Seattle Speeding Accident Attorneys
Speed is one of the most common contributing factors of injury accidents in Washington State. It is not only the responsibility of drivers to stay below the speed limit, but to also drive at a speed relative to the conditions of the roadway. Anyone who has been injured in an accident caused by a speeding driver would be well-advised to seek legal guidance from a skilled Seattle car accident attorney to better understand their legal rights and options.
Washington Speed Law
Under Washington Statute 46.61.400: "No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. In every event speed shall be so controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care."
Washington Speed-Related Car Accident Statistics
According to the 2009 Washington State Collision Data Summary, speeding, drunk driving, and crossing a centerline are the three leading causes of fatal car accidents in Washington. Here are some additional speed-related statistics in Washington:
- Speed was a contributing factor in 107 fatal collisions, 462 serious injury accidents, 7,317 minor injury crashes, and 21,694 total car accidents in Washington in 2009.
- Unsafe speed or exceeding the speed limit is the leading cause of most Washington car accidents.
- Excessive speed is the second most common cause of fatal crashes in Washington apart from drunk driving.
- 31.58 percent of all Washington car accidents in 2009 were speed-related.
Speeding and the Youth
Youthful indiscretion is a common contributing factor in speed-related accidents. In fact, younger drivers in Washington have a greater chance of causing a speed-related accident than older drivers. Of the 21,694 speed-related car accidents in 2009, 5,338 involved a speeding driver between the ages of 16 and 20. Drivers between 21 and 25 years old caused 4,342 speed-related accidents during the same year and drivers ages 26 to 30 years old caused 2,920 speed-related accidents. The number of speeding accidents related to the age of the driver continues to decrease as the driver age increases.
Rights of Speed-Related Accident Victims
Injured victims of Washington car accidents may seek financial compensation for the damages they have suffered by filing a Seattle personal injury claim. Losses that may be covered through civil litigation include past and future suffering, lost wages, hospital expenses, and other accident-related damages.
The experienced Washington speed-related car accident lawyers at Hardwick & Pendergast know how to hold speeding motorists accountable for their actions. We help our clients get the compensation they need and rightfully deserve following an accident involving a speeding driver. If a speeding driver has caused an accident injuring you or a loved one, please call our law offices for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
