What are the Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Kent?
The most dangerous roads and intersections in Kent are:
- Between S. 252nd Street and S. 176th Street of the Pacific Highway (Washington State Route 99)
- Between 16th Street and S. 263rd Street of the Pacific Highway
- Central Avenue
- W. Smith Street and E. Smith Street
Several organizations keep data on where the most dangerous roads are, both in Washington State and Kent specifically. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is one of them. It tracks:
- When and where accidents occur
- What kinds of injuries were reported (fatal, serious, minor, possible, or none)
- The main factor that caused the accident
- Car accident trends, such as the frequency of accidents and what types of roads they occur on
The data regarding fatal and serious injury car accidents show a “clustering” of accidents on the Pacific Highway, Central Avenue, and Smith Street, and the intersection between Central Ave. and West/East Smith Street. Due to the high rate of fatal and serious injuries on these roads, they are the most dangerous in Kent.
As you drive, ride, or walk down a road, you should be alert to potential dangers, including:
- Broken lights, including traffic lights or streetlights
- Erratic, dangerous behavior from drivers or pedestrians
- Oncoming traffic
- Debris or objects left in the roadway
- Poor weather that can obscure visibility or make the roadway slick
- Animals or people stepping in front of you unexpectedly
- Cracks or potholes in the roadway
If you notice hazards like these, be extremely cautious as you move through this environment. While you cannot control the condition of the road or your fellow roadway users, you can take measures to protect yourself and others, including:
- Slowing down in the face of dangers like inclement weather
- Obeying all traffic signs and signals, including traffic lights, stop signs, and yield signs
- Using your turn signals and headlights as necessary
- Giving a wide berth to anyone who is behaving erratically
Finally, always wear your seatbelt, even if you are familiar with the area or are only going for a short drive. Seatbelts, as the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) states, can decrease your risk of suffering a “moderate to critical” injury by half.
“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.”
Car accidents can occur in these areas for many reasons, including:
Driver Error
Perhaps the most common car accident cause, driver error encompasses a wide array of risky and careless behaviors, including:
- Speeding
- Driving too fast for the conditions
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Ignoring traffic signs or signals
- Indulging in distractions, such as cell phone use
Drinking alcohol, taking drugs, and driving while drowsy increase the risk of a driver committing such errors. WSDOT data show that alcohol was involved in 124 Kent accidents in just one year, including on the roads listed above.
Intersections pose a special danger because multiple roads and streams of traffic converge there at once and there are many more opportunities for drivers to make a mistake that injures others.
Environmental Factors
It is every road user’s responsibility to behave cautiously when faced with uncontrollable environmental factors such as thick fog or heavy rain.
However, when it comes to the roadway itself, it is usually the local government’s responsibility to keep roadways clean and safe by:
- Repairing broken lights or signs
- Filling in potholes
- Removing fallen branches and other debris
- Putting down rock salt and plowing snow
If you notice hazards on a Kent street, you can contact the City of Kent to let them know. They must address all hazards promptly or they could be held responsible if an accident occurs due to that hazard.
Defective Vehicles
Sometimes, the vehicles themselves can pose a hazard.
Before selling a car or car part, manufacturers must conduct careful tests to ensure their product will perform as expected under ordinary circumstances. If they find a flaw, they must halt sales and alert customers of the danger. This applies to all vehicles and parts, including:
- Brakes
- Tires
- Steering columns
- Airbags
If a manufacturer fails to ensure the safety of their products, and if that failure contributes to an accident, the accident survivors can hold them accountable.
Regardless of where an accident happens, the consequences can be devastating. You could:
- Suffer severe injuries that take a long time to heal or never heal at all
- Be left with high medical bills
- Be unable to work, either temporarily or permanently
- Have to take on debt, reduce your family’s standard of living, or even forego medical care due to financial hardship
- Struggle with trauma and mental health issues related to the accident
- Lose the use of the vehicle you rely on to fulfill your obligations to your family and your job
You can pursue compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company. The car accident attorney at Herschensohn Law can make it easier by:
- Answering all of your questions about your rights, your case, and what you should do next
- Investigating the accident to determine the liable party’s identity and the monetary worth of your case
- Negotiating on your behalf for a fair amount of compensation or presenting your case before a courtroom jury
- Managing all calls and paperwork related to your case, including communications and settlement offers from the insurance company
We even offer a free case assessment to get you started. This can help us better understand your situation so you can make smarter decisions about how to handle your lawsuit.
Were you injured on one of the most dangerous roads and intersections in Kent? Or did your accident occur elsewhere in or around the city? Herschensohn Law wants to help you collect compensation no matter where or how your accident occurred. Call (206) 588-4344 to get a free case review today.
Our results speak for themselves
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.
Hurt? Let our law firm handle the details
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.
When you work with our law office, there are no obligations, hidden fees, or fine print. It’s that simple.