Since 1948, CCD Law has helped car accident victims through the legal process in Spokane. No matter the type, this is one of the most common accidents that happen throughout the area. We can help explain your legal options if you’ve been involved in a car accident, but it also helps to look at the underlying data to see just how frequent these things happen. Contact us today for a free consultation.
How Many Car Accidents Are There in Spokane County?
Given that Spokane County is one of Washington’s most populated areas, it’s really not surprising that there’s a rather large number of car accidents here every year. In fact, data from the Washington State Patrol (WSP) showed that, over the last five years, the county has averaged:
- 7,430 car accidents per year.
Broken down per year, Spokane County had the following number of car accidents:
- 2019 – 8,834
- 2020 – 7,416
- 2021 – 8,239
- 2022 – 8,046
- 2023 – 4,618
Despite these statistics, it’s crucial to realize that every car accident is different. This means that if you’re in one, you might get seriously injured, but there’s also a possibility of minor or no injuries at all. So, one question you might have is do you need a lawyer? The answer is that it depends. The more hurt you are, the more help you’ll probably need. We can help by:
- Investigating the accident
- Helping gather evidence
- Explaining the legal process
- Working with insurance companies to negotiate for a fair settlement
Being hurt in a car accident is never an ideal situation, but as the numbers show, it’s a common happening here in Spokane County. At the same time, it can be helpful to look closer at the issue.
What are Some of the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Spokane?
Another thing to understand about car accidents in Spokane is that they’re not just frequent, but they happen for a variety of different reasons. At the same time, it’s often negligent actions that lead to them. 2023 data from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) showed that the most common types of car accidents in Spokane were:
- Distracted driving – 25
- Alcohol or drug impaired – 20
- Speeding – 16
Unfortunately, Spokane is not unique when dealing with these causes of car accidents. But the fact remains that these actions in particular not only lead to accidents, but they’re often more severe in terms of the damage.
How Many Car Accidents in Spokane are Fatal?
There’s a lot of variance in the outcomes of a typical car accident in Spokane. But by far the worst outcome is when there’s fatal injuries. In 2023 alone, WSDOT data found that there were:
- 19 fatal car accidents city wide.
Between 2019 and 2022, the number of fatal accidents has fluctuated:
- 2019 – 10
- 2020 – 18
- 2021 – 26
- 2022 – 16
Obviously, a fatal car accident is much more devastating, both in terms of the impact and aftermath for any surviving family members. Worse, any car accident carries the potential for fatal injuries. That said, there’s certain types of car accidents that are more likely to lead to these types of accidents:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Semi-truck accidents
- Accidents caused by reckless driving
- Faulty or failing car parts, especially brakes or airbags
Whenever these factors or types of accidents are present, it raises the stakes. Even though everybody is vulnerable, certain drivers are more susceptible to being in car accidents.
Teen Drivers and Car Accidents in Spokane
Because there are so many car accidents in Spokane, it can seem like they happen to everyone, regardless of their demographic. But looking at the data from WSDOT, it shows that certain age groups are more prominent than others when it comes to being involved in accidents and none more than teenagers. According to the data, teenagers were involved in:
- 397 total car accidents in 2023.
Much like fatal car accidents, the number has fluctuated in recent years:
- 2019 – 493 accidents
- 2020 – 413 accidents
- 2021 – 504 accidents
- 2022 – 518 accidents
Teenagers are especially prone to being car accidents for a variety of different reasons, like:
- Inexperience – Obviously, many teenagers are learning to drive on the fly. This inexperience with handling certain situations and scenarios can sometimes lead to accidents.
- Lack of supervision – Once they get their driver’s license, many teens will be driving without an adult with them. This lack of supervision could lead to more dangerous behavior.
- Peer pressure – Along the same lines, when a group of teens get together in a car, there’s frequent distractions and other problems that can cause accidents.
- Risky behavior – To go along with a lack of experience, many teens may not realize their limitations when it comes to their ability to handle driving situations. Worse, some are more likely to speed, not wear seatbelts, and other risky behavior that can make accidents worse.
Legal Help After a Spokane Car Accident
Car accidents can happen when you least expect it in Spokane, and they often result in physical and financial challenges. But you don’t have to face them alone. Since 1948, CCD Law has helped Spokane car accident victims recover from their injuries by helping them through the legal process. Whether it’s helping you get back medical expenses, car repair costs, or other damages, our team will be there to support your recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation to start your recovery process.
