reaction on the first day of trial was so strong I felt nauseas.You often here the phrase "Go with your gut" when faced with a difficult decision. As a young trial attorney that seems crazy, lawyers only go with what they know for a fact. Lawyers after all do not ask questions in trial that they do not know the answer to already, right!? Well at least that's the mindset. Nothing is left to chance or instinct when it comes to trial.
I generally agree with this thinking when it comes to the nuts and bolts of preparing your case for trial. However, your gut instinct can come into play along the way.
Recently I had a case going to trial. It was a dispute between two former friends over ownership of certain objects. In this particular case I was representing one of the defendants in the lawsuit. There were many ill feelings between the former friends. One side claimed the other was basically a thief while the other claimed the disputed property was given in trade for work performed.
Documents were exchanged, depositions were taken, and witnesses were interviewed. Settlement negotiations in the case had never been fruitful because of the polarized positions and hurt feelings of the parties. However, after gathering all of the facts and evidence I strongly recommended my client settle the case. My client made a small settlement offer in the days before trial but it was refused with no counter offer. Meaning we were going to trial.
Any trial attorney will tell you that preparing for a trial is a hugely time consuming and stressful endeavor. Late nights and early mornings are very common in the days leading up to trial. This case was no different in that respect, but there was something different in how I felt physically.
As I worked on my cross exam of the adverse party the night before the trial I began to feel a knot in my stomach. I knew the case would be difficult to win, I thought we had maybe a 50/50 shot depending on which witness showed up and what each of them said. I wrote it off as normal stress of the case. The next morning I woke up feeling sick to my stomach, which was not normal. Normally I have pre-trial jitters because of the adrenaline pumping in anticipation of the start. But this time it was different.
I knew I wasn't sick with the flu or anything like that, instead it was the trial. This is a difficult thing for me to admit and no attorney wants to acknowledge in the moment before walking into court on day one of trial, but my gut was telling me that we were going to lose. No question, absolutely lose.
This had never happened to me in over eleven years of trial work. The feeling did not pass and as I sat with my client outside the courtroom in the hallway. I was left with a decision. Do I tell him or not? Of course you do, I confided in my client that I felt deeply troubled that he was making the wrong choice to proceed to trial and we should make one last attempt to settle the case.
Luckily, my client trusted me as his lawyer and friend to give sound advice, which in this case was based on a very strong gut reaction. We made a last minute settlement offer and were able to work out a decent settlement literally at the front door of the courtroom minutes before the trial was to begin. I later heard the other party calling their witnesses and telling them not to come, two of which would have in all likelihood doomed my client.
Lesson learned, when your gut tells you something in such strong terms, Listen!
Max Meyers, Esq.
Washington Injury Law Blog
- A glitch has happened in several Washington cities, which prevented them from correctly adopting the new cell phone law. This means if you received a recent ticket for using your cell phone while driving it might be unenforceable in certain Washington cities.
When the Washington legislature passes a new law, the local city governments must add [...]
Results from 1st Weekend of WSP DUI A-Team
Date: 07/07/2010WA Police form “A-Team” of DUI Enforcement
Date: 07/02/2010
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FAQs
Car and Truck Accidents
- What if I wasn't wearing my seatbelt and I was injured in a Washington car accident?
- Who has the right of way at an uncontrolled intersection in Washington?
- What is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance?
Motorcycle Accidents
Hit while sharing a lane – Who’s at fault?
- What if a loved one has been killed as the result of an accident that was not their fault?
- What should I say to the other party involved in the accident or their insurance adjuster?