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Colburn Law

Seattle Car Accident Lawyer

Seattle car accident

After a car crash in Seattle, you may notice medical bills piling up, phone calls from insurance claims adjusters, and inquiries from your employer about when you can return to work. An experienced Seattle car accident attorney at Colburn Law can help you navigate the legal matters surrounding your wreck while fighting for the compensation you deserve. They will look at every aspect of a motor vehicle accident to determine if a plaintiff has the opportunity to seek the maximum amount of compensation.

Determining liability in the case will help set the stage for the rest of an accident case. A lot is going on in your life – all while you’re trying to focus on healing. Working with the right team of Seattle car accident lawyers can make the weeks and months after a collision much easier on victims. A Seattle car accident attorney at Colburn Law can take care of the legal business surrounding your wreck, fighting for the compensation we think you deserve, while you spend time on yourself. Your future can begin with just a simple phone call. Call our Seattle car accident attorneys now at Colburn Law, Greg Colburn will personally evaluate your case and give you the best course of action to take following a car wreck.

Car Accident Resources and Information

Is Washington State a No-Fault Insurance State?

Liability for an accident in Seattle is determined by Washingtons negligence laws and is entirely based on who was at fault. Police officers will report to the scene of a crash anytime there is an injury, but their focus is making sure everyone is safe. Both your insurance company and the other driver’s insurance company will likely conduct their own investigations to find out what driver is at fault, but their motives might not be in your best interest. Having a Seattle car accident attorney by your side can make all the difference when fighting your claim.

It’s standard procedure for each of these entities to investigate an accident and provide their own verdict of fault. They’ll look at eyewitness accounts, photographs of the damage to cars and surrounding property, and other available evidence. It is important you discuss the incident with your attorney, as he or she may want to conduct a separate investigation of the crash.

What is Washington’s Pure Comparative Fault Rule?

Washington is a comparative fault state, which means your settlement amount may be affected if a jury finds you’re partially at fault for a collision. The concept is fairly straightforward – if you’re in an accident and incurred $100,000 in damages but were 10% at fault, you will ultimately be awarded damages, minus your degree of fault. In this case, you would walk away with $90,000.

What is Washington States Uninsured Motorist Law?

Before you get behind the wheel, it’s important to know what minimum coverage you need to drive in Washington State. Washington State requires that all drivers carry motor vehicle liability insurance and it cannot be less than $25,000. However, Washinton does not require drivers to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage For more information on what to do following an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, speak to a Seattle underinsured accident attorney at Colburn Law today.

Crashes Differ from Accidents

You may notice that we refer to these incidents as car crashes instead of car accidents. That’s because, in most cases, traffic collisions aren’t accidents at all. If you use the terminology “accident,” you imply it’s not anyone’s fault. In reality, car crashes are someone’s fault – and those people should be held accountable for their actions. Getting behind the wheel of a car drunk or texting while driving down the highway isn’t an accident – it’s a serious lapse in judgment. Those people should be held accountable for any injuries their recklessness might have caused. A car accident lawyer at Colburn Law can help you fight to prove fault in your car crash and get you on the road to compensation and recovery.

What Do I Do After a Car Crash in Seattle?

If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself:

  • Never admit fault. It may seem natural to apologize after an accident, but it’s tantamount to admitting fault. Resist the urge to say you are sorry, even if you are simply sorry someone got hurt.
  • Don’t sign any paperwork unless it’s from your insurance company or the police officer on the scene. The other driver’s insurance company may approach you with an offer – don’t accept it unless it’s been reviewed by your attorney.
  • Retain the services of a Seattle personal injury attorney. We’ll protect your interests and work to secure the best outcome possible for your case.
  • Take the time you need to heal. Car crashes can lead to serious injuries, and trying to get back to your life before your body is ready may make your condition worse.

Washington State Traffic Fatalities 2019

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of unintentional injury and death in the United States. Look at these statistics from the Washington Department of Transportation:

  • There were over 111,624 motor vehicle crashes reported in 2019.
  • Of those, over 500 were fatal.
  • Nearly 2,000 were classified as involving serious injuries.
  • Over 30,000 involved suspected injuries.

Washington Car Accident Statistics For 2020

As of November 2020, here are the following reported accident statistics according to the Washington Department of Transportation:

  • There were 62, 822 motor vehicle crashes reported so far in 2020.
  • Of those, over 424 were fatal.
  • Nearly 1,700 were classified as involving serious injuries.
  • Over 18,000 involved suspected injuries.

Seattle Car Accident Facts and Statistics

Seattle is a buzzing metropolis, with buses, motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians all coexisting on the same roads. No amount of city planning can prevent the negligence of incompetent or reckless drivers. Sadly, these drivers cause collisions almost every day in Seattle. Looking at data from the Seattle Department of Transportation, one can see where, when, and why most collisions occur in the Emerald City:

  • Busiest roads in Seattle: The highest traffic and collision areas in Seattle include the West Seattle Bridge, an arterial that sees 137,400 vehicles on an average weekday. In second place is East Marginal Way South with 68,000-weekday vehicles, followed by Montlake Bridge with 63,100, and Ballard Bridge with 60,400. Montlake Blvd NE, Fremont Bridge, north of Point A, 1st Ave S Bridge, and S Michigan St, west of 4th Ave S also made the list for the busiest arterials.
  • Average daily traffic: The volume of motor vehicles in Seattle directly correlates with the number of traffic collisions. According to the Seattle Department of Transportation’s reports, the volume of average daily traffic has increased by 2.4% since 2013. Before then, there was a downward trend in the last decade. The last few years have seen steady increases in volume on Seattle’s roadways. Seattle police reported 11,603 collisions in 2016. There were an additional 2,038 self-reported collisions. This collision rate reflects a downward trend from the previous decade, but reports show the collision rate increased by 6.3% from 2015 to 2016.
  • Historical collision data: Seattle residents will be happy to know that the historical collision data for the city has seen a steady decrease since 2005. In 2005, there were 16,016 reported collisions in Seattle. This number decreased consistently to reach a 10-year low of 11,948 in 2010. This number increased slightly in the subsequent five years but remained well below the 2005 numbers.
  • Types of collisions: The most common type of collision in Seattle is same direction car crashes, with 3,644 in 2016. Other common types of collisions are hitting a parked car, entering at an angle, rear-end collisions, sideswipes, left turns, and vehicles striking fixed objects. Collision severity was as follows for 2016: 58% property damage only, 27% injury collision, and 1% serious injury collision.
  • Most common contributing circumstance: In Seattle, the number one cause of car collisions is a failure to grant another vehicle the right of way. This issue caused 1,230 collisions in 2016. Speeding, disregarding traffic lights, ignoring the pedestrian right of way, rolling through stop signs, and driver distraction were also top causes. Most accidents occurred on a Friday between 5 p.m and 7 p.m in 2016.
  • High-speed areas: With 357 total crashes involving speeding in Seattle in 2016, this is a prominent contributing factor in collisions. Avoiding high-speed areas can keep you out of these wrecks. These areas include Aurora Avenue North, Stone Way North, 24th Avenue Northwest, Rainier Avenue South, and Fauntleroy Way Southwest.

Getting the facts on Seattle vehicle collisions can help you become more aware of your surroundings and risk factors on daily commutes. The more you know about the traffic trends in Seattle, the better you can avoid dangerous roadways and driving practices. Unfortunately, you can’t control what other drivers do on the roadway. If you do end up in a collision, protect your rights with a highly qualified Seattle car crash attorney.

Should I Contact a Seattle Car Accident Lawyer?

Greg ColburnWashington state’s motor vehicle accident laws can be overwhelming, but with the right personal injury attorney, you have an advocate by your side. Even if you were partially at fault for a collision, you still deserve fair compensation for your injuries. Greg Colburn believes that helping those who were wrongfully injured will make a positive impact on his community. We can help you recover damages to compensate for medical bills, lost wages, and intangible losses such as pain and suffering. To schedule a strategic review of your legal options, contact Colburn Law.

To learn more about why we are a top-rated car accident firm in Seattle, visit the links below:

Client Testimonial: 5/5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Greg guided me through a stressful process involving a car accident and the insurance company. Not only did he put me at ease, but he was truly an advocate for me and my family. I am truly thankful for his help, and would highly recommend him to any of my friends or family. 

-Jeff P.
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