Washington State law allows families who lose a loved one in a car crash the right to file a wrongful death claim against anyone whose negligence may have been responsible for the accident. These suits provide needed compensation for families struggling to put their lives back together after a fatal accident. From 2005 to the present, however, the number of fatal car accidents in Washington has decreased, shrinking the number of families who need to pursue a wrongful death claim.
According to data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number of fatal car accidents in Washington has steadily decreased over the past few years. In 2005, for instance, 649 people lost their lives on Washington roads, but by 2009 (the last year for which NHTSA has data), that number had decreased to 492. Most of the decline occurred in urban areas. Although fatalities have decreased overall, one in seven drivers who die in Washington car accidents each year are under age 21.
Meanwhile, the number of fatal pedestrian accidents in Washington has stayed steady at about 60 people per year, almost all of whom are struck by cars while walking in urban areas. Motorcyclist deaths have also stayed steady, averaging about 70 fatalities per year. Motorcyclists who wear helmets are more likely to survive a serious accident than those who do not, according to the NHTSA.
If you have lost a loved one in a car crash or other traffic accident, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced car accident wrongful death attorneys in Seattle at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. We will help your family understand the legal rights and options given to you after a fatal accident. Call us today at 888-228-3860 for a free and confidential consultation.
