Truck Accidents, Bicycle Crashes on Seattle’s Traffic Priority List

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on October 11, 2012

The Washington State Traffic Commission (WTSC) recently listed the traffic safety priorities for a number of Washington localities. Truck accidents and bicycle accidents both made the list for the city of Seattle.

From 2006 to 2010, large truck accidents claimed nine lives within the city of Seattle. Bike crashes in Seattle also caused nine deaths during those years. These numbers put both bicycle accidents and large truck accidents in the same priority category as motorcycle accidents, work zone deaths, and fatal accidents involving aggressive drivers.

In addition to focusing on accidents that specifically involved large trucks or that injured bicyclists, the WTSC traffic safety priorities focus on behaviors that can result in catastrophic accidents, regardless of who practices them on the road. For instance, the WTSC’s top priorities for Seattle include addressing impaired drivers and speeding.

Both driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and driving too fast can cause serious injuries, whether the driver is behind the wheel of a truck or a larger vehicle. Impaired driving and speeding are less common among bicyclists, but those on bicycles are at risk when drivers are impaired or speeding, as well as when the bicyclists themselves are violating the law.

Overall, 148 people lost their lives in Seattle crashes in the past five years, with truck accidents and bicycle accidents each making up about six percent of that total. Whether you’ve been injured by a large truck, while riding your bicycle, or both, the dedicated Seattle truck accident injury attorneys at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. can help. Call us today at (888) 228-3860 for a free consultation.