Falling at the tail end of the 90 Dangerous Days identified by the Washington State Patrol, Labor Day weekend often sees a significant increase in serious and fatal car accidents. As more families head toward campgrounds, beaches, mountain passes, state parks, backyard barbecues, and long-overdue visits with relatives, more traffic, tired drivers, and people rushing to their destinations at the same time create the perfect conditions for a collision.
When a holiday weekend car crash injures you or someone you love, it is important to know where you can turn for help. Fuller & Fuller has stood with victims of car accident injuries for more than 50 years. Our Washington car crash attorneys are here to help you pick up the pieces, protect your rights, and pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Car Crash Attorney
To schedule a no-cost, no-obligation case review with a car crash attorney at our Tacoma or Olympia office, call Fuller & Fuller at (800) 570-4878 today. We help individuals and families throughout Washington.
Why Labor Day Weekend Can Be So Dangerous on Washington Roads
WSDOT provides annual holiday travel charts for Labor Day, allowing drivers to see where congestion and limited alternative routes collide. These include I-5 from Lacy to Tacoma, I-90 from North Bend to Cle Elum, US 2 between Skykomish and Stevens Pass, and I-5 near the U.S.-Canada border.
While roads with heavy traffic pose multiple dangers, Labor Day weekend crashes aren’t limited to busy highways. They can occur on rural roads near campgrounds, two-lane highways near trailheads, crowded but slow-moving city streets, ferry approaches, and residential roads where people are returning from cookouts and neighborhood gatherings.
Cautious, sober driving is essential during this time to help prevent a crash.
Impaired Driving, Speeding, and Distraction Are Major Concerns
Nationally, Labor Day has a long history of alcohol-related crash risk. The NHTSA’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign runs from August 19 through September 7. The same campaign reports that during the 2024 Labor Day holiday period, 505 people were killed in crashes nationwide, and 170 of those deaths involved at least one alcohol-impaired driver with a BAC of .08 or higher.
Washington’s own traffic safety data tell the same hard truth. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission reported 731 traffic deaths on Washington roads in 2024. While that was lower than the 33-year high reached in 2023, it was still 36% higher than in 2019. Alcohol and/or drug impairment remained the most common risk factor in fatal crashes, involving an initial total of 348 deaths, accounting for 48% of all fatalities.
Speed also plays a major role. According to the WTSC, excessive speed was involved in 247 deaths in 2024, representing 34% of all traffic fatalities. However, it’s important to note that among fatalities involving excessive speed, 62% also involved an impaired driver.
Distracted driving is another serious problem. Washington’s E-DUI law prohibits drivers from holding phones or watching videos while driving, even when stopped in traffic or at a light. But distractions aren’t limited to phones. Eating, drinking, grooming, even listening to a meeting can pull a driver’s attention away from the road.
In real life, these cases can be complex. A distracted driver may deny texting. An impaired driver may claim they only had one drink. A speeding driver may blame traffic flow. This is why evidence matters.
At Fuller & Fuller, we look beyond the first version of the story. Our Washington car crash attorneys thoroughly investigate these accidents to determine how they happened, who can be held liable, and how you can best recover the damages you are owed.
What to Do After a Labor Day Weekend Crash
After a crash, the first things to do are to move to safety and call 911. This is especially important if someone is hurt. You are required to report any crash in Washington that results in injuries, fatalities, or property damage over $1,000.
Once you are safe, a few steps can help protect your health and your car crash claim:
- If it’s safe to do so, take photos of the vehicles, road, traffic signs, debris, skid marks, and injuries.
- Get names and contact information for witnesses.
- Exchange insurance and license information with the other drivers.
- Ask responding officers how to obtain the collision report.
- Get medical care and follow through with recommended treatment.
- Save bills, discharge papers, prescriptions, and repair estimates.
- Call a qualified Washington car crash attorney.
It’s important to avoid giving recorded statements before getting legal advice. Avoid posting crash details, photos, or opinions about fault on social media as well. These things can complicate your claim.
It’s also important to remember that Washington generally gives injured people three years to bring a car crash claim. That may sound like plenty of time, but evidence can disappear fast. Witnesses forget. Vehicles get repaired. Video footage gets erased. The sooner you contact a car crash attorney, the faster they can get to work preserving evidence that could support your claim.
The accident and injury specialists at Fuller & Fuller can step in early, handle insurance, preserve important evidence, and help you understand what your claim may entail.
Why Choose Fuller & Fuller After a Serious Labor Day Weekend Crash?
Since 1972, Fuller & Fuller has helped people throughout Washington seek compensation after a serious crash. Our reputation has been built on personal service, careful preparation, and the simple but powerful belief that clients should be treated like family. We understand how stressful a crash can be. We’re here to ease the process.
After a Labor Day weekend car crash, we can help by:
- Investigating how the collision happened
- Gathering police reports, witness statements, and medical records
- Dealing with insurance companies
- Identifying all available sources of compensation
- Standing by your side each step of the way
Reach Out for a Free and Confidential Case Review
Labor Day weekend should end with unpacked coolers, tired kids, and maybe a little sand in the car. It shouldn’t end with an ambulance ride, a totaled vehicle, and a host of new issues to deal with.
Contact Fuller & Fuller online or call us today to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Washington car crash attorneys and let us help you understand your options.
