As a Seattle car accident lawyer, I see how important it is for drivers to adjust their driving to account for poor road conditions on our highways.  As we enter the rainy season here in Western Washington, we need to remember to drive slower and leave greater following distance when the roads are slick from rain.   In an article in the Seattle Times, the State Patrol indicated that there were a number of mishaps on the road caused by Monday’s rain; notable among those incidents was one involving Gov. Gregoire.  The governor’s vehicle, driven by her State Patrol security detail, was sideswiped on I-5 in Des Moines.  The State Patrol released no further information on the incident other than that no one was injured in the accident, which occurred at about 2:00 in the afternoon as Gov. Gregoire was heading back to Olympia after an event in Seattle.

The State of Washington’s Target Zero initiative estimates that about 40% of fatal crashes in Washington are speeding-related, with over 200 fatalities.  Speeding-related car accidents in Washington also account over 800 serious injuries annually.  What we all need to understand as Washington drivers is that, when road conditions deteriorate, driving at the posted speed limit may be considered speeding.  Many legal principles, especially when it comes to civil law, are based on the hypothetical reasonable person test.  When weather, potholes, traffic, or any other situation cause road conditions to deteriorate to a level where a reasonable person would feel the need to drive below the speed limit, then that is exactly what each of us needs to do.

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a driver failing to yield to poor road conditions, you need to talk with a Seattle car accident attorney who has experience with these types of cases.  Negligence can be difficult to determine under the best of circumstances, and when trying to decide whether the speed limit was too fast for prevailing conditions, Seattle car crash attorney Jason Epstein can help.  Jason has worked with many victims of negligent drivers, and knows how to protect your legal rights.  For more information, and a FREE CASE EVALUATION, contact Jason at Premier Law Group at (206)285-1743.

Tags: Bellevue auto accident attorney, Governor gregoire car accident, Governor Gregoire hit on I-5, Governor Gregoire involved in car accident, Olympia car accident attorney, seattle car accident lawyer, seattle personal injury attorney

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