Man Distracted by Spider Hits Pedestrian | Seattle Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

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Humans are naturally disturbed by creepy-crawlies. We associate the image of tiny legs marching with a poisonous bite. Consequently, encountering a spider sends us into a minor state of panic. But depending on one’s age and opinions of spiders, many people grow out of their fear, or at least learn how to handle scary situations rationally. As a Seattle personal injury lawyer, I know that how calmly we react to a sudden change determines whether we make the wrong move or the right one.

On August 7^th, 2011, at about 3 p.m. in the 3500 block of Bill McDonald Parkway in Bellingham, a SUV swerved and struck a pedestrian on a sidewalk. Police spokesman Mark Young says that the 27-year-old driver immediately got out and tried to help the 26-year-old pedestrian. The pedestrian, who was unconscious, was taken to St. Joseph Hospital. The driver contributed his strange driving behavior to being startled by a spider in his car. Young says the collision is still under investigation to determine whether or not the driver should be ticketed.

According to a poll conducted by King 5 News, 54% of readers believe the driver should be ticketed. Clearly, most people are torn on the subject. Is the driver at fault for his natural reaction? Or was it ridiculous for him to become so alarmed? Regardless of whether or not the driver is responsible, a possibly fatal pedestrian accident is a high price to pay for a little spider. As a Bellevue pedestrian accident lawyer I hope the pedestrian makes a full recovery and the driver learns how to control his nerves when faced with new obstacles.

Before you get behind the wheel again read our article with Seattle Auto Accident Prevention Tips to help you stay safe on the roads.