Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyer

Car accidents happen all the time. No matter how safe a driver you are, there’s a chance that you could end up being involved in an auto accident. It’s important to be aware of the common causes of car accidents so you can try to avoid them.  If you were the victim of a car accident injury in Kent or Burien, reach out to Multani Law Group. Regardless of how the accident happened, we can help you seek compensation and justice. 

There are a variety of factors that can cause car accidents in Washington. Today, we will go over some of the most common. 

Speeding

Speeding often causes car accidents. When cars go faster than the posted speed limit for that area, it puts the driver and everyone around them in danger. Speeding cars take longer distances to come to a stop, and speeding drivers are more likely to lose control of their vehicles. Because of the high energy involved in this type of crash, they are more likely to result in serious injury or even death. Almost always, the at-fault driver will be the one who was recklessly speeding. 

Road Hazards

Dangerous road conditions can lead to accidents. Some of these hazards include poor lighting, road work, debris in the road, poorly maintained roads, poorly designed roads, and more. Safe roads have smooth surfaces, clear signage, and good visibility. Even if someone is a good driver, unexpected road conditions can lead to a person getting into an accident. In these cases, the fault may be the government for not taking care of public roads. 

Poor Weather Conditions

Washington is well-known for having frequent rain. Unfortunately, rain, fog, snow, and wind can lead to dangerous road conditions. When the road is slick, tires can skid and hydroplane, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Fog and snow can reduce visibility, making it difficult to see other cars on the road and signage. High winds can cause lane drift and rollovers. 

Even sunny weather can lead to crashes. People in Washington are used to overcast skies, and the sun glaring in a driver’s face can make it hard to drive safely. When people are driving with inclement weather conditions, they must be more careful to keep other drivers safe. Knowingly driving in bad weather without headlights, speeding in poor conditions, and general recklessness or negligence can lead to a person being liable.

Improper Turning

Many car accidents are caused by drivers turning poorly, especially left-hand turns. It’s vital that drivers look both ways and make sure the road is clear before making a turn; they could crash into or be hit by another car. Some examples of improper turns that can cause accidents are turning on red when it says not to, not coming to a full stop before turning, turning without signaling, turning from the wrong lane, and simply not looking before turning. Because of the opposing forces of the vehicles, these accidents can often result in serious injury. 

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a huge problem in Washington state, despite laws created specifically to address it. When someone isn’t focusing on the road and their surroundings, they can easily cause an accident. Some examples of distracted driving are: 

• Looking away from the road
• Texting while driving
• Taking one’s hands off the steering wheel
• Eating or drinking
• Shaving or applying makeup

Even just a second of not paying attention can cause a car accident. 

Impaired/Fatigued Driving

Some of the most dangerous crashes happen when a driver is impaired in some way. When a person has had too much to drink or is high, they can’t focus on the road and make smart decisions. Similarly, when a person is overly fatigued, they can’t drive properly. Falling asleep while driving or driving under the influence can cause catastrophic accidents.