Personal Injury Law

Washington Car Accident Caused by Blackberry Phone Use

By Kirk Bernard, Esq.

According to a report from the Seattle Times, Brian J. Wilson, Police Chief of Federal Way, was in a minor car accident in his unmarked police car because he was checking his BlackBerry device at the time. The car accident in Washington happened at the intersection of South 324th Street and Pacific Highway South in Federal Way on March 18. Pacific Highway South is part of State Route 99.

At Bernard Law Group, we handle personal injury lawsuits that are the results of auto accidents in Washington State every day. Call our attorneys at 1-800-418-8282. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The article states that Wilson was stopped at a red light when he checked his BlackBerry. He then let off the brake and hit the car stopped ahead of him, due to driver distraction.

Wilson has issued an apology, and was given a verbal reprimand. However, he will not be ticketed or formally reprimanded. This is due to a city policy which does not hold officers responsible for accidents with less than $700 in damage. Many people believe that the Washington State Law forbidding text messaging while driving should apply to everyone, though there is an exemption for emergency vehicles.

Full post as published by Seattle Injury Blog on April 07, 2009 (boomark / email).