Retacco Law Offices, Inc. P.S.Retacco Law Offices, Inc. P.S.2026-10-19T18:28:23Zhttps://www.retaccolaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1203826/2019/07/cropped-fav-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of Retacco Law Offices, Inc. P.S.<![CDATA[When a slip-and-fall causes an invisible injury]]>https://www.retaccolaw.com/?p=473922026-10-19T18:28:23Z2026-10-19T18:28:23ZWhat are invisible injuries?
Invisible injuries are internal injuries. They do not necessarily produce immediate symptoms. As such, people might overlook these injuries until their symptoms worsen. Traumatic brain injuries are often referred to as the invisible injury.
People can hurt their brains and may not realize that they need medical care for days afterward. Pressure in the skull can slowly increase over time, worsening minor symptoms or producing new and alarming symptoms.
People can also sustain fractures that they do not notice immediately. Stable fractures leave the bone aligned, making it easy for people to miss the early warning signs of a broken bone. Finally, soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash, may not be immediately obvious until inflammation worsens, often leading to people waking up and extreme pain the day after they fall.
Having legal support is important for those seeking slip-and-fall compensation, especially if they had delayed symptom onset. People who understand the risk of an invisible injury are less likely to forgo reporting a slip-and-fall, which could complicate a premises liability lawsuit later.]]>On Behalf of Retacco Law Offices, Inc. P.S.<![CDATA[Motorcycle crashes can cause devastating fractures]]>https://www.retaccolaw.com/?p=473902026-10-03T20:35:33Z2026-10-03T20:35:33ZNot all broken bones are equal
Some fractures cause permanent functional limitations, severe scarring and even nerve damage. They may require physical therapy and surgery to treat. The extreme force of a motorcycle collision combined with the lack of safety systems to physically shield the body can increase the risk of a catastrophic fracture.
Motorcycle riders might suffer comminuted fractures due to blunt-force impact. The bone may break into many small pieces, resulting in a lengthy recovery and the risk of permanent symptoms.
Crashes can also cause open or compound fractures where the bone tears through the skin. They also require surgery to treat. They increase the risk of secondary medical complications, such as a deep tissue infection. The treatment and recovery costs of motorcyclists with broken bones may be much higher than that for people in vehicles in similar collisions.
When insurance is not adequate to address those costs, a lawsuit might be the best option. Working with a lawyer experienced in handling motorcycle crash injury cases can help injured riders hold drivers accountable and limit their financial losses.]]>On Behalf of Retacco Law Offices, Inc. P.S.<![CDATA[How does speed affect a car crash?]]>https://www.retaccolaw.com/?p=473882026-09-21T02:41:47Z2026-09-21T02:41:47ZSpeed limits are there for everyone’s safety. Yet many drivers choose to ignore them, and that often has consequences both for the drivers themselves and for others.
Speed is one of the most common factors in fatal traffic crashes, playing a role in 29% of the fatal crashes that occurred during 2024. That’s an average of 31 deaths per day that are at least partly due to one or more motorists going too fast.
It makes crashes more likely
If you have ever played a car driving computer game, you’ll have noticed how much harder it becomes to maintain control of your vehicle as your speed increases. The same applies to real vehicles on real roads. There is more kinetic energy at play to try and control. Your brakes and tires have more work to do to slow the car when you brake while going fast. Your tires also have more force to fight to change direction when you are traveling at speed.
It gives you less time to react
The faster you travel, the less time you have to react, yet, as explained above, you actually need more time than when traveling slower.If you are traveling at 50 mph, you will reach a point up ahead much faster than if you are traveling at 20 mph. If someone steps out into the road, or a driver pulls out into your path, both you and they have less time to take evasive action. ‘
It puts more force into the crash
Crashing at a higher speed puts more force through whatever you hit than a low-speed crash. That force often translates to more serious injuries or a raised risk of death. It is one of the key reasons schools often have 20 mph limits outside them – the difference between a pedestrian getting hit at 20 mph versus 30 mph could be the difference between life and death.Anyone injured by a speeding driver may need to learn how best to hold them responsible. A skilled auto accident attorney can help you evaluate your options and take the next steps.]]>On Behalf of Retacco Law Offices, Inc. P.S.<![CDATA[Unreasonable delays are a form of bad faith insurance practices]]>https://www.retaccolaw.com/?p=473852026-09-06T13:53:16Z2026-09-06T13:53:16ZPolicyholders deserve prompt payouts
When people file claims to cover the expenses of a third party injured on private property or repair structural damage caused by a storm, they face immediate expenses that necessitate insurance. Insurance providers sometimes deny valid claims and offer inappropriate settlement amounts.
They may also try to deter people from completing a claim, which may entail procrastinating and dragging the process out as long as possible. As such, state statutes mandate that insurance providers typically only have 30 days from the date that a policyholder submits official documentation of their claim to complete the investigation process. Insurance providers can take more time if they provide written notice to policyholders in some cases.
For most claims, however, adhering to the statutory timeline for claims processing is critical for preventing allegations of bad faith insurance practices. When insurance professionals have delayed communication, dragged out the investigation process or otherwise created a frustrating situation with the intent of deterring a claimant, their conduct may violate the law and constitute bad faith insurance practices.
Filing a lawsuit can lead to not just paid claims but also additional compensation. Those who believe that they’ve experience bad faith insurance practices may need to review their policy paperwork and claims information with an experienced attorney accordingly.]]>On Behalf of Retacco Law Offices, Inc. P.S.<![CDATA[When an insurance company denies a valid claim]]>https://www.retaccolaw.com/?p=473842026-08-22T21:33:05Z2026-08-22T21:33:05ZFighting back may require support
The insurance company may hope that some of their policyholders simply do not understand their rights or the terms of their policies. In some cases, insurers get away with denying valid claims or offering lowball settlements because policyholders do not understand or effectively assert their rights.
If an insurer shows warning signs of bad faith practices, such as delaying communications, claiming the issue doesn't fall under the policy or offering an unreasonably low settlement, then it may be time to bring in legal support. An insurance attorney can assess the policy to validate that the losses should be eligible for coverage. They can negotiate a more reasonable settlement with the insurance company.
A lawyer could also document the situation and help a policyholder pursue a bad faith insurance lawsuit. When insurance companies do not honor their policies as written, the people affected can potentially take legal action.
A successful lawsuit can result in the payment of a claim and additional damages paid by an insurance company due to their failure to uphold the policy in good faith. Reviewing a frustrating insurance situation with legal professional can help people understand and effectively exercise their options accordingly.]]>On Behalf of Retacco Law Offices, Inc. P.S.<![CDATA[You’ve slipped and fallen on a rainy sidewalk. What now?]]>https://www.retaccolaw.com/?p=473832026-08-28T22:12:15Z2026-08-10T20:02:31ZRain is a familiar part of life in Washington State, and wet sidewalks are something most residents encounter regularly. To that end, most Washington residents are quite familiar with basic safety tips related to walking in the rain. However, slips and falls often occur despite people’s best efforts. If you have recently slipped and fallen on a rainy sidewalk, you may assume that no one can be held responsible for the harm you have suffered, because the weather caused the hazard. However, situations like yours are not always that simple. Depending on the circumstances, a property owner or another responsible party may have failed to take reasonable steps to address an unsafe condition, and may reasonably owe you compensation as a result.
Holding negligent actors accountable for fall-related harm
Property owners and businesses generally have a duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition for lawful visitors (and, sometimes, even for unlawful ones). While they cannot stop it from raining, they may be expected to address hazardous conditions that develop because of the rain. For example, a sidewalk with poor drainage that consistently allows water to pool, broken pavement that becomes especially slippery when wet or neglected moss and algae growth may create dangers beyond what people ordinarily expect from rainy weather.If a dangerous condition existed long enough that a property owner knew or should have known about it, failing to take reasonable corrective action may be evidence of negligence. Depending on the situation, reasonable measures might include improving drainage, repairing uneven surfaces, removing slippery vegetation or providing adequate warnings while repairs are being made.At the same time, pedestrians also have a responsibility to exercise reasonable care for their own safety. Wearing appropriate footwear, paying attention to walking conditions and avoiding obvious hazards can all be relevant when determining responsibility. Washington follows a comparative fault system, meaning that responsibility for an accident may be shared among multiple parties if both the property owner and the injured person contributed to the accident.Every slip-and-fall case is unique. Consider seeking personalized legal guidance before jumping to any conclusions regarding whether you may or may not be owed compensation for the harm you’ve recently experienced. ]]>On Behalf of Retacco Law Offices, Inc. P.S.<![CDATA[Could your social media activity impact your accident claim?]]>https://www.retaccolaw.com/?p=473812026-07-23T16:09:18Z2026-07-23T16:09:18ZAfter an accident, many people turn to social media to update friends and family, share photos or simply distract themselves during recovery.
While these platforms may seem harmless, it is important to understand that what you post online can sometimes affect your personal injury claim—for better or for worse.
It is no longer unusual for social media to be part of a case
Insurance companies and defense attorneys often review publicly available social media content while investigating claims. A photograph, video or comment that appears inconsistent with your reported injuries may be used to question your credibility. For example, a single picture from a family gathering could be taken out of context and presented as evidence that you are not experiencing the physical limitations you have described, even if the image captures only a brief moment during an otherwise painful day.On the other hand, social media is not always harmful. In certain cases, online posts may help to support a claim. Photos documenting visible injuries, updates describing the recovery process or posts showing damaged property shortly after the accident may help establish what occurred and the challenges you have faced. The key is ensuring that any information shared is truthful, accurate and consistent with the evidence in your case.You could even potentially post on your insurer’s social media accounts in ways that could ultimately benefit your case. Especially if it seems that your insurer may be engaging in bad faith practices, a thoughtful post – approved by your legal counsel – could serve as leverage.
The bottom line
Given all that is at stake, rather than deleting existing posts or creating new ones thoughtlessly, which may raise additional legal concerns depending on the circumstances, it is generally wiser to discuss your online activity with a skilled legal team. You should also generally avoid commenting about the accident, your injuries or settlement negotiations without guidance while your claim remains pending.]]>On Behalf of Retacco Law Offices, Inc. P.S.<![CDATA[Do helmets improve motorcycle safety?]]>https://www.retaccolaw.com/?p=473792026-08-28T22:16:09Z2026-07-18T19:45:50ZPer vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are five times as likely to be injured in accidents as those in passenger cars. They are also 27 times as likely to pass away from their injuries.
Reducing the fatal injury rate
The fatality rate for motorcyclists who wear helmets is striking, when compared to the rate for those who don’t. For passengers, the odds of fatal injuries drop by 41%. For operators, those same odds drop by 37%. It is clear that motorcycle helmets save lives year in and year out.
But it is not just life-saving measures that riders need to keep in mind. The brain is a very fragile organ, and damage is often permanent. Motorcycle helmets can also help reduce the odds of serious head injuries, such as skull fractures or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) when crash victims survive.
Seeking compensation after an accident
While having the right motorcycle equipment can to keep you safe, you’ll always face injury risks from the drivers around you. If one of them hits your motorcycle and you suffer serious injuries as a result, be sure you know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills and other damages. Connecting with a skilled legal professional is a sound first step accordingly.]]>On Behalf of Retacco Law Offices, Inc. P.S.<![CDATA[What is the worst injury associated with slip-and-falls?]]>https://www.retaccolaw.com/?p=473702026-08-28T22:13:00Z2026-06-28T17:56:37ZPeople can hit their heads when they fall
Broken bones are common slip-and-fall injuries because people usually try to catch themselves. However, when a fall is especially abrupt, the person who slips may not have any chance to slow their fall. They may hit their head on the ground or on other nearby objects.
The blunt force trauma that they sustain can cause swelling of the brain or bleeding inside the skull. Inflammation or bleeding in the skull puts pressure on the brain, which can cause permanent structural changes to the brain.
People with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) may notice a change in their sensory perception. They may develop challenges with fine motor function or their sense of balance. They frequently experience changes in their personalities and cognitive capabilities as well.
If a slip-and-fall occurs due to inadequate staffing at a business, ignored hazards or other forms of negligence, the people injured in such incidents may have grounds for a premises liability claim. Taking legal action can lead to compensation for major expenses after a slip-and-fall occurs due to poor property maintenance or improper business practices.]]>On Behalf of Retacco Law Offices, Inc. P.S.<![CDATA[Why other drivers do not see motorcycles]]>https://www.retaccolaw.com/?p=473692026-08-28T22:16:23Z2026-06-16T19:42:49ZOne of the most common things people say after causing a motorcycle accident is simply that they did not see the motorcycle. This could happen when someone turns left in front of a motorcycle, for example, or merges into the motorcycle on the interstate. The driver who hit the bike is shocked because they had no idea that the bike was there to start with.
In some cases, this actually causes drivers to blame motorcyclists. Someone who did not see an approaching bike until they made a dangerous left turn, for instance, may say that the motorcyclist must have been speeding. That is why it felt like the bike came out of nowhere.
Inattentional blindness
What is actually happening, in many cases, is that the driver is suffering from inattentional blindness.This simply means that they are not paying close enough attention to their surroundings to take in all of the details. Maybe the driver glanced left for a split second, but they did not take enough time to really look at the road and see if a motorcycle was coming.To speed up visual processing, the human brain often prioritizes certain things. Drivers will see what they expect to see. The brain then filters out other information or fills in the gaps in the driver's vision. If the driver did not expect a motorcycle to be approaching, they may look directly at the bike without seeing it.
Compensation for serious injuries
Motorcycle accidents often cause severe and potentially life-changing injuries. Those who have been injured due to another driver's negligence need to know how to seek financial compensation.
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