A woman was pronounced dead recently after her vehicle left the road and went down an embankment close to Newport. The woman's family first reported her as an overdue traveler after she missed a flight to Spokane and failed to answer her phone.

Efforts to track the deceased woman's cell phone were not successful, and search teams worked through the night. Early in the morning, however, searchers discovered a vehicle positioned down an embankment on Fertile Valley Road, which is a curvy road situated on steep terrain.

While additional details about the crash are still pending, the driver is believed to have failed to negotiate a curve, instead driving off the road and into the air. Additional details about the crash are still pending. 

A recent study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identified the various driving patterns that are known to lead to deadly crashes. To stay safe, this article reviews some of the deadliest types of behaviors that all motorists should do their best to avoid.

Driving While Tired

Falling asleep or driving while tired is a common cause of car crashes, leading to around 3% of all motor vehicle crashes each year. Avoid driving if you are tired or having a difficult time staying awake. 

Adverse Weather Conditions

Rain, snow, hail, and other adverse weather conditions play a role in many car crashes. Wet roads, reduced visibility, and unpredictable driving patterns can all end up leading to serious crashes. Motorists should do their best to remain up-to-date with weather predictions and avoid driving through adverse weather conditions.

Swerving to Avoid Obstacles

Motorists who swerve while driving to avoid striking objects often end up in deadly accidents. Cargo that falls off of trucks, animals, and fallen tree limbs can all appear suddenly in the roadway and lead a driver to swerve. These accidents can be made much worse when paired with slippery or wet roads, which cause drivers to lose control and go off the road. Approximately 1,500 motorists are involved in deadly crashes caused by swerving each year.

Reckless Driving

Driving recklessly is different from driving carelessly. When motorists operate a vehicle in a careless manner, they display a lack of disregard for the various regulations that apply to all motorists. Approximately 3.5% of deadly car crashes are the result of reckless driving. 

Failure to Obey Traffic Laws 

Traffic regulations were established for a specific reason. When motorists fail to obey these regulations, everyone is in danger of serious and even deadly crashes. Failing to follow traffic signals is believed to end up causing around 4% of deadly crashes each year.

Speak With a Compassionate Washington Accident Attorney Today

Some of the other driving patterns known to cause deadly and serious crashes include over-correcting, careless driving, distracted driving, failure to yield, entering another lane, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and speeding. 

Reach Out to an Experienced Car Accident Attorney in Spokane 

While these are some of the most common causes of deadly crashes, a substantial group of accidents like the one that began this story occur without any easily identifiable causes. Around 31% of deadly accidents lack any reported cause. While we should do everything we can to stay safe while driving, accidents can still happen. If you or a loved one has been involved in a crash, you should not hesitate to speak with an experienced attorney. Contact West Law Office today to schedule a free case evaluation.