Washington Fatal Accident Statistics
Washington experienced an uptick in traffic fatalities between 2013 and 2015. In fact, statistics provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that between 2006 and 2015, the state saw a marketed decrease in traffic deaths, from a high of 633 to a low of 436. However, accident deaths jumped from that low to 568 in 2015.
Of those 568 traffic fatalities,
- 317 were involved in single vehicle accidents
- 42 involved at least one large truck
- 156 involved one or more speeding vehicles
- 114 were killed in rollover accidents
- 329 lost their lives in roadway departures
- 152 were killed in intersection traffic
At least 369 of those who died were occupants of passenger vehicles, and sadly, 113 were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. The NHTSA estimates that seat belts have saved the lives of 269 people and could have saved 23 more if everyone wore restraints every time they traveled.
Alcohol impairment was a factor in the deaths of 148 people in 2015, and while this is an increase from 132 deaths the prior year, it is a decrease from 221 deaths in 2006, so the efforts of law enforcement and drivers themselves may be working.
Motorcycle fatalities also decreased and then spiked over the ten-year period, falling from 80 in 2006 to a low of 69 in 2014, before increasing to 77 in 2014. Only four riders were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
There were 788 drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2015, yet only 71 were under the age of 21, showing that the vast majority of crashes involve adult drivers. Yet, any minor involved in fatal accidents is too many. To help give novice drivers more time to develop the skills they need to be safe on the road, the state adopted a Graduated Driver’s License system, which may be at least some of the reason for the low number of young drivers involved in these types of crashes.
Unfortunately, pedestrian deaths have gradually increased over the decade, rising from 67 deaths in 2006 to a high of 85 deaths in 2015. Clearly, the state has more to do to protect the lives of these most vulnerable road users.
If you have been injured in a car accident or lost a loved one in a fatal crash, you need a dedicated team of attorneys and legal professionals fighting for your rights. Our attorneys have a long and proven record of helping the victims of car accidents get the compensation they deserve.
Call us today if you or a loved one were injured in a-
- Commercial bus crashes
- School bus accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck crashes
- Motorcycle collisions
- Commercial vehicle accidents
- Semi-truck crashes
We’ll fight insurance companies, negligent operators, and reckless drivers to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.