Where do pedestrian accidents most often occur in Seattle?

Nationally, the number of pedestrian accident fatalities has soared in recent years. Between motorists driving larger cars and paying less attention behind the wheel, pedestrian accident deaths have reached a 40-year high. Even though the rate of increase is leveling off, the roads are more dangerous than ever for pedestrians. Seattle is no exception, as the city can be quite hazardous for walking people. Pedestrian accidents can occur anywhere in Seattle, but there is a cluster of fatality numbers in several dangerous sports.

The design of the roads in Seattle leaves authorities scrambling to try to implement safety measures to protect pedestrians. However, much depends on drivers and their willingness and ability to care for others around them on the roadway. Here, they have fallen short of the mark.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a pedestrian accident, you may deserve a sizable settlement check to pay for your injuries. The first step that you can take toward financial compensation is to contact a pedestrian accident attorney who can represent you in the legal process. Your pedestrian accident lawyer can gather evidence showing the driver was to blame for the accident. Then, they can fight for you to receive top dollar for your accident injuries. A pedestrian accident attorney offers free initial consultations to prospective clients, and they do not charge you anything unless you win your case.

Seattle Is Not as Walkable as the Statistics May Indicate

Even though Seattle is a “walkable city,” many pedestrian accidents still occur. The number of pedestrian accident deaths has decreased in the city since reaching a high a few years ago, but the level remains unacceptably high. The underlying trends show that drivers in Seattle are more distracted than ever, which is one of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents. In addition, the fact that more people feel comfortable leaving their cars at home (or even going without one entirely) means that more pedestrians are at risk.

Seattle Has an Especially High Rate of Pedestrian Accident Fatalities

Fatal car accident involving a pedestrian. However, Seattle is also the second-worst city in the country when it comes to pedestrian deaths. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, nearly half of the fatal motor vehicle incidents in Seattle involve a pedestrian. This number is far greater than the national average of roughly 31 percent. This high fatality rate illustrates the dangers to pedestrians in the Seattle area, and the high speeds that drivers travel at increase the risk of pedestrian accident fatalities. For example, when a pedestrian accident occurs when a car travels 40 miles per hour, there is an 85 percent chance that the victim will not survive.

One of the main problems in Seattle is the number of high-speed arterial roads along which drivers travel. Crossing these streets is a definite risk for pedestrians, who often have to judge the speed at which a driver travels. It is even more hazardous when that driver is speeding, which frequently occurs on these roads. Many motorists will not even see a crosswalk, or they cannot spot a pedestrian for various reasons. Some drivers may be unable to slow down in time because they are going too fast on roads that are slippery from rain.

There are also serious pedestrian accidents on streets in Downtown Seattle because of the number of people walking. For example, pedestrians on the roads in the SoDo neighborhood at night when drivers may be unable to see them. The Southeastern district of Seattle also has a high concentration of pedestrian accident fatalities.

Seattle Authorities Have Tried Unsuccessfully to Protect Pedestrians

Local authorities have introduced several safety measures to reduce serious pedestrian accidents, but they have proven ineffective. The city operates under the “Vision Zero” plan, which aims to eliminate all pedestrian accident fatalities. As a result, Seattle has made improvements to many intersections where there is an unacceptable risk of serious pedestrian accidents.

Specifically, Seattle has tried to do the following to increase pedestrian safety:

Lowering the speed limit on certain arterial roads
Adding sidewalks and curb ramps along busy streets
Adding head-start signals for pedestrian crossings at certain intersections
Restricting turns on red at specific locations

Seattle Has Many Dangerous Suburban Roads

There is an urban core in Seattle that is more walkable than other areas, but the Seattle area has quite a few suburbs with heavy vehicular traffic where pedestrians are especially at risk. For example, there is a stretch of Aurora Avenue that carries over 30,000 vehicles per day, which is known to be treacherous for pedestrians to cross. This road traverses through neighborhoods that have plenty of homes, schools, and stores, and pedestrians try to cross it routinely. Aurora Avenue is extensive, and drivers often travel at high speeds. At the same time, there are less than adequate facilities for pedestrians to cross the road.

Even though Washington laws give pedestrians certain rights, motorists often do not follow the rules on this stretch of the road and others in the city. For example, a van struck and killed a 44-year-old woman in a wheelchair when she was trying to cross the street at an intersection on Aurora Avenue, leading safety advocates to call for changes in this dangerous corridor.

The James Street and Sixth Avenue intersection is also hazardous for pedestrians to cross. The Seattle Department of Transportation has designated this intersection as a problem area for pedestrians. Here, there is a blind curve that may cause drivers not to see people who are crossing the street.

Boren Avenue is another dangerous spot for pedestrians in Seattle. The road is a wide vehicular thoroughfare with numerous hazardous intersections. The corner of Boren and Pike Street is a particularly risky area to cross. Not only is there heavy vehicle traffic, but there are also numerous pedestrians in the area, and drivers do not always stop as they should. This particular intersection is dangerous for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.

You Have Legal Rights After You Have Suffered an Injury in a Pedestrian Accident

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a pedestrian accident, you may have a claim against the driver responsible for what happened. The prerequisite is proving that they were negligent in the accident. This finding requires you to present proof of what the driver did and how they violated their standard of care.

For example, you can prove that the driver did one of the following to cause your accident:

They failed to yield the right-of-way when you had already entered the crosswalk.
They failed to see you trying to cross the street because they were distracted.
They made an illegal right-hand turn when you were crossing the intersection.
They were driving under the influence of alcohol.
They ran a crosswalk because they were speeding.

The Insurance Company May Try to Cut Your Financial Compensation

Along the way, you may need to combat the insurance company’s attempt to blame you for the accident. Insurance companies know they may owe you a substantial amount of money and want to do whatever they can to avoid paying it all to you. One of their common tactics is to point the finger at the accident victim because they can get out of paying compensation for your injuries entirely.

You will need a pedestrian accident lawyer to defend you from any wrongful allegations the insurance company makes against you. You must refute any of these accusations because they can impact your financial compensation. Your pedestrian accident lawyer will present evidence that shows what you did and why you are not to blame for the accident.

Negotiating Financial Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Then, you must negotiate adequate compensation to pay for your injuries in a settlement. Your pedestrian accident lawyer will estimate your damages and file a claim on your behalf with the responsible driver’s insurance company or a lawsuit in court. Either way, there is a high chance that your pedestrian accident case will result in a settlement agreement. You may have no choice but to take your case to a jury, but it should not be your first choice.

The insurance company will make you a settlement offer if it accepts liability in your case. The settlement offer should include compensation for the following:

Medical expenses
Lost earnings
Pain and suffering
Scarring and disfigurement
Loss of enjoyment of life
Embarrassment and humiliation
Emotional distress

Wrongful Death Claims for Pedestrian Accidents in Seattle

If your loved one died in a pedestrian accident, then your compensation should include the following for your family:

The earnings that your family member would have earned over the rest of their career
The physical relationship that they had with their spouse
The love, support, and guidance that the deceased person provided to others in the family
The grief and trauma that the family has gone through on account of tragically losing a loved one in an accident

The initial settlement offer will always be low because that is how insurance companies do business. They believe they have to negotiate your claim instead of offering you everything you deserve upfront, giving them a chance to save money. If a pedestrian accident lawyer represents you, that is less likely to happen. Your pedestrian accident attorney will advise you to reject a low settlement offer and continue negotiating for a better settlement. Your lawyer can pressure the insurance company to pay for your injuries under the threat of litigation.

How a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Helps Your Case

You need to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as you can after you have suffered an injury. Time is of the essence in any personal injury case because the insurance company may already be at work trying to compromise your legal rights. It can be a vulnerable time, and you may place your trust in the insurance company when it is the last thing you should ever do. Your pedestrian accident attorney can establish your legal right to compensation by showing that the driver was negligent. Then, they can work to protect your rights when the insurance company tries to compromise them. Studies show that people who hire an attorney do far better monetarily than those who try to deal with the insurance company independently.

Your pedestrian accident attorney can do the following in your case:

Investigate the accident and gather evidence that you need to prove liability
Estimate your damages, working with experts as necessary to learn more about your situation
Handle all communications with the insurance company, keeping them from trying to speak with you
Draft and file a claim or lawsuit on your behalf
Fight for you to get the most possible money for your injuries

You Pay Nothing Out of Pocket for a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

You will sign a representation agreement after your free initial consultation with a pedestrian accident lawyer. You will not have to pay the pedestrian accident attorney any upfront. Instead, they work for you on a contingency basis, meaning they get paid nothing unless you receive money for your injuries. Then, your attorney will take an agreed-upon percentage of your settlement or jury award. You do not take on any financial risk when you hire a pedestrian accident attorney because no money is coming out of your pocket.

By hiring a pedestrian accident lawyer, you can have peace of mind knowing you will not have to pay anything out of pocket. You can focus on your recovery while your attorney handles the legal aspects of your case. They will work diligently to gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

If you or a loved one has been in a pedestrian accident, do not hesitate to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. They will provide the guidance, support, and legal representation needed to handle this challenging time and protect your rights throughout the process. Remember, you do not have to face this journey alone.