4 Of the Worst Car Accidents in Washington History

January 12, 2023

In Washington, there are a number of fatal car accidents every year. In fact, data from the Washington Department of Transportation found that there were nearly 70,000 car accidents in 2022 alone, with 2,593 causing injuries and 671 of them being fatal.

Most every car accident is a traumatic experience—and oftentimes it is extremely costly to you and your family. You may find yourself severely injured, temporarily or permanently unable to work due to your injuries, or buried under a mountain of medical bills and other expenses. No matter what caused your accident, being in a car accident will require support and other compensation to get back on your feet. But there are other elements to car accidents that are important.

One of these elements is understanding what causes accidents and looking at some of the worst accidents our state has seen in its history.

CCD Law Helps Washington Car Accident Victims

Fortunately, if you’re looking to hold the at-fault parties accountable for their negligence, our team of experienced Washington car accident lawyers at Crary, Clark, Domanico, & Chuang, P.S. can help. Whether through filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit, CCD Law knows how to best approach your car accident to recover the support you need. More than that, we can help you navigate a complicated process with knowledge and confidence.

Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.

38 Vehicle Pileup on I-90 in Yakima on December 7, 2022

One of the most recent entries on the list occurred on December 7, 2022, when a Yakima man caused a 38-vehicle pileup that injured three and shut down the eastbound lane of Interstate 90 for over 10 hours as authorities cleared the wreckage.

According to Washington State Patrol (WSP), the man lost control of his vehicle after excessively speeding, spinning out of control, and causing the pileup that included 20 cars and 18 trucks. Weather played a factor, as the temperature was only 21 degrees that day and the roadway was covered with dense fog. The 57-year-old man was driving too fast for road conditions, but drugs or alcohol were not involved in the accident, according to authorities.

Over 100 Car Pileup in Spokane on November 26, 2019

A string of 35 accidents involving over 100 cars occurred in Spokane on November 26, 2019. The accidents occurred around 2:00 PM on a 10-mile stretch of road between Medical Lake and Geiger Road on Interstate 90, with 38 vehicles being involved in the pileup.

Washington State Troopers called it among the worst pileups they can remember seeing, caused by a domino effect after a layer of snow fell quickly and crews not being able to treat the roads in time. Seven people were injured, all of them minor. At one point, the state patrol had used every available tow truck in the area in an attempt to clear the scene. It took hours to clear the road, with the gridlock stretching for several miles before crews were able to get things moving again.

42 Vehicle Accident on I-5 in Seattle in August 1996

The southbound lane of Interstate 5 in Seattle was closed for over four hours because of a 42-vehicle accident that occurred in August of 1996.

Metro Bus Plunges Over Aurora Bridge in Seattle on November 27, 1998

One of the most tragic accidents in not only Seattle, but Washington’s history occurred on November 27, 1998. A gunman shot and killed the driver of Metro Bus No. 359, sending the bus plunging off the Aurora Bridge and into the Fremont neighborhood. The gunman, a 43-year-old man, turned the gun on himself prior to the crash. Ultimately, he, the driver, and a passenger were killed. 32 other passengers were injured.

What To Do After a Car Accident

Obviously, the above accidents underscore just how dangerous it can be behind the wheel of a car or other vehicle in Washington. While those accidents are among the worst that the state has ever seen, and while you may never find yourself involved in an accident as severe or extensive, you still need to be prepared in the event that you are involved in a car accident.

As such, there are a few steps you can take after a car accident that can help you gather your bearings and ultimately position your claim for damages. These steps include:

  • Make your way to safety and check yourself and other passengers for injuries.
  • Report the accident to the police.
  • Get medical help by calling an ambulance.
  • Gather any witness statements and ask for their contact information.
  • Take photos and videos at the accident scene to record the damage.
  • Exchange information with the other involved parties.

Once you have taken these initial steps after being involved in a car accident, contacting one of our experienced car accident lawyers at CCD Law should be your next move. Our skilled team of Washington car accident lawyers can help you with a variety of tasks, including:

  • Filing an injury claim with your own insurance provider
  • Filing a claim directly with the at-fault parties’ insurance carrier
  • Filing a personal injury lawsuit at-fault parties.

Ultimately, your damages and injuries from a car accident will be examined and assessed by an insurance company. As such, it’s extremely important to make sure that your claim remains as strong as possible. We can help, but you’ll also want to make sure to keep up with any medical treatment and not to speak with any representative from the insurance company without first discussing it with our team.

Washington Car Accident Lawyers Are Here For You

The state of Washington has seen some tragic and deadly car accidents over the years. In addition, there are a wide variety of different causes and types of car accidents you’ll need to watch out for on the road. While you can never totally avoid a car accident, you can be prepared if you do find yourself in one of these unfortunate events.

Working with our team of experienced Washington car accident lawyers at CCD Law can help in this process. We’ll be there with you every step of the way, providing top-notch legal services and support. To get started with our team, contact us today for a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.yaktrinews.com/multiple-crashes-close-i-90-eastbound-near-ellensburg/

https://www.krem.com/article/traffic/multiple-crashes-snarl-traffic-in-both-directions-on-i-90-near-geiger-blvd/293-36b57920-68a1-413a-b600-71afb4ffc0f8

https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/Emergency/PlansOEM/SHIVA/2014-04-23_TransportationIncidents.pdf

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/bus-plunges-over-aurora-bridge-in-1998-passenger-recalls-the-crash/879515550/

 

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