While auto accidents are something people rarely wish to think about or discuss, the fact remains that auto accidents are a tragic and unfortunately common reality.
These five important auto accident statistics will shed light on some of the most important facts to know concerning Washington accident, all while underscoring the need for a car accident lawyer in Washington if you or a loved one have been hurt in a car accident.
Washington Car Accidents Are All Too Common
2015 data from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) revealed that a crash occurred every 4.5 minutes in Washington. Worse, a person was injured in a car crash every 11 minutes and a person died in a crash every 16 hours.
Washington Auto Accidents Are Often Caused by Driver Negligence and Poor Decisions
The 2015 WSDOT data also sheds light on common causes of car accidents in the state. Every 27 minutes, a speeding driver is involved in a car crash. Inattentive and/or distracted drivers were involved in a crash every 12 minutes, and a person was killed by an impaired driver in Washington every 1.5 days.
Marijuana-Related Fatal Car Accidents Have Spiked After Washington’s 2012 Legalization
A study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that approximately 10 percent of Washington drivers in fatal car crashes between 2010 and 2014 tested positive for recent marijuana usage. More troubling, however, is the fact that this nearly 10 percent figure doubled for drivers who used pot just hours before a crash between 2013 and 2014.
These findings do not make a determination on whether drivers were impaired at the time of the fatal crashes in question, underscoring the difficulty of determining marijuana impairment for drivers.
The Date and Time of Year Plays a Role in Washington Accidents
WSDOT’s Annual Collision Summary in 2015 shows that the highest number of car accidents occurred on Friday, whereas the fewest crashes occurred on Sundays.
The majority of crashes occurred during rush hour between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m., while the fewest crashes occurred in the early morning hours between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m.
The most crashes occurred in December, with over 400 per day occurring on average. The fewest crashes in a month occurred in February, which saw 271 crashes.
The Most Frequent Contributor to Washington Car Accidents Was Inattention and Distraction
According to WSDOT, inattention and distraction were the most frequent contributing circumstance of Washington collisions. As this data indicates driver negligence and legal wrongdoing are often the cause and/or contributing factor to many accidents in the state.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, you need a car accident attorney in Washington who will hold any legally liable parties accountable. The Ledger Law Firm’s team of auto accident attorneys in Washington will help you pursue justice and legal compensation for your injuries.
Contact us today for a consultation to determine whether you are entitled to legal compensation after an auto accident in Washington.
