When there’s semi-trucks on the road, you have to be extremely careful. This is true at any time, but especially when it’s cold and conditions aren’t ideal.
All of these factors were present in a head-on collision that happened in Chelan County on Monday, January 8, 2024. According to a story from Fox 28, four people were injured in a head-on collision on SR 97 near Blewett in Chelan County. Washington State Patrol (WSP) responded to the crash scene, where investigators say that a driver in the northbound lane of SR 97 tried to pass a jackknifed semi-truck when they collided head-on with a driver in the opposite lane heading southbound. The driver of the vehicle that was struck head-on was transported to a local hospital with injuries, as were the three passengers in that vehicle.
WSP says that the driver that struck the other vehicle was cited for improper passing. The extent of the injuries wasn’t known at the time the story was released. The driver of the semi-truck was also uninjured, and was not involved in the collision itself.
How Does Liability Work in a Car Accident?
Washington law says that any injury victim has the right to file a claim against the person or entity that’s responsible for causing the accident. However, particularly in accidents like the one above, there’s a number of things to consider. Generally speaking, though, the first thing you’ll need to establish is this legal responsibility, which is known as “liability.” And to do that, you have to show negligence.
When there’s a head-on collision, it’s pretty simple. Liability falls on the person that was cited for improper passing and striking you head-on.
However, there’s actually a way to establish negligence in any car accident:
- Duty of care – Every driver in Washington has a duty to drive in a safe way at all times
- Breach of duty – When they don’t and cause an accident, they breach their duty
- Causation – This breach of duty caused the accident in question
- Damages – There were damages to you that were directly caused by the accident
Even though liability is usually fairly straightforward in certain accidents, every accident is unique. Thus, there’s always the chance that others can share some of the liability, even you. While it depends heavily on the circumstances, other potentially liable parties can include:
- Third drivers
- Passengers or pedestrians
- Government agencies in charge of the road or road signs
- Construction workers or companies
- Mechanics or repair shops
- Parts manufacturers
As you can tell, a car accident has the potential to become very confusing. When you add injuries and other changes to your life, it quickly becomes overwhelming. That’s where our team of Spokane car accident lawyers can help you.
Contact CCD Law After a Car Accident
Since 1948, CCD Law has helped car accident victims in Spokane and the surrounding area. We take pride in our approach and can simplify the process through which you can recover financial support for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress after a car accident. Don’t wait–contact us today for a free consultation to get the process started.
