Common Traffic Violations That Lead to Car Accidents in Washington (Seattle Guide)

Crashes in Washington—whether on I‑5 through downtown Seattle, Aurora Avenue North, or Rainier Avenue South—often stem not from chance but from risky driving behaviors. Understanding the key traffic violations can help you stay safer on the road—and strengthen your claim if a crash does happen.

1. Distracted Driving

• The leading cause of crashes statewide, often cited more than twice as often as any other factorelsnerlawfirm.comAlbrecht Law, PLLC.
• Nearly 23% of traffic fatalities in Washington in 2022 were due to driver distractionAxios+2WSDOT+2.
• In Seattle, distracted driving was linked to 1,602 accidents in 2021, many of which involved severe injuriesWikipedia+12Bernard Law Group+12Van Law Firm Injury & Accident Attorneys+12.

2. Speeding

• Speeding contributed to 30% of traffic fatalities in Washington, significantly higher than the national averageHerschensohn LawWashington Traffic Safety Commission.
• It’s a leading cause of fatal collisions as confirmed by state safety reportsKING 5 News+15Washington Traffic Safety Commission+15Washington State Department of Health+15.

3. Impaired Driving (Drunk or Drugged)

• Between 2017 and 2021, 32% of fatal crashes in Washington involved a driver impaired by alcohol or drugsWashington Traffic Safety Commission+1.
• Intoxication remains a persistent and tragic contributor to severe car accidents across the stateRon Meyers & Associates PLLC+2Bernard Law Group+2.

4. Running Red Lights & Stop Signs

• Ignoring traffic signals often leads to high-impact T-bone or head-on collisions.
• This is commonly identified as a serious cause of fatal and serious injury crashesBrett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC+2Washington Injury Law+2Washington Injury Law.

5. Reckless or Aggressive Driving

• Behaviors such as tailgating, weaving between lanes, speeding, and road rage frequently result in serious accidentsAlbrecht Law, PLLC+15Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC+15fieldinglawgroup.com+15.
• These behaviors are especially dangerous in urban areas like Seattle.

6. Failing to Yield Right-of-Way

• Failing to yield is a frequent trigger for side-impact crashes, especially at intersections and when mergingWashington Injury Lawbellevueinjurylawyer.com.

7. Unsafe Lane Changes & Tailgating

• Unsafe lane shifts and tailgating lead to rear-end and multi-car pileups. National data shows that 50–89% of rear-end collisions involve tailgatingWikipedia.
• In Seattle’s congested areas, close following reduces reaction time and heightens crash risk.

8. Other Contributing Factors

• Adverse Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, and ice frequently contribute to crashes by reducing traction and visibilitythe-sun.com+2nypost.com+2Abeyta Nelson Injury Law.
• Fatigued or Teen Drivers: Young or exhausted drivers are more prone to accidents due to inattention and slower reaction timesAbeyta Nelson Injury Law.

Summary Table: Common Crash-Inducing Violations in Washington

Why This Matters for Your Legal Claim

• Violations like speeding, impaired or distracted driving are strong evidence of negligence.
• Recording specifics—such as whether the other driver ran a red light on Aurora Avenue or was tailgating on I-5—can strengthen your case.
• Knowing the patterns helps prevent accidents and prepares you to document details effectively if a crash occurs.

At Brumley Law Firm, we map crash patterns across Seattle and King County to anticipate liability factors like distraction, speeding, and failure to yield. Our Alpha Law system organizes crash data, police reports, and violations to build compelling, location-specific cases for our clients.