Under both State and federal laws, motorists are bound by the rules of the road to ensure the safety of other drivers, pedestrians and property. It’s the responsibility of the motorist to ensure they are aware of their surroundings and to follow traffic laws throughout the duration of their drive. Drivers who are aggressive with little regard to others can pose a risk to the general public. Certain acts that’s deemed “reckless” such as cutting off other cars suddenly without a signal, ignoring traffic signs, speeding through lights, operating a vehicle over the limit, and weaving in and out of lanes will significantly increase the chances of a car accident.
Accidents caused by reckless drivers can induce serious life-changing injuries. Since reckless drivers tend to speed, these types of accidents are often lethal. Those who have been injured by a reckless driver can seek out compensation to cover their damages if they can prove the at-fault party’s negligence. To learn more about the process and if your argument for compensation has merit, speak to a qualified Washington reckless driving lawyer at PNW Trial Lawyers.
Victims of Reckless Driving Bellingham Lawyer, WA
Reckless drivers’ thoughtless actions put both the general public and other motorists at risk. If you’ve been injured by a reckless or careless driver, contact PNW Trial Lawyers. You may be eligible for compensation in the form of a monetary award or settlement for your damages. If successful, you should receive funds to cover any and all losses related to your injury including medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and other related damages.
Contact PNW Trial Lawyers today to have your case evaluated by a skilled Washington personal injury lawyer. With their knowledge, resources, and years of experience—the lawyers at PNW Trial Lawyers can help you. PNW Trial Lawyers accepts clients throughout the greater Whatcom County, Skagit County, and Snohomish County area including Bellingham, Everett, Mount Vernon, and Anacortes.
Information Center:
- Increase in Reckless Driving in Washington State
- Common Injuries Due to Reckless Drivers
- Proving Another Driver Was Reckless
- Additional Resources
Increase in Reckless Driving in Washington
It seems that traffic deaths in general are increasing nationwide according to new data from the National Safety Council. According to the counsel, approximately 46,000 people have died on U.S. roads due to some type of accident. Washington State has been no exception as key findings found that car accidents have been on the rise since 2021. Listed below are some statistics collected by the Washington DOT of 2021 automobile crashes in Washington State.
- 82,152 car accidents occurred overall in 2021
- 2,502 people sustained serious injuries as a result of these accidents
- 575 people died as a result of these accidents
- 4,711 of these accidents were related to drunk driving
- 15,542 of these accidents occurred due to distracted drivers
The State of Washington releases an annual report on crash data to track trends. In 2021, it was found that fatal traffic crashes increased by 25 % of each month from April to September. The report goes on to claim that aggressive driving was one of the main reasons for this increase. In addition, data from the Washington State Patrol (WSP) revealed troopers issues 1,117 citations for reckless driving in 2020 compared to 937 in 2019.
Common Injuries from a Reckless Driving Accident
Aggressive drivers are incredibly dangerous for both bystanders and motorists. Reckless drivers cut off other motorists, tailgate, speed, or they may even drive under the influence. These and other factors dramatically increase the chances of an accident that could induce lasting injuries.
Listed below are some common injuries from a reckless driving accident.
- Neck injuries
- Lacerations
- Abrasions
- Spinal injuries
- Brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Disfigurement
- Contusions
- Back injuries
- Severe burns
- Internal bleeding
Proving Another Driver Was Reckless
The State of Washington recognizes the suffering victims of reckless driver’s experience including their need for extensive medical care, being unable to work, etc. As a result, the State allows victims of reckless drivers to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. This claim, if successful, will result in a monetary award or settlement that should cover the losses the victim suffered from due to their injury.
In order to pursue a claim, the injured plaintiff will have to provide proof as to why the other driver was reckless. They then must prove in court that the at-fault’s negligent behaviors were the direct cause of their injury. While this is their given right, it can be a difficult task to take on alone. That is why it’s highly recommended victims of reckless drivers seek out legal representation if they wish to file a claim against the responsible party.
While most of the evidence should be collected by an attorney, there is some information the plaintiff can collect themselves. Some evidence that may be beneficial in a reckless driving case include, but are not limited to:
- Photos of injuries
- Photos of the accident
- Eyewitness statements from the night of the accident
- The aggressive driver’s name, address, and phone number
- Journaling the injury’s progression
- Collecting bills that have piled up due to missed work
- Collecting proof of reduced earning capacity
- Getting statements from friends and family to show how the event affected the plaintiff
Reckless driving is also a prosecutable offense, so it’s likely police will have a report of the incident. It’s highly advised any victims of reckless driving speak to the officer that arrested or took down the police report. The notes from the report may prove to be incredibly useful for their case.
If the plaintiff is successful, they will receive a monetary award or settlement based on their damages. Some of these damages include, but are not limited to:
- Medical costs
- Auto repair
- Lost earning capacity
- Lost wages
- Rehabilitation costs
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment for life
- Pain and suffering
Additional Resources
Washington 2020 Traffic Safety Annual Report – Visit the official website for the Washington Safety Commission (WTSC) to look at traffic crash data in the State over the span of 12 months, Access the site to read reports for crash factors, auto accidents by county, any remarkable trends, and the State’s plan to mitigate accidents.
RCW 46.61 | Washington State Rules of the Road – Visit the official website for the Revised Washington Code and read chapter 46.61 to learn about the rules of the road. Access the statutes to learn more about proper traffic signals, right of way rules, and other information.
Bellingham Reckless Driving Attorney | Washington Personal Injury Firm
Were you injured by a reckless driver? If so, it’s crucial you act now and gain legal representation with PNW Trial Lawyers. You could be eligible for a settlement or monetary award designed to cover any losses related to the injury. There’s no reason you should suffer due to another person’s reckless or careless actions. Call PNW Trial Lawyers today to learn more.
You can also submit an online contact form if you’d like to schedule your first consultation. PNW Trial Lawyers serves clients throughout Skagit County, Whatcom County, and Snohomish County, WA.