Shorter days, cold snaps, and steady rain turn local roads into a mix of slick surfaces and low visibility. According to LendingTree’s “Best and Worst Drivers 2025 Report,” Washington ranked fifth-worst for driver incidents, with 44.9 incidents per 1,000 drivers, which makes extra caution especially important in winter conditions.
Common Winter Crash Types and Why They Happen
- Rear-end and chain reactions: Wet or icy pavement lengthens stopping distance. Following too closely or braking late on Highway 99, 196th St SW, and Edmonds Way can trigger multi-car impacts.
- Spinouts and loss of control: Black ice on bridges and shaded curves, plus sudden steering or braking, can send a vehicle across lanes or off the roadway.
- Left-turn and intersection collisions: Early darkness, rain glare, and fog make it harder to judge oncoming speed. Confusion with flashing yellow arrows increases conflict in multi-lane intersections.
- Merge and sideswipe crashes: Spray from trucks and fogged windows hide vehicles in the next lane. Lane changes without a clear gap lead to side impacts.
- Pedestrian and crosswalk injuries: Dark clothing, rain, and headlight glare reduce visibility at crosswalks and bus stops, especially in the evening.
- Parking lot impacts: Holiday traffic and poor lighting near mall entrances lead to low-speed collisions that still cause injuries.
What To Do After a Winter Crash
Move to a safe location if the vehicle is drivable and turn on hazards. Call 911 for injuries or hazards. Photograph vehicle positions, lane lines, signal faces, skid marks, standing water, ice patches, and lighting. Get names and numbers for witnesses before they leave. Seek same-day medical care to link symptoms to the collision. Notify your insurer with factual details and avoid recorded statements until you understand your options.
Winter Evidence That Strengthens a Claim
Clear photos of road surface conditions, tire marks, damaged areas, and vehicle positions help explain what happened. Images of signals, signage, puddles, ice, fog, and visibility obstructions provide context. Preservation of dashcam or nearby business video is often decisive. Repair estimates, medical records, and proof of missed work document the full impact.
How Bridge Law Helps
Bridge Law moves quickly to secure scene evidence and video before it is overwritten, contacts witnesses, and organizes medical and wage-loss documentation. The firm handles insurer communications and builds a strategy that reflects winter road conditions, visibility issues, and local traffic patterns. A short consultation can clarify next steps and how to protect your claim.
