Washington residents may be interested to learn that the State Patrol is searching for witnesses to an accident. The car accident occurred recently on State Route 527. According to reports, the driver of an SUV vehicle crossed the median and began driving in the opposite direction of the highway when it collided head on with a Freightliner tractor. Fortunately, the reports do not indicate that the driver of the tractor suffered any injuries in the crash.
The driver of the SUV suffered very serious injuries in the crash and is currently in the hospital in critical condition. The police are stating that the cause of the crash was excessive speed, but the driver of the SUV has also been charged with driving under the influence and with reckless driving. The criminal charges may add weight to the negligence factor in a personal injury case, although a person does not have to be facing criminal charges in order to be held liable for injuries resulting from a crash. In this case, the police are still searching for witnesses to the crash and their investigation is continuing.
Distracted driving, excessive speed and careless or reckless driving are all frequently contributing causes to serious accidents such as this one. If a motorist is injured due to another’s negligence, they may recover damages by filing a claim against the negligent driver. The injured motorist may seek reimbursement for any auto repairs that are caused by the accident as well.
Some types of damages that are available in these types of claims are, reimbursement of medical expenses incurred as a result of the accident, lost wages due to injuries from the accident and pain and suffering. If someone suffers a permanent disability or impairment as a result of an accident, they may be entitled to seek additional damages.
Source: kirotv.com, “Detectives seek witnesses in I-405 crash in Bothell,” April 11, 2013