What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Seattle, WA?

Every day, thousands of people in Seattle hit the road in a car. For the most part, driving or riding as a passenger in a car is a simple act and one that ends in us arriving at a new destination unharmed. Sometimes, though, accidents happen. With a car crash happening in the state of Washington every 4.5 minutes in 2015 , the populous city of Seattle led the rest in having the highest number of crashes that year.

Car accidents happen for all kinds of reasons. Knowing the most common causes can be helpful in order to heighten your awareness of possible driving situations. Keep reading to learn more about the most common causes of car accidents in Seattle, WA.

While drunk/drugged driving accounts only for about 5% of all traffic accidents, the numbers tell a different story when it comes to fatal car accidents. Nearly one-third of fatal accidents involve intoxicated driving. Being intoxicated hinders a driver’s ability to react appropriately and follow the laws of the road, often leading to serious injuries or even fatal accidents.

Referring to more than just exceeding the posted speed limit, speeding is when any vehicle exceeds a reasonably safe speed. This includes driving too fast for certain conditions, such as bad weather or darkness. Speeding is particularly dangerous in an urban area like Seattle, where there are a lot of pedestrians and bicyclists that can be hurt by speeding drivers.

There are loads of distractions while driving that can cause accidents. Phones are one particularly common distraction, but distractions can also include other passengers, eating, drinking, adjusting car settings, and more. According to the Washington DOT, 30% of traffic fatalities are caused by distracted driving accidents.

Actions like following another car too closely or not yielding to vehicles that have the right-of-way are other common reasons behind car accidents in Seattle, Washington.

Be aware and avoid partaking in the above actions in order to prevent future car accidents. In the tragic event that you do find yourself involved in a car accident, though, it is important that you know your rights and the legal options you have to recover any damages that you may suffer as a result of the accident.

Gosanko, O’Halloran, Lepore PLLC ’s team of Seattle car accident attorneys can provide you with legal advice and support, so don’t hesitate to give us a call today at 206-275-0700.

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