Washington police say they have their work cut out for them when the weather gets warmer and there is not a lot of traffic on the highways. Police say many motorists see open roadways and take it as an invitation to travel at speeds above the posted limits. Excessive speed is listed as a causal factor in many fatal collisions. Such incidents often lead to wrongful death claims in civil court.
Sadly, there were several motor vehicle collisions throughout the state on a recent weekend. In Snohomish County, patrol officers responded to the scene after a speeding driver crashed. The collision took the life of one person and caused injuries to two others.
In another tragic incident on State Route 16, a motorcyclist died after crashing while traveling at a high rate of speed. The passenger that was riding on the vehicle at the time survived but suffered injuries. A patrol officer stated that there was a heat wave over the weekend, and people were out and about, enjoying the warm weather. He also said motorists need to be more vigilant because warm air and sunshine is no excuse to disregard traffic laws and safety regulations.
When a Washington driver’s negligence or reckless behavior causes a collision that results in injury or fatality to another, a recovering victim may seek restitution in court. When a victim’s injuries proved fatal, an immediate family member may file a wrongful death claim against the person deemed responsible for the collision. If that person also suffered a fatal injury, the claim may be field against his or her estate.