According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, in 2021, a staggering 3,524 serious injuries or fatalities in road accidents occurred in the state of Washington. That is an increase of 17.5% from the previous year.
While you should always drive safely and follow the rules of the road, by looking at recent statistics, we can discover which cities are the most dangerous in Washington state. You can then exercise even more caution when driving your car in those cities.
The Most Dangerous Cities in Washington State for Road Accidents
Using data from the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, we can discover which cities in Washington state were the most dangerous for road accidents in 2020.
That involves looking at the number of fatal crashes, distracted driving incidents, crashes involving teenage drivers, and accidents involving drivers driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Washington cities in that year.
The results show that the ten most dangerous cities for road accidents, beginning with the most dangerous, are as follows:
- Seattle.
- Tacoma.
- Vancouver.
- Everett.
- Kent.
- Yakima.
- Federal Way.
- Spokane Valley.
- Auburn.
- Tukwila.
As you can see, Seattle tops the list. In 2020, there were 25 fatal crashes in the city.
Tacoma, the second-most dangerous city for road accidents in Washington state, was not far behind, with 18 fatal crashes occurring in the same year.
In both cities, most accidents happened between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. So, if you live in Seattle or Tacoma, you may want to avoid driving during those hours. If you do have to drive within that time frame, make sure you pay extra attention when behind the wheel of your car.
The Most Dangerous Intersections in Seattle
Seattle has been one of the most dangerous cities for car accidents in Washington state for quite some time. For instance, data from the Washington State Department of Transportation shows there were 212 crashes that resulted in wrongful deaths and serious injuries in the city in 2018.
Some roads and areas in Seattle see more accidents than others.
According to statistics reported by the Seattle Department of Transportation, the most dangerous intersections for road accidents in Seattle city are:
- Sixth Avenue and James Street, which sees more accidents than any other intersection in the Seattle area.
- Pike Street and Boren Avenue, which is near the Washington State Convention Center, and which is a well-known hotspot for both car accidents and collisions involving pedestrians.
- Lake City Way NE and NE 103th Street, which is one of the most dangerous intersections in the northeast region of the city.
- Thomas Street Dexter Avenue North, which is in the middle of the downtown area, and which experiences a high level of accidents involving cars, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Other dangerous intersections in the Seattle area include:
- South Massachusetts Street and Rainier Avenue South.
- South Henderson Street and Rainier Avenue South.
- NE Pacific Street and 15th Avenue NE.
- South Michigan Street and Corson Avenue South.
- University Street and Fifth Avenue.
- East Marginal Way and South Dawson Street.
And other locations in Seattle that are known to be high-risk areas for drivers include:
- Capitol Hill
- Belltown
- Georgetown
- Ballard
- Near the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
- Near the campuses of Seattle University and the University of Washington Seattle.
Get in Touch with a Lawyer if You Are Injured in a Car Accident
While you should avoid dangerous areas in Seattle, and other Washington cities, as much as possible, or take extra care when driving at intersections that are notorious for high levels of accidents, no driver can guarantee safety.
So, if you do find yourself injured in a car accident that is not your fault, once you have sought medical attention, you should contact a team of accessible Seattle car accident attorneys to find out how experienced lawyers can assist you in claiming the financial compensation you deserve.
You could receive compensation for things like medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost earnings.
The Most Dangerous Roads in Washington State
Now that we have looked at the most dangerous roads in the most dangerous city for car accidents in the state of Washington, let us look at the most dangerous roads elsewhere in the state.
Interstate 5
Interstate 5 is one of the busiest highways in the state, so it is no wonder that many accidents happen on this stretch every year.
In 2019, 21 fatalities and almost 500 injuries occurred on Interstate 5.
SR 520
SR 520, between Lake Washington and Redmond, is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous roads in the state. Almost 1,500 accidents occurred in 2019 alone.
US 97
Between Toppenish And Zillah, US 97 is particularly dangerous, especially in Yakima County, where more than 500 road accidents occurred in 2019.
I-90
I-90 is a notoriously dangerous road in Washington state, especially around Snoqualmie Pass. In 2019, almost 1,400 accidents occurred on I-90 near Snoqualmie Pass, which resulted in 23 fatalities.
SR 16
While the stretch of SR 16 between Gig Harbor and Tacoma is only short, it is extremely dangerous. In 2019 alone, there were more than 1,100 accidents.
Final Thoughts
As we have seen, Seattle is undoubtedly the most dangerous city to drive in in the state of Washington. But there are lots of other dangerous cities and roads in the state.
Therefore, while you should always drive safely and pay close attention to the road when you are behind the wheel of your car and driving in areas in Washington state that are well known for being dangerous, it is even more important that you drive with caution; or avoid those areas altogether.
And if you are planning on moving to a city in the state of Washington state, make sure you familiarize yourself with the best routes to drive in the area. You may also be interested in these 7 things you need to know before moving to Washington state.
