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

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation , in 2015, a car crash occurred in the state every 4.5 minutes. Seattle, with its busy streets, was predictably the leading city in terms of the number of crashes that year.

Despite how often many of us leave a car unharmed, car accidents are much more common than one might think. In fact, motor vehicle accidents have been found to be the leading cause of death in the first three years of Americans’ lives.

Accidents can be preventable, especially if you become aware of and avoid some of the most common causes of car accidents in Seattle. Keep reading to find out what those are!

When it comes to collisions in general, some of the most common causes of accidents are actions that many drivers have likely been guilty of at some point. This includes not paying attention, following too closely, driving over a reasonably safe speed, and not granting the right of way to another vehicle.

By far, the number-one cause of fatal car accidents, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation, is drunk driving. Drivers under the influence have caused countless fatal collisions and can not only face criminal penalties, but also personal injury lawsuits filed by injured motorists or families of the deceased.

Another top cause of fatal car crashes is speeding. This refers to more than just exceeding the posted speed limit. Drivers who drive too fast for the conditions they are in, such as bad weather or darkness, are also considered to be speeding, which greatly increases the risk of injury and death of motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Distracted driving is also a huge reason behind fatal accidents, with the Washington DOT estimating that 30% of traffic fatalities are a result of accidents that occur because the driver was distracted.

Seattle drivers should drive with care on the road and practice defensive driving to reduce car accidents. However, if you do become involved in an accident and need more information on your rights in such a situation, do not hesitate to reach out to us here at Gosanko, O’Halloran, Lepore PLLC. Our team of Seattle car accident attorneys is highly experienced and can provide you legal advice for your particular situation. Just give us a call at 206-275-0700 to get in touch.

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