Washington Personal Injury Law Blog

Distracted driving is a serious problem on roadways throughout Washington, oftentimes leading to serious car accidents and injuries for victims. It is important for victims to know the laws in Washington state related to distracted driving and texting while driving as well as the legal protections available to them if they have been harmed by a distracted driver.

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission data reports that the number of car accident deaths caused by distracted driving are increasing. In Washington, distracted driving accounts for 30% of car accident fatalities and 23% of serious car accident injuries. Another important fact to note about distracted driving is that driving while using a cell phone increases the risk of a car accident as though the driver were drunk. In addition, one in four car accidents involves the use of a cell phone prior to the car accident.

Brain injuries can be overwhelming injuries for victims and their families to manage following an unexpected car accident. Brain injuries are, unfortunately, commonly suffered in car accidents. Brain injuries can be costly to treat and may require ongoing treatment and care. Victims and their families should know what those costs are and how best to prepare for them.

Over the course of a lifetime, it can cost between $600,000 and $1.875 million to treat and care for a victim of a severe traumatic brain injury. The cost of brain injuries varies based on the nature of the brain injury and how severe it is. A mild injury may cost $85,000, while a moderate head injury can cost $941,000 and a severe head injury can cost $3 million.

As most Washingtonians know while out driving on Western Washington's busy roadways, sharing the roads with large trucks can be challenging. Unfortunately, commercial vehicle accidents with large trucks can result in serious injuries to victims which is why they should be familiar with the legal resources to help protect them when they have been injured by a negligent truck driver or trucking company.

Depending on the circumstances and relationship between the parties in some instances, a negligent truck driver, negligent truck company or both may be liable for the damages and harm suffered by the victim. The trucking industry is heavily regulated and any violation of those regulations that results in serious or catastrophic injuries to victims may be the basis for liability and demonstrate trucking company negligence or truck driver negligence.

Staying focused, staying alert and watching out for the other motorists on the road while behind the wheel is crucial to safe driving. Alcohol influences these capabilities of a person, putting oneself and others in danger. Driving under influence is fatal and regardless of constant campaigns and awareness drives by the authorities in Washington, many drivers are arrested every year in the country for driving while intoxicated.

In a recent case, a former Kent city employee sentenced to eight-and-half years in prison in connection with drunk driving and killing a pedestrian. The fatal accident occurred while the victim, a man in his mid-70s, was trying to cross the intersection at 108th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 204th Street. Reportedly, the victim was hauled about 200 feet by the truck and died at the scene. The man was driving his work vehicle, a maintenance truck, and admitted that he was drunk. He made an apology for his actions before the judge.