Seattle Traffic Accidents Stats and Prevention

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on November 28, 2011

At a series of recent public safety meetings in Seattle, more than 100 citizens convened to discuss highway threats, dangerous behaviors, and preventative measures. According to a story in The Seattle Times, among the big concerns were distracted driving, misinformation about the law, and pedestrian and cyclist vulnerability.

A century earlier, diseases like tuberculosis and pneumonia were the top causes of stoppable fatalities in Seattle. Now, traffic accidents are at the top of that same list, according to The Seattle Times. Approximately twenty six individuals die every year in the city from traffic accidents; this data includes an average of around eleven pedestrian fatalities and two bicyclists (but this year was especially tragic for cyclists as four have been killed thus far). Of course, the issue does not stop at fatalities. Between five to 10 times the amount of individuals are severely injured and treated in hospitals for every individual that is killed.

The elements that influence severe or deadly highway accidents are varied, including drunk or intoxicated driving, speeding, distracted driving, failure to properly yield, and other infractions. However, as The Seattle Times noted, these accidents, for the most part, do not occur by chance — they are easily impacted and subject to preventative measures. No one should feel vulnerable on the highway, and all citizens should strive to fight preventable highway accidents in the same way we overcame disease outbreaks one hundred years ago. If you’ve been injured in a Washington state car accident that you believe was the fault of another driver, call the Seattle freeway accident attorneys with Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. at 1(888) 228-3860 for a complimentary consultation.