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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 increase the number of pedestrians killed by drivers citywide to thirteen this year, according to the Seattle Department of Transportation. It is part of a traffic safety trend in Seattle, and nationwide, over the last decade. Pedestrian deaths have increased by over 50%. During the pandemic, many cities including Seattle recorded the most pedestrian deaths since 2006. Unfortunately, the number of fatal crashes remains

Finding comfort in justice after a fatal hit and run

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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 biggest annual jump ever recorded by the organization. Pedestrians accounted for 17% of all traffic deaths in 2019, compared to 13% in 2010. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are a larger proportion of pedestrian fatalities, compared to their respective populations. While the full GHSA report uses data from 2010to demonstrate traffic violence trends, the preliminary 2020 data stands out because of the pandemic

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 very serious. The sheer size and weight of the average motor vehicle can cause internal damage, or a head injury, that is not immediately obvious. A person often does not realize they are physically hurt, until the shock and adrenaline wear off. Also, depending on where the crash occurred, police might not respond or file a report. They might assume that a parking lot crash is

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Pedestrians

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 3 years, and that number is only rising.   According to a 2020 report from the Governors Highway Safety Association, more than 6,500 people were killed in 2019 alone, a 5% increase from the year before. What is even more alarming is this is the largest number of pedestrian deaths in over 30 years. Not only that, but pedestrian deaths have risen over 50% in

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 only address it as it relates to Washington State Law. Summary of Washington State Crosswalk Law Every intersection is a crosswalk, unless there are posted signs. Drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at every crosswalk, marked or unmarked. Here’s the full text of the Washington State crosswalk law, RCW 46.61.235 (in italics), with my interpretation and comments included. Crosswalks. (1) The operator

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