Inattentive drivers pose a variety of hazards on Washington roadways. When drivers are texting and driving, eating in their cars, chatting on the phone or day dreaming, they can miss important signals from drivers around them. They can also fail to notice smaller vehicles, pedestrians and others near the roadways. In these cases, distracted drivers are likely negligent. A negligent driver is one that fails to act as a reasonable driver would under the same or similar circumstances.
Distracted, and otherwise negligent, drivers can cause serious harm to those on the roadways. Missing the smallest details can cause serious car accidents and injuries.
Recently, an erratic lane change is being blamed on causing a car accident on Interstate 5 in Seattle. According to reports, a drivers was in one lane on the interstate when the driver suddenly changed lanes. In order to avoid a collision with the first car, a 30-year-old man driving a dump truck tried to quickly change lanes as well. However, instead of safely escaping the situation, the dump truck driver hit a concrete wall. As a result, the truck started on fire. Thankfully, the driver was able to escape but had to be transported to a local hospital to be treated for injuries.
Negligent drivers who cause accidents, like this one, can be held responsible for the damage that occurs. While property damage is likely, so are serious medical expenses. Medical treatment — even for minor injuries — can quickly cost a lot of money. Through a personal injury suit, those injured in car accidents can make sure that the negligent driver — and that driver’s insurance company — are responsible for the damage. Those injured by distracted and negligent drivers should not have an added financial pressures while they are trying to physically heal.
Source: The Seattle Times, “State police say lane-changer caused fiery morning crash,” Christine Clarridge, May 12, 2014