By Pendergast Law on September 30, 2017
Smart Growth America has looked at 104 of the most dangerous populated cities in the entire country; out of these, Seattle was ranked eighth-safest for pedestrians – that is, the 97th most dangerous out of the 104 metropolitan areas.
Seattle announced its intention in 2015 to have absolutely no pedestrian deaths or injuries from accidents with vehicles, including bicycles. When compared with other cities with the same goal, such as Nashville, Seattle is doing “okay” in safety. Nashville had 50 pedestrian and cyclist deaths in 2016; Seattle had eight in that same year. Better than the 26 deaths that Washington, D.C., saw and the 13 deaths that made headlines in Portland.
But without sitting at a perfect zero, Seattle still has a way to go. And one way to do this is by letting pedestrians and cyclists know about the most dangerous intersections in the city, so everyone can become more aware when traveling through them.
The most dangerous intersections for pedestrians, listed by most incidents to the least, are:
- Fifth Avenue and Spring Street
- Fifth Avenue and Pike Street
- Third Avenue and Pike
- Broadway East and East Olive Way
- 12th Avenue and East Madison Street
- Boren Avenue and Pike
- Roosevelt Way Northeast and Northeast 45th Street
- University Way Northeast and Northeast 50th Street
- Denny Way and Stewart Street
- Fifth Avenue South and South Jackson Street
But these are not necessarily the most dangerous intersections for cyclists to travel through. Those (also listed by most incidents to the least) are:
- Eastlake Avenue East and Fuhrman Avenue East
- Second and University Street
- Troll Avenue and North 34th Street
- Northeast 45th Street near First Avenue Northeast
- Melrose Avenue and Pine Street
- Boylston Avenue and East Pine
- Second between Union and Pike
- 15th Avenue Northeast and Northeast Pacific Street
- Dexter Avenue North near Ward Street
- Second between University and Union
Of course, pedestrians or cyclists aren’t always to blame for these accidents. Things like inattention or distracted driving can certainly cause an accident, so too can streets that simply aren’t designed safely.
If you’ve been in an accident and you believe someone else, even the City, may be to blame, contact us at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S., by calling toll-free 888-539-9211. You may be eligible for compensation, and we know how to get it for you.