Consequences of a Washington Pedestrian Accident

Walking is fun for many people, provides an environmentally-friendly way to get around, and offers good exercise. Seattle and other Washington cities often have resources for pedestrians, like sidewalks, crosswalks, and crossing signals. Pedestrians may also walk on the shoulder of roads without sidewalks.

Although there are a lot of pedestrians in Seattle, many drivers don’t take the necessary amount of caution when it comes to sharing streets with them. The result can be a serious pedestrian accident that causes catastrophic injury.  At Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S., our skilled Seattle pedestrian accident attorneys understand how life-altering a pedestrian accident can be. If you’ve been injured in a Washington pedestrian crash, we can help. Contact us to speak to one of our attorneys about your accident.

Causes of Seattle Pedestrian Injuries

About 12 percent of all motor vehicle deaths and injuries in Washington each year are suffered by pedestrians who are hit by vehicles, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC). The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) estimates that over 25 percent of these accidents occur on state routes, where nearly 8 percent result in death - unlike on city streets, where only about 2 percent of pedestrians struck lose their lives.

The faster a vehicle is moving when a pedestrian accident occurs, the more likely it is that the accident will result in death.  One Department of Transportation study found that in collisions with vehicles going 20 miles per hour, only 5 percent of pedestrians lost their lives; another 65 percent were injured.  When the speed increased to 50 miles per hour, however, the crashes were universally fatal.

Pedestrian Injuries in King County

Due to the heavy concentration of people and of state routes, King County has one of the highest pedestrian accident rates in the state, according to WSDOT. With Seattle as the county seat, King County is also the home of about 44 percent of all pedestrian accidents in Washington each year, along with 35 percent of pedestrian deaths and 42 percent of injuries. 

Although fatalities are more likely on state routes, pedestrians in downtown Seattle face dangers that are less common outside the city. Intersection accidents commonly result in pedestrian injuries when a distracted or aggressive driver fails to see a pedestrian before it’s too late. Drivers who are confused or who try to correct a mistake by making an illegal lane change or turn also increase the risk of striking and injuring a pedestrian.

When a Seattle pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, catastrophic injuries can result. Traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries can easily be fatal, or leave a survivor with permanent paralysis, mobility problems, difficulties with memory or communication, and chronic pain.  Broken bones may require surgery and take weeks or months to heal. “Road burn” injuries to skin can be just as dangerous and painful as heat burns, and greatly increase a pedestrian’s risk of suffering secondary infections.

Where to Turn After a Pedestrian Accident

Serious injuries have a way of consuming an injured person’s every waking moment - and with good reason.  After an injury, your only concern should be to get well, not to worry about whether you’ll be able to pay medical bills or replace lost income. At Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S., our experienced Seattle pedestrian accident attorneys are dedicated to helping each person we represent to get the compensation they need, so they can focus on healing.  Contact us today for a free, confidential case evaluation at (888) 228-3860.