When do the most fatal accidents occur in Seattle?

Automobiles are a necessary evil for most people in the United States. Getting to and from work, or the store, or to the kids’ ballgames or dance recitals generally requires that people have at least one family car to transport them. Even in relatively urban areas like Seattle, suburban sprawl and sometimes inadequate public transport means cars are common. Unfortunately, especially in cities, this means residents are exposed every day to the possibility of being killed in an accident on crowded streets.

But when is that risk at its height? Are there times when one is more likely to be involved in a fatal accident? While it is impossible to predict a crash in any individual circumstances, we can look to data on past accidents involving fatalities to see if there are any patterns that might emerge.

From statistics compiled in the two decades between 1994 and 2014, there are a few times of the year that may stand out for Seattle residents. December is the month in which the most fatal accidents have taken place, with 142 instances, with September close behind with 141. Other months with more than 130 crashes involving death are January, May, July and October. While these stats don’t say anything about why these months have more fatalities, one could posit that they tend to months with major holidays: Christmas, New Year’s, Memorial Day, Independence Day and Halloween.

Further, it appears that weekends are prime times for fatal accidents in Seattle. Saturday afternoon and evening has seen the most of these crashes over the above 20-year period, with 178 accidents with fatalities happening between noon and midnight on that day. Friday afternoon and evening and Sunday also appear to have a higher incidence of these kind of incidents.

It may well be that the above statistics are directly correlated with the number or cars on the road at any given time. Certainly, driving at off times may cut one’s chances of dying in a wreck.

The loss of a loved one in a sudden manner such as a car accident can be devastating. It can be even worse when it is learned that the accident was avoidable, and caused by another’s negligence. Seattle residents in such a situation may wish to consider exploring their legal rights to compensation.

Matthew D. Dubin

Matt Dubin has spent more than 20 years honing his skills as one of the top personal injury lawyers in the State of Washington. In his career, Matt has focused on protecting consumers from dangerous household products, medical mistakes, roadway accidents, and many other causes of injury. Matt has recovered nearly $20 million on behalf of his clients.

Education

• University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, Washington – J.D.
• Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut – B.A.

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