Auto accidents in Washington state happen all year long throughout the different seasons, however the most likely time for someone to find themselves in a car crash, regardless of the time of year, is during inclement weather. We wrote this article to help educate you on some of the dangers and risks involved when driving in the rain, ice, or snow so you can stay safe while driving in and around the Seattle, Renton, Bellevue, and Federal Way area.
Statistics That Involve Accidents During Inclement Weather
Extreme seasonal weather like sleet, ice, snow, and fog may rattle a motorist’s nerves, surprisingly however they are not the biggest weather related threat on the nation’s roadways in terms of crashes, injuries, and fatal accidents
In 2018 a study was done that collected official data from the year 2007 to the year 2016 which said that weather-related auto accidents during those years accounted for 21 percent of the total number of crashes during that time. This study also showed that wet pavement and rainfall accounted for respectively 70 percent and 46 percent of all weather related car crashes. What’s surprising is That those numbers are far more than snow which accounts for 18 percent, ice which accounts for 13 percent, and slush which accounts for 16 percent. Wet pavement and rain alone contributed to over 1.4 million auto accidents, over 537,000 injuries, and 6,523 deaths.
Tips And Tricks To Prepare For the Rain, Ice, And Snow While Driving
While all our local Seattle and Bellevue motorists are ultimately responsible for their own safety on the roads, our experienced car accident lawyers strongly encourage drivers to follow safe driving practices, especially in the rain, ice, and snow. Here are some recommendations below that are offered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- Drive clear-headed. Drivers should never get behind the wheel when they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There have been countless studies done to show why this is never a good idea.
- Avoid driving fatigued. Before leaving for a long trip, make sure to get plenty of rest. If possible you should stop at least once every three hours, and rotate drivers if you can.
- Give space to other drivers. Especially when driving in inclement weather, be sure to give other drivers plenty of space to allow for timely breaking and sudden stops.
- Stay alert while driving. Expect the unexpected. You never know when someone might start walking across the road in metropolitan Seattle or Bellevue, or if a vehicle will be stalled on the road.
- Practice, practice, practice. Drivers can familiarize themselves with how their vehicle responds in wet, snowy, and icy weather and learn how to stay cool under pressure by practicing in an empty parking lot.
Have you been injured while driving in inclement weather?
If you or a loved one who lives around the greater Seattle or Bellevue area have been injured while driving in the rain, ice, or snow, then it’s important to know the benefits of hiring a skilled lawyer with experience handling car crashes. Our experienced auto accident lawyers have been helping people who have been injured driving in inclement weather for decades.
Premier Law Group offers FREE consultations, and our attorneys would be happy to answer any questions you have and help anyway we can! Give us a call, and see how we can help you to just focus on getting better while we maximize your settlement!
Jason at premier law group is truly an outstanding individual. Our particular case was not something that their firm usually sees but they were more than willing to help us and give us all of the information they had available. I can't recommend them enough.