Car Accident Fatalities Surge in Washington State in 2022
Washington State has had a very bad year when it comes to car accident fatalities. According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), crash deaths in Washington State rose by 34.5% when comparing data from the first quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2022. In raw numbers, the projected fatalities from the first quarter of 2021 were 116 compared to 156 estimated fatalities in the first quarter of 2022. With traffic back at near pre-pandemic levels and life returning to normal, safety experts are eager to see the accident fatality rate drop back down but that isn’t going to happen until drivers stop engaging in risky driving behaviors at such high rates.
There is nothing worse than losing a loved one because of the negligent behavior of another driver. Risky and reckless choices such as drinking and driving, tailgating, and driving at excessive speeds put other drivers and pedestrians at risk. If you lost a family member because of the reckless or otherwise negligent behavior of another driver, call an experienced car accident lawyer to discuss your legal rights. You deserve a full and fair settlement.
Car Accident Fatalities Soar in WA State in 2022
With car accident fatalities rising year after year since the start of the pandemic, drivers should be thinking very carefully about the choices they are making behind the wheel. There are three main types of risky driving behaviors that are contributing to this increase in traffic deaths:
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- DUI
Speeding:
According to the WHO, speed is a known risk factor in traffic accident injuries, as it directly increases the risk of motor vehicle crashes and the severity of the injuries when a crash occurs. In fact, excessive and inappropriate speeding are responsible for 30 percent of traffic accident deaths in high income countries like the United States.
Reckless/aggressive driving:
Aggressive and reckless drivers endanger themselves, other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists by failing to come to a complete stop at stop-signs, running red lights, weaving in and out of traffic, tailing other vehicles and driving too fast for road conditions. This type of driving increases the risk of car accidents and serious injuries.
DUI:
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, approximately 1.4 million people are arrested every year for driving under the influence of alcohol. We know that drunk driving is a serious threat to traffic safety, not to mention a public health concern. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), each day about 28 Americans die in DUI crashes.
There is some speculation that drivers aren’t taking their responsibilities on the road as seriously as they used to because of a perception that law enforcement in Washington State are no longer allowed to chase vehicles (not true) and because there are fewer troopers on the road since the vaccine mandate went into place. As more state troopers are hired and trained, it will become easier to enforce traffic laws and we hope that risky driving behaviors will decrease.
Seek the help of a car accident lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
