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What Is a Building Strike Accident?
Cars crashing into buildings aren’t just the stuff of movies. They happen all too often. When cars collide with buildings (called car incursions), the consequences can be catastrophic. The people inside the building have no protection from the vehicle and no way of even anticipating the collision so they can get out of the way.…
Read MoreAre “Accidents” Really Accidents?
At Philbrook Law Firm, our lawyers represent personal injury victims. This means we represent anyone who is injured due to the preventable conduct of others. More precisely, it means the following: Someone owed you a duty of care. That someone breached their duty of care. You suffered your injuries (or a loved one died) due…
Read MoreDoes Your Child’s Mattress Contain Fiberglass?
The manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of products designed for children need to take precautions to ensure their products are safe for children. A recent lawsuit involving mattresses made with fiberglass for children illustrates how dangerous toxins and other product defects can be for children. A class action lawsuit was filed against Zinus, Inc. a South…
Read MoreWhat’s the Difference Between an Injury Lawsuit and a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
The world around us is beautiful in many ways, and we have the right to live our lives to the fullest. While that may be the case, it doesn’t mean that the world isn’t also a dangerous place. Whether it’s due to someone’s negligence when they were changing lanes, handling heavy equipment, or mopping up…
Read MoreWhat Happens if I’m Injured by an Out-of-State Driver?
Washington is a large and beautiful state, from our lush rainforests to our awe-inspiring mountains. Our state holds plenty of natural and man-made wonders for anyone to come and visit. Already, our state welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year to come and explore what we have to offer. While this attention stimulates our…
Read MoreWhat Issues Are Involved in the Deposition of a Doctor?
There are two key parts to every personal injury case. The first part is the liability phase. This phase includes showing how the accident happened, who is responsible, and why the defendants are responsible. The second phase involves showing your damages. A large part of the damage claim involves verifying what injuries you have, what…
Read MoreWhat Happens if I’m Bitten by a Service Dog?
In Washington State, dogs, with limited exceptions, are strictly liable for any injuries or deaths they cause. Dog bites can cause infections, puncture wounds, rashes, scarring, and facial disfigurement. Young children are especially likely to be bitten because they don’t appreciate how dangerous a dog can be. Postal workers and anyone who is surprised by…
Read MoreWhen Drivers Are Injured or Killed in Work Zones
Construction work throughout Vancouver and Battle Ground is a major source of frustration and a major source of car accident injuries and fatalities. Lanes narrow, creating logjams. It’s often hard for motorists to even know where to drive without clear and proper signage. Further, in construction zones, the road surfaces can be slick, uneven, and…
Read MoreWhat Jurors Need to Understand About Jury Trials
At Philbrook Law, our personal injury lawyers work aggressively to settle your car accident, premises liability, or any other type of accident claim. Many times, we are able to settle your case – often, for the insurance policy limits. There are times, though, when the insurance companies don’t make a fair offer. When insurance companies…
Read MoreResponsibility for Underride Truck Accidents
Many compact cars are so small that when they collide with 18-wheelers, semis, and other large trucks, they can slide under the trucks – killing anyone in the compact car. Cars might slide or be forced under a truck in a rear-end collision. Truck underride accidents can also happen in a head-on crash or when…
Read MoreOn and Off-Ramp Accidents in Washington State
Driving on flat straight roads is difficult enough for most drivers. Driving on on-and-off ramps is especially dangerous. The first danger is that these roads curve forcing drivers to drive slowly to stay on the road and in their lane of travel. The second danger is that drivers entering roadways from ramps need to merge…
Read MoreUsing Video Evidence in Car Accident Cases
Video footage of the car accident that caused your injuries is usually the strongest evidence you can have to bolster your case. The damage to the vehicles, the police report, and the statements of eyewitnesses all count – but if you want to sway an insurance adjuster, a defense lawyer, or a jury, then video…
Read MoreMove Over Law in Washington State
It seems like common sense to pull over to the side of the road when we hear a siren, or we see those flashing lights in our rearview mirror. But the Move Over laws in Washington state are actually a little more complicated than you might think. The law does not simply require you to…
Read MoreWhat Short-Term and Long-Term Complications May Arise from Brain Injuries?
Traumatic brain injuries are caused by any forceful blow to the head. Some of the accidents that often cause brain injuries include car crashes, truck accidents, motorcycle spills, slip and fall accidents, construction accidents, sporting accidents, and explosions. The recovery process is often long and expensive. Many TBI victims require surgeries, visits with specialists such…
Read MoreWhat Is the “Attractive Nuisance” Exception?
Property owners owe a duty of care to people they invite onto their property and people who have permission to be on their property. Property owners generally do not owe a duty of care to anyone who trespasses on their property – with one key exception. The exception is known in Washington state as the…
Read MoreHow Rain Affects Car Accidents in Washington State
Everyone who drives in Washington State needs to anticipate wet weather driving conditions. Many days of the year, the clouds cause drizzles and slight showers. There are also a lot of days when it rains so hard you can barely see. Everyone should know that driving in the rain is dangerous, but not everyone takes…
Read MoreElectric Scooter Laws in Washington State
Electric scooters are an attractive option for many Vancouver and Battle Ground residents. They are an affordable, fun way to travel. They are environmentally friendly. There are constant new innovations in the latest models. While scooters are attractive because they are cheap and have a low-carbon output, they have generated complaints worldwide, especially in metropolitan…
Read MoreImproper Passing and Turning Are Major Causes of Car Accidents
Staying in your lane of traffic reduces the risk of accidents. It’s true that you may strike the car in front of you if you drive too closely, or could be rear-ended by the car behind you even if you are following the rules of the road. When you leave your lane of traffic, though,…
Read MoreWhy Pre-Dispute Arbitration Agreements in Nursing Home Contracts Are a Bad Idea
It’s a common trend in almost every business: The owners of the business don’t want your claim to be heard before a jury of your peers, so they insert an arbitration clause. You sign the contract thinking you’ll be given a fair shake even if something goes wrong, but then you’re relegated to arbitration instead…
Read MoreUnderstanding the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Anyone who is injured in an accident will need medical care from hospitals, doctors, and other healthcare providers. According to HIPAA, medical care providers need to take steps to protect the healthcare information for each patient (obtained during these medical visits for accident victims) from being disclosed or shared – without the consent of the…
Read MoreNursing Home Falls – Accidents and Protocols
Seniors are more likely to slip and fall and more likely to suffer severe injuries after a fall than younger people. Their advanced age often means they have balance and stability issues. When older people have injuries, it takes much more time to fully heal than for young people. Sadly, most seniors don’t have the…
Read MoreIs Your Repair Shop Taking Advantage of You After Your Car Crash?
Does this story sound familiar? Bob got into a wreck. When he was trying to find a place to bring his car for repairs, he remembered a radio jingle for a place in Portland, so he brought the car there. The shop basically tore his car apart, and then billed his insurance company for the…
Read MoreHow Much Car Insurance Do I Really Need?
There are different types of insurance that every owner of a car in Washington State needs to think about. Some insurance coverage is mandatory. Some insurance depends on how much you can afford. Different insurance policies may have different features. As a general rule, you should buy as much liability insurance and UM/UIM insurance that…
Read MoreWhen Is a Business Owner Liable for a Slip and Fall Injury?
Business owners have a duty to ensure that their property is safe for customers, suppliers, and anyone who the business expects to use the property. Business owners need to prioritize protecting people who visit the property from slips and falls. The most common type of accident at a retail store, apartment complex, hotel, or any…
Read MoreCommon Types of Product Liability Claims
When you buy a new car, you have the right to assume that all the car parts were designed properly, that the parts were made with quality materials, and that the parts will work when you need them to – you know, save your life. You have the same right when you buy medications, electronic…
Read MoreWhy Truck Accident Claims Are Different from Car Accident Claims
We know that an accident with a tractor-trailer can be devastating for the driver and passengers in the smaller vehicle. Because commercial trucks are so much bigger than regular cars and SUVs (both in height and weight), when these vehicles collide, injuries tend to be catastrophic or fatal. As a result, victims and survivors of…
Read MoreHow Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth?
If you’re in a car accident, your first concerns should be contacting the police to conduct an investigation, and getting immediate medical attention. Once your medical condition stabilizes, it’s natural to think how your bills will be paid and how much your case is worth. The first task in every car accident case is to…
Read MorePersonal Injury Claims for Falls on Ramps
Slips, trips, and falls happen for many reasons in many places. They often occur in nursing homes, at construction sites, and on the properties of commercial and nonprofit businesses. One common cause of falls are ramps that are not in good condition. There’s no excuse for the business or organizations to fail to inspect their…
Read MoreWhat is a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
A personal injury lawsuit is a legal dispute when one person suffers harm from an accident or injury, which someone else may be legally responsible for causing. This term is used in law practice for any damage done to the body, mind, or emotions of a person that requires a personal injury lawyer to step…
Read MoreWhat is the Statute of Limitations in Washington State?
A statute of limitations states how much time you, or the state, has to file charges or take legal action. For example, in the state of Washington, a criminal case like murder, has no statute of limitations so legal action can occur decades after it happens. When it comes to a civil case like personal injury, however,…
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