Pedestrian collisions can be incredibly devastating, considering people on the street have almost no protection against automobiles. There were nearly 4,400 fatal pedestrian collisions in 2008, which means that the rate of pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 Americans was 1.54. There is some room for optimism, however, as pedestrian fatalities have been steadily decreasing over the years, and is currently about 1,000 less than in 1998.
Last Friday afternoon, a nearly fatal pedestrian accident occurred in Bellevue on 119th Ave. S.E. in the 4700 block. A 70-year-old woman pedestrian was waiting at a bus stop as a car being driven by a 53-year-old man from Everett drove over the curb and hit her. The woman was transported to Harborview Medical Center, where she is being treated for multiple serious injuries. The driver apparently blacked out and swerved across the center line and over the curb before striking the woman and sending her nearly 50 feet into a neighboring yard. Police have not yet determined the cause of the accident and have not said whether or not the man was intoxicated.
I wish the pedestrian that was hit a speedy and safe recovery from this traumatic accident. A personal injury case like this will most certainly warrant the services of an experienced personal injury attorney.