Recent Blog Posts
2021 WAS THE DEADLIEST ON WASHINGTON ROADS IN 15 YEARS
Sadly, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission has reported the very disheartening news that 2021 was the deadliest in this state since 2006. There were 540 fatal crashes—which killed 600 people and an additional 2,411 “serious crashes” this past year. These serious crashes (a “serious crash” is a crash that likely results in serious injuries)… Read More »
A MORATORIUM ON THE USE BY INSURERS OF CREDIT SCORES TO SET DRIVER AND HOMEOWNER INSURANCE PREMIUMS
In pulling up one of your credit check reports online, of which you are allowed 3 for free each year, have you ever noticed the name of Geico, Safeco, State Farm, Farmers, or Allstate (or whatever other insurance company may insure you), on the list of entities who may have recently looked up your… Read More »
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE HIT BY AN UNINSURED DRIVER IN WASHINGTON STATE? PROTECT YOURSELF!
In the State of Washington, you are required to carry auto liability insurance and proof of auto insurance. More and more drivers, however, are opting to drive in Washington State without insurance. In fact, the Insurance Information Institute places Washington State as 5th on the list of states having the highest rate of uninsured drivers. Washington… Read More »
UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF CLARK COUNTY JURY TRIALS
Clark County courts are now scheduled to resume doing jury trials, in both district and superior courts, commencing February 28, 2022. They had been paused back in January of this year due to the surge in local coronavirus cases. Masks are currently required in the courthouse until further notice. The Court’s website may be… Read More »
MORE ON THE SUBJECT OF INSURANCE IN TRIALS, AND THE “SHHHH…DON’T ASK DON’T TELL” MINDSET
As a recent previous blog posted by Scott Staples of this firm noted, the word “insurance” has become a bad word in the courtroom. I suppose it always has been. This is because court rules have always been read to exclude the word “insurance” from evidence. By way of example, in Washington state courts, Evidence Rule 411 states:… Read More »
CASE UPDATE: KOSOVAN V. OMNI INSURANCE COMPANY
In Kosovan v. Omni Insurance Company, the Washington Court of Appeals issued a consumer-friendly decision based on sound legal principles and public policy. A major takeaway of the case is that an insurance company cannot escape liability if it delegates its duties to its customers to a third party claims administrator who mishandles a claim,… Read More »
SCHAUERMANN THAYER PARTNERS TAKE THE LEAD
Being a lawyer is more than studying the law, working with clients, and resolving disputes. Service and volunteering are both encouraged in the profession. Schauermann Thayer prides itself on volunteering for leadership opportunities within the law. First, Scott Edwards has taken up the mantle in both Oregon and Washington. He is set to serve… Read More »
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY U.S. SUPREME COURT
Two hundred and thirty-two years ago, on February 1, 1790, the first formulation of the United States Supreme Court convened for official judicial business. The Court consisted at that time of just six justices, with founding father John Jay having been selected by then-President George Washington to be its initial Chief Justice. Today, the… Read More »
ZOOM: EVEN IN THE PRACTICE OF LAW
It has now been nearly two full years since COVID-19 changed the world. All of us (most all of us anyway) have adapted and learned how to go out in public in a mask, how to socially distance, and how to stay home if we have any Covid-like symptoms. Hopefully these changes are temporary…. Read More »
THE “INSURANCE” JURY INSTRUCTION
I wrote recently about Washington ER 411 and how it usually prevents a defendant’s liability insurance from being mentioned at trial. Will the Jury Know about the Insurance Company? The natural question to ask, faced with that reality, is: “So won’t the jurors think this defendant is uninsured and take pity on them, resulting in a… Read More »
