Davis Law Group, P.S.

Seattle bicyclist hurt in hit-and-run

Story Highlights:
One injured in Seattle collision
Bicycle collision caused by hit-and-run



Date: April 11, 2011, 04/11/2011
Location: Seattle, King County, Washington
Type: Bicycle accident, Motor vehicle collision
Outcome: One injured

A bicyclist was injured in a hit-and-run collision in the Belltown area of Seattle on Monday night.

Around 7 p.m. on First Avenue and Blanchard Street a minivan crashed into a bicyclist. It is not known what caused the crash but the bicyclist, who was in his 30's, was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition.

The driver of the minivan fled the scene and is still at large. Any information surrounding the crash should be reported to Seattle Police.

Bicycle Accident Statistics

• Sixty percent of bike fatalities in Washington State were in urban areas in 2007.
• Most fatal bike accidents in Washington State were associated with crossing roadways (35%), riding against traffic (27%) and turning into the path of a vehicle (10%).
• Washington has allotted $18 million for bicycle safety programs and safe school route programs from 2007-2009.
•  There are about 700 cyclist deaths per year, while 90 percent of those losing their lives are male. They consist of 2 percent of total traffic deaths each year (which includes pedestrians, cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
• About 45,000 cyclists are injured each year, although many believe this number is significantly under reported.
  
• Cyclists are 4.5 times more likely to be injured than motor vehicle drivers, per mile of travel.
• Three out of five at fault drivers involved in cyclist accidents are never cited, even in the event of fatal crashes and hit-and-runs.

• Bicyclist deaths accounted for 2% of all traffic fatalities. Bicylcist injuries accounted for 2% of all people injured in traffic accidents.
• Bicyclists accounted for 13% of all nonoccupant traffic deaths.
• The average age of bicyclists killed in accidents in 2006 was 41, the average age of those injured was 30.

Washington State Hit-and-Run Law
A driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in the injury to or death of any person or involving striking the body of a deceased person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident or as close thereto as possible but shall then forthwith return to, and in every event remain at, the scene of such accident until he or she has fulfilled the requirements of subsection (3) of this section; every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary. See RCW 46.52.020 for more information.

Seattle Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
If you or a family member has suffered as the result of a crosswalk or pedestrian accident in Washington state, pedestrian accident attorney Chris Davis and the Davis Law Group, P.S. can help you. We are committed to helping injured pedestrians recover the just and fair compensation they are entitled to receive under the law.