Cyclist Fatality Draws Attention to Growing Vehicle-Pedestrian Collision Crisis in Seattle
Posted Friday, April 9, 2021 by Chris Thayer
A 63-year-old Seattle man who was riding his bike near Seward Park around 7:00 at night was fatally struck by a late model silver Nissan Sentra, which then fled the scene, abandoning the critically-wounded victim. The driver was traveling north on Seward Park Avenue South, east of Wilson Avenue South, at the time of the collision. Several witnesses saw the accident occur, and told police they believe the car had Washington plates and that the first six characters were BKU 053. Police say that the Nissan involved in the hit-and-run will also have a broken windshield.
The man was not killed by the impact, and witnesses performed CPR on him until paramedics arrived and transported him to Harborview Medical Center where he later passed away due to his injuries. The investigation into this case is still open ongoing, as the driver has not yet been identified. Anyone with information is asked to call 206-233-5000.
*The Recent in a Long String of Pedestrian Deaths * Seattle has been reckoning with its pedestrian-vehicle collision crisis for decades. In 2010, it enacted the plan Vision Zero, designed to reduce Seattle traffic fatalities to zero by 2030, noting that their streets and highways have always been designed for the convenience of cars, rather than for the safety or ease of use for pedestrians. The Vision Zero Coordinator, Allison Schwartz, emphasized that Seattle’s homeless and elderly citizens are the most vulnerable to fatal car crashes.
*Despite Fewer Drivers, More Deaths * The data is perplexing at first glance. There were less drivers on the road due to the pandemic, so you might expect there to be fewer accidents, injuries, and deaths. And you are partly right. Last year Seattle had the lowest number of serious injuries as a result of vehicle crashes out of all the years, but tied with 2013 for the highest number of deaths. How could injuries decrease while fatalities increase? More than half the people killed were pedestrians. It is no secret that pedestrians are incredibly vulnerable to vehicles. If a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle, they are almost certain to be injured, as the vehicle likely weighs about 30 times as much as they do, and is in motion. In fact, if a car hits a pedestrian at just 30 miles per hour, there is a 20% chance that the pedestrian will be killed. If that speed increases by just 5 miles per hour to 35 mph, the chance of death for the pedestrian increases to 50%. If the speed increases to 45 miles per hour, the risk of fatality for the pedestrian jumps to a staggering 90%. 45 miles per hour is far lower than many state roads, but Seattle has been working to reduce speed limits all over the city.
*Schedule a Consultation * If you have been injured in a Seattle-area vehicle accident due to another driver’s carelessness or recklessness, Pivotal Law Group is here to help. Serving Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Rento, Burien, Mercer Island, Issaquah, and all surrounding areas, our lawyers are prepared to zealously advocate on your behalf and ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve. Contact Pivotal Law Group today to schedule your consultation.