If you live anywhere in the United States, you can choose one of several modes of transportation. This applies to every area of the United States, including big cities and small towns. If you happen to love to walk and it gets you where you are going, it is a great way to stay in shape but it certainly is not without its dangers and hazards.
It would be nice to think that every person who operates a motor vehicle is doing so safely 100% of the time. However, that would be naïve. The truth is that there are many times when the person behind the wheel is not driving safely and not obeying the traffic laws in any given place, including in Seattle, Washington.
What should I feel?
Well, in all likelihood, if that happened to you, you probably feel grateful to be alive. According to statistics, the number of pedestrians and bicyclists who are fatally hit by motor vehicles each year in Seattle is increasing even though the city has made a promise to eliminate those types of accidents.
The city of Seattle (as well as many other American cities) started to be involved with Vision Zero, which is a program that focuses on eliminating pedestrian fatalities. However, in spite of the program being in place, pedestrian fatalities in Seattle are on the rise.
Was Vision Zero making a difference in Seattle when it was first launched?
The program did seem to be making a positive difference when it was launched five years ago. However, now, at the five-year mark, the pedestrian fatality rate in Seattle is 150% higher than it was at the beginning. The numbers are definitely going in the wrong direction.
According to experts, some of the possible reasons why the numbers are increasing are the following:
- Environment: There are more lanes and wider roads than there were five years ago. Additionally, the roads are busier and the speed limits are higher. Also, the lighting on the roads where people are walking is not as bright.
- Pedestrians: More pedestrians are inebriated as they are walking. Also there are more elderly people who are walking.
- Vehicles: Vehicles on the road are larger and they travel at a faster speed.
- Drivers: More drivers drink and get behind the wheel. Many of the drivers on the road are between age 16 and 25, which means that they don’t have the same driving experience as older drivers. In the event of an accident with a pedestrian, the drivers are more inclined to flee the scene of the accident.
One measure that the city of Seattle has taken since the numbers are increasing is to lower the speed limit on many of the city’s roads. All of the other factors are also significant and if you put them together, they really make a perfect storm.
If you were walking and were injured or if a loved one was struck by a motor vehicle as they were walking and died, the experience of a Seattle attorney may really make a positive difference in your case. It is probably too overwhelming to handle on your own and although obtaining compensation from a negligent driver will not make everything go away, it will help you to cover expenses and to get back to living a life that makes you happy now and in the future.