All Topics

• Tort Claims Against the State of Washington

  Ryan Nute | January 02, 2007 7:01 PM | 0 CommentsOlympia, WA

  You may be surprised to learn that the historical rule was that citizens could not sue their government for its negligent acts. The doctrine was called "sovereign immunity." While the limitations imposed by sovereign immunity have eroded considerably, there are still procedural hurdles today to filing a negligence claim against the State of Washington. As a procedural matter, all negligence...

• Accident on Bainbridge Island Injures One

  Ryan Nute | January 01, 2007 5:54 PM | 0 CommentsOlympia, WA

  A Suquamish man was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle following a collision on Highway 305 on Bainbridge Island last week.The accident happend when a pickup attempted to make a U-turn from the northbound lane into the southbound ferry holding lane, causing a collision with the injured man's Ford Taurus. The roof of the Taurus had to be cut away so the man could be rescued.Read...

• Bicycle Advocacy Group Challenges Ordinance Barring Repairs to Trail

  Ryan Nute | January 01, 2007 5:46 PM | 0 CommentsOlympia, WA

  The Lake Forest Park city council passed Ordinance 951, which reportedly prohibits King County from upgrading a section of the Burke Gilman Trail to improve its safety. Cascade Bicycle Club, a local bicycle advocacy group, is challenging the ordinance. The group filed an appeal with the Growth Management Hearings Board and contends that Ordinance 951 violates Washington's Growth Management Act....

• Deadly Head-on Collision in Battle Ground

  Ryan Nute | January 01, 2007 5:37 PM | 0 CommentsOlympia, WA

  A head-on collision that occurred last week in Battle Ground, Washington killed two and injured two others.The accident occurred late at night last Wednesday and icy roads are believed to have contributed to the accident. One of the drivers and his passenger survived. They were identified as Nathan W. Doan and Zachery D. Mattox.Read more: Antonia Giedwoyn, kgw.com

• Rollover in Thurston County Kills Seattle Woman

  Ryan Nute | January 01, 2007 2:27 PM | 0 CommentsOlympia, WA

  A collision in Thurston County late Sunday killed a 58-year old Seattle woman when her Honda CRV rolled over.Reportedly the vehicle drifted toward the shoulder, veered the opposite direction and hit a rock culvert. The vehicle rolled and the woman was ejected.You may have heard of a number of lawsuits against auto makers for injuries sustained in rollover accidents. At risk of...

• Local Dog Breed Bans at Issue

  Ryan Nute | January 01, 2007 2:01 PM | 0 CommentsOlympia, WA

  Pit bulls and Rottweilers are the targets of proposed ordinances in two towns. Should they be defined as "potentially dangerous" or banned outright?The Richland council rejected a proposed ordinance while the Royal City council approved a ban on pit bulls and Rottweilers.As one might expect, the issue was hotly debated. Unfortunately many owners of dangerous dogs lack insurance coverage or...

• State Admits Fault in Crash

  Ryan Nute | January 01, 2007 1:55 PM | 0 CommentsOlympia, WA

  A collision which occurred last Friday on U.S. 2 in Wenatchee involving a state trooper injured the other driver and two teenage passengers. The State Patrol found that the trooper was at fault for failure to yield. The occupants of the other vehicle were taken to Central Washington Hospital.Read more: Seattle P-I

• Head-On Collision in Vancover Kills Two; Injures Passenger

  Ryan Nute | January 01, 2007 1:37 PM | 0 CommentsOlympia, WA

  A collision which occurred on Saturday afternoon in Vancouver killed Lynn Longrie and William D. Ball. The accident occurred in the 19000 block of Northeast Risto Road in Vancouver, Washington. Mr. Ball's wife was taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries sustained in the collision. The article does not indicate what caused the collision.Read more: The Oregonian

• Collision Kills Lilian M. Johnston of Shelton

  Ryan Nute | January 01, 2007 1:23 PM | 0 CommentsOlympia, WA

  Lilian M. Johnston of Lacey was killed on Friday night in a collision in Shelton, Washington. Passenger Matthew Burns was also injured.Johnston and Burns were passengers in a vehicle driven by David T. Burns. Initial reports indicate Mr. Burns was unable to stop when exiting from northbound U.S. 101 to SR 108 and struck another vehicle. Mr. Burns may be charged with vehicular homicide for...

• ATV Accident in Capitol Forest Kills Man; Passenger Injured

  Ryan Nute | January 01, 2007 1:19 PM | 0 CommentsOlympia, WA

  ATV Accident in Capitol Forest Kills Man; Passenger InjuredA collision with a tree early Saturday killed the driver of an ATV and seriously injured his passenger in Capitol Forest in Thurston County, Washington. The passenger, Cullen A. Jensen, sustained serious internal injuries and was transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia. Alcohol and speed are believed to be contributing...