Updated on: 11/14/2019
Edmonds police say a 33-year-old woman suffered an undisclosed shoulder injury and broken ankle in a pedestrian accident at a busy intersection on 196th Street SW Friday evening.
According to a report from MyEdmondsNews, the collision occurred at the intersection of 196th Street SW and 84th Avenue West just after 5:30 p.m. Friday. Edmonds police spokesman Sgt. Mark Marsh says the 33-year-old woman had attempted to cross the street when she was struck by a vehicle that was headed eastbound on 196th Street SW.
The woman was reportedly taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle to receive medical treatment for her injuries. She is expected to make a full recovery and Marsh did not believe her injuries were considered life-threatening.
Marsh added that the driver involved in the collision is a 51-year-old woman from Edmonds, and that she has cooperated with the police investigation into the crash. The roadway was closed for several hours while officers investigated the scene and collected evidence.
Fewer Daylight Hours, More Crosswalk Accidents in Edmonds
The news article notes that this particular pedestrian accident occurred during the height of the evening commute, a time where lots of drivers are leaving work and headed home for the weekend. Now that daylight saving time has passed, there are far fewer daylight hours and it begins to get dark much earlier in the evening.
To the right is an aerial satellite image of the intersection at 196th Street SW and 84th Avenue W, where the collision occurred. Although it is unclear exactly which area of the roadway that the pedestrian was crossing, it is apparent that this particular intersection does not have a marked crosswalk for pedestrian traffic.
This makes for a dangerous environment for anyone on the roadway, especially in a town like Edmonds where pedestrians and bicyclists are quite common. The fact that this accident happened in an area where there was no marked crosswalk further complicates things from a legal perspective, as establishing strict liability in pedestrian accident cases can be difficult without a crosswalk.
In cases where it is difficult to establish strict liability, multiple parties may be found partially at fault for causing an accident. Even if this particular pedestrian is found to be partially at fault for the crash, she may still have the right to recover compensation for her injuries. Of course, it is always best to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney about the benefits and drawbacks of pursuing a personal injury claim.