5 Tips on How to Prevent a Car Accident in Spokane, Washington

Driving in Spokane, Washington, involves much more than maneuvering scenic roads or bustling city streets; as an experienced personal injury lawyer can tell you, it also demands taking actions that prioritize safety. According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, our state saw 731 traffic fatalities in 2024, a decrease from 810 in 2023. Although this decrease signals good news, the chances of having a fatal accident on the highway today are still much higher than in the mid-2000s.

This blog, from an experienced personal injury attorney at Albrecht Law, where we focus on personal injury in and around Spokane, offers five tips on how to prevent a car accident and what to do if you have already been in one.

1. Stay Focused and Avoid Distractions

As a Spokane personal injury attorney knows, one of the leading causes of accidents here is distracted driving. While it may seem harmless to send a quick text or glance at a notification, taking your attention off the road, even briefly, can have serious consequences. Washington State law forbids handheld phone use while driving, and for good reason. According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, distracted driving accounts for a significant percentage of accidents statewide.

What You Can Do:

• Use hands-free devices if you must make a call.
• Program your GPS before you start driving.
• Keep your focus by stowing phones or other distractions out of reach while driving.

Remind yourself that no call or message is more important than your life (or someone else’s).

2. Follow Speed Limits and Adjust for Road Conditions

Speeding is a top contributor to car accidents, particularly on roads like Division Street or Interstate 90, where Spokane drivers often feel the pressure to rush. However, driving over the speed limit increases the likelihood of losing control, reducing your ability to react in time.

Spokane drivers also have to adjust for local weather conditions. Slick roads during rainy seasons or icy highways in the winter make speeding even more dangerous. When road conditions are hazardous, even adhering strictly to the speed limit can sometimes be too fast.

What You Can Do:

• Maintain a safe speed, even if others on the road are in a rush.
• Reduce your speed when it’s raining, snowing, or icy.

A good rule of thumb? It’s better to be late than to risk not arriving at all.

3. Keep a Safe Following Distance

Tailgating is always risky, and with unpredictable traffic patterns in Spokane, it can be especially hazardous. Rear-end collisions tend to occur when drivers follow the vehicle ahead too closely, leaving no room to react when the unexpected happens.

What You Can Do:

• Follow the “three-second rule”: make sure there’s a three-second gap between your car and the vehicle in front.
• Increase that distance in bad weather or heavy traffic.

This simple guideline is a lifesaver when conditions are unpredictable or other drivers act erratically.

4. Obey Traffic Signals and Signs

Red lights and stop signs exist for one reason: safety. Yet, running red lights or rolling through stop signs remains a leading cause of accidents throughout Spokane. Busy intersections such as those on Francis Avenue or near downtown Spokane are common hotspots for collisions due to drivers ignoring the rules.

What You Can Do:

• Always come to a full stop at stop signs.
• Double-check both ways before proceeding through intersections, even when you have the green light.

Keep in mind that even a small delay in crossing an intersection is better than risking your life.

5. Watch for Pedestrians and Cyclists

Spokane is a pedestrian- and bike-friendly city, and with that comes responsibility for drivers to share the roads safely. Pedestrians often cross in high-traffic areas like downtown, while cyclists are common in residential neighborhoods and near the Centennial Trail. Unfortunately, accidents involving other road users can be devastating.

What You Can Do:

• Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, even if they’re crossing slowly or suddenly.
• Pass cyclists cautiously, leaving at least three feet of distance whenever possible.

Patience can prevent accidents and save lives.

A Personal Injury Lawyer Explains What to Do If an Auto Accident Happens

Despite all precautions, car crashes sometimes occur in and around Spokane, WA, due to circumstances beyond your control, including someone else’s negligence. Accident victims should take the following actions immediately:

1. Check for Injuries: Inquire about the status of every injured party in your vehicle.
2. Move to a Safe Location, If Possible: After a Spokane car accident, move to a safe location, if you can, to prevent further serious personal injury.
3. Seek Medical Attention: An injury lawyer will tell you that obtaining a medical examination from a doctor, even if you feel fine, supports your recovery and your accident claim. Some injuries do not manifest until later, and a skilled attorney will include medical costs in your personal injury claim.
4. Get Police Reports: Call law enforcement. Washington State often requires a police report for auto accident claims, particularly when they involve serious injury and significant property damage.
5. Document the Scene: Take photos of the auto accident, auto accident injuries, and other factors. For example, skid marks on the road, weather conditions, and damage to your vehicle. Photos will help your Spokane injury attorney and your legal team build a solid case.
6. Notify Your Insurance Company, with Caution: Call your insurance company, but proceed with caution. Do not admit fault; just inform them about the car accident and your intention to seek medical treatment.
7. Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer: Seeking legal representation from a Spokane personal injury lawyer to discuss your car accident case is a wise decision, especially when dealing with costly medical bills, emotional distress, and life-changing injuries. During a free consultation, a Spokane injury lawyer will listen to the circumstances of your accident and devise a strategy to pursue maximum compensation under the law in a car accident claim.

What Damages Can I Pursue in Washington in a Personal Injury Lawsuit Involving a Car Accident?

Washington’s personal injury law allows victims to seek compensation for the following:

• Medical expenses, including therapy
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Emotional distress
• Long-term care costs
• Property damage

In Washington, the comparative fault law allows you to recover compensation even if partially at fault. Although your compensation may be reduced based on your percentage of responsibility, it doesn’t bar your claim altogether. Keep in mind that the state also imposes a three-year statute of limitations on your personal injury claim, and your insurance company’s goal is to limit the amount of your settlement. That’s why seeking legal representation from a Spokane personal injury lawyer is in your best interest.

Trust Albrecht Law, Where You Are Known, with Your Personal Injury Claim

Have you been searching online for “car accident injury lawyers near me” or “car damage lawyers” after a car accident?

At Albrecht Law, when we accept a case, we give it our full attention. If you’ve suffered serious car accident injuries, you need a law firm that treats you like a valued family member, not just another case. You are known at our law firm, and we will fight tirelessly in pursuit of fair compensation.  Contact us today at (509) 495-1246(509) 495-1246 or complete our online form to schedule a free consultation. Remember, you don’t pay unless we win.

Albrecht Law PLLC – Our Clients Are More Than Just Cases.

Copyright © 2025. Albrecht Law PLLC. All rights reserved.

The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

Albrecht Law PLLC
5105 E 3rd Ave, Suite 101
Spokane Valley, WA 99212
(509) 495-1246(509) 495-1246
https://albrechtlawfirm.com/