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Many residents of the greater Seattle community may believe that speeding is just an ordinary course of business when driving upon a Washington roadway.  But, please think again.  While although many may equate speeding as a run of the mill traffic violation, it can easily kill.  A recent death in Renton unfortunately reinforces this…all too well.

Tragic Renton Crash

Police authorities and firefighters responded to an accident scene in Renton at approximately 5:40 a.m. on the morning of December 3rd.  The scene was located on Puget Drive South at Benson Road South.  Respondents raced to the scene after receiving a report of a serious accident.

Once upon the scene, respondents found a silver 2014 Lexus lying on the vehicle’s side.  The auto was discovered down a wooded embankment along a curve in the road.  The male driver of the vehicle was found dead inside the Lexus.

Thus far, preliminary investigations have found that the driver of the auto had been driving erratically just prior to the crash.  Reports indicate that he was weaving in and out of traffic at dangerously high speeds.  Once the driver reached the curve near the intersection of Benson Road and Puget Drive, he completely lost control of his vehicle.

As a result, the car ricocheted off a power pole.  It then hit the curb and eventually a nearby tree.  The vehicle then plunged thirty feet down an embankment.  It sheared off one tree before coming to its final rest.

The driver of the Lexus was the vehicle’s only occupant.  He has not yet been identified.  Reports indicate that no other cars were involved in the deadly accident.  It’s still unknown whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the collision.

Renton police are still currently seeking any witnesses who may have observed events leading up to the accident.  Witnesses are being asked to contact Officer Hyett at: 425-430-7500.  The Renton Police Case in question is 14-13621.

Speeding Kills

In 2013, Washington saw 440,773 speeding citations filed with Washington State Courts.  Further, the act of speeding accounted for the second most popular circumstance contributing to an automobile collision.  In total, 2013 witnessed 18,093 collisions due to excessive speeding.

There’s no denying it.  Almost all of us choose to drive our vehicles above the speed limit every single day.  But, the honest truth is that the simple act of speeding easily equates into increased risks of auto accidents, injuries and even deaths.

All of us need to become more responsible drivers.  Speeding is one act that is easy to cure.  No matter if you’re late for a meeting or an appointment; or, if you’re just reacting to a frustrating encounter on one of Washington’s roadways, slow down!  Your safety, and the safety of other motorists, will thank you enormously.

If you have been injured in an automobile accident due to a driver speeding excessively, please contact us.  Phillips Law Firm includes a premier team of attorneys that have represented countless victims of accidents caused by excessive speeding.  This team knows justice and they want to deliver it to you.  Contact them now for assistance!

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Fatal Car CrashIn 2011, speeding drivers were responsible for 30% of all fatal crashes and cost accident victims and society nearly $41 billion. In the State of Washington alone, 165 speeding drivers lost their lives in 2011. While speeding related fatalities have decreased over the past decade, there is still so much work to be done.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the majority of speeding drivers are young males between the ages of 16 and 24 and alcohol impairment is a common cause. In addition, 44% of all fatal accidents that occurred on icy roads were a result of a speeding driver.

The 2011 National Survey of Speeding Attitudes and Behaviors noted some interesting characteristics among speeders. Overall, speeders were generally more likely to get irritated and impatient behind the wheel of a vehicle. Speeders were also more likely to enjoy the feeling of going fast and to have the goal of getting where they were going as fast as they could.

One of the main reasons Washington drivers disobey the speed limit signs, is because they are running late to an appointment or an engagement. Safety experts urge all drivers to give themselves enough time to reach their destination safely, so they can avoid going faster than the posted speed limit signs.

In addition to causing fatal car crashes, speeding drivers can cause tremendous damage to both personal and public property and they can cause serious injuries. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, back and neck injuries, and severe fractures are all examples of injuries that can occur at high rates of speed.

Contact Seattle Car Accident Lawsuit Attorneys

If a speeding driver injures you or someone you love, an experienced auto accident attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our car accident lawsuit attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington. 

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Speeding Fatalities Washington State

Between 2004 and 2008, there were 1,045 fatal crashes in the State of Washington involving drivers who were speeding. This accounts for 40% of all traffic related deaths during that 5-year period. More than 50% of those who died in Washington speeding crashes were between the ages of 16 and 30 years old. These numbers tell a sad story and show that Washington drivers are all at risk when speeding is involved.

Contributing Factors to Speeding Deaths in Washington

Type of Road: Over half of the speeding-related deaths in Washington State occurred in rural areas. Drivers who sped on US/State Highways came in second with 26.5% of all speeding-related fatalities. Interstates in Washington, however, had the fewest number of speeding-related deaths (8.7%).

Time of Day: 3 out of 5 Washington speeding fatalities occurred between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Half of all speeding fatalities occurred on the weekends, suggesting that party-going young adults and teenagers were a bit more reckless during those times.

Speeding Counties: The top 5 counties in Washington represented half of all speeding related deaths. Those counties were:

  • King County – 21.1%
  • Pierce County – 11.5%
  • Snohomish County – 8.1%
  • Yakima County – 5.0%
  • Thurston County – 5.0%

Time of Year: One-third of all speeding related fatalities in Washington occurred during the warm summer months of July, August, and September. The fewest speeding deaths occurred from December through February.

Safety Factors: 44% of all speeding fatalities involved individuals who were not wearing their seat belts. In addition, more than 60% of those drivers were also under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of the crash and 21% were driving distracted.

Contact Seattle Car Accident Lawsuit Attorneys

If a negligent driver injures you or someone you love, an experienced Seattle car accident attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our personal injury attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7. We offer free case evaluations and a no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue ,Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond,  Shoreline and throughout the State of Washington. 

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