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If you’ve been in a car accident, you know how scary the situation can be. One minute you are driving quietly along the road, minding your own business, and the next minute your car is spinning out of control, your airbag has inflated and you’re left dazed and uncertain about what just happened. What you do in the minutes immediately following a car accident can have a big impact on what happens next and can affect your family’s well-being for months, if not years. We understand that an accident scene is a confusing and bewildering place. That’s where a skilled Seattle auto accident attorney can be invaluable.
The roads in Washington became deadlier. In the year 2022, a study on traffic fatalities reported that there were about 327 in the first half of the year, which is said to have increased from 2021, with 249 death in the same period or a 39% increase in just a year. With that, Washington was considered to have the sixth-highest increase among states in the United States.
Most Seattle car accident lawyers can tell you that there is a seasonal element to road accidents in Washington State and the Seattle metro area. Traffic accidents in Washington State were at their peak in July last 2021, according to Washington’s Traffic Safety Commission. The lowest incidence of traffic accidents occurred during the first quarter of the year 2021. State transportation officials have also cited the easing of COVID restrictions as a factor for the recent increase in area traffic accidents, as more people are taking road trips they postponed for several years.
Car accidents can happen to even the most careful driver, but there are things you can do to increase the odds of your arriving safely at your destination. Aside from common sense things like not driving distracted by eating in the car, checking your cell phone, or putting on makeup, one of the best things you can do to stay safe on the road is to take care of your equipment. Make sure that your tires have plenty of air and trend on them, check your windshield wipers, and fill your windshield washer and other fluids before they run out. Allowing enough time to reach your destination is also a good idea. That way you won’t be tempted to rush and cut safety corners.
The first thing you should do if you’re involved in a car accident is to see if you or anyone else involved in the accident is injured and, if so, seek immediate medical assistance. This usually means calling 911 and providing emergency care until the ambulance arrives, if you are able. It’s also important to get to safety immediately if you are in danger of being hit by oncoming traffic or in other sorts of perils. Only then should you call the police to report the accident.
After you’ve called the police, it’s time to look for evidence and witnesses, if you are physically able, and make a record of the scene with your cell phone camera. Lastly, it’s a good idea to contact a Seattle auto accident attorney before you speak with the police. An experienced attorney will help represent your interests and make sure that your rights, including your right to sue, are protected.
The time immediately after you’ve been injured is not the right time to teach yourself the ins and outs of personal injury law. You need an experienced and knowledgeable Seattle car accident lawyer to make sure your rights are protected and you get the compensation you need to pay your medical and household bills until you can work again.
At Craig Swapp & Associates, our Seattle car accident lawyers know the people who can get things done for you and your family. In most cases, you won’t get an invoice from us until we collect money on your behalf. To make an appointment with a Seattle car accident lawyer for a free case evaluation, contact us today.
Written By: Ryan Swapp Legal Review By: Craig Swapp