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Our nation’s highways continue to present significant dangers to motorists, including in Seattle. A Department of Transportation study reveals that out of 370,000 transportation deaths in the U.S. in the past decade, 350,000 occurred on roadways vs. water, air, and railroad travel. Although more accidents occur on city streets in Seattle—especially in intersections—accidents on highways have an increased chance of resulting in catastrophic injuries or fatalities due to the higher traffic speed.
State highways in Washington limit travel speeds to 60 miles per hour. However, the crash force of an accident at this speed is significant. According to the MDOT crash force calculator, a 120-pound person becomes a 7,200-pound force in a collision at 60 miles per hour. This force propels the vehicle’s occupants forward and then the seatbelt snaps them back against the seat—all while the structure of the vehicle collapses inward. Injuries in Seattle highway accidents commonly include the following:
Depending on the type of accident, injury victims could also suffer burns or traumatic amputations. The chances of catastrophic injuries or death are significantly higher in accidents on major highways. For this reason, motorists using highways have a duty to follow traffic laws, avoid distractions, and take all reasonable measures to prevent causing injuries.
Highway accidents are less common than those occurring on city streets because the traffic moves in a single direction and there are fewer traffic decisions to make. However, when vehicles move at high rates of speeds, accidents sometimes occur with serious results. Common causes of accidents on Seattle highways include the following:
Wrong-way driving on highways is relatively rare, but results in catastrophic head-on collisions. When an accident occurs due to the above behaviors, the at-fault driver bears liability. Less commonly, the manufacturer of a defective tire or car part could be at fault for a highway accident in Seattle.
After an accident at full speed on a Seattle highway, you may not be able to do anything but wait for help due to serious injuries. However, if you can move without causing further injury, move to a safe location out of traffic. Then, use a cell phone from your spot to take photos of the accident scene, and the damaged vehicles before law enforcement moves them. You can also photograph any visible injuries. Add the contact information of any involved drivers and eyewitnesses to the accident.
Always go directly to the hospital from the accident scene and have a complete medical evaluation. Tell the doctor about every symptom, even if it seems minor. Ask for a detailed medical report. The report becomes important evidence in a later claim for compensation from the help of a trusted Seattle car accident lawyer.
No one should have to take on the legal challenge of a car accident claim while trying to recover from the pain and trauma of a Seattle highway accident. Contact the Fang Law Firm today for a consultation on your case so we can begin prompt action.