Car accidents are cases involving people who have suffered an injury in a traffic accident for which another driver may be at fault. A traffic collision may affect other vehicles, their occupants, and pedestrians, animals and may result in injury, property damage and/or death. A number of factors contribute to the risk of collision including; vehicle design, speed of operation, road design, and driver impairment. People who are injured in automobile accidents may be compensated for their injury, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Vancouver is a city on the north bank of the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington and the county seat of Clark County. According to the Washington State Office of Financial Management's estimate in July of 2008, the city has a population of 163,186, making it the fourth largest city in the state. It is part of the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area, which is the 23rd largest metropolitan area in the United States with over 2 million residents. The larger city of Vancouver, British Columbia is located 305 miles (491 km) north of Vancouver, Washington. Both cities were named for sea captain George Vancouver, but the Canadian city was not incorporated until 1886, nearly thirty years after the incorporation of Vancouver, Washington, and more than sixty years after the name Vancouver was first used in reference to the nearby historic Fort Vancouver. City officials have periodically suggested changing the city's name to Fort Vancouver, Vancouver USA, or even Old Vancouver to reduce confusion with Vancouver, British Columbia. Many Pacific Northwest residents distinguish between the two cities by referring to the Canadian Vancouver as "Vancouver, B. C" and the United States one as "Vancouver, Washington", "Vantucky", or simply as "The 'Couv(e)," as the latter is not used in reference to the Canadian city.