Summer 2016 Sees an Increase in Cyclists on the Road and an Increase in Bike Accidents

First Hill Streetcar Dangers
One of the biggest hazards for summer cyclists is the streetcar. While many local commuters are familiar with the dangers of the streetcar tracks, many less experienced cyclists who mostly ride for pleasure are often times caught off guard. Recently, a young lady was enjoying a morning ride with her friends when the tires of her bike became caught in the streetcar tracks near the First Hill streetcar tracks. When her tires became lodged in the track, she flipped over the handlebars and landed face down on the street. Though she was wearing a helmet to reduce the impact of a fall, she subsequently died from her injuries.
Advocates for increased safety measures on Seattle’s roadway have pointed out that this particular stretch of streetcar tracks runs directly adjacent to the bike lane, and there is no signage or barrier to prevent a rider from accidentally riding across the tracks. Other sections of the First Hill Streetcar route include separate bikeways to protect cyclists from riding over the tracks. On top of issues with tires getting caught in tracks, cyclists must also be wary of approaching streetcars and pedestrians crossing the tracks.
South Lake Union Streetcar Dangers
Seattle bike riders have long fought with the local city government over bike route safety. In fact, a group of cyclists recently sued the city regarding the South Lake Union streetcar tracks, which are notorious for causing dangerous accidents that result in injuries and deaths. These riders argued that the city was negligent in constructing streetcar tracks on the right side of the street, where bike riders commonly ride their bikes. If the tracks had been installed in the center of the street, the risk of accidents associated with biking on the tracks would be reduced.
Contact Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. Today for a Free Consultation!
If you were injured in a bicycle accident this summer, whether involving the streetcar tracks or any other means, the experienced Seattle bicycle accident injury attorneys at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. are ready to assist you with seeking compensation for your injuries. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation at (888) 288-3860.
Recent Blog Posts
- What to Do if You Are Injured in a Rear-End Accident
- How Much Liability Can a Seattle Landlord Have in an Injury Claim?
- Will Comparative Negligence Affect a Senior’s Slip-and-Fall Claim?
- New Carsharing Service Launches in Seattle: What Drivers Should Know
- Washington State Dog-Bite Liability and Public Parks
Categories
- Auto Insurance Claims
- Bicycle Accident
- Birth Injury
- Brain Injury
- Burn Injury
- Bus Accidents
- Car Accidents
- Commercial Vehicle Accidents
- Dangerous Road Accident
- Distracted Driving Accident
- Dog Bite
- Drunk Driving Accident
- Freeway Accidents
- Head-On Car Crash
- Hit-and-Run Accident
- Interesting
- Intersection Accidents
- Law Firm News
- Medical Malpractice
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Pedestrian Accident
- Personal Injury
- Pickup Truck Accident
- Premises Liability
- Rear-End Accidents
- Rideshare Accidents
- Rollover Accidents
- Safe Driving
- Segway Accident
- Slip-and-Fall Accidents
- Speeding Accident
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Swimming Pool Accident
- Teen and Young Drivers
- Truck Accident
- Wrongful Death
Backed by our
No Fee Promise
Case Results
$3,300,000
Wrongful Death
- case details are confidential.
$2,400,000
Degloving Injury
from defective power winch.
$2,125,000
Car Accident
resulting in neck and head injury.