A motor vehicle accident can leave a victim with serious, sometimes even fatal, injuries. Although the State of Washington has one of the lowest auto fatality rates in the country, according to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, or FARS, for the victim of a serious collision those statistics are of little consolation.
If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident that was caused, in whole or in part, by another driver, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries you suffered in the collision. Retaining the services of an experienced Washington State auto accident attorney can ensure that you are fully and fairly compensated for your physical injuries as well as pain and suffering and loss of productivity.
Washington State Accident Statistics
Overall, the State of Washington is relatively safe for motorists, statistically speaking. Data compiled by FARS indicates that Washington has a 3.9 (per 100,000 population) rate of death; only three states (New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey) have a lower fatality rate. While this low rate is certainly comforting for residents, it hardly means we’re accident-free. According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, or WTSC, there were 99,709 collisions statewide in 2013, the most recent year for which figures are available. A total of 401 collisions were fatal and another 1,601 were categorized as “serious.” Stevens County, meanwhile, saw 443 collisions, six of which were fatal and 15 of which led to serious injuries.
Motor Vehicle Accident Causes
Although auto accidents can occur for a virtually endless number of reasons, there are some common contributing factors, according to the WTSC, including:
- Driving under the influence – driving under the influence was a contributing factor in 211 fatal collisions, 321 serious collisions, and another 2,085 minor collisions in 2013.
- Speed – excessive speed was a factor in over 18,000 collisions in 2013, with 170 of those being fatal and another 438 causing serious injury.
- Distracted Driving – the most common factor, distracted driving contributed to 35,896 collisions, 117 of which were fatal with another 438 causing serious injury.
If you suffered injury in a motor vehicle accident, and you believe another party caused or contributed to the collision, contact the Colville, Washington auto accident attorneys today at 509-685-3675, so we may discuss how we can help you.