Seattle Debating Making Changes at Site of Fatal Crash

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on April 16, 2013

When a roadway or intersection is particularly dangerous, it is the responsibility of the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway to assess whether or not changes need to be made to prevent future collisions. According to a King 5 News report, the Seattle Department of Transportation is currently considering making changes to Northeast 75th Street in Wedgewood. Officials began contemplating changes after two people were killed in a possible DUI accident last month.

Many neighbors have expressed concerns to the city about their safety on the busy roadway. Transportation officials are now listening to those concerns and reviewing traffic data to see if anything improvements can be made at that intersection. The goal, officials say, is to increase safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. Several Seattle roadways including Aurora Avenue, Lake City Way and Rainier Avenue are getting new pedestrian lights, signs and additional police enforcement as well.

Intersections may be dangerous due to their design, traffic flow or poor visibility in addition to many other factors. If you are injured at a location that is determined dangerous, it may be possible to pursue financial compensation from the governing body in charge of maintaining the roadway. You will have to prove that a hazardous condition contributed to the crash and that the governmental agency in charge knew about those conditions and failed to make reasonable changes.

The knowledgeable Washington car accident attorneys at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. provide free consultations at 888-228-3860 to anyone who has been injured as the result of someone else’s negligence. Please contact us today to find out how we can help.