Negligent Driving in Federal Way

Have you been accused of driving negligently in Federal Way but aren’t entirely sure what that means? Negligent driving refers to driving behavior that falls short of the reasonable care that is expected when you are a driver on the road. It usually involves situations where you operate a vehicle in a manner that is deemed careless or inattentive and results in an increased risk of harm to others.

These behaviors can include speeding, failing to yield, or being distracted while you are behind the wheel of your vehicle. One of the biggest elements to remember when it comes to negligent driving is that your actions need to have demonstrated a disregard for the safety of others, even if you had no intention of harming anyone.

One of the more common examples of negligent driving in Federal Way is when you become distracted while texting, eating, or even adjusting the radio while you are driving. This leads to a reduced awareness of what is happening around you and takes your focus off the traffic conditions, increasing the likelihood of an accident.

Another example is your failure to maintain control of your vehicle while navigating challenging conditions like heavy rain or snow. This can also be considered negligent driving in some cases. It all comes down to your lack of caution and failure to adjust to road conditions, which can put others in danger.

Another key point to remember when looking at negligent driving is your failure to follow basic traffic laws and other road rules like failing to signal when changing lanes, ignoring a stop sign or stop light, or even driving aggressively. If you engage in these behaviors, you put yourself and others at risk. Negligent driving also often occurs when you become overly confident in your abilities and assume you won’t be caught engaging in any of these behaviors, leading you to make reckless decisions.

While negligent driving doesn’t always result in an accident, its impacts can still be severe. Your careless acts, for instance, could lead to a chain of events that can eventually result in a collision, injury, or even a fatality. For these reasons and more, law enforcement takes these offenses very seriously. It is a cause of accidents that can be avoided if you practice safer driving habits.

Washington state addresses negligent driving and traffic laws in the Revised Code of Washington. Find some of the more notable statutes regarding this offense below:

• RCW 46.61.5249: This is negligent driving in the second degree. A conviction for this can mean fines and mandatory participation in traffic safety courses.
• RCW 46.61.520: This covers reckless driving, which is considered a more severe offense, but it often overlaps with negligent driving, which is why we are including it here. Reckless driving is the willful disregard for the safety of others. You are typically charged for this when you engage in more extreme behaviors like high-speed driving or aggressive lane changes. Convictions can easily result in much higher fines, longer license suspensions, and even possible jail time.
• RCW 46.61.502: This talks about driving while under the influence, which is typically a separate offense. However, negligent driving can be influenced by impaired driving. If you are found driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you are negligently operating a vehicle, which can result in negligent driving charges and DUI charges.
• RCW 46.61.400: This talks about the failure to maintain a safe distance when driving. The law states that you must maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles on the road. For example, tailgating is considered negligent driving because it makes it much more difficult to avoid a collision in case there are sudden stops. Violations can result in severe penalties, especially if an accident happens.

As you can see, these statutes are all designed to hold every driver accountable for their actions while on the road and to help prevent accidents that result in negligent driving. The penalties for these offenses vary depending on the severity of the driving behavior you were engaged in and if that behavior led to an accident or injury.

Federal Way has tons of busy urban streets and residential roadways that deal with a high volume of traffic daily. This includes local commuters, local drivers, and pedestrians.

Major thoroughfares like the Pacific Highway South and Interstate 5 run right through the city and connect Federal Way to other parts of the Puget Sound area. These roads are also frequently traveled by those who often find themselves in a hurry or are easily distracted, creating the potential for hazardous road conditions.

When drivers fail to adhere to basic traffic rules or allow all their distractions to take over, it increases the risk of accidents. For example, weaving through traffic on Pacific Highway South or not properly yielding at busy intersections like those near the Federal Way Transit Center can result in dangerous driving behavior that leads to negligent driving charges.

The right criminal defense attorney in Federal Way can provide you with valuable insight when it comes to the legal process and guide you through each step. They can represent you in hearings, negotiate plea deals, and ensure that your case is handled efficiently and fairly. In some cases, your attorney may even be able to secure alternative sentencing, like attending a driver safety course. If your negligent driving charge is also linked to an accident or something more serious, a defense attorney can advocate on your behalf to reduce the likelihood of more severe charges like reckless driving.

We firmly believe we can successfully challenge your case. So, if you or a loved one are facing negligent driving charges in Federal Way, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our expertise and support will prove invaluable for achieving a favorable outcome and protecting your driving privileges.

Negligent driving is described as driving in a way that endangers other people or property. In Washington State this is a lesser charge than reckless driving, but a conviction still incurs serious repercussions. Drivers found guilty of this crime often suffer lasting damage to their finances, and may even lose their Washington driver's license. Negligent driving is divided into two separate offenses, each with its own set of penalties.

The Federal Way negligent driving attorneys at the Law Office of Jason S. Newcombe will explain your particular charge, and how the law applies to your offense. The two categories of negligent driving are described as follows:

• First Degree Negligent Driving - As the most serious Washington negligent driving crime, this charge is levied against drivers who act carelessly and are believed to have consumed alcoholic beverages. Sometimes a police officer charges a motorist with this alcohol-related crime even if they're not legally intoxicated, which may be interpreted as subjective.
• Second Degree Negligent Driving - As the most serious civil infraction in Washington State, a conviction means the prospect of being forced to pay higher auto insurance premiums for years to come.

If you're facing a negligent driving charge in Washington, contact our Federal Way legal team and get professional legal assistance designed to mitigate the damage of a conviction. Our Federal Way negligent driving lawyers will use their experience and knowledge of the law in an effort to keep your driving record clean.

If you feel like your negligent driving charge was warrantless, or want to mitigate the damage of a conviction, you should seek out a lawyer who can help you face these charges head-on.

Drivers may be charged with negligent driving at the sole discretion of a police officer, which may offer a reasonable means of defense. While there are never any guarantees in a negligent driving situation, the outcome of your case will likely depend on the police reports and other related details. Protecting your own interests is our number-one priority, and makes good sense when you consider the high cost of failure.

For more than thirty years our Federal Way negligent driving attorneys have defended Washington drivers charged with these offenses, and we will use our experience to help resolve your case.

Get reliable legal information from one of our Federal Way negligent driving lawyers without cost, so that you can weigh your options and make decisions accordingly. After your free case evaluation, you are free to choose one of our attorneys to act as your personal advocate with the court. You can trust that they will do everything the law allows to fight your Federal Way negligent driving charge, and offer you counsel whenever you need it.