Pedestrians face constant risk when walking the roads in Spokane, Spokane Valley, and Airway Heights. Having accessible crosswalks, lit areas, and pedestrian bridges is just one part of the equation when talking about safety for those on foot.
Attentive, careful drivers are the other key to unlocking safe passage for all of those who travel on foot on the South Hill, along North Division Street, and anywhere else in Spokane County.
Looking at the yearly progress or regression in safety for pedestrians is as easy as examining the latest pedestrian accident numbers. These figures can show improvement, but far too often they show a step back on the issue of safety for walkers around Spokane.
The Law Offices of Crary, Clark, Domanico, & Chuang, P.S., commissioned a study of the latest numbers from 2021 and a look back at Spokane pedestrian deaths and accident statistics from the past few years. It’s hoped that spotlighting how current pedestrian traffic collisions match up with past records can lead to a better understanding of where we need to improve as a city.
2021 Pedestrian Accidents in Spokane
The Washington State DOT (WSDOT) reports that 2021 saw a tragic 13 pedestrian fatalities across Spokane County in 2021. Eight of those deaths occurred in Spokane, two in Spokane Valley.
Fatal crashes affect the families of victims who must try to rebuild their lives. It’s hard without the guidance and financial support of a loved one. Friends and the entire community also feel the loss of someone taken so tragically. It’s hard to accept such a heartbreaking consequence for doing something so seemingly harmless as walking the streets of Spokane.
The data also breaks down the increasingly devastating toll of pedestrian accidents in Spokane, even when victims survive.
WSDOT lists injuries as either “suspected to be serious” or “suspected to be minor.” This is the assessment of the emergency responders on the scene. Of course, medical professionals know that pedestrian accident victims often think their injuries are minor only to find the next day that they have unexpected and severe pain from a serious injury. This occurs because the shock and adrenaline of being hit by a car can mask the pain of a serious injury for a day or even over several days.
Spokane’s pedestrian accidents in 2021 led to what were believed to be 60 minor injuries in 2021. Another 23 injuries were expected to be serious.
Pedestrian Deaths in Spokane Over a Five-Year Span
The Washington Traffic Safety Commission’s accident dashboard tracks pedestrian dangers each year in Spokane and for the surrounding areas of Spokane Valley, Airway Heights, and the county.
Across Spokane County, the fatalities reported increased almost every year over a five-year period and that appears to have continued into 2021. This is a visual representation of the pedestrian fatalities each year in Spokane County between 2016 and 2020:
In Spokane, pedestrian fatalities vary more from year to year. But in the most recent years, a tragic upward trend can be seen. Pedestrian tragedies increased in 2020 and from WSDOT figures noted above we know that the rise continued into 2021. 2020 saw 7 tragic deaths along Spokane streets. 2021 topped that figure by one for a final count of 8 tragic fatalities.
The Most Common Victims
Careless drivers don’t choose their victims. It’s a random consequence of motorists traveling carelessly or recklessly. The victims are just those pedestrians who happen to be crossing traffic when a distracted driver approaches.
Motorists are often driving nearly blind when they strike pedestrians. They can have their eyes glued to a cellphone text or their minds on something else other than driving. This can lead to devastating accidents for men and women of all ages.
There is a link between accidents for those on foot and gender. Men are more common accident victims than female pedestrians. In Spokane, over the past five years or so, pedestrian accidents have claimed the lives of 15 men and 7 women.
Over the same span, the threat to male and female victims was almost identical to the divide in accidents in Spokane. Moreover, in Washington from 2016 to 2020, pedestrian accident fatalities totaled 346 male victims and 164 female victims. Two victims over that span had an unknown gender.
Age isn’t necessarily a good indicator of who is at most risk of a Spokane pedestrian accident. Anyone could be the next victim of a tragic collision while on foot.
Pedestrian Safety in Spokane
Spokane and state transportation leaders take note of the yearly toll of pedestrian accidents locally and across Washington. They have a duty to use that information to push for better intersection design. In addition, create more greenways and urban trails.
Local leaders and law enforcement must remind motorists as much as possible. Through safety campaigns and enforcement of the laws already in place, drivers must keep their eyes on the road. With safety advancements and better driver recognition, pedestrian safety can improve in your community and your state.
Contact a Spokane Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Serving Local Victims
Hopefully, you’ll never need to worry over an injury caused by a careless driver car accident. However, if you sustain injuries in a Spokane pedestrian collision you should know about the insurance benefits available.
CCD Law offers a free consultation to victims and their family members after any personal injury accident in Spokane, Eastern Washington, and Northern Idaho. It’s a confidential way to learn what an injury may be worth. In addition, learn about the rights you and your family have after an accident.
