Two cars collided on Highway 20 Tuesday around 6:15 p.m., Tuesday, October 22, 2019, injuring two adults. According to the Washington State Patrol, the accident happened when a passenger vehicle attempted to pass a Ford Expedition and went into the oncoming lane. The Expedition turned left into the path of the passenger vehicle.
The driver and a passenger in the Expedition were injured and transported to a local hospital. Three minors in the Expedition and the driver of the passenger vehicle were uninjured. Police are still investigating the accident, and it’s too early to tell if there will be any charges filed.
Rural Highway Passing Accidents
Rural roads like Highway 20 near Spokane are the most dangerous types of roads, according to a report from the Federal Highway Association. The study found that 30 percent of all driving is in rural areas, yet rural driving accounts for over 50 percent of all auto accident fatalities.
Many of those deaths are caused by passing on two-lane rural highways which account for a significant percentage of rural highway accidents. Human error is the primary cause of passing accidents, and one of the reasons is that drivers underestimate how much clear road they need to make a safe pass.
According to the Federal Highway Administration Research and Technology department, if going 60 mph, the driver should be able to see at least 2,100 feet of clear road to make a safe pass. This is nearly one third of a mile, and many times drivers don’t account for that distance.
Causes of Rural Head-On Collisions
There are two types of crashes in the majority of rural road passing crashes. One is the head-on collision which happens when the driver of the passing car can’t get back in time. The other happens when the car being passed takes a left turn not realizing the passing car is in the oncoming lane. These crashes are violent and cause certain common injuries:
- Blunt Force Trauma
- Head Injuries/Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Chest Compressions
- Organ Damage
- Internal Injuries/Bleeding
- Air bag injuries
Contact a Spokane Personal Injury Attorney
If you’ve been injured by someone else’s negligence, you should at least talk to an attorney who can advise you of your rights and can inform you of the insurance coverage available to you. At  Crary, Clark, Domanico, & Chuang, P.S., we offer a free consultation so you can make an informed decision.
We serve clients in Spokane, Washington, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and surrounding communities. They can go toe-to-toe with the insurance companies and their lawyers to get you fair compensation for your injuries. Call them at (509) 926-4900, or send them a message by clicking here.
