Seattle Vehicle Accident Attorneys
There are many potential causes of vehicle accidents in Washington. Not all vehicle accidents are serious. But when there is a serious accident, the injuries can be catastrophic or even fatal. If you or a loved one has been injured an accident caused by someone else's negligence, please contact an experienced vehicle accident lawyer in Washington to determine your legal rights and options.
Causes of Washington Vehicle Accidents
Determining the cause of a crash is an important step to receiving compensation for the injuries and losses suffered. Here are some of the most common causes of vehicle accidents in Washington:
- Drunk driving: This is the most common cause of fatal car accidents in Washington. According to a report by the Washington State Department of Transportation, 184 fatal crashes in Washington were alcohol-related in 2009.
- Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit and driving at an unsafe speed are two of the most common causes of Washington car crashes. According to statistics, 107 people were killed, 462 were seriously injured, and 7,317 sustained minor injuries in Washington speed-related accidents in 2009.
- Distracted driving: Drivers who are on the phone, eating, drinking, fiddling with the radio, talking to friends, or reading put everyone on the roadway at risk. A driver does not have to be cited by the authorities for distracted driving to be found civilly liable for the accidents they cause.
- Failure to obey traffic safety devices: Stop signs and traffic lights must be obeyed at all times. Intersection accidents are a common location for serious injury accidents in Washington and many of occur because drivers fail to obey traffic control devices.
- Failure to yield right-of-way: Drivers exiting private driveways must yield to traffic before merging onto the roadway. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Pedestrians must yield to drivers when trying to cross where there is no crosswalk. Bicyclists must be given the same right of way privileges as motorists. Motorists must also yield right-of-way to oncoming vehicles before making a left turn or U-turn.
- Unsafe lane changes: Drivers who fail to look for other vehicles before changing lanes can result in serious injury highway accidents. All motorists would be well-advised to check their rear-view mirrors and their blind spots before changing lanes.
Proving Liability for Washington Vehicle Accidents
Proving liability for an injury accident in Washington can become difficult if the at-fault driver denies responsibility for the crash. There are a number of questions that injured victims should ask following the crash. Did the authorities cite the other driver for a traffic violation related to the accident? Did the police determine who was responsible for the crash? Did anyone witness the crash? Were proper notes and photos taken immediately following the collision? An experienced attorney knows which questions to ask and how to prove liability for the accident.
The skilled Seattle car accident injury attorneys at Hardwick & Pendergast know how to prove liability and hold to hold at-fault drivers accountable for the damages they cause. If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle accident in Washington, call our law offices today for a free consultation and comprehensive case assessment.
