Those who know about the most common kinds of accidents in Washington will be better able to protect themselves.

Drivers in Washington should always keep in mind that getting behind the wheel of a car is like taking hold of a deadly weapon. The fact of the matter is that car accidents kill thousands of people each year, and 34,459 of those deaths in 2016 were in the United States. Each state has differing statistics, so it is a good idea to learn the statistics in your home state. Knowing the most common crash scenarios can help drivers be aware of what to look out for and to be better prepared.

What types of vehicles had the most crash deaths?

While some states have more large semi-trucks driving through them than others, the likelihood of road fatalities varies for different vehicles and from state to state. In Washington, more people died from accidents in passenger cars than any other type of vehicle, with 204 people or 38 percent of all accident fatalities. Pickups and SUVs were the next most common, with 23 percent or 125 people dying in crashes. Pedestrians made up 16 percent of those who died from car accidents in Washington, with 84 people being killed.

What are the most common driver distractions?

Distracted driving is a danger to everyone on the road, and it is a common causal factor in car accidents no matter the vehicle type. The following statistics were provided by the Washington State Department of Transportation for the year of 2015, and they provide insight into what drivers are most distracted by:

· General inattention resulted in the largest amount of fatal crashes, and top the charts for just about every other collision type as well.

· A driver being distracted by something outside the vehicle leads to many accidents and has led to over 100 instances of property damage.

· The operation of a cellphone or other communication device led to the deaths of 4 people, 10 major injuries and 350 instances of property damage.

· It is not wise for a driver to let an animal unsecured in a car or for the driver to allow other passengers take his or her attention away from the road. Over 1,100 accidents happened because people were distracted by passengers, animal, or another human, and 3 of these instances were fatal.

Overall, more than 40,000 different car accidents happened in Washington in 2015, as a result of drivers being distracted for one reason or another.

Those living in Washington who have been seriously injured in an auto accident, or who have a loved one who has been injured or killed, will have to deal with the costs of medical care as well as pain and suffering. The pursuit of financial compensation most definitely will be aided with the consultation and representation of a competent lawyer in the local area who practices personal injury law. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in an auto accident, we would appreciate you contacting our office.