Dangerous Roadways in Seattle Cause Auto Accidents
Auto accidents can result in traumatizing injuries. Additionally, victims of auto accidents often find themselves with terrible injuries, medical bills, and suffering from pain or living with impairments. Also, some auto accidents have a clear fault, such as drunk, distracted or speeding drivers. However, some accidents are the result of an agency who maintains roads, streets, or highways in a safe condition for motorists. In these cases, the entity responsible for maintaining or designing that roadway could be held liable as well. If this has caused you injuries, then you need a dangerous roadway accident attorney!
If you or a loved one are a victim of a dangerous roadway accident, filing a claim or lawsuit might be difficult. Rather than dealing with another individual or insurance company, you may be dealing with a government agency, a construction company, or a road designer. However, the dangerous roadway accident attorneys at Premier Law Group have plenty of experience fighting for victims of dangerous roadway accidents. We know what it takes to recover full and fair compensation in these complex cases. Contact Premier Law Group today for a free consultation. Call us at 206.285.1743
Common road hazards in Seattle
Furthermore, the entity in charge of a roadway is responsible for its design and upkeep. Some examples of dangerous road conditions that can result in collision are:
- Construction debris in the road
- Potholes or road damage
- Worn roads
- Inadequate signage
- Insufficient lighting
- Hidden signage (from overgrown trees or other causes)
- Inadequate or damaged guardrails
- Poorly designed roads
- Standing water
- Rough roads
Also, the Washington State Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining safe conditions on the roadways, however, they aren’t always perfect. Mistakes do happen, however, and some highways, streets, or roads are not always properly maintained. Unfortunately, when roadways are not maintained, tragic, life-altering accidents can happen.
Who is Liable For a Dangerous Roadway Accident?
In a case involving a dangerous roadway accident, it is important to establish that another party was negligent, and that is what caused injuries and damages. Your auto insurance may cover some costs also, but recovering full compensation may be a more difficult process. This is why it is a good idea to hire a dangerous roadway accident attorney.
Additionally, determining liability in a dangerous roadway accident can be complex because of the variety of potentially liable parties. Some examples are:
- WSDOT (Washington State Department of Transportation)
- Roadway maintenance subcontractors
- Streetlight manufacturers
- Streetlight installers
- Road designers
- Insurance companies
Were any injuries caused by the conditions of the road? Was the government aware of the problem? Did they fail to fix it? Was there time to solve the issue? Does the location of the accident have a history of injury or accidents? If the answer to any of the questions is yes, the injured victim of the dangerous roadway accident may have a viable claim against the government in Seattle.
However, it takes an experienced Seattle dangerous road accident lawyer to pursue a case against a governmental entity, which almost always involves additional procedures and red tape.
Motorcyclists Are Also At Risk on Dangerous Roadways
Motorcyclists accidents also result from dangerous roadways. Furthermore, most motorcycle accidents are caused by other drivers. Other accidents happen due to defective products, such as failing brakes or tires that give way. However, a sizable portion of motorcycle crashes in Seattle may be caused by the road itself!
Additionally, dangerous roadway conditions can be especially dangerous for motorcyclists. For instance:
- Tight turns or poorly lit stretches of road lit could contribute to a motorcycle accident.
- A lack of warning signs indicating a hazardous condition could cause a serious collision.
The Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Seattle?
When it comes to certain streets, Seattle drivers should exercise great caution. Some of these streets include:
- Highway 2
- Interstate 5
- I-90
- I-405
- Aurora Avenue North
- Pike Street
- 9th and James
- 3rd Avenue and Pike Street
- 8th Avenue and Pike Street
- Northwest 85th Street and 15th Avenue Northwest
- East Thomas Street and 11th Avenue East
- Westlake Avenue North and Valley Street
Section 405 and Washington State Law
Section 405 is the National Priority Safety Program. This program provides funding to address priorities for reducing highway deaths and injuries across the country. This is to say, Section 405 is an incentive program which helps address key areas of safety. These areas include:
- Impaired driving
- Distracted driving
- Motorcycle safety
- Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws
- Occupant protection
Resulting from the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, Section 405, as well as Section 402, will receive $2.7 billion in funding between the years of 2016 to 2020.
Furthermore, according to the Governors Highway Safety Administration, failure to fund Section 405 can lead to a significant increase in traffic fatalities across the county.
Without federal support, Washington state will experience a significant reduction in funding.
Speak with our experienced Seattle Dangerous Roadway Accident Attorneys
At Premier Law Group we fight every day to win full and fair compensation for our clients.
Our expert auto accident attorneys will speak with you directly, not just a paralegal or an intake specialist. Furthermore, we offer FREE case reviews to people who were injured in a dangerous roadway accident and are looking for a Seattle personal injury lawyer. We will help you navigate your claim so that you can focus on your recovery. Lastly, we will handle the rest.
Finally, by speaking with you and gathering information about your specific situation we can provide the most accurate information and explain our recommendations in detail. Call us at 206.285.1743 for a free case review today. Remember, there is no fee unless we win your case.