Car accidents happen every day in Seattle. Whether it’s a fender bender or something much more serious, these crashes affect thousands of people every year. By looking at the latest statistics, we can better understand the risks drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists face on Seattle’s roads.
How Dangerous Are Seattle’s Roads?
Seattle is one of the largest cities in Washington, and with that comes heavy traffic and busy intersections. In 2022, there were 8,406 total crashes in Seattle. Nearly 3,000 of those led to injuries or deaths. This shows just how common and serious collisions can be on Seattle streets.
City leaders have tried to make streets safer with programs like Vision Zero, which aims to end traffic deaths and serious injuries. But despite these efforts, the numbers show that many people are still getting hurt on the roads.
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Common Causes of Crashes
Many accidents in Seattle happen because drivers aren’t paying attention or are under the influence.
Distracted Driving
In 2022, distracted driving was linked to 1,431 crashes in the city. Of those, 52 involved drivers using their phones. Teen drivers were part of 74 distracted driving crashes. These numbers make it clear that even a few seconds of lost focus can lead to serious consequences.
Alcohol-Related Accidents
There were 579 crashes in Seattle that involved alcohol. These led to six deaths and at least 29 serious injuries. In some cases, pedestrians or cyclists were under the influence. Fourteen crashes involved drunk pedestrians, and three involved intoxicated bicyclists.
These numbers show how alcohol doesn’t just affect the driver — it puts everyone around them in danger too.
The Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections
Certain areas in Seattle see more crashes than others. Busy roads like Northeast 45th Street, Mercer Street, and Rainier Avenue South are known for high accident rates. The West Seattle Bridge, which sees more than 90,000 vehicles each day, is also a hotspot for accidents.
Highways like I-5, I-90, and I-405 are often jammed with cars, especially during rush hour. These roads connect neighborhoods, downtown, and the airport, making them some of the most traveled — and risky — spots in the city.
Intersections are also a big problem. About 35% of pedestrian crashes happened when a driver was turning at an intersection. This shows how dangerous even a quick turn can be if drivers aren’t careful.
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Risks for Pedestrians and Cyclists
While most crashes involve vehicles, people walking or biking are often the ones hurt the most.
In 2022, only about 7% of Seattle crashes involved pedestrians or cyclists, but those crashes made up 61% of deadly accidents. This means that when people walking or biking are hit, the results are much more likely to be fatal.
District 2 in Seattle had the highest number of severe injuries and deadly pedestrian crashes. Rainier Avenue South, in particular, had 139 crashes that year. Seventeen of those involved people on foot.
Another key detail: 93% of all pedestrian deaths in Seattle happen on wide, straight roads. These roads might seem safe because they’re easy to drive on, but that often means cars go too fast. High speeds increase the chance of someone getting seriously hurt or killed.
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What the Numbers Tell Us
Seattle is still a dangerous place for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Despite safety programs, accidents continue to cause serious harm across the city. The data highlights a few key takeaways:
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Distracted driving is still a big problem, especially among teens.
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Alcohol plays a role in many injury-related crashes.
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Busy roads and intersections are where most accidents happen.
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People walking or biking are much more likely to be killed when hit by a car.
Understanding where and how these crashes happen can help people stay safer on the roads — whether they’re behind the wheel, riding a bike, or walking across the street.
Call for Safer Roads — And Legal Help if You’re Hurt
Getting into a car crash is overwhelming. There are medical bills, missed work, and long recoveries to deal with. If you or someone you love was hurt in a Seattle car accident, you don’t have to go through it alone. An experienced car accident attorney can help you understand your options, deal with insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call (425) 835-2614 to schedule a free consultation and get the support you need after a crash.
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