Pedestrian accident statistics illuminate serious problem

Environmentally conscious Issaquah residents may choose to walk to work rather than use their own vehicles or public transportation, but many of the city’s residents enjoy hiking, walking, and running for their own health and personal satisfaction.

At its city center and in outlying neighborhoods, it is not unusual to see Issaquah residents out and about on foot. When they choose to travel the city as pedestrians, however, they should be aware that they may face dangers from moving vehicles.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2016, nearly 6,000 pedestrians were killed in the United States when they were struck by motor vehicles.

Older Americans are more likely to become victims of pedestrian-vehicle accidents than other age-based groups, and many pedestrian accidents happen in city environments like that of downtown Issaquah.

During 2015, close to 129,000 pedestrians were hurt in collisions with cars, and there are several factors that can contribute to dangerous vehicle-pedestrian crashes. Drivers who choose to speed are more likely to cause collisions with pedestrians than non-speeders. Similarly, drunk drivers are more often involved in vehicle-pedestrian crashes than sober motorists.

While both drivers and pedestrians can take preventative steps to reduce their chances of being involved in collisions, pedestrians are often the victims, and sometimes fatalities, when vehicles hit people on the streets. When a vehicle-pedestrian crash happens, an injured victim may find themselves unable to work, unable to support their loved ones, and unable to stay ahead of the necessary medical treatments.

They may choose to educate themselves about their legal options and the rights they have in order to pursue compensation from the party that caused their losses.