Seattle Personal Injury Attorney Chris Thayer
Seattle Personal Injury Attorney Chris Thayer
Handling Personal Injury Claims in the Seattle Area and Throughout Washington Since 1995

My name is Chris Thayer and I am a personal injury attorney practicing in downtown Seattle. I handle personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death claims throughout the greater Seattle area, including Issaquah, Mercer Island and Kirkland.

I am here to help you.

Call for a free consultation (206) 340-2008

Strategies to Avoid Kent Car Crashes

Posted Friday, August 18, 2023 by Chris Thayer

According to a story in the Auburn Reporter, a 21-year Kent man died as a result of a single-vehicle crash along westbound State Route 18 in the Auburn/Black Diamond area. According to the State Patrol, the vehicle was traveling westbound at a high rate of speed. In attempting to exit, the car was moving too fast to navigate the curve. The vehicle left the roadway and rolled several times, ejecting the rear passenger.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a car crash, talking with an experienced Personal Injury Lawyer can help provide peace of mind.

*How Washington Traffic Fatalities are Increasing*According to a King 5 report, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) finds that traffic deaths have increased by 39% statewide between 2019 and 2022. Similar spikes are seen in speed crashes and impairment-related crashes.

King5 notes that the fatality increase was unexpected and took researchers by surprise. The spike came at the same period as the pandemic. This is when people were driving less, working from home, not attending events, holding parties, or eating out at restaurants.

According to the report, speeding and reckless driving behavior have become the new normal. Fatalities in King County have been increasing since 2018, with notable spikes in 2021, with 126 deaths, up from 2020. In 2022, deaths leaped to 146 fatalities.

With this backdrop, it is prudent to drive safely and to understand what steps to take immediately if you are involved in an accident.

*Six Steps to Take Immediately After A Car Accident in Kent* - Check For InjuriesAn Allstate guide recommends checking yourself for injuries. If you are injured, call 911. If you are not able to call, ask someone for help in doing so. - Check on OthersCheck on the well-being of other passengers or the driver of the vehicle. If anyone is injured, contact emergency services immediately. - Stay SafeIt is vitally important to move to safety. Get to the side of the road. If you can drive and your car is drivable, move it out of the flow of traffic. This can help traffic move forward and may be useful so that emergency vehicles can reach you. - Call 911Contact police. You may need to talk with the police or authorities to fill out an accident report. This report helps with the claims process going forward. - Be ProactiveTurn off the engine. Turn on the hazard lights. Use road flares to warn other vehicles of the accident. Be alert for ’bandit tow trucks.’ This is a crime where unauthorized tow truck drivers persuade people to let their vehicles be towed and hold the vehicle hostage for unreasonable fees. Stay safe and wait for the tow truck you called.Exchange Contact Information

Share contact information with other drivers. Share details such as your name, insurance, driver’s license, license plate, vehicle make and model, and the location of the accident.

*When to Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer in Kent*In Washington, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of an accident to file a legal suit. If you have been involved in a car collision, the clock starts ticking on the date of the accident.