There’s certain areas of Spokane that, unfortunately, see more car accidents than others. Usually, these are areas with congested traffic and many people. East Sprague Avenue, being one of the city’s busiest streets, is one of these places. Two people were injured when they were involved in a collision at the intersection of East Sprague Avenue and South Myrtle Street, according to a story from KHQ.
The accident happened on Monday, February 19, 2024. One of the vehicles was a Toyota Prius owned by Pack’s Transport. The driver, a woman, was headed along East Sprague Avenue when Spokane Police Department (SPD) investigators say an Audi crossed the centerline and hit her head-on. The Audi then rolled over, and both drivers had to be pulled from their vehicles. Both drivers were taken to a local hospital with injuries. The driver of the Audi is expected to be charged with reckless driving.
Why Are Intersection Accidents So Common?
As you might expect, intersections like East Sprague and Myrtle frequently see car accidents throughout the year in Spokane. There’s a variety of reasons for this, but among the most common are:
- More traffic – Intersections often have lots of cars, which can cause accidents because there are so many vehicles close together.
- They’re more complicated – Intersections can be confusing with many lanes, traffic lights, places for people to walk, and places to turn. It takes focus and skill to drive through them safely, but some drivers struggle with this.
- Failure to follow traffic rules – Not following traffic signals, like going through red lights or not letting others go first, causes many accidents at intersections. This happens when drivers aren’t paying attention, are impatient, or drive recklessly.
- Speeding – Going too fast through intersections means it’s harder to react quickly if something goes wrong. Some drivers don’t slow down enough when they approach intersections.
- Distracted driving – Doing things like texting, talking on the phone, eating, or changing the radio while driving takes attention away from the road. This makes accidents at intersections more likely.
- Poor visibility – Sometimes it’s hard to see well at intersections because of bad weather, blind spots, or things blocking the view. This makes it tough for drivers to know what’s happening and react in time.
- Turning accidents – Accidents often happen when drivers turn left at intersections. This can be because they misjudge how fast other cars are going or how far away they are.
- Intoxication – Drinking alcohol or taking drugs before driving makes it hard to make good decisions and react quickly. This makes accidents, including those at intersections, more likely.
- Interacting with pedestrians and bicyclists – Intersections aren’t just for cars; people walking and biking use them too. Not giving them the right of way or not knowing what they’ll do can cause accidents.
When you or someone you care about is hurt in one of these accidents, you have the legal right to file an injury claim. The purpose of this is to recover certain “damages,” like payment for medical bills, lost earnings, permanent injuries, pain and suffering, and more. Before you do that, though, you should talk to our Spokane car accident lawyers at CCD Law.
Contact CCD Law After a Spokane Car Accident
Since 1948, CCD Law has helped car accident victims through the recovery process in Spokane. Regardless of the circumstances of your accident, we can explain your rights and what the process is for getting your rightful damages from the person or party responsible. For a free case consultation, contact us today.
