TRAFFIC ALERT: West Seattle Junction collision

7:08 PM: SPD says northbound traffic on California at Edmunds/Erskine is being diverted because of a collision. It’s reported as a driver hitting a pedestrian, and the pedestrian will be taken to the hospital. Northbound traffic is being sent down Erskine.

7:50 PM: No further information so far. We’re checking with SFD for more information about the person taken to the hospital.

EARLY SUNDAY: We haven’t heard back from SFD yet, but meantime two commenters who report being there say the victim was a bike rider who was hit by a car door.

Nicole September 16, 2023 (9:34 pm)

I witnessed this accident. A couple riding electric bikes on California and the guy collided with a parked car door opening. We stayed to call for aid and helped the couple. He was conscious and breathing but in pain and had injuries. They went to the hospital and he seemed to be stable. It was an accident and the the guy in the car was very visibly upset so we stayed to help everyone in this situation.

DelridgeDriver September 18, 2023 (12:07 pm)

Thanks Nicole for staying and helping. And for sharing your account here. I’m going to nitpick your language a bit, not because I want to criticize you so much as because I think it exposes the way we as a society tend to think about these sorts of incidents. I’m making the assumption that the door was opened directly in front of the cyclist, leaving them with no time to react. In that case, it’s not fair to say that the cyclist “collided with a parked car door”. Instead, we should be talking about the driver having carelessly opened their car door into the path of the cyclist. Second, you say “it was an accident”, which seems to imply that it was unavoidable and there was no fault. This is bigger than a simple oopsie. We should acknowledge that it is the responsibility of the driver to ensure that they are able to safely open their door before doing so. I hope that the cyclist is recovering, that they have a good lawyer, and that the driver was insured. Please, everyone else in cars, look out for others. Driving is a big responsibility and a moment of inattentiveness has the possibility of permanently changing someone else’s life for the worst.

Buncake September 17, 2023 (12:53 am)

First on the scene moments after a man on an ebike was struck by a car door at the intersection. I immediately started to redirect traffic as the man was on the ground awaiting emergency services. He appeared to have broken bones and severe trauma. Possible broken ribs and limbs and back and head trauma. People came from everywhere to help, It was amazing to see the empathy of so many as I continuously directed traffic so emergency vehicles could access the scene safely they eventually arrived and I continued for a few moments without police or the fire department intervention. Thankfully the cars and busses moved out carefully and cleared the street. Thank you to everyone and pray for this man to have a full recovery as he was very banged up

Odd son September 17, 2023 (11:53 am)

I’m surprised this doesn’t happen more often, people just fling their doors open without looking first. It’s against the law.

Foop September 17, 2023 (12:17 pm)

This is exactly why bike lanes next to parking and sharrows are failed infrastructure we need truly separated bike or MUTs.When I take the lane as a cyclist, which so often angers drivers, it’s often to stay out of the notorious door zone.

22blades September 17, 2023 (12:55 pm)

This is a driver education issue. In the Netherlands, authorities train drivers with the “Dutch Style” door opening; Reach to open the door with your RIGHT HAND. It turns your body to bring approaching cyclists into view. My usual rant: WSDOT needs to tighten training & re-testing requirements. People don’t know the rules if you don’t remind them (re-train) on best practices & laws.

Frog September 18, 2023 (12:43 pm)

Looking out your car window isn’t really that helpful. If there is a tall SUV or delivery van behind, you won’t see an approaching bicycle, or especially an e-bike going very fast. Looking in your side mirror is more reliable, because you can actually see 30 yards behind, or at least as far as the closest Prime delivery van. Separately, there is an ongoing issue about whether e-bikes are more like bicycles or motorcycles. Anyone going 20 mph on an e-bike should be out in the lane or along an empty curb, not in the door zone, because the ratio of speed to visibility will always be risky.

David Moravec September 22, 2023 (12:02 pm)

Biker who was hit by the car door here! I want to thank everyone who rushed to my aid last Saturday night securing our belongings and redirecting traffic, and the amazing response teams from Seattle Fire and EMT. I left Harborview Medical Center Sunday evening with a broken clavicle and six broken ribs, and on the mend now.The driver of the car has remained in contact with us, and has expressed his sincerest apologies and offering to help in any way possible. Thanks again to everyone, and moving forward I will be sure to keep a safe distance from parked car doors, ha!

Sorry, comment time is over.