Pedestrian accidents are common in Seattle

Unlike motorists and passengers, pedestrians do not have anything to shield them from injury as they walk. As a result, many pedestrians are killed when they are struck by a vehicle.

According to the Governor Highway Safety Association, more than 7,500 pedestrians were killed in accidents involving motor vehicles in 2022. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) apparently found that approximately 136 of these pedestrian deaths occurred in Washington in 2022. Many pedestrian deaths and injuries are caused by the negligence.

What causes pedestrian accidents?

Pedestrian accidents in Washington can occur for a variety of reasons. While some accidents are solely caused by the negligence of the driver, other accidents are partially caused by the pedestrian’s own negligence.

Pedestrian accidents may occur due to any of the following reasons:

• Distracted driving.
• Failure to yield the right of way.
• Poor visibility due to lack of streetlights, lack of sunlight, excessive sunlight, bad weather, etc.
• Speeding.

Pedestrians can be just as negligent as motorists and contribute to their own auto/pedestrian accidents and injuries. Pedestrian negligence may include:

• Disregarding traffic signals.
• Failing to keep a proper lookout.
• Failing to use crosswalks/jaywalking.
• Walking in dark colored clothing at night in unlit areas.
• Walking in unsafe areas (e.g., along the highway).

Fortunately, Washington’s comparative negligence laws allow pedestrians to recover compensation after an accident, even if they were partially at fault for the collision. The damages they recover will be reduced based on the percentage of fault, distributed to them, by the judge of jury. A pedestrian that is 40% at fault for an accident for suddenly darting into traffic may only recover 40% of the damages awarded to them.

Matthew D. Dubin

Matthew D. Dubin has represented injured people throughout Washington since 1995. He is the founding attorney of Dubin Law Group and focuses his practice on personal injury claims involving motor vehicle accidents, dangerous products, premises liability, catastrophic injuries, and wrongful death.

Education

• License Number: 25378
• University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, Washington – J.D.
• Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut – B.A.

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