We are all pedestrians at some point. In any given city, at any given time, people walk for a litany of reasons. It could be a means to commute or exercise or recreation. It could be a response to environmental concerns or rising gas prices or to get the heart pumping. But Spokane is not an easy place to be a pedestrian. The city was recently ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in Washington for pedestrians.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian-related accident, the Spokane personal injury attorneys at Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys are here to put our extensive experience to work for you.
What Makes A City Pedestrian-Friendly?
Communities are often judged by their ability to account for the needs of their pedestrians. Traffic engineers, city managers, motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians must act responsibly to ensure safety for everyone. The road system of a community should accommodate all travel modes and work to decrease the risk of injury.
In ranking a city’s road system as dangerous or safe, traffic experts count several elements, including:
- Large amounts of roads with more than three lanes
- Speed limits above 30 mph
- Large stretches without crosswalks
According to the Washington State Patrol most recent statistics concerning Washington’s 10 largest cities, Spokane ranked third in rates of pedestrians hit by cars and in collisions resulting in pedestrian deaths. Additionally, Spokane ranked second in serious injuries amongst pedestrian-related collisions.
In Spokane County, there are more pedestrians than bicyclists and more pedestrian collisions, and the city of Spokane accounts for 77% of pedestrian collisions. More men are walking in the city, and three-out-of-five injured pedestrians are male. The largest concentration of pedestrian collisions occurs between the areas of I-90 and Francis.
The Dangers Of Pedestrian Collisions
In the United States, a pedestrian is injured every nine minutes and killed every two hours in traffic collisions. In Spokane County, 3% of these pedestrian collisions are fatal, and another 13% results in serious or disabling injuries.
A large percentage of all pedestrian accidents lead to substantial injuries and fatalities. The human body is no match for the mass and force of a vehicle. Not to mention, most pedestrians suffer from two collisions—first colliding with the vehicle and then with the ground.
These collisions often result in common injuries, including:
- Back and neck injuries
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Crush injuries or amputations
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Lacerations and road rash
- Spinal cord trauma, including paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries or open head wounds
- Scarring and disfigurement
When Should I Contact A Lawyer?
The Pacific Northwest sees its share of severe injuries because of pedestrian accidents. It takes resources to do a full investigation of these claims. We are here to make sure our clients get fair treatment and receive the compensation they are entitled to.
If negligent or careless actions of others have caused you or loved one harm while you were simply trying to walk, contact the pedestrian accident attorneys at Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 800-529-0842.
