Pedestrian Fatalities
In the last month, seven pedestrians have been fatally injured by motorists in separate crashes in Seattle. Two of the individuals, a 61-year-old man and a 65-year-old woman, were crossing intersections when they were hit by cars. A 53-year-old man was struck by a Metro bus after the driver failed to see him.These seven fatalities...
Pedestrian Fatalities Continue reading…Finding comfort in justice after a fatal hit and run
On July 18, a Maple Valley man was the victim of a fatal hit-and-run crash. He had been near the end of a an early-morning 15-mile run when he was struck and killed. He was later found by a passing motorist. King County Sheriff's Office asked for public help identifying anyone involved in incident. Suspect...
Finding comfort in justice after a fatal hit and run Continue reading…
The first Pedestrian Fatality report for 2020 is out – and it is not good
On May 20, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) released the preliminary pedestrian fatality data for 2020. Here's what stands out in the initial report. GHSA is projecting 6,721 pedestrian deaths in 2020, compared to 6,412 fatalities in 2019. That's a nearly 5% increase. The increase in the fatality rate isn't just significant: it is...
The first Pedestrian Fatality report for 2020 is out – and it is not good Continue reading…Getting hit by a car is a big risk for pedestrian in parking lot
There are different complications for a person hit by a car in a parking lot than we see in other pedestrian collisions. A pedestrian hit by a car in a parking lot is probably less likely to have fatal injuries than a person struck on the highway. That doesn't mean the injuries aren't terrible and...
Getting hit by a car is a big risk for pedestrian in parking lot Continue reading…
Why Have Pedestrian Deaths Been Rising in the US?
Walking on America’s streets has never been more dangerous. Whether you are walking through downtown Seattle or strolling through a residential neighborhood, there is always the chance that a crash could occur due to one party’s neglect or carelessness. There have been a record number of pedestrian deaths in the United States in the last...
Why Have Pedestrian Deaths Been Rising in the US? Continue reading…What you need to know about Washington State Crosswalk Law
One of the few bright spots in the COVID-19 pandemic: a decrease in motor vehicle traffic. As more people explored their cities and towns on foot, they may have noticed that our streets are primarily designed for cars—not for people. The real solution to that problem lies in city planning. As a lawyer, I can...
What you need to know about Washington State Crosswalk Law Continue reading…Reducing speed limit to prevent Seattle pedestrian deaths
Three years ago, Adriana was hit and killed in a crosswalk in downtown Seattle. Adriana was one of the 116 Seattle pedestrian deaths in 2017. She left behind a husband, two young daughters and an extended family, as well as hundreds of heartbroken clients, co-workers and friends at the Seattle Athletic Club where she worked....
Reducing speed limit to prevent Seattle pedestrian deaths Continue reading…Pedestrian death and Seattle’s law on safety enhancement
On the last day of September, Maria Banda and her husband Agustin were hit crossing the intersection of 28th Northeast and Northeast 125th Street in the Lake City neighborhood in the north end of Seattle. There is no marked crosswalk or pedestrian signals to help people get to the Lake City branch of the Seattle...
Pedestrian death and Seattle’s law on safety enhancement Continue reading…Alarming rise in pedestrian injuries, deaths in Washington
Last year, I noted that my office had been contacted about more pedestrian injuries (and deaths) than at any other point in my 30+ years as a plaintiff's injury lawyer. Sad to say that the statistics support my general observation: more people are getting hurt and dying on our roads. The Washington State Department of...
Alarming rise in pedestrian injuries, deaths in Washington Continue reading…What you need to know about our pedestrian traffic laws
It seems straightforward: people usually have the right-of-way over motor vehicles. But most of our roadways were designed for the ease of cars, not the safety of pedestrians. As a result, drivers often forget—or simply disregard—the laws protecting the rights and safety of pedestrians. Washington pedestrian traffic laws Q: When do pedestrians have the right-of-way?...
What you need to know about our pedestrian traffic laws Continue reading…Smartphones + an increase in pedestrian deaths and injuries
Last week, I came upon the aftermath of a pedestrian-vehicle collision in Seattle. I don't know the facts or circumstances of this incident. But it reminded me of yet another in a series of articles I've read recently about the alarming uptick in pedestrian deaths. "Pedestrian fatalities have risen 46 percent since 2009 while overall...
Smartphones + an increase in pedestrian deaths and injuries Continue reading…This is what a multiple-threat crash looks like
On a sunny winter afternoon in Seattle, a kid I’ll call “Marcus” was walking home from middle school. He was with his classmate and good friend. Marcus' grandmother dropped the boys off to get a soda; they would walk the familiar route home together. At a street corner, the boys waited to cross. An oncoming...
This is what a multiple-threat crash looks like Continue reading…