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If you are a bicyclist in Seattle in Kings County, Washington, you are probably aware of the alarming number of Seattle car-bicycle accidents. With the increase in gas prices many are dusting off their old bikes and competing for space on the city's streets to get to school and work. This makes sense, since traffic in some parts of the city slows to a crawl at 10 mph during rush hour. As car-bicycle accident attorneys will tell you, more cyclists on the road means more bicycle-car accidents. In 2005, Seattle suffered 15 bicycle accidents involving as many cars. These collisions resulted in two disabling personal injuries.

A cyclist dies every six hours in the United States and bicycle fatalities statistics have noted that nearly half of all bicycle accident victims are under 16 years of age.

Frequented by bicyclists, Seattle's most dangerous intersection--Northeast Blakely Street and 25th Avenue Northeast--is flat, well lit, and controlled by a traffic signal. In fact, most cars do not exceed 30 mph and cyclists usually move along Burke-Gilman Trail, parallel to Blakely. Yet, according to Seattle's Transportation Department, the crosswalk where the bike trail and 25th Avenue meet has seen eight serious bike-car crashes from 2003 to 2008---more than any other location in the city. A number of Burke-Gilman Street crossings are among those most dangerous to Seattle cyclists.

Also dangerous for bicyclists are certain sections of Capitol Hill and downtown. Most Seattle bike-car accidents occurred in daytime and in good weather. Since 2001, over 900 cyclists have been injured and five killed in Seattle car-bicycle accidents. In 2008, a 58-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman were among the fatalities.

Determined to reduce the number of car-bicycle collisions, Seattle wrote a bicycle master plan that many bicycle accident lawyers are sure to like. The goal was to promote cycling and reroute some bike traffic to improve safety. Key concerns are narrow streets with little room for bike lanes; Seattle is increasing traffic and construction; and the on-going battle between motorists and cyclists, each vying for more rights of way.

The master plan also addresses other key issues. These include the dangerous Second Avenue bike lane downtown; better east-west bike lane connections through the Aurora corridor; additional signs or lights at problem intersections; more bike carriers on buses; and connections between the city's disparate bike trails.

Seattle officials hope that shared bike and car lanes will reduce the collisions and near-misses in the downtown Second Avenue bike lane. According to Transportation department figures, that 17-block, southbound stretch ranks among the city's worst even through it's a one-way street with a designated bike lane.

Cyclists need to obey the rules of the road and motorists need to be increasingly aware of their surroundings.

Since their founding in 1978, Bisnar Chase lawyers have represented over four thousand people in car, motorcycle, truck, pedestrian and other personal injury cases. The law firm has an "AV" rating, the highest level of professional excellence, by Martindale-Hubble. John Bisnar, who is the author of this article, and his partner Brian Chase each have a "10" Avvo rating, the highest possible. John was named a "Community Hero" by the United Way, while Brian was named a "Trial Lawyer of the Year" in 2004 and one of the 2007 Top 100 Trial Lawyers. More important than all their top ratings and awards are the testimonials their clients bestow on them. Aren't these the type of guys you want representing you? For more information on Seattle car-bicycle accident lawyers, visit the Bisnar Chase web site at http://www.bestattorney.com or call 1-800-561-4887. Copyright 2009 Bisnar Chase LLP. All Rights Reserved.