Speeding a leading cause of crashes in Washington
Fewer drivers caused more fatal car accidents last year nationwide.
And one of the reasons why was speeding drivers, according to preliminary accident data for 2020 compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Speeding has long been a serious problem nationwide and in many states as well, including Washington. So how bad is the problem? And what makes speeding accidents so dangerous? Learn more from an experienced lawyer who represents people injured in accidents caused by other drivers in Washington.
Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) decreased last year by 13.2 percent or 430.2 billion miles nationwide, according to the NHTSA. Even so, motor vehicle fatalities increased by 8 percent, from 39,017 deaths in 2019 to 42,060 fatalities in 2020, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).
And when it comes to accidents caused by speeding, those numbers were up 11 percent in 2020 compared to 2019, the NHTSA reported. In comparison, speeding was a factor in 26 percent of all traffic fatalities nationwide in 2019, resulting in 9,478 deaths, an average of 25 fatalities per day, according to the National Safety Council.
As for Washington, the numbers are even worse. In the past five years, 30 percent of all motor vehicle accident fatalities in the state have been due to speeding drivers, according to accident statistics compiled by the NHTSA. Between 2015 and 2019, there was an average of 163.4 deaths each year due to speeding out of 541.6 motor vehicle fatalities on average each year in Washington.
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“Very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Zach Herschensohn provided me with excellent service. He kept me well informed and explained complicated issues in a way I could understand. He took the lead and guided me through everything necessary to achieve a successful outcome. Overall, I am very pleased with his service and would highly recommend him to anyone.”
“Very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Zach Herschensohn provided me with excellent service. He kept me well informed and explained complicated issues in a way I could understand. He took the lead and guided me through everything necessary to achieve a successful outcome. Overall, I am very pleased with his service and would highly recommend him to anyone.”
“Very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Zach Herschensohn provided me with excellent service. He kept me well informed and explained complicated issues in a way I could understand. He took the lead and guided me through everything necessary to achieve a successful outcome. Overall, I am very pleased with his service and would highly recommend him to anyone.”
“Very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Zach Herschensohn provided me with excellent service. He kept me well informed and explained complicated issues in a way I could understand. He took the lead and guided me through everything necessary to achieve a successful outcome. Overall, I am very pleased with his service and would highly recommend him to anyone.”
“Very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Zach Herschensohn provided me with excellent service. He kept me well informed and explained complicated issues in a way I could understand. He took the lead and guided me through everything necessary to achieve a successful outcome. Overall, I am very pleased with his service and would highly recommend him to anyone.”
Driving too fast might not seem like a big deal. But speeding drivers make our roads more dangerous in many different ways, according to the NHTSA. Such reasons include:
- Speeding drivers are more likely to lose control of their vehicle
- Speeding vehicles cause more severe accidents
- Speeding drivers have less time to stop and avoid a collision
- Speeding reduces the effectiveness of safety equipment in a vehicle
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a speeding driver, talk to an attorney as soon as possible to learn more about the legal options available to you.
Having a lawyer on your side after your accident can often make a dramatic difference in the outcome of your case. This is because the insurance company for the at-fault driver can often be difficult to deal with after an accident. In many cases, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will do everything they can to reduce or deny your accident claim. This is because you may be entitled to receive thousands of dollars or perhaps even more for medical bills, vehicle repairs, replacement income, and other accident-related expenses.
We know what’s at stake at Herschensohn Law, PLLC. That’s because we have years of experience representing injury victims and their families throughout Washington. When you have our legal team on your side, you can take an aggressive approach right from the start. Instead of insurance companies dictating what happens next, you are in control. Contact our law firm to learn more about how we can help after your car accident. Schedule a free case evaluation at our Kent, Washington office today.
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After a worker was electrocuted on a construction site and suffered life-changing injuries, we fought and won on their behalf.
When a retired man was killed in a truck accident, we made sure his grieving family got fair compensation.
When a defective medical device harmed our client, we fought to ensure they had the financial compensation needed to recover.
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When you request your free consultation, Kent personal injury attorney Zach Herschensohn will listen to you, answer your questions, lay out your legal options, and give you down-to-earth legal advice.
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