Officials recently announced the preferred project for replacing and improving the Interstate 5 bridge that connects Vancouver, Washington, to Portland, Oregon, according to a recent news story published by The Columbian.
The State of Washington recently secured $1 billion in funding for the I-5 bridge replacement project, according to The Columbian. The preferred local bridge replacement proposal involves a light rail train on the bridge, along with one auxiliary and three main travel lanes in each direction. Officials still need to decide whether to place the travel lines side by side or on top of each other, The Columbian reported.
“All of the individuals from the executive steering group said ‘Yes,’ and they’re ready to take those program recommendations to their councils or their board or their committees for discussion,” Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle said in an interview with The Columbian. “That’s absolutely wonderful.”
Car accidents on I-5
Along with relieving traffic congestion, the proposed Interstate 5 bridge replacement project will hopefully prevent car accidents from occurring on the busy highway bridge and nearby Vancouver streets in the future.
Motor vehicle crashes on I-5 often result in severe injuries or fatalities. Just recently, police closed I-5 for more than an hour due to a serious accident just north of the 99th Street exit in Hazel Dell, according to The Columbian. The accident involved a tractor-trailer.
Common causes of highway accidents
Highway accidents often occur due to a combination of factors. But in general, many crashes involving two or more vehicles happen due to the reckless or negligent actions of one driver. Common causes of highway accidents include:
- Speeding drivers who don’t give themselves enough time to react to changing traffic patterns or lose control of their vehicle because they're going too fast.
- Distracted drivers, especially texting drivers, even though texting while driving is against the law in Washington.
- Aggressive drivers who don’t leave enough space between their vehicle and other cars or who change lanes recklessly.
- Fatigued drivers who fall asleep at the wheel, something that often occurs on major interstate highways like I-5.
- Drunk drivers or drivers under the influence of drugs.
Highway accidents can happen fast. But the consequences can last a lifetime. That’s why it’s critical that injury victims fully understand their legal rights. That’s why it’s important to talk to an attorney as soon as possible.
Contact a car accident lawyer today
Don’t simply assume that you will be fairly compensated just because another driver caused your highway accident. Many injury claims and lawsuits turn into complicated legal cases. Sometimes, it’s because the driver who caused your collision denies doing anything wrong.
Other times, it’s because the insurance company does everything it can to delay, dispute, or deny your injury claim. That's when having an experienced car accident attorney on your side can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your case.
At The Scott Law Firm, PLLC, attorney Colin Scott has the knowledge, experience, and resources to handle every aspect of your claim and fight for the compensation you're entitled to while you focus on healing and getting your life back on track.
Put your trust in a law firm that has a passion for justice and prides itself on offering personalized attention to every client. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation with our law firm. We’re conveniently located in Vancouver, Washington, and proudly serve clients throughout Southwest Washington.