Davis Law Group, P.S.

One injured in Vancouver collision

Story Highlights:

• One injured in Vancouver accident
• Motor vehicle collision caused by unsafe lane change

Date: September 14, 2011, 09/14/2011
Location: Vancouver, Clark County, Washington
Type: Car accident, Motor vehicle collision
Outcome: One injured

A man was injured in a motor vehicle collision near Vancouver on Wednesday.

While traveling northbound on Interstate 5, a 72-year-old man in a Toyota Camry attempted to changes lanes to get out of the way of a police car, but struck an SUV, spun out and hit a concrete barrier.

The driver was taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center with reported chest pains. He was later released.

The SUV driver, a 62-year-old woman, was not injured. The 72-year-old man was cited for unsafe lane change, reported Washington State Patrol.

Approaching emergency zones (RCW 46.61.212)

   
The driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching an emergency zone, which is defined as the adjacent lanes of the roadway two hundred feet before and after (a) a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is making use of audible and/or visual signals meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.190, (b) a tow truck that is making use of visual red lights meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.196, (c) other vehicles providing roadside assistance that are making use of warning lights with three hundred sixty degree visibility, or (d) a police vehicle properly and lawfully displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating emergency light or lights, shall:

     (i) On a highway having four or more lanes, at least two of which are intended for traffic proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle, proceed with caution and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change or moving away from the lane or shoulder occupied by the stationary authorized emergency vehicle or police vehicle;

     (ii) On a highway having less than four lanes, proceed with caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle, and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, and under the rules of this chapter, yield the right-of-way by passing to the left at a safe distance and simultaneously yield the right-of-way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the highway; or

     (iii) If changing lanes or moving away would be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution and reduce the speed of the vehicle.

     (2) A person may not drive a vehicle in an emergency zone at a speed greater than the posted speed limit.

     (3) A person found to be in violation of this section, or any infraction relating to speed restrictions in an emergency zone, must be assessed a monetary penalty equal to twice the penalty assessed under RCW 46.63.110. This penalty may not be waived, reduced, or suspended.

National Car Accident Statistics

•     There were more than 5.5 million car accidents in the United States.
•     Nearly 31,000 were fatal, and more than 2 million people were injured.
•     The majority of fatal crashes involved only one vehicle (61 percent).
•     Nearly half of all fatal crashes occurred on roads with posted speed limits of 55 mph or higher.
•     The deadliest month for car crashes was August.
•     More than 2,864 fatal crashes occurred in 2009.
•     Most crashes happened between 5 and 5:59 p.m. on weekdays, and between 2 and 2:59 a.m. on weekends.

Seattle Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys

A motor vehicle accident is when a road vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, road debris, or man-made object.  These collisions can result in personal injury, property damage, or death.  Motor vehicle accidents can involve automobiles, trucks, semi or tractor trailer trucks, delivery vehicles, passenger vans, motorcycles, etc.  Contributing factors in traffic accidents can be vehicle design, speed of operation, road design, driver distraction (texting or talking on a cell phone while driving), and driver impairment (drunk driving). If you or a family member has suffered as the result of a car accident in Washington state,  Seattle motor vehicle accident attorney Chris Davis and the Davis Law Group, P.S. can help you.  We are committed to helping car accident, trucking accident, DUI accident, and motorcycle accident victims recover the just and fair compensation they are entitled to receive under the law.