Cydney Campbell Webster, Shareholder at GLP Attorneys’ Seattle Office, and Scott Shawver, Partner at GLP Attorneys’ Seattle Office, were interviewed last night on KOMO 4 regarding the case of a longtime Seattle resident who sustained catastrophic injuries after being struck by a Sound Transit Link Light Rail train at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Way South and South Orcas Street. The victim, who uses a wheelchair, was in the pedestrian refuge area when the southbound train collided with his mobility device, resulting in the amputation of his leg.
GLP Attorneys has filed a complaint on behalf of the injured man. The lawsuit names King County, Sound Transit, and the City of Seattle as defendants, alleging negligence, violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Washington Law Against Discrimination. The complaint asserts that these entities knew for years that the at-grade light rail crossings along MLK Jr. Way were unsafe and failed to take meaningful corrective action despite multiple safety studies and internal hazard assessments dating back to 2017.
“This case is about accountability and prevention,” said Scott. “Our client’s life was permanently altered by a crossing design that government agencies already knew posed an unacceptable risk. We must ensure that no one else, especially those with mobility challenges, pays this price again.”
The complaint details a history of safety warnings: Sound Transit’s own reports document over 130 collisions along the MLK corridor since 2009, and at least eight fatalities. Internal analyses identified the Orcas Street crossing as one of the most dangerous, yet improvements such as pedestrian gates, in-pavement lighting, and widened refuge areas were never implemented.
GLP Attorneys is calling for comprehensive safety upgrades across all at-grade crossings in the Rainier Valley, including pedestrian gates, clearer audible and visual warnings, and accessible refuge areas designed for wheelchair users.
“Crossings like this must be safe for everyone,” added Cydney. “Our community deserves transportation systems that protect, not endanger, the most vulnerable among us.”
Watch the full interview with KOMO 4 here.
Speak to an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today
GLP Attorneys has supported clients with their personal injury cases for nearly four decades. GLP Attorneys has experience achieving justice for clients who have been involved in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and trucking accidents.
If you have been injured in an accident, call 800-273-5005 or email our attorneys at to schedule a free lawyer consultation.
